Before Spotify playlists and digital crates, there were soundtracks—honest-to-goodness, needle-drop-packed, emotion-drenched soundtracks. And in the 1980s, Hollywood didn’t just serve up iconic films—it delivered music moments that became legendary in their own right. These 20 soundtracks didn’t just support the story—they were the story. And decades later, they’re still stuck in our heads… in the best way.
Here are 20 of the best 1980s movie soundtracks that still rock, roll, dance, and break your heart—all in alphabetical order, just like your record shelf.
Batman (1989)
Prince wrote an entire album for Gotham—and it’s every bit as weird, bold, and brilliant as you’d expect. From “Batdance” to “Partyman,” it’s the funkiest soundtrack to ever accompany a vigilante in a cape.
Beaches (1988)
If Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” doesn’t break you just a little inside, are you even human? Beaches gave us one of the most iconic tearjerker ballads ever—and a soundtrack full of heart.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
One word: “Axel F.” That synth line defined a decade. Throw in The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and Glenn Frey’s “The Heat Is On,” and this soundtrack moves like a neon-lit sports car.
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Vangelis’s synthesizer score made running on a beach feel like a spiritual experience. One of the most iconic and uplifting instrumentals in movie history—and still a motivational go-to.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Nobody puts this soundtrack in a corner. With “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and “Hungry Eyes,” it’s romance, rebellion, and ‘60s nostalgia wrapped in ’80s power ballad glory.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
John Williams strikes again with one of the most magical scores ever composed. The music soars like a bike over the moon—and yes, it’ll still make you cry.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
No official soundtrack? No problem. Yello’s “Oh Yeah,” The Dream Academy’s “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want”—this movie is a mixtape of cool, curated rebellion.
Flashdance (1983)
What a feeling, indeed. Irene Cara’s title track won an Oscar, and the rest of the soundtrack powered dance studios and aerobics classes for the rest of the decade.
Footloose (1984)
Six chart-topping singles. Kevin Bacon’s righteous anger. Kenny Loggins’ title track “Footloose” and “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man),” Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero,” Shalamar’s “Dancing in the Sheets,” and Mike Reno & Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise”—this soundtrack didn’t just power a movie, it was the Billboard Hot 100. It’s the very sound of small-town rebellion and radio-ready joy.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is the anthem of teen movie history. A one-song crown jewel—but what a song.
The Big Chill (1983)
Motown meets existential crisis. Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin—this soundtrack introduced a new generation to old soul, and it still grooves. The argument for starting the classic rock era never still popular today starts here.
Labyrinth (1986)
David Bowie didn’t just star in Labyrinth, he scored it—literally. “As the World Falls Down” and “Magic Dance” are haunting, weird, and wonderful Bowie at his most theatrical.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Gothic glam meets vampire chic. INXS, Echo & the Bunnymen, and the unforgettable “Cry Little Sister”—this soundtrack is pure dark-wave gold.
Purple Rain (1984)
Yes, it’s a great soundtrack, but more than that, it’s one of the greatest albums of all time. Prince delivered a cinematic and musical masterpiece with “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and the title track.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
John Williams, again. That swashbuckling theme is instant adventure fuel, and the score’s energy carries every whip crack and cliffhanger with style.
Rocky IV (1985)
If training montages had a holy grail, this is it. Survivor’s “Burning Heart,” James Brown’s “Living in America,” and Vince DiCola’s synth-drenched score punch harder than Drago.
Stand by Me (1986)
Ben E. King’s title track sets the tone for a coming-of-age film drenched in nostalgia. The rest of the soundtrack is all golden oldies—and it still glows.
Top Gun (1986)
“Danger Zone,” “Take My Breath Away,” and enough testosterone-laced jet fuel to power a fleet. Top Gun is one of the most over-the-top—and perfectly over-produced—soundtracks of the decade.
The Untouchables (1987)
Ennio Morricone’s score is icy, elegant, and gripping. More than a soundtrack—it’s a character in the film. Sweeping, sinister, and unforgettable.
Who’s That Girl (1987)
Madonna not only starred—she sang. The title track was a hit, and the rest of the album is peak late-’80s Madonna energy: playful, stylish, and oh-so danceable.
The albums, they scored our memories, shaped our taste, and still make us feel something the second they play. Whether you’re dancing in the dark or driving with the windows down, these 20 albums remind us that music and movies—especially in the ’80s—were a perfect match.