movies/tv

The Thrilling Soundscapes of Adventure Movie Soundtracks & Scores: A Symphony of Excitement

Musicnotes

• 4 min read
adventure movie soundtracks

Most theater audiences consider film to be a visual experience. However, the truth is that a good movie engages your ear as much as your eye. Successful directors understand that a movie's soundtrack plays a key role in characterization, foreshadowing, scene-setting, and storytelling. Music can affect the amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates emotion, to evoke feelings and influence the way a specific scene is interpreted. In fact, the soundtrack is so important that it sometimes becomes more successful than the movie itself. With adventure movies in particular, an epic, sweeping soundtrack can take the audience along on an exciting ride and remain in their heads long after the credits roll. Here are some of the most iconic adventure movie soundtracks of all time.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

No adventure movie list would be complete without the first Indiana Jones film. John Williams merged elements of action, mystery, swashbuckling, and danger into one perfect score that epitomizes the genre. When you hear the theme, it’s hard not to want to put on Indy’s hat and go exploring. 

Back to the Future

Michael J. Fox brought this sci-fi adventure film to life, but its music played a big part in making the movie into an epic classic. With songs by Huey Lewis and the News, this soundtrack transports the audience down memory lane faster than a time-traveling DeLorean.

Black Panther

This Marvel hit wows the viewer as well as the listener with both visual imagery and musical magic. With songs like "All the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA that embody the messages and characters of this socially motivated film, Black Panther boasts one of the best adventure movie soundtracks (and has a Grammy to prove it).

Guardians of the Galaxy

This hit action adventure movie proves that everyone needs a good mix tape to keep them culturally connected to Earth. A rowsing selection of throwback chart-toppers from the 1970s and 80s provide the perfect backdrop to the Guardians' epic travels. At the height of its popularity, the movie's adventure movie soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 chart for 11 weeks in a row.

Labyrinth

This cult adventure classic follows teenager Sarah and her complex relationship with the Goblin King, played by David Bowie. Sarah embarks on a quest through a massive labyrinth in search of her baby brother, and David Bowie provides the majority of musical numbers, including the fan favorite "Magic Dance." With a major talent like Bowie at the helm, it's no wonder Labyrinth is a great example of adventure movie soundtracks.

The Lion King

The brilliant soundtrack of this animated adventure transcends borders and language, bringing the phrase "hakuna matata" into the mainstream vocabulary. Infusing tribal rhythms and African influences, Elton John created a sweeping, emotional, eclectic masterpiece that was so successful it was brought from the big screen to the Broadway stage.

Moana

This animated Disney classic was brought to life with a rousing soundtrack penned by Lin Manuel-Miranda. The master composer incorporated his signature lyrical brilliance highlighted with Polynesian influences to craft the perfect complement to this seafaring adventure.  Auli'i Cravalho's perfect vocals in "How Far I'll Go" and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's comic timing and surprising pop skills anchor this adventure movie soundtrack, which is chock full of charm, wit, and soaring emotional numbers.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Critically acclaimed O Brother, Where Art Thou was known for its offbeat take on The Odyssey, but was equally renowned for its Grammy-winning folksy hipster Americana soundtrack. Songs by Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, and the Soggy Bottom Boys provide the perfect backdrop to this cult classic adventure movie about escaped inmates, unrequited love, and an elusive treasure.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Nothing says swashbuckling like the sweeping score from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt’s score is action-packed to match the onscreen misadventures of Jack Sparrow and company. 

Space Jam

The concept behind Space Jam is genius. What could be better than a bunch of Looney Tunes favorites like Bugs Bunny sharing the screen with the great Michael Jordan? This epic animated adventure needed an equally epic soundtrack to match its energy, and it got just that. With catchy songs by Quad City DJs, Monica, and Seal, just to name a few, this soundtrack is a high-energy shot of perfect nostalgia.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This innovative, multidimensional narrative relies heavily on its brilliantly ethereal soundtrack to complement the nonstop action and engaging story. Including reggae, hip-hop, and rap stylings from artists like Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, and Swae Lee, the soundtrack is heavy on the hits.

Titanic

Anchored by the haunting Celine Dion song "My Heart Will Go On," the soundtrack of the epic adventure drama Titanic contains an instantly recognizable score by James Horner. With emotional, sorrowful, yet adventurous undertones and inspiration from Norwegian and Irish folk music, the orchestral soundtrack sold over 27 million copies, making it one of the highest-selling adventure movie soundtracks ever.

Trolls

This 2016 animated adventure is a feast for the senses, following a pack of lovable, colorful trolls as they fight for their right to not be eaten by the grumpy, sloth-like Bergens. With a nod to disco and a sprinkling of bright 80s hits, the soundtrack's covers are performed by various artists including Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

The Wizard of Oz

While this classic movie began enchanting audiences in the theaters in 1939, the original soundtrack was not released until years later, in 1956. The popularity of the soundtrack with the original recording of Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has never waned and the album has been continuously in print for the last 67 years.

Learn Songs from Adventure Movie Soundtracks

If you are intrigued by these exciting adventure movie soundtracks, check out Musicnotes to find the sheet music. You can journey into the movies every time you play these iconic songs.