Baz Luhrmann’s frenetic, modern-dress adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy divides critics, with many praising the style but finding the execution excessive and messy. However, the film's accompanying soundtrack is an undeniable masterpiece of '90s alternative rock. It perfectly captured the teenage angst and melodrama of the decade, featuring powerful, moody anthems like The Cardigans' 'Lovefool,' alongside tracks from Garbage, Everclear, and Butthole Surfers. placeholder image
Baz Luhrmann’s frenetic, modern-dress adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy divides critics, with many praising the style but finding the execution excessive and messy. However, the film's accompanying soundtrack is an undeniable masterpiece of '90s alternative rock. It perfectly captured the teenage angst and melodrama of the decade, featuring powerful, moody anthems like The Cardigans' 'Lovefool,' alongside tracks from Garbage, Everclear, and Butthole Surfers. | Getty Images

Great soundtrack, bad film: 13 movies where the soundtrack was the best part of the entire feature

Benjamin Jackson
By Benjamin Jackson

Reporter

Published 26th Oct 2025, 15:00 BST

The somewhat unremarkable films with soundtracks that are undoubtedly undeniable

I’m certain people have experienced the same situation I have a few times: thinking while watching a movie, “this is pretty bad, but the soundtrack is absolutely killer.” Or thoughts to that extent at least.

Take, for example, Tron: Ares. The latest in Disney’s sci-fi franchise, starring Jared Leto, was released in cinemas to huge fanfare, but as of writing looks to be a box office flop, with Deadline Hollywood reporting that the film is set to lose over $132 million after opening to only $106.4 million worldwide - compared to it’s estimated budget of $347.5 million, including production and advertising.

Yet for all the comments on the acting and plot, there have been celebratory remarks for the soundtrack, helmed by Oscar-winners Nine Inch Nails. It wouldn’t be the first time such illustrious names were part of the franchise’s soundtrack, either.

So what are some great examples of “Good Soundtrack, Bad Movie”? We’ve picked our 13 (and controversially one even my partner doesn’t quite agree with), with soundtracks that were overwhelmingly well received. But the movie itself? Not so much.

Roland Emmerich's blockbuster reboot of the monster icon was a critical disaster, failing to deliver on the scale and spectacle it promised. Critics and audiences largely rejected the film, but its tie-in soundtrack was another massive commercial success. It was loaded with radio-ready alternative rock and electronic tracks, including standout collaborations and new tracks from bands like Green Day, The Wallflowers, and Rage Against the Machine.

7. Godzilla (1998)

Roland Emmerich's blockbuster reboot of the monster icon was a critical disaster, failing to deliver on the scale and spectacle it promised. Critics and audiences largely rejected the film, but its tie-in soundtrack was another massive commercial success. It was loaded with radio-ready alternative rock and electronic tracks, including standout collaborations and new tracks from bands like Green Day, The Wallflowers, and Rage Against the Machine. | TriStar Pictures

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Ben Affleck's early 2000s superhero outing was criticised for its dark tone and choppy editing, landing it a lukewarm critical reception. The soundtrack, however, was a commercial behemoth for the era's angsty rock sound. It was dominated by major chart-toppers like Evanescence's Grammy-winning single 'Bring Me to Life,' which remains iconic, alongside contributions from Nickelback and The Calling. The music is pure 2003 angst, standing much taller than the film it was created to promote.

8. Daredevil (2003)

Ben Affleck's early 2000s superhero outing was criticised for its dark tone and choppy editing, landing it a lukewarm critical reception. The soundtrack, however, was a commercial behemoth for the era's angsty rock sound. It was dominated by major chart-toppers like Evanescence's Grammy-winning single 'Bring Me to Life,' which remains iconic, alongside contributions from Nickelback and The Calling. The music is pure 2003 angst, standing much taller than the film it was created to promote. | 20th Century

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Zack Snyder’s fantasy-action flick was lambasted for its messy narrative, overly sexualised visuals, and confusing multiple realities. Yet, the film's musical centrepiece is one of its most compelling aspects. The soundtrack consists of dark, orchestral, and often haunting covers of classic songs, featuring the film’s star Emily Browning on tracks like the Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' and The Smiths' 'Asleep.' The album also includes contributions from Björk and Emilíana Torrini, giving the chaotic film an unexpectedly artistic sound.

9. Sucker Punch (2011)

Zack Snyder’s fantasy-action flick was lambasted for its messy narrative, overly sexualised visuals, and confusing multiple realities. Yet, the film's musical centrepiece is one of its most compelling aspects. The soundtrack consists of dark, orchestral, and often haunting covers of classic songs, featuring the film’s star Emily Browning on tracks like the Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' and The Smiths' 'Asleep.' The album also includes contributions from Björk and Emilíana Torrini, giving the chaotic film an unexpectedly artistic sound. | Warner Bros. Pictures

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This notoriously cheesy horror film is Stephen King's only directorial effort, and it's a critical laughingstock (15% RT score) about trucks coming to life. The entire film is essentially a very long music video for AC/DC, who recorded their album Who Made Who specifically for the movie. The hard rock soundtrack—featuring hits like the title track and 'You Shook Me All Night Long'—delivers constant, raw energy, providing the only real thrills in a movie that utterly lacks subtlety or cinematic quality.

10. Maximum Overdrive (1986)

This notoriously cheesy horror film is Stephen King's only directorial effort, and it's a critical laughingstock (15% RT score) about trucks coming to life. The entire film is essentially a very long music video for AC/DC, who recorded their album Who Made Who specifically for the movie. The hard rock soundtrack—featuring hits like the title track and 'You Shook Me All Night Long'—delivers constant, raw energy, providing the only real thrills in a movie that utterly lacks subtlety or cinematic quality. | De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

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M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon is an infamously terrible film with a rare 5% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the disastrous writing, casting, and execution, the film’s score is a beautiful anomaly. Veteran composer James Newton Howard delivered a sweeping, emotive, and technically brilliant orchestral score that completely underserves the cinematic mess. The grandeur of the music stands as a frustrating reminder of the great film that could have been.

11. The Last Airbender (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon is an infamously terrible film with a rare 5% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the disastrous writing, casting, and execution, the film’s score is a beautiful anomaly. Veteran composer James Newton Howard delivered a sweeping, emotive, and technically brilliant orchestral score that completely underserves the cinematic mess. The grandeur of the music stands as a frustrating reminder of the great film that could have been. | Paramount Pictures

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A legendary Hollywood flop due to its bloated budget and messy production, Kevin Costner's dystopian epic was savaged by critics upon release. While the movie failed to find its footing, composer James Newton Howard created a suitably grand, heroic, and emotional score that conveys all the sweeping post-apocalyptic scope the film aimed for. The sheer scale and quality of the music contrast sharply with the film's reputation for watery extravagance and disappointment.

12. Waterworld (1995)

A legendary Hollywood flop due to its bloated budget and messy production, Kevin Costner's dystopian epic was savaged by critics upon release. While the movie failed to find its footing, composer James Newton Howard created a suitably grand, heroic, and emotional score that conveys all the sweeping post-apocalyptic scope the film aimed for. The sheer scale and quality of the music contrast sharply with the film's reputation for watery extravagance and disappointment. | Getty Images

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