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.
13. Cocktail (1988)
This Tom Cruise vehicle, which follows a bartender’s journey to the top, is considered one of the worst films of the 1980s, sitting at a brutal 5% on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, the movie's pop music album was a monumental success. Featuring a collection of slick '80s hits and soft rock, the soundtrack spawned two massive #1 singles: The Beach Boys' tropical smash 'Kokomo' and Bobby McFerrin's feel-good anthem 'Don't Worry, Be Happy.' The soundtrack’s cultural ubiquity completely eclipsed the film's poor critical reception. | Getty Images