Whilst music is a standalone art form, it is also a feature of other, more exquisite works of art, such as movies.

A movie soundtrack can make or break its success, independent of script, characters or plot. A good score can lift an average movie to become a good one. It can also be a negative feature of a huge $500m blockbuster. Iconic movie moments can still be immediately recalled by the accompanying song; Take My Breath Away and Top Gun is a perfect example of this. Other movies, such as the James Bond franchise, can help launch an artist into superstardom.

Sometimes, a movie features a great soundtrack that slides under the radar and doesn’t get the traction or recognition it deserves. It seems incredible to imagine, but some movies feature wonderful music but are not known for it and don’t have a signature track or standout moment. They’re still great soundtracks, and they deserve a mention. Here are some great movie soundtracks that are still hugely underrated.

LA Confidential

LA Confidential is a neo-noir crime film set in 1953. It’s a great period to develop a movie in, giving so much scope for nostalgia to play a part in a film’s success. People certainly look back on times gone by with misty-eyed nostalgia rather than realism, and movies set in the fifties trade on that. Jerry Goldsmith handled the score for this box office hit, and it is a crucial part of the film. He blended jazz traditions of the noir genre with an orchestral element to make the sounds distinctive and memorable. Of course, tracks such as The Lady is a Tramp and But Not For Me only added further layers of atmosphere.

Ocean’s Eleven



Ocean’s Eleven is a classic heist movie that has spawned sequels and imitations in the years since its release. EW reports that director Steven Soderbergh is even thinking of making another in the franchise. The original was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2001, according to Gala Casino, and has become popular for its plot of breaking into the Bellagio and robbing the rich. It is not particularly known for its soundtrack. That’s a huge shame, as it blended period music such as Papa Love Mambo by Perry Como to more iconic tunes such as Spirit in the Sky. Moon River, by Liberace, certainly helped build the Las Vegas themes through audio, as if the layers of lights, cards and casinos weren’t enough.

Pulp Fiction



When you think of Quentin Tarantino soundtracks, the obvious standout moment is using Steeler’s Wheel Stuck in the Middle With You during a torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. However, his real masterpiece in many critics eyes is Pulp Fiction, which Yard Banker reveals received seven Oscar nominations. Underrated highlights include Urge Overkill’s Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon, played during a harrowing overdose scene with Uma Thurman, and Flowers on the Wall by the Statler Brothers. By combining popular songs with more obscure tracks, the film achieved a cool, retro feel without being dependent on recognizable tunes.