There are few things I love more than movies, but since I can’t always be watching my favourite films, I get by listening to movie music. You’d be surprised how delightful it is to listen to soundtracks from your favourite geeky movies. I’m talking about the best soundtracks, not just any old soundtracks. And with movie music being so versatile, you can listen to it in the car, in the office at the gym and pretty much while you’re doing anything.
I can’t tell you how many times I jump in my car and cringe at the sound of the radio. I’m too lazy to change out my CD player and have had a Tool album in there since Nam (which is getting old and annoying). Then it dawned on me… What if I just had movie music playing in my car every time I got in? You know what I found out? It never gets old. So, I decided to write a list of the best movie soundtracks for geeks so you can enjoy them too (and never have to cringe at another radio commercial again).
I could sit here all day and list the movies for geeks, but as I said, I’d be here all day. So, to narrow it down to 15, I made a list of all the ones you can find on Google Play. I am a huge Google Play consumer, so huge that once my Google Play gift card ran out I bought an unlimited membership which I pay $9.99/month for (not an endorsement). Otherwise, these can add up for sure. You can find all these on Google Play just by searching the title. I’ve added in the price of each (rounded). Just know there are a few more I wanted to add in here but will have to do a part 2 for sure. These will definitely get you started.
The Best Movie Soundtracks for Geeks
Star Wars Soundtrack: The Music of Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Composed by John Williams
So this was a no brainer right off the bat. The Star Wars soundtrack is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. The Darth Vader theme song kills me every time I hear it. I was stoked when I found out this was on Google Play. It’s got 87 songs from 2007 and older and runs $44 bucks. It’s a pretty tight collection of the franchise’s scores. It was my first find and I literally freaked when I saw it and have been bluetoothing it in my car and house/office since.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure, let’s just make this easy…anytime, anywhere.
Harry Potter Soundtrack: The Complete Harry Potter Film Music Collection by City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
This is the total collection and runs at $19 bucks. This album rocks, I love listening to it at night. It totally brings on a whole new light for the film just listening to it solo.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, in the office, doing homework
Back To The Future Part III: Original Motion Picture Score by Alan Silvestri and the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Okay, so the soundtrack and the score are in my opinion equally amazing. I can’t help but list them both. You can get the score for $9 bucks and the soundtrack for $9 bucks as well. Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the hit 1985 film Back to the Future. The album included two tracks culled from Alan Silvestri’s compositions for the film, two tracks from Huey Lewis and the News, two songs played by the fictional band Marvin Berry and The Starlighters, one played by Marty McFly and The Starlighters, and two pop songs that are only very briefly heard in the background of the film.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure, hanging out, in the office, in the car
Jurassic Park Soundtrack with Theme Song – 20th Anniversary Collection by John Williams
If this doesn’t give you the feels when you hear it, check your pulse. Every single time I hear the Jurassic Park theme song I go crazy. It literally is a crowd-pleaser anywhere. You can get this album for $9 bucks.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure
Avengers Complete Soundtrack by Alan Silvestri
Alan Silvestri was a great pick for this film. The epic superhero score is on point and will make you feel like a superhero too. I love listening to this when I’m cleaning the house or trying to tackle something big. This will run you $9 bucks.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Henry Jackman
This is another mega epic superhero score you’ll want in your collection. I love this album and can’t get enough of it. This one will run you $9 bucks too.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure
Thor Original Movie Soundtrack by Patrick Doyle
Thor is the soundtrack to the Marvel Studios film of the same name, based on the character created by Marvel Comics. The music was composed by Patrick Doyle, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Buena Vista Records announced the details for the soundtrack in March 2011. It was released in some European territories at the end of April and was released on May 3 in the United States. This will run you $9 bucks.
Best time to listen: Cleaning, tackling a big project, going on an adventure
The Lord of the Rings Soundtracks: The Two Towers and The Return of the King
These are two different albums. I couldn’t find The Fellowship of the Ring to save my life. also looked for a collection but couldn’t find one. It couldn’t just list one, obvi. So here are two of the three from the epic The Lord of the Rings film series. These albums rule the earth. So there’s that. The Two Towers by Howard Shore will run you $11 bucks. The Return of the King also by Howard Shore will run you $24 bucks.
Best time to listen: Hanging around the house, in the office, doing homework
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Special Edition]
How on earth could I sleep at night if I left you with just the Lord of the Rings soundtracks? I mean you’re either a fan or you’re not. If you’re a fan you’ll totally want this playing in your house at every given opportunity. This will run you $17 bucks.
Best time to listen: Hanging around the house, in the office, doing homework
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Special Edition]
Likewise for this one. You can’t have one without the other right? The Battle of Five Armies will run you $17 bucks too.
Best time to listen: Hanging around the house, in the office, doing homework
Aliens: The Deluxe Edition Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by James Horner
I love bringing it back… like way back. This is a classic and any film geek will appreciate this addition. I just could not resist this one. I remembered last Halloween Horror Nights how awesome this album was when I went through the Universal Orlando’s HHN24 haunted house. You can own it for $11 bucks.
Best time to listen: In the office, while cleaning, doing homework
Nightmare Before Christmas Special Edition
This is a fun album to have for sure. With various artists including Danny Elfman, you’ll be amazed at the joy level that comes from listening to this soundtrack. You can get it for $11 bucks.
Best time to listen: In the car, around the holidays, at a Christmas party, at a Halloween party, while decorating, cleaning the house, in the office
Edward Scissorhands Soundtrack by Danny Elfman
It’s been a long time since this film came out but it’s one of my favourites. I actually saw a lot of it filmed in my home town. At the time my brother-in-law was a guard for the set and he got me to access every day. I was in heaven. Plus I got to meet Johnny Depp at like nine years old which was amazing. I love this film and its score. This album will run you $9 bucks.
Best time to listen: Doing homework, in the office
Indiana Jones: The Soundtracks Collection (5-CD Boxed Set) by John Williams
This is an awesome soundtrack collection for a road trip or pretty much any kind of adventure. I love listening to these tunes. It makes me feel like a kid again. John Williams of course brings this one near to my heart. He’s just amazing. You can own this for $48 bucks. Totally worth it.
Best time to listen: Cleaning the house, working on a project, going on an adventure
Amelie Soundtrack by Yann Tiersen
This album is such a favourite for me. If you’re an indie movie geek like me you’ll totally recognize this French film set in Paris. The soundtrack is fun and whimsical and makes for a beautiful choice while driving along a scenic road. I play it every time I’m driving through the mountains. You can get it for $11 bucks.
Best time to listen: Cleaning the house, road tripping, having friends over for dinner, in the office.
I love movies! Now that music is so easy to bring anywhere, listening to movie soundtracks is an absolute favourite thing for me to do. Whether I’m on a plane, a road trip, writing in my office, cleaning the house or just running errands, I love listening to these tunes and you will too.
a special thank you to Google Play Gift cards for helping me write this article. I truly am a Google Play consumer and wouldn’t change that ever. This in no way shaped my opinions in this post.
