For as much stock as we place on performances and cinematography, the soundtrack of a film can sometimes get overlooked for just how important it is in completing the overall vibe. Ever tried covering your ears whilst watching a film? We certainly don’t recommend it, not the least because it’s a nightmare when trying to eat popcorn.
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Still, if you think back on your all-time favourite films then there’s a good chance that the soundtrack comes to mind as well. After all, where would Toy Story be without "You’ve Got a Friend in Me"? Or do we dare to imagine a version of Star Wars that doesn’t kick off with the iconic main theme? No thanks.
Soundtracks and scores are essential, and in 2025 we’ve had quite a few contenders that are sure to be up part of the conversation once the chatter surrounding the Academy Awards begins to swell. So, with that in mind, now’s as good a chance as ever to look back on the best soundtracks of 2025 and what it was that made them so great.
Wicked: For Good
How could we start this list anywhere else? Wicked took the world by storm last year, not just for being such a long-awaited adaptation of one of the world’s best musicals, but also for how phenomenal the performances of both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were. They poured their souls into Elphaba and Glinda, and there’s simply no way that you can listen to "Defying Gravity" without a) singing along at the top of your lungs or b) turning into one giant goosebump.
Although the first film was a tough act to follow, Wicked: For Good has its own share of incredible songs including "No Good Deed" and, of course, the titular track which accompanies the film’s climactic finale. The soundtrack as a whole is practically a shoo-in for the next Oscars, unless it’s being voted on by Madame Morrible.
Sinners
Sinners was one of the biggest surprise hits of 2025, ticking all of the right boxes by having an outstanding cast, an original premise and above all, a soundtrack to die for (quite literally in the context of the film). Those who have seen it will know that the cast play a major role in the songs that feature, with recordings from Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell and Miles Caton.
There are so many great tracks to choose from but the one that really stuck in our heads, largely due to how much of a triple threat Jack O’Connell is as an actor, is Rocky Road to Dublin. From sinister Irish dancing to a voice that makes you yearn for the hills of Donegal, the scene that features Rocky Road to Dublin is an absolute delight. It’s no wonder that O’Connell will be back on our screens very soon in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
KPop Demon Hunters
On paper, the tale of a girl band that needs to sing K-pop in order to fight back against an army of demons sounds like two separate films that accidentally merged, but KPop Demon Hunters is now a certified all-timer. The film is almost sure to be nominated for its achievements in animation, but we want to make sure that its musical contributions are also recognised.
After all, "Golde"n and "Soda Pop" are the type of earworms that will not give up until you’re singing along to every line and learning Korean in the process. As far as we’re concerned, the jury is still out as to which of these songs is the superior one, but for any film to have not one but two undeniable slammers is an achievement in itself. That and the film’s eye for fashion (still obsessing over Huntrix’s outfit changes).
28 Years Later
This one might be a long shot as horror films tend not to be included in Oscar conversations, but 28 Years Later stands out for being a family drama first that just happens to be set amidst the backdrop of a zombie-infested Britain. It’s a tour de force that reminds us how much scarier horror can be when you start to develop a personal attachment to the characters featured, but for all that’s on screen, there was an equal amount of attention paid to the soundtrack.
In order to score this apocalyptic wasteland, the Scottish hip hop band Young Fathers were enlisted to write the entire soundtrack, and reader, it is a doosie. The score moves between genres like it’s nothing, but it all contributes to the conflicted emotions that come with life in a post-apocalyptic world.
A Minecraft Movie (bear with us on this one)
Ah yes, the film that brought us both Chicken Jockey and a reminder that the children yearn for the mines, A Minecraft Movie was a monster hit upon release. Capturing the zaniness of the game with a cast fronted by none other than Jack Black and Jason Momoa, this is one of those films that just has to be seen to be believed.
Amidst the chaos of it all however, A Minecraft Movie managed to debut two original songs: Steve’s "Lava Chicken" and "I Feel Alive". While the former can be sung in the same amount of time taken to brew a cup of tea, the latter is a full-on rock bop that has actually been submitted for consideration at the Oscars. Only time will tell if those picking the winners are mine dwellers or a bunch of endermen.
Reach out to us on X if there’s anything you think we missed that should absolutely be in the running for the best soundtracks of 2025.
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