Top 10 Rom-com Soundtracks of All Time

Everybody loves a good romantic comedy. But what ultimately sets a good rom-com apart from a great one is killer soundtrack. Here are the top ten greatest rom-com soundtracks of all time.

Written by Jayden Guzman
Illustrated by Gracelyn Prom

10. “Mamma Mia!” (2008)

This 2008 musical romantic comedy was an instant classic upon its release. “Mamma Mia!” is a big-screen adaptation of a British jukebox musical of the same name, and quickly became a favorite among Meryl Streep fans. The story is based on the songs of the chart-topping ‘70s Swedish pop band ABBA, so the soundtrack consists of many of their hits like “Money, Money, Money,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “The Winner Takes it All,” and of course the film’s namesake, “Mamma Mia.” The movie’s soundtrack was produced by original ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, both of whom similarly aided in the production of the musical.

9. “500 Days of Summer” (2009)

This 2009 rom-com drama starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel is somehow equally as heartbreaking as it is charming. The story is told through nonlinear flashbacks of moments in a relationship that ultimately ends in heartbreak for Tom, Gordon-Levitt’s character. The accompanying soundtrack — which consists of tracks by bands such as The Smiths, Hall & Oates, and Simon & Garfunkel — fits the tone of the movie by perfectly embodying Tom’s hopelessly romantic, sad boy spirit.

8. “Shrek” (2001) and “Shrek 2” (2004)

Arguably one of the greatest animated ogre rom-coms of the past 20 years, “Shrek” has a soundtrack that was possibly just as iconic and widely acclaimed as the Academy Award-winning feature film itself. Nominated for several awards including a Grammy and a BAFTA Award, the soundtrack includes classic after classic, from Rufus Wainright’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s legendary “Hallelujah” to Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer” (performed by Smash Mouth). However, the movies’ integration of the songs into the narrative of the film is what makes the soundtrack so special. The films includes several scenes in which characters perform songs at crucial moments, making the already-legendary soundtrack even more memorable.

The soundtrack to the movie’s sequel, “Shrek 2,” also deserves recognition. The second installment of the venerated franchise has a soundtrack that includes various iconic tracks — such as “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” “Funkytown,” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” — all of which rivaled those of first movie’s soundtrack. However, the “Shrek 2” soundtrack ultimately deserves the most respect for its lead single, Counting Crows’ “Accidentally in Love,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

7. “Grease” (1978)

This late ’70s musical (and its accompanying soundtrack) is, without a doubt, a bona fide classic. Nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, the ‘50s greaser-themed soundtrack includes two hits that peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US (“You're the One That I Want” and “Grease”) as well as an Oscar nomination for the song “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”

6. “50 First Dates” (2004)

When it comes to making quality films, cinematic genius Adam Sandler just doesn’t know how to stop. His second rom-com with Drew Barrymore, “50 First Dates,” is an example of this brilliance. Featuring an MTV Movie Award-winning performance by the duo, the film is accompanied by a soundtrack of reggae covers of ‘80s pop hits, most memorably The Cure’s “Lovesong.” These reggae renditions are consistent with the movie’s tropical setting in Hawaii, and are so memorable that even Barrymore’s amnesiac character couldn’t forget them.

5. “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018)

This 2018 rom-com was an instant classic, heralded by many for its Asian representation, something still noticeably missing from the film industry. The multilingual soundtrack includes a mix of classic Chinese songs and contemporary English songs. However, what makes the soundtrack so unique is its covers of contemporary pop songs by Asian artists. The clear stand-out is Coldplay’s “Yellow,” performed in Mandarin by Chinese-American singer Katherine Ho. Director Jon M. Chu wrote a letter to the band asking for permission to use the song as a way of giving new meaning to the title, which has commonly been used as a slur towards Asians.

4. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989)

Photo courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc

“When Harry Met Sally,” starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, was released in 1989, and has since held up as one of the funniest and most iconic romantic comedies of all time. The soundtrack, — created by a young Harry Connick Jr. accompanied by an orchestra and big band — is compiled of jazz and pop staples, such as “It Had to Be You,” “Where or When,” “I Could Write a Book.”. The soundtrack went double platinum and earned Connick Jr. his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance.

3. “13 Going on 30” (2004)

How could a soundtrack that features both Vanilla Ice and Whitney Houston not be on this list? Jennifer Garner’s 2004 fantasy rom-com, “13 Going on 30,” has a soundtrack that appeals to pretty much anyone with ears, from ages 13 to 30 and beyond. With hits from a variety of ‘80s legends — such as Madonna, Rick Springfield, and even Billy Joel — the soundtrack is as sweet and instantly likable as the movie itself.

2. “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)

This modern teen romcom was a hit upon its release on Netflix. Made available as a playlist on Spotify, the movie’s soundtrack includes everything from indie rock to electropop. Songs from artists such as The Velveteins, Wild Nothing, Anna of the North, and Lauv evoke the youthfully romantic spirit of a classic teen rom-com, while embodying the cute and quirky nature of the movie’s protagonist Lara Jean.

1. “High School Musical”

When this Disney Channel Original Movie first aired on television in 2006, it was — and still is — heralded as a cult classic. Starring a young Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale, the film’s tracks became iconic to the masses of kids who grew up singing along to them. The many masterpieces — such as “Stick to the Status Quo,” “Breaking Free,” and “Start of Something New” — taught an entire generation of youth to love fearlessly and take pride in being themselves.

Afterglow ATXApril 9, 2019