10 Best Song Uses In Movie Trailers (2024)

Although movie trailers are a form of marketing, they have evolved to be an art form in and of themselves, leading to exciting music choices. Scoring and soundtrack decisions can make or break a piece of cinema, and this starts with the trailer. Some of this comes down to budget, as the more high-profile a song is, the more expensive it will be. However, there are instances when musicians appreciate the art and allow their work to be featured in a lower-budget project. This can be a saving grace for a film that doesn't have the biggest marketing campaign.

There are certain famous, commonly used songs in movies and TV shows, and it's always enjoyable when a film includes a recognizable needle drop. However, within a movie's narrative, hearing a familiar piece of music can distract the audience from the emotional thrust of the scene. Movie trailers don't have this problem, as they're supposed to be attention-grabbing so that the viewer doesn't exit the video and is encouraged to see the feature when it's released. As a marketing ploy, music is one of the most effective ways to make a trailer memorable and stick out among the competition.

10 Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing - Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

By Chris Isaak

The all-star cast of Eyes Wide Shut features a young Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman playing two halves of a twisting and complex marriage. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the movie differs from much of his earlier work in certain aspects. However, it is in conversation with the themes of sexual exploration and the masks people wear for society. Though it was his final film, Kubrick's legacy is well-maintained by the project, and it was important that audiences were aware of the gravity of the narrative through the trailer.

"Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing" already speaks to the story elements of infidelity and giving into one's deepest animalistic desires. Like any good trailer song, it has a strong downbeat to edit to and ambiguous lyrics that can be interpreted in conjunction with the dialogue and visuals of the movie. Isaak's gravelly and recognizable voice strikes the perfect tone, as it's suggestive but doesn't give anything away, allowing viewers to be shocked and entranced by the movie.

Eyes Wide Shut

R

Mystery

Thriller

Drama

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Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 drama mystery directed by Stanley Kubrick centering on a Manhattan doctor who goes to unexpected lengths to please his wife after she admits she was unsatisfied and almost had an affair a year earlier. Eyes Wide Shut stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as husband and wife.

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Release Date

July 16, 1999

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Marie Richardson , Todd Field , Sydney Pollack , Nicole Kidman , Tom Cruise

Runtime

159 minutes

9 Goodbye Stranger - Beau Is Afraid (2023)

By Supertramp

Regardless of what critics and audiences thought about the actual content of Beau Is Afraid, there's no doubt that the trailer was quite effective in cultivating anticipation. The movie was a departure for Ari Aster, who made waves with his earlier films, Hereditary and Midsommar. However, though controversial, Beau If Afraid must be appreciated for the fact that Aster took a big swing with the massive set pieces and many tonal shifts of the movie. Based on the trailer, most audiences entered the film expecting a journey not unlike The Odyssey.

Using "Goodbye Stranger" for the trailer was an indicator of the increase in budget and control that Aster had in his new project, something most filmmakers dream of. The bittersweet and iconic nature of the song also played well with the satirical and surrealist elements of the film. "Goodbye Stranger" also indicated to the audience that Beau, played by Joaquin Phoenix, would be going a long distance to find himself, which couldn't be more true.

Beau Is Afraid

R

Comedy

Horror

Supernatural

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Beau Is Afraid (formerly known as Disappointment Blvd.) is a new supernatural horror/comedy film from Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar.) Joaquin Phoenix stars as the titular Beau in his older years, as a young man with a strained relationship with his mother. After her death, his return home is marked by strange supernatural occurrences.

Director

Ari Aster

Release Date

April 21, 2023

Studio(s)

A24

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix , Nathan Lane , Patti LuPone , Amy Ryan , Kylie Rogers , Parker Posey , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Hayley Squires

Runtime

179 minutes

8 Me And Julio Down By The School Yard - The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

By Paul Simon

Wes Anderson is known for using unique and classic pieces of music in his movies, as much of his work has a vintage feel, even if it's supposed to take place in the present day. The Royal Tenenbaums is one of Anderson's earlier projects, so it's not quite as stylized as some of his more recent works. However, it's just as beautiful and emotionally resonant. The soundtrack is fantastic, and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" falls in line with the tone and theme of the other songs used to punctuate the story.

Paul Simon is a well-known writer, singer, and composer, and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is just the kind of plucky, off-beat piece that embodies Anderson's filmography. Of course, beneath the polished and symmetrical exterior of Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums, there's a darker and more complex message hidden that's impossible to miss. "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is as in conversation with leaving home and grappling with a difficult parent as the movie is.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

R

Comedy

Drama

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The Royal Tenenbaums is a film directed by Wes Anderson, featuring an ensemble cast including Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, and Ben Stiller. The movie explores the estranged Tenenbaum family's complex dynamics as they reunite in their New York City home. With each member facing personal struggles, they navigate the repercussions of their collective past while striving for reconciliation and redemption.

Director

Wes Anderson

Release Date

October 5, 2001

Studio(s)

Touchstone Pictures , American Empirical Pictures

Cast

Gene Hackman , Anjelica Huston , Ben Stiller , Gwyneth Paltrow , Luke Wilson

Runtime

110 Minutes

7 Black Skinhead - The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

By Kanye West

Martin Scorcese's The Wolf of Wall Street sometimes comes under fire for its portrayal of Jordan Belfort and the illegal schemes he used to get rich. It could be argued that Scorcese glamorized the massive wealth Belfort essentially stole and painted him as an aspirational figure. However, this is a one-dimensional analysis of the film and discounts the reality that the heights of Belfort's empire can be viewed as the pinnacle of luxury while simultaneously being worth condemning. Leonardo DiCaprio is at his best playing the complex and reprehensible Belfort.

"Black Skinhead" was a somewhat surprising pick to punctuate Belfort's rise and fall. Though Kanye West's music came out after Belfort's heyday, it does connect to the story. It's considered one of the most impactful uses of West's music in media and is extremely memorable to anyone who watches the trailer. Additionally, it connected with a younger generation of moviegoers, as Scorcese's films don't always have crossover success with up-and-coming audiences. Using West's music immediately connects with a new type of moviegoer who wouldn't traditionally seek out Scorcese.

The Wolf of Wall Street

R

Comedy

Crime

Biography

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Directed by Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street tells the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), based on his memoir of the same name. It chronicles the rise of Belfort and the subsequent corruption of his firm as he engages in a wide assortment of criminal acts while amassing a staggering fortune. Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Kyle Chandler also star alongside DiCaprio.

Director

Martin Scorsese

Release Date

December 25, 2013

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Margot Robbie , Kyle Chandler , Matthew McConaughey , Rob Reiner , Jon Bernthal , Jon Favreau

Runtime

180 Minutes

6 I Think We're Alone Now - 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

By Tommy James & The Shondells

The prequel to 10 Cloverfield Lane, Cloverfield​​​​​​, is one of the best found footage horror movies, but the follow-up film is told from a traditional narrative perspective. Though both movies take place in the same universe, how much they have in common is unclear until the final moments of the film. "I Think We're Along Now" was a clever choice for a trailer song, as the thrust of 10 Cloverfield Lane is Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) trying to determine if the world has really ended or if she's trapped in a bunker with a terrifying stranger.

The viewer is just as unsure as Michelle if she's really alone in the universe with this man who claims to have saved her or if he's her captor instead. While "I Think We're Alone Now" was written to have romantic overtones and a sweet 1960s bop, it soon becomes something much more sinister when placed underneath the unsettling visuals. Using older songs that are classically upbeat and changing their meaning is something that modern films and trailers have been doing for years.

10 Cloverfield Lane

PG-13

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Sci-Fi

Thriller

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From Dan Trachtenberg, 10 Cloverfield Lane follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a young woman who awakens after a car crash in a bunker alongside two strangers. Howard (John Goodman) tells her that it's not safe to leave, and that he saved her life, but Michelle becomes increasingly suspicious of Howard's motives and his past and begins to plan a daring escape to see what exactly has happened to the outside world.

Director

Dan Trachtenberg

Release Date

March 10, 2016

Studio(s)

Bad Robot

Cast

John Goodman , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , John Gallagher Jr. , Douglas M. Griffin , Suzanne Cryer , Bradley Cooper

Runtime

103 Minutes

Franchise(s)

Cloverfield

prequel(s)

Cloverfield

5 Mr. Blue Sky - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

By Electric Light Orchestra

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is essentially an anti-rom-com, but it's surprisingly uplifting by the conclusion of the tragic romance that includes elements of sci-fi. The reasoning behind the decision to use "Mr. Blue Sky" as the track to play under the trailer becomes clear after watching the film. Joel (Jim Carrey), the protagonist, is desperate for his memories of his ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), to be wiped from his mind because he's so tortured by the shadows of their time together. The unbearably upbeat "Mr. Blue Sky" contradicts the film's tone nicely.

It's fair to say that most of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is sad, bordering on depressing, but there is a silver lining to be found at the heart of the film. Like in "Mr. Blue Sky," there is a deeper meaning within the film, as the audience comes to realize that the pain of an ended relationship is part of the reason the good times are remembered so fondly. Though it sounds only cheerful on the surface, "Mr. Blue Sky" is a celebration of the return of the sun after a long period of rain.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

R

Romance

Sci-Fi

Drama

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Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski, a couple who rediscover their love after erasing each other from their memories. The 2004 drama is written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry, and includes Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, and Tom Wilkinson in its cast.

Director

Michel Gondry

Release Date

March 19, 2004

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Cast

Kate Winslet , Jim Carrey , Elijah Wood , Kirsten Dunst , Mark Ruffalo

Runtime

108 minutes

4 No Woman, No Cry/Alright - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

By Bob Marley & The Wailers and performed by Tems and by Kendrick Lamar

Tems performs a cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" with parts of Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" overlayed to create a unique and stirring track to underline the sequel to Black Panther. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had the difficult job of grappling with the passing of the late star of the original film, Chadwick Boseman. There needed to be an acknowledgment of this loss in the themes and tone of the movie, but the film also had to set the story on a path for the future and deliver on the classic elements of a superhero movie.

All of this was communicated through the track chosen for the teaser trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It was in conversation with the more serious and moving parts of the story that couldn't go unspoken, but it had uplifting elements that propelled the film into a new era. Though a fine line to walk, it was the ideal blend of old and new and tradition with modern, something that the Black Panther movies have always been able to capture.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

PG-13

Drama

Action

Adventure

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to the 2018 film Black Panther and is part of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Gripping with the passing of their king, the nation of Wakanda attempts to figure out how to move forward with Queen Mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) at the helm. However, a nation in grieving is not observed by all, as soon Wakanda comes under attack by the underwater civilization of Talocan, led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta.) Wakanda will enlist allies outside and from within to push back this new invading threat and ensure that Wakanda truly does live on forever.

Director

Ryan Coogler

Release Date

November 11, 2022

Studio(s)

Disney

Cast

Winston Duke , Dominique Thorne , Michaela Coel , Danai Gurira , Angela Bassett , Lupita Nyong'o , Letitia Wright , Martin Freeman

Runtime

2h 41m

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

3 Hooked On A Feeling - Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

By Björn Skifs and Blue Swede

Guardians of the Galaxy was represented as a different kind of Marvel movie when it came out in 2014, and it did usher in a new era for the production company. Marvel's overuse of iconic songs to make up for an arguable dip in quality over the past several years doesn't apply to Guardians of the Galaxy. It was the first Marvel movie to make a serious impact with its soundtrack and use of music, as the iconic songs from the 1970s served an emotional purpose that furthered the story.

The film could've used any one of the many great songs from its soundtrack to introduce viewers to the tone of the movie in the trailer, but "Hooked On A Feeling" was the right choice. It's the right amount of playful and tongue-in-cheek while not detracting from the overall message and story of the trailer. "Hooked On A Feeling" was familiar enough that audience members would recognize the track but not so ubiquitous that it would draw undue attention to itself.

Guardians of the Galaxy

PG-13

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Egotistic loner and "legendary" space pirate Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) falls foul of bounty hunters and his former allies after he steals an orb containing the Power Stone. Chased by Ronan the Accuser, a powerful Kree villain and thrown into an uneasy alliance with a group of similar misfits, he must adapt to his new dynamic or risk everything. He's joined by gun-toting Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), treelike-alien Groot (Vin Diesel), Thanos' daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the vengeful Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). Can the galaxy's most infamous a-holes really save the day?

Director

James Gunn

Release Date

July 30, 2014

Cast

Zoe Saldana , Karen Gillan , Vin Diesel , Michael Rooker , Djimon Hounsou , Lee Pace , Benicio Del Toro , Glenn Close , Dave Bautista , ​Chris Pratt2 , Bradley Cooper , John C. Reilly

Runtime

122 Minutes

2 Creep - The Social Network (2010)

By Radiohead and performed by Scala and Kolacny Brothers

It's difficult to imagine that anything could top the amazing original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who have gone on to compose some of the best scores of the 21st century. However, The Social Network, like its protagonist, excels in knowing what people want and how to fulfill that niche. Though social media has completely overtaken everyday life today, in 2010, when The Social Network came out, it was immensely popular but was still something yet to be fully explored and understood. All of this unfolds from the perspective of Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

However, the use of the choral cover of Radiohead's "Creep" was brilliant foreshadowing on the part of the filmmakers. It shows how much social media isolates people and is used for "internet stalking." Jesse Eisenberg leads up the film with a portrayal of Zuckerberg that is so realistic that it was commonly joked that audiences couldn't tell the difference between the two. "Creep" is the perfect song for the trailer as it hints at Zuckerberg's rise to the top of his field and the immense losses he faces for the sake of his notoriety.

The Social Network

PG-13

Biography

Drama

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David Fincher's The Social Network chronicles the birth of Facebook and the rise of tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg. Following Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates his famous social network along with his friend and investor Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). As Facebook's popularity grows, Zuckerberg faces legal action from former friends, with The Social Network following his journey from an innovative young student to a titan of industry.

Director

David Fincher

Release Date

October 1, 2010

Studio(s)

Columbia Pictures , Relativity Media , Scott Rudin Productions , Michael De Luca Productions , Trigger Street Productions

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg , Rooney Mara , Andrew Garfield , Justin Timberlake , Armie Hammer

Runtime

120 minutes

1 Hurt - Logan (2017)

By Johnny Cash

Thematically, tonally, and aesthetically, it's hard to argue that there could be a better metaphorical swan song for the Logan trailer than "Hurt" by Johnny Cash. Like Cash, Wolverine is a hallmark of American culture and is held up as a pinnacle of certain ideals of heroism, Americana, and masculinity. However, Logan is an interrogation of this legacy and has much deeper themes than earlier X-Men movies, coinciding with the storied and complex history of Cash as a man and a musician. The iconography that both Wolverine and Cash face makes it easy for the audience to draw parallels.

When Logan was released, it was assumed that it would be Hugh Jackman's farewell to the comic book character. Although he's made his return to , nothing will top Logan as a genre-pushing addition to the comic book niche. Hearing the opening bars of "Hurt" in the trailer immediately signaled to the audience that Logan wouldn't be another high-octane action movie where Wolverine beats back the bad guys yet again. Like all of Cash's songs, Logan was much more than what meets the eye.

Logan

R

Action

Sci-Fi

Superhero

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Logan sees the titular hero, AKA Wolverine, in his twilight years as his healing factor has begun to fail him, and he has begun to age more rapidly. Set several years in the future, Logan finds himself caring for an ailing Professor Xavier, whose mind has begun to succumb to dementia, making him an incredibly dangerous mutant that can cause widespread destruction accidentally. But when the preoccupied Logan is asked to meet with a woman that requests he transports a young girl to a mutant haven known as Eden, he learns that she may have his DNA and that the fate of mutant-kind may rest in her hands.

Director

James Mangold

Release Date

March 3, 2017

Studio(s)

20th Century , Marvel

Cast

Hugh Jackman , Patrick Stewart , Dafne Keen , Elizabeth Rodriguez , Daniel Bernhardt , Richard E. Grant , Doris Morgado , Boyd Holbrook

Runtime

137 Minutes

Franchise(s)

X-Men