From “Defying Gravity” inWickedto “Claw Machine” inI Saw the TV Glow,the movies of 2024had some unforgettable needle-drops on their soundtracks. It’s been a great year for music at the movies.Dune: Part Twohad another classic Hans Zimmer score,Beetlejuice Beetlejuicehad another classic Danny Elfman score, andTwistershad an infectious country rock soundtrack.
There have been some really terrific needle-drops on the soundtracks of 2024 movies.Deadpool and Wolverine saved the universeto the tune of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”Anora’s greatest day was, appropriately, set to the sounds of Take That’s “Greatest Day.”
5"Time Will Crawl" By David Bowie
Challengers
One of David Bowie’s most underrated songs, “Time Will Crawl,” can be heard playing during the party scene inChallengers.There’s something really immersive about a diegetic needle-drop; the audience is hearing the same music that the characters are hearing. It marks a key turning point in the movie. As the song plays, Art and Patrick watch Tashi getting her picture taken, both becoming infatuated with her — an obsession that will ultimately destroy their friendship.
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Bowie’s lyrics, inspired by news of the Chernobyl disaster, tie into the tension of the love triangle, and the emotional devastation it will cause.In a literal sense, the song also hints at the extensive nonlinear timeline of the story just as the audience is getting settled into the unique narrative structure. A filmmaker can never go wrongputting Bowie on their soundtrack.
4"Claw Machine" By Sloppy Jane Ft. Phoebe Bridgers
I Saw The TV Glow
Just about any of the original songs fromthe soundtrack ofI Saw the TV Glowwould be a worthy entry on this list.Such renowned artists as Florist, Drab Majesty, and Snail Mail contributed songs to this movie, and they all did a great job. But arguably the best song in the movie — and best-used song in the movie — is “Claw Machine” by Sloppy Jane and their former bassist Phoebe Bridgers.
“Claw Machine” suits not only the ‘90s mixtape vibe of the soundtrack, but the spooky supernatural horror vibe of the movie.
“Claw Machine” is playing in a bar called The Double Lunch. It fits the tone of the film better than any other song on the soundtrack. “Claw Machine” suits not only the ‘90s mixtape vibe of the soundtrack, but the spooky supernatural horror vibe of the movie.
3"Bye Bye Bye" By NSYNC
Deadpool & Wolverine
There are a ton of great needle-drops ontheDeadpool & Wolverinesoundtrack, from Chris de Burgh’s “The Lady in Red” over the introduction of Dogpool to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” over the climactic street brawl with the Deadpool Corps. But arguably the best needle-drop in the movie is the first one. As TVA agents confront Deadpool for desecrating Logan’s grave, Deadpool decides to fight them off using his fellow mutant’s adamantium skeleton. In a hilarious nod to Wolverine’s distaste for the song inX2, NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” blares onto the soundtrack.
In between smacking TVA agents with indestructible bones, Deadpool recreates the iconic dance from the “Bye Bye Bye” music video.
This is such a memorable sequence that it’s easy to see why it led to a resurgence in the song’s popularity. It’s been streamed by millions of people and even turned into an emote inFortnite.
2"Defying Gravity" By Cynthia Erivo Ft. Ariana Grande
Wicked
The movie adaptation ofWickedonly covers the first half of the hit Broadway musical, but it still goes out on a high note, thanks to its closing number. Atthe end ofWicked’s first part, Madame Morrible declares Elphaba to be a “wicked witch,” the students of Shiz flee the campus, and Governor Thropp has a heart attack. Meanwhile, Elphaba flies off into the Western Sky and belts out one of the musical’s greatest songs: “Defying Gravity.”
Audiences needed a heartwarming story about kindness and friendship this year, and “Defying Gravity” encapsulates that.
The box office success ofWickedhas been attributed to its feel-good tone. Audiences needed a heartwarming story about kindness and friendship this year, and “Defying Gravity” encapsulates that. As far as cinematic interpretations of iconic Broadway musical numbers go, Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of “Defying Gravity” is up there with Anne Hathaway’s “I Dreamed a Dream.”
1"Greatest Day" By Take That Ft. Robin Schulz & Calum Scott
Anora
Sean Baker’s touching character studyAnoraopens to the tune of Take That’s “Greatest Day.”It becomes a sort of theme song for the movie, recurring throughout the runtime, but its first use in the opening scene is timed perfectly. As the camera pans across various dancers working on clients, the beat drops the second it arrives at Anora herself. It fits with the story, because the day Ani meets Ivan is the greatest day of her life (even if the ensuing romance is short-lived).
Take That’s late-career pop ballad sound sets the right tone for the movie. The melody is upbeat and uplifting, but with a hint of melancholy, much like this doomed love story between a sex worker and a wealthy john. After the movie, it’ll be impossible to listen to “Greatest Day” and not think aboutAnora.
