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 GMT

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.

Based on the popular comic book, Spawn was an industrial-gothic mess of an adaptation, with a confused plot and woeful CGI that earned it a dismal 17% rating. But like Judgment Night, the soundtrack was a high-concept crossover masterpiece. The album paired industrial and electronic pioneers with rock and metal acts, creating a dark, aggressive album. Key collaborations include Filter & The Crystal Method on the driving '(Can't You) Trip Like I Do' and Marilyn Manson & Sneaker Pimps on the haunting 'Long Hard Road Out of Hell.'

5. Spawn (1997)

Based on the popular comic book, Spawn was an industrial-gothic mess of an adaptation, with a confused plot and woeful CGI that earned it a dismal 17% rating. But like Judgment Night, the soundtrack was a high-concept crossover masterpiece. The album paired industrial and electronic pioneers with rock and metal acts, creating a dark, aggressive album. Key collaborations include Filter & The Crystal Method on the driving '(Can't You) Trip Like I Do' and Marilyn Manson & Sneaker Pimps on the haunting 'Long Hard Road Out of Hell.' | New Line Cinema

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Attempting to recapture the visual magic and tragic mystique of the original The Crow, this sequel was widely panned as hollow and ill-conceived. Despite its failure, the film's soundtrack is celebrated as a definitive snapshot of '90s gothic and alternative rock. The album featured heavyweight acts like Hole covering 'Gold Dust Woman,' alongside contributions from Korn, Deftones, White Zombie, and Bush. Its gloomy, visceral atmosphere is everything the movie failed to be.

6. The Crow: City of Angels (1996)

Attempting to recapture the visual magic and tragic mystique of the original The Crow, this sequel was widely panned as hollow and ill-conceived. Despite its failure, the film's soundtrack is celebrated as a definitive snapshot of '90s gothic and alternative rock. The album featured heavyweight acts like Hole covering 'Gold Dust Woman,' alongside contributions from Korn, Deftones, White Zombie, and Bush. Its gloomy, visceral atmosphere is everything the movie failed to be. | Netflix

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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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