Blumhouse Productions has become a titan of the Horror genre in the past 15 years. Their list of hits includes the Sinister, Insidious, and Paranormal Activity franchises, as well as many more commercially and critically successful films. One of the coolest aspects of Blumhouse Pictures is how they implement music into their films, adding to the horror and suspense.

directed by the hugely influential James Wan, was one of Blumhouses earliest and biggest successes. It is a very strong and effective horror film that makes great use of jump scares as well as eerie, unsettling feelings throughout its runtime. Something that helps make the film so frightening is its use of music. The score is screeching and scary and the soundtrack sports a few strong tracks. The standout song associated with this film is “TipToe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim. It’s an unsettling song that matches perfectly with 

 vibe and would go on to act as a sort of theme for the whole franchise.

is a cultural phenomenon of a film. Even non-horror fans have heard of this film series and are familiar with its concept of America’s 24 hours of lawlessness. Directed by James DeMonaco, this first film follows a rich family as they are attacked by their neighbors on the one night where all crime, including murder, is legal. It’s a solid film that explores the interesting concept pretty well and spawned a series that includes 5 movies and a TV show. The film's use of music is quite notable and includes one of the most recognized classical tunes of all time, “Claire de Lune,” composed by the influential Claude Debussy.

Check out the full The Purge soundtrack here.

One of the best horror films of the 2010s. 

directed by Jordan Peele, is an amazing film that blends a unique concept, skilled direction, and amazing performances from the whole cast. It also includes much social commentary on race and the state of things in America, all of which is delivered well and doesn’t dilute any of the horror, which is still very effective. The movie is a great time, and this greatness includes its soundtrack, which includes the absolutely beautiful Childish Gambino track “Redbone.”

Another top-tier film from the 2010’s decade. Split is a fascinating and entertaining film from the mind of the always-interesting M. Night Shyamalan. The film sees James McAvoy play Kevin, who has 23 different personalities, as he kidnaps a young girl (Anya Taylor-Joy). McAvoy’s performance is incredible and helps make what could be an outlandish concept of a double-digit personality psychopath work incredibly well. Another thing that helps the film work well is its use of music. This includes the catchy track “Wildewoman” by the artist Lucius.

A fun film that borrows its concept from a 90’s classic. 

directed by Christopher Landon, sees its main character, Tree (played by Jessica Rothe), live through the same day over and over again. Each time she sees it end with her death, she tries to figure out who her killer is. An homage to Bill Murray’s 

it’s a strong and enjoyable movie. The film also contains many strong songs in its soundtrack, and arguably the best of the bunch is “Ophelia” by the folk band The Lumineers.

While Blumhouse is primarily a horror studio, they do occasionally break away from that mold and take the opportunity to explore different genres. One such example is the critically acclaimed 

directed by the legendary Spike Lee. It’s a fantastic film that follows the first black detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), and his collaboration with colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to take down the KKK. It’s an awesome movie that also has awesome songs in its soundtrack. One great tune in its run is “Too Late to Turn Back Now” by The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose.

An underrated entry in Blumhouse’s catalog. 

 is a fun film starring new-gen scream queen Kathryn Newton and the always iconic Vince Vaughn. It’s an entertaining take on the classic 

concept and puts it into the setting of an enjoyable teen slasher film that absolutely delivers on a good time and fresh vibe. A part of that great vibe is the movie's soundtrack, which includes the catchy tune “Omm!” by artist Morgxn.

One of the more viral horror films of the past couple of years, 

is a unique and effective horror film that is elevated in big part by the performance of Ethan Hawke as the film's main antagonist, the serial killer known as The Grabber. The concept of a phone filled with the voices of The Grabber’s former victims helping a young boy named Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) avoid the same fate is delivered very well, thanks to the aforementioned performance of Hawke as well as the skilled direction of Scott Derrickson. It’s an unsettling watch and one that sticks with viewers. Another memorable part of the film is the musical moments throughout. One of them includes the track “Free Ride” by The Edgar Winter Group, which is awesome and fitting.

Speaking of viral films, this movie caught the eyes of audiences with its trailer alone. 

directed by Gerard Johnstone, takes the classic concept of a killer doll and elevates it to new heights with 

which is an artificial intelligence in the form of a life-like Doll. She is given to the 8-year-old niece of her creator as her best friend. But it turns out to be a gift with dire consequences. It’s a memorable movie and one that also includes a lot of great music. One of its best songs is the track “Deadly Valentine” by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Soulwax.

Ending the list with yet another incredibly popular film. 

has become one of the most preeminent horror franchises of the past decade, and this film attempts to convey the story of the series that was popularized in its numerous video games. The movie's quality is debatable, but its commercial success is not. Neither were its strong points, which included the practical effects and the performances of horror legend Matthew Lillard, who was the film's antagonist. A hit movie like this comes with a hit soundtrack that includes the song “Talking in Your Sleep” by the band The Romantics.

Blumhouse Beats: Horror Movies with Great Music

The game of football is among the greatest creations the country of America can take credit for.

It’s a game that has entertained and inspired generations of people since its inception and is deeply ingrained in the culture of America.

As such, the sport has, of course, crossed over into the world of entertainment. It has done this in many ways, but the most important is the inclusion of the sport in films in a way that has created a unique genre. Football movies are completely their own thing, and many great ones have been produced over the years. Let’s look at some of the best to have been made and some of the amazing songs within them.

is a 1999 coming-of-age dramedy that centers around the emergence of backup quarterback Johnathon Moxon as the starter for an elite Texas football school after their QB1 goes down to injury. It’s a fun movie with a great cast (including Paul Walker, James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, and more) and solid direction from Brian Robbins as the man behind the camera. One of the film's most fun and most impressive scenes visually is where the team runs a “no-huddle” offense. This scene is executed very well and is scored by the absolute banger “Fly” by the band Loudmouth. A song that matches the high-octane pace of the scene perfectly.

A story about a sympathetic underdog, Rudy, directed by David Anspaugh, sees the titular character overcome insurmountable odds as he works his way onto the fabled Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. It’s an enjoyable and feel-good film as the audience sees Rudy's relatable work against his unfortunate circumstances and accomplish his dreams. It is a classic of the genre for sure, and as such, its soundtrack includes a few classic tracks in its run, most potent of which being the timeless “Ring of Fire” by the legendary Johnny Cash.

Adam Sandler’s first foray into the world of football. 

is a hilarious underdog story about Bobby Boucher, the unlikely hero linebacker of the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs. It’s a great film filled with funny moments and quirky characters. One of the most important moments in the film's story comes early on as The SCLSU coach, Coach Klien (played by Henry Winkler), has to try to convince Bobby’s unbudging and sheltering mom (played by Kathy Bates) to let Bobby play for the team. This scene, and Bobby’s home, is introduced to Coach Klien while the song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels plays. It’s a perfect song for this deep south setting and for Bobby’s mom, who frequently refers to things as “The Devil” throughout the film.

More of a fan favorite than a critical success, 

is a fun film with a great cast. Keanu Reeves, Jon Favreau, Gene Hackman, and more lead the ensemble we see on the field in Howard Deutch’s story of a haphazardly put-together team's journey to the playoffs. It’s a film full of humor and feel-good vibes that, thanks to the cast as mentioned earlier and its unique concept, has managed to leave an impact as an incredibly memorable and enjoyable football movie. A big part of the film's impact comes from its main character. That is Keanu Reeves’s character and the team's QB, Shane Falco. Falco has lived in the mind of football fans who saw this film in their formative years, and his importance is immediately established with an opening scene that focuses on him, scored to the track “Fly-lock” by the band Lit.

is one in a sea of sports films that follows a head coach as he tries to rein his team in and lead them to success. In this case, head coach Tony D’Amato, played by Al Pacino, leads a team that has fallen from the top and is struggling to stay afloat amid pressure from fans and the front office. It’s a film about overcoming odds, and its most memorable scene sees Pacino give his team a speech that, in the years since, has lived on in the minds of viewers and as a clip in tons of inspirational YouTube videos since its release rightfully so, since the speech was fantastic and was also scored beautifully by the song “Peace” by artist Paul Kelly. It's a perfectly sincere song for such a powerful speech.

A film based on a true story, a tragedy at that, 

directed by McG, follows the story of the Marshall University football program through the total rebuild they are forced into after a plane crash claims the lives of 75 members of their unit. It’s a powerful film filled with emotional depth that analyzes the impact of tragedy not just on a team but on a whole community. A strong point of the film is the characters, especially the coaches. The main character, Jack Langyel (Played by Matthew McConaughey), and other coaches, such as Bobby Bowden (Played by Mike Pniewski), portray sincere and enjoyable relationships between each other and the players. There are many examples throughout the film, one of which sees Langyel and Bowden watching film together to study the opponent. It’s a lovely scene, played well against the backdrop of the classic “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath.

is barely a football film. But the climax occurs during a football game, and its main antagonists are football players, so that’s good enough. Directed by Emma Seligman and starring Rachel Sennot and Ayo Edibiri, this is a fun and fresh film about a female fight club and two high school losers' quest for love. One of its best scenes is the introduction and subsequent growth of the fight club, shown through a montage scored by the catchy bop “Pain” by indie-pop artist King Princess. It’s a nice moment and matches the film's whole tone as a dark comedy that nails the eerie hilarity it shoots for that, despite its absurdism, still has many relatable moments and characters. It’s an amazing film and probably the most unique viewing experience on this list.

Check out the full Bottoms soundtrack here.

is a movie initially made in 1974 starring Burt Reynolds, which was later remade by Adam Sandler in 2005. Sandler’s effort is his signature brand of comedy as we see him as the disheveled former NFL QB Paul Crewe, who finds himself in prison and is forced by the warden to put a team of inmates together to face the Wardens team of guards. The movie has a stacked cast of guards and inmates, including Chris Rock, Terry Crews, and athletes like Michael Irvin, Bob Sapp, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and more. It’s a hilarious movie with a great group of characters that we get to see come together as a team. One of the most important scenes in that team bonding comes when the black prisoners agree to play for the prisoner's team, which they previously declined. This is played off as a saving grace for the roster and is rightfully bigged up with a song to match the moment's excitement. That song is the always exciting “Boom” by Nelly (who is also in this movie).

One of the most iconic football stories of all time. 

directed by Peter Berg, is an iconic film that follows head coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thorton) as he tries to raise the standards of his team in a way that goes beyond the field and into the day-to-day lives of his players and their families. It’s an amazing movie that won an ESPY Award for the best sports film of 2004 and is recognized as one of the best high school films ever. Similar to other films on this list, a big part of what works in this film is the team's relationship to each other. One scene that shows this is the interaction between teammates “Boobie,” “Preacher,” and “Waterbug” as the three talk about their shoes and exchange jests pre-game. All to the backdrop of Public Enemy's “Terminator X to the Edge of Panic.” It’s a fun moment accentuated by the fun track. The score of the film is provided by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky which weaves in and out of the movie, providing intensity and tranquility. 

Check out the full Friday Night Lights soundtrack here.

The greatest football film ever made. This movie follows the true story of T.C Williams High School and the plight of head coach Herman Boon as he fights to put together a great team and do it in the face of the severe racism of 1970s Virginia. It featured an amazing performance by Denzel Washington as head coach Boone and a fantastic story of a team bonding and growing together while breaking down the barriers placed upon them. A good example of the team's relationship in the film early on, and what makes their growth as the movie progresses so satisfying, is the scene in which the team sings the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. It’s a scene where some team members enjoy themselves while others get into conflicts. Those conflicts eventually fade away as the team learns to come together, and it’s incredibly enjoyable to watch. 

The Gridirons Greatest: Football Movies and Music Moments

Of all the subgenres of sports films that exist, boxing is one of the most iconic and important of them. From powerful stories of overcoming the odds, to classic tales about legendary figures, films about boxing elevate beyond sports movies and can become classical cinema.

A part of the impact that these films comes from the music paired with the strong action that takes place throughout the riveting narratives.

Here are (some of) the best boxing movies with some amazing songs.

Sylvester Stallone’s breakout film, directed by John G. Avildsen is the most iconic boxing movie of all time. It follows the story of small-time Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa as he gets a shot against World Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed in an underdog matchup for the ages. The film is filled with legendary musical tracks throughout its soundtrack which includes “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti which is the most recognizable sports film anthem of all time.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Southpaw is a film about a boxer getting back on his feet after tragedy strikes and ruins his life. It’s a powerful rise-and-fall story with strengths including a fantastic performance from Gyllenhaal as Billy Hope and amazing action and fight choreography. The soundtrack for this film is also quite strong and was heavily influenced by rapper Eminem whose song “Phenomenal” features in it.

Starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, Creed is a continuation of the Rocky franchise that follows the Adonis Creed who is the son of the legendary Apollo. It’s a fantastic film that has spawned one of the preeminent franchises of the past decade. The movie features some amazing music including the song “Lord Knows” by Meek Mill and Tory Lanez which acted as a companion to the movie.

An amazing film that follows the real life story of boxer Mickey Ward and his brother Dicky as they fight their own battles both in the ring and with addiction. It was directed by David O. Russell, and saw Christain Bale receive an Oscar award for his performance as Dicky. The film has many great songs included in its soundtrack including the classic jam “How You Like Me Now” performed by The Heavy.

Directed by Ben Younger, “Bleed for This” is a tale of resilience. The film follows the story of real-life boxer Vinny Pazienza as he goes from World Champion to near paraplegic following a car accident. It’s an empowering film about Pazienza’s true struggle and how his willpower pushed him forward to get back to the top despite supreme hardship. The music in this film includes the song “Monkey” by icon George Michael which plays well into the movie's tone as the story progresses.

This renowned biopic sees the legendary Will Smith step into the shoes of perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammed Ali. It’s a lauded film about a lauded athlete and is a solid effort all around including the direction by Michael Mann. Of the many engaging and intriguing elements of the composition of the soundtrack stands out, including the absolutely beautiful song “A Change is Gonna Come” performed by Al Green and written by Sam Cooke.

One of the greatest sports movies of all time crafted and by one of the greatest Director-Actor duos of all time. Raging Bull is Martin Scorcese’s Boxing magnum opus and follows the story of Middleweight Boxer Jake LaMotta, played by Robert DeNiro, as he rises through the ranks and balances family and boxing, mostly doing so poorly. There are many great songs in the film including “Cow Cow Boogie” by the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.

Find the full Raging Bull soundtrack here.

Slightly outside the realm of boxing, but still comfortably in the realm of combat sports is the film “Warrior”. One of the few very good Mixed Martial Arts movies, this film–directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton–tells the story of two estranged brothers who enter a worldwide MMA tournament and continue to fight through the bracket while being at odds with each other over their father and other familial traumas. It’s a great film with great music including the literal classic “Symphony No.9 in D Minor” by Ludwig Van Beethoven which plays an important role in the movie as Brendan’s (Edgerton) training music.

A classic 1972 film directed by John Hutson and starring Stacy Keech and a young Jeff Bridges. This movie is a Mentor-protege tale about an old washed-up boxer who takes a young fighter under his wing until the two come to blows as a result of the struggles they are both facing in life. The movie has a relatively light soundtrack but includes the song “Help Me Make It Through the Night” by the great Kris Kristofferson.

Perhaps Clint Eastwood's most renowned directorial effort and one of Hillary Swank's best starring roles. Million Dollar Baby is the story of an old veteran trainer (Eastwood) who reluctantly takes on a young student (Swank) as the two grow together to climb the ranks of the boxing world. The soundtrack for this film was similarly composed by Eastwood and contains some beautiful instrumentals including the song “Boxing Baby” written by Kylie Eastwood and Michael Stevens.

The Best Boxing Music Moments

Movies should always strive to end on a strong note.

This of course includes the ending to the film itself. A strong resolution to its story, a memorable final shot, a conclusion that leaves the audience feeling satisfied. All of this is incredibly important for a movie to stick the landing and leave itself nestled in a positive spot in the audience's brain.

Another aspect of a film's finale is its credits. They can sometimes be an afterthought but a strong final credits crawl can leave a film with an even more emphatic finale. This can include leaving the audience with a catchy tune, something the following films do extremely well.

Directed by David Fincher, this biopic about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg and the creation of Facebook is a critically acclaimed and modern classic film. A beautifully shot and masterfully written (Oscar-winning level) piece of cinema, the film's brilliance extends beyond its scenes and into its end credits as the song “Baby You’re a Rich Man” by the Beatles plays over the final crawl. This adds to the end not only thanks to its groovy sound but also its thematic elements of money and celebrity that are relevant to the film.

One of the more standout comic-book films over the past 15 years, 

 is an interesting and unique movie whose quality and success is due in big part to Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar-winning turn as the killer clown, as well as Tom Phillips skillful direction. It’s also a film that makes great use of its music throughout and ends with the classic “That’s Life” by the legendary Frank Sinatra. The song spills from the movie's final scene and into the end credits and serves to match the eerie calmness of Arthur Fleck as we leave him in the film.

The definition of a classic, The Wachowski siblings’ action/sci-fi film about Neo and the truth of the world he is living in is one of the most successful and popular films of all time. With great performances from Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Ann Moss, and Hugo Weaving to go along with the Wachowski's interesting direction, the film is timeless. The film ends with “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine, an absolute rager that matches the film's theme of awareness of the world you live in and going against its injustices.

 is a classic David Fincher film with all-star performances from the cast starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jared Leto, Meatloaf, and more. It’s a phenomenal film full of twists and turns. The biggest twist comes from the end which sees (Spoilers Ahead) the main character (Norton) find out that the man he has been talking to, Tyler Durden (Pitt), was never real and was simply a manifestation of his inner desires to rage against the machine of capitalist America. This twist of psychosis lends itself well to the use of the song “Where is My Mind?” by the Pixies as its end credits theme.

Marvel has maintained a stranglehold on the box office for over a decade and amongst its biggest successes stands 2018’s 

. This is a great film, directed by Ryan Coogler, that sees the late, great Chadwick Boseman take on the mantle of The Black Panther and go up against Michael B. Jordan’s charismatic villain Killmonger. Parts of the soundtrack were curated and crafted by Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar. It’s a soundtrack full of great songs and one of the standout tracks on its run is used as the end credits, the amazing “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar featuring R&B artist SZA.

This fun film, directed by Brian Helgeland and starring Heath Ledger, is a bit of a cult classic. It follows the story of Peasant William Thatcher as he tries to change his life through the love of a fair maiden and tournament jousting. It’s a very entertaining film, and that enjoyment extends to the end credits. The incredibly kick-ass and all-time great anthem “We Are The Champions” by Queen plays out the final crawl and leaves the audience with a final feeling of triumph that helps hammer the film's story home.

One of the greatest coming-of-age films of the past two decades, this film is based on Stephen Chbosky’s acclaimed novel of the same name and is directed by the author himself. It’s a beautiful film of main character Charlie’s first year of high school and the adventures he goes on with the group of seniors that he befriends. It’s also a film that makes great use of music, fitting in line with Charlie as he is a huge fan of music throughout the story. This amazing use of music comes through in the end of the film as the final scene is scored to the classic “Heroes” by David Bowie which continues into the credits and ends the movie on a powerful note.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower soundtrack

Perhaps Marvel’s greatest trilogy, the 

 is a series filled with entertaining moments and great action. They also boast some of the best storytelling in the MCU thanks in large part to the skilled direction and writing of James Gunn. Another aspect that makes these films stick out amongst the modern crapshoot of superhero films is their use of classic pop music. This appreciation of music from the ‘'70s-'90s comes mostly from the main character of the series Peter Quill a.k.a Star-Lord (Played by Chris Pratt) who often listens to music from Earth as a reminder of his home planet that he was taken from as a child. One of the preeminent songs throughout the series, and the one used as the end credits theme for the final film in the trilogy, is the classic and groovy “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 soundtrack

One of the greatest films of all time, Martin Scorcese’s retelling of the Henry Hill story is a triumph of the Mob movie subgenre and is fantastic in every element of filmmaking. From the great direction, to the strong script, to the performances by Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert DeNiro; this film has so much to enjoy. Something else audience members may find enjoyable is the end credits of the movie which see not only one but two fantastic songs play the viewer out. These two tracks are “My Way” by Sid Vicious and “Layla” by Eric Clapton. The tracks are transitioned perfectly from one to another and do a phenomenal job of closing the book on an amazing story.

 franchise tells the story of Rocky’s struggle with complacency as the heavyweight champion of the world, and the young up-and-comer Clubber Lang (Mr. T) who comes to knock Rocky from the top of the mountain. It’s one of the more divisive films of the series but is still generally considered solid and is full of fun moments and great action. Among the strengths of the movie is its end credit song which uses the legendary anthem “Eye of The Tiger” by Survivor to close out its runtime.

Finishing Strong: Amazing Films With Amazing End-Credit Themes

Developing taste in music is a quintessential part of growing up. As such, coming-of-age films–a genre all about adolescence and the beauty and struggle of that journey–often use music to represent the journey of the characters, conveying emotion and expression beyond the screen.

Beyond the artistic and emotional connections this music has forged to these movies, each film’s soundtrack is full of phenomenal tracks by interesting artists from top to bottom. In fact, many of these soundtracks have spawned fanbases and created avenues for audiences to find new music to add to their playlists and listen to outside of viewing. In the spirit of that idea, this list was born.

These are (some of) the best coming-of-age movies with phenomenal songs.

The popular coming-of-age film was directed by Stephen Chbosky and adapted from his acclaimed novel. The movie's soundtrack is an eclectic mix of pop and rock songs from various decades including the 80s mega-hit “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, featured during a raucous homecoming dance scene. It’s a dizzying British bop that sets the tone for a beautiful cinematic experience.

, Greta Gerwig’s directorial effort before 

, is a poignant and powerful film. The narrative focuses on main character Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson battling through being a teenager in early 2000s Sacramento. Heavily inspired by Gerwig’s upbringing, it has many fantastic songs throughout its run time including Dave Matthew’s Band's “Crash Into Me.”

A fun and highly amusing film, Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut tells the story of two high school overachievers as they try to make up for lost time by having the night of their life the night before their graduation.  Many of the songs match the incredibly enjoyable tone of the film including “Come Down” by Renaissance man Anderson .Paak.

Directed by Greg Motolla and written by Motolla, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, 

 is a classic teen comedy from a forgotten era of filmmaking. It effectively balances the comedy and horror of growing up; struggling with tough feelings and changing friendships. The film’s soundtrack has numerous tracks from different genres accompanying the character’s hijinks, including Michael Cera’s hilariously cringe rendition of The Guess Who’s “These Eyes.”

Juno is a fantastic coming-of-age movie directed by Jason Reitman. It stars Elliot Page in the main role as Juno, a high school student whose life is turned upside down by a teen pregnancy with her semi-boyfriend played by Michael Cera. The film wrestles with this and other topics like adoption and failed marriages with brevity and care, providing a viewing experience that is thought-provoking and funny. The soundtrack mimics this vibe with songs like Barry Louis Polisar’s classic tune “All I Want is You.”

Directed by Gil Junger and inspired by Shakespeare's 

 is one of the greatest teen rom-coms of all time. It consists of standout performances by the whole cast including the late, great Heath Ledger, the wonderful Julia Stiles, and the always impressive Joseph Gordan-Levitt. It’s a fun and highly entertaining film that incorporates music incredibly well throughout its too-short runtime. One of the best inclusions in the film's slew of musical moments is a party scene where the main character, Kat (Julia Stiles), drunkenly dances to “Hypnotize” by the acclaimed Notorious B.I.G.

, directed by Luke Greenfield, is an incredibly entertaining film that pushes the boundaries of teenage comedy and has a lot of fun doing it. It’s solid performances from the leads (Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert) and side characters (Timothy Olyphant, Paul Dano) alike give the entire movie a tangible, authentic quality. It also comes with some really enjoyable music throughout. This includes the track “Something in the Air” by Thunderclap Newton, a song that matches the feeling of the film incredibly well and is awesome on its own.

Crush is an underrated film directed by Sammi Cohen and stars Rowan Blanchard in the lead role. It is a story of secrets and unattainable love between classmates that continues to twist and turn, gradually increasing the charm and romance. The music in the film is equally enchanting, including Mal Blum’s “Things Still Left To Say.”

A film that needs no introduction, John Hughes’s 1985 classic about five high school students stuck in Saturday detention is considered by some as the greatest film the coming-of-age genre has to offer. The music of the film is equally iconic and includes one of the most recognizable songs of all time in Simple Minds “Don’t you Forget About Me” which serves as the film's theme and is one-half of arguably the strongest song-movie combo ever.

Richard Linklater’s ambitious coming-of-age film chronicles a young man's maturation. The film is simultaneously epic and intimate with an overarching narrative that uses the same actors for an extended time. Filmed for over a decade, the movie follows Mason, played by Ellar Coltrane, as he ages from early childhood to leaving home for college. Beyond the groundbreaking method of filmmaking in this once-in-a-lifetime movie, Linklater utilizes a variety of genres and artists for his soundtrack, plucked right from his personal playlist. One of those songs is the exciting “One (Blake’s Got a New Face)” by Vampire Weekend, a quintessential teen anthem.

The Songs of Coming of Age Movies

The Criterion Collection is one of the most incredible things to be created for movie fans. It's impressive that an organization is dedicated to preserving and praising films so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Of course, a collection of some of the best movies of all time will also contain some of the best soundtracks of all time. Here are some great films that line the shelves of the Criterion Collection and the songs that back up their beauty.

is Spike Lee’s 1989 comedy film that explores racial tension between a Brooklyn neighborhood’s African-American and Italian communities. It stems from a wall of fame in an Italian pizzeria and culminates in a day of violence under the hot summer sun. Like many films in Lee’s filmography, it's a great film that has stood the test of time as a socially conscious yet humorous classic.

is a 1983 classic starring Tom Cruise. It tells the story of teenager Joel Goodson (Cruise) as his parents leave for the weekend and he adventures with his best friend Miles. The movie contains one of the most famous dance scenes, in which Tom Cruise dances to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” in his iconic pink button-up and underwear.

is a Japanese and German film directed by Wim Wenders. It tells the story of Hiryama and his discovery of the beauty of life. The film is quaint and comfortable, and Hirayama is a wholesome main character with whom the audience can enjoy and resonate. The ending is appropriately comforting, and it sees Hiryama accept the mundane of life to the sound of “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone.

is a French film that follows three young men throughout their day in their home territory in a French suburban ghetto. Their surroundings are full of crime, and the 24 hours the film captures are in the aftermath of the beating of one of the men's peers by police officers and their rage directed at the incident. It’s an intensely socially conscious film that includes its soundtrack, including a scene early on that is scored to the track “Sound of Da Police” by legendary rapper KRS-One, which is perfectly apt for the film's subject matter of crime and police brutality.

directed by Richard Linklater, is a coming-of-age film centered on a group of rambunctious teens in Austin, Texas. The film is untraditional in that it doesn’t have a central character or conflict but is a snapshot of the different groups of teens at this high school woven together through various plot points. It’s a fun, classic film filled with many iconic scenes and quotes. One of the most well-remembered and recognized moments from the movie includes the scene backed by the track “Low Rider” by band War in which Matthew McConaughey says his famous “Alright, Alright, Alright” line, which has become synonymous with him as an actor as well as his character in the film.

is a 1975 coming-of-age dramedy. Considered a classic of black cinema, the film follows the story of Cochise and Preach—two high school seniors celebrating their last week of school. The two devise a plan to skip school for a day, and they engage in hijinks with their time off, including going to the zoo and a big party. The film eventually turns tragic, however, as violence overcomes the boys surrounding, and one of them is taken by it as Cochise is killed. His funeral scene following is scored perfectly by the song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” by G.C Cameron.

directed by the Safdie Brothers, is an intense, anxiety-inducing experience. Adam Sandler’s foray into high drama is an amazing one, with a fantastic performance by him as the main character, Howard Ratner. He’s a New York City jeweler who works with big stars like Kevin Garnett and deals in precious stones, mainly a super rare opal. The list of big stars in the movie isn’t limited to the basketball world either. Most notable is artist The Weeknd, who also plays himself in the film. He has a contentious relationship with Howard and fights him shortly after he performs his song “The Morning.”

is a 1993 film directed by the Hughes Brothers. It follows 18-year-old Caine Lawson as he tries to escape the street life he grew up in but is bogged down by the people and places surrounding him. It’s a film that shows a lot of the inner-city violence a lot of youth experience, a phenomenon that can be seen in the scene where the Kids are listening to Al Green’s “Love and Happiness” in their car while they are going to get revenge for their friend Harold who was attacked earlier in the film. It’s a darkly ironic song choice for this moment that shows the dark cycle perpetuated in street life.

is seen as a landmark countercultural film as it explores crucial issues, especially prominent during the 1960s, concerning hippie culture, drug use, and tensions towards youths. It’s an impactful and powerful film that sees the main characters experience bigotry thrown their way and experience different types of crowds. After a bad drug trip, they question if they will ever really find peace in America. The film's themes and overall feeling are captured well by one of its most prominent songs, "Born To Be Wild” by the band Steppenwolf.

is a 1999 film directed by Sofia Coppola and based on the novel by Jeffery Eugenides. It’s a bit of a cult classic that sees a group of neighborhood boys in their adulthood reflect on their relationship with the closed-off Lisbon sisters. It’s a film that demonstrates the angst of adolescence and the pressures of young life incredibly well and has resonated with audiences for years as a result. It’s a beautiful film that has a highly-praised soundtrack. One of the best songs synonymous with the film is the track “Playground Love” by the band Air.

Criterion’s Cadence - The Best Music Moments from the Collection

Basketball is a sport ingrained with a lot of culture and, as such, has a lot of deep ties to music, from players like Damian Lillard and Shaquille O’Neal, who have made their own music while dominating on the court, to rappers like Drake and Jay-Z sitting courtside at NBA games. Music and basketball will always have a relationship. This extends into films about the game where music is pivotal, as needle drops provide backdrops to the exciting action of the sport on the big screen. Here are some of the best musical moments in basketball films.

starring Adam Sandler and NBA player Juancho Hernangomez, was a hit for basketball fans and casual viewers alike. It’s an entertaining film that follows a respected NBA scout, Stanley Beren (Sandler), at a low point of his career as he tries to score big and get back on top. He does this by bringing an unknown European phenom, Bo Cruz (Hernangomez), to the States to train him for the upcoming NBA draft. It’s a great feel-good film as the audience can enjoy watching these two unlikely partners work and grow together. The development of the two can be seen in the movie during a training montage, which includes the song “Runnin’” by artist David Dallas—a track that perfectly fits the tone of the scene and the movie at large.

is often regarded as one of the greatest sports movies of all time beyond basketball. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the movie focuses on two basketball hopefuls, Monica (played by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), who fall for each other but run into problems. It is a film that shows its athletic main characters as more than athletes but as people. People with very real feelings, and those feelings are the main focus of the plot, as their love for the game they share conflicts with the love they have for each other. These shared loves culminate beautifully in a scene where the two play each other in a game of 1 on 1 for the heart. It’s a fantastic scene that is scored gracefully by the track “Fool of Me” by artist Meshell Ndegeocello.

is a classic sports comedy starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. It follows Billy Hoyle (Harrelson) as a basketball hustler who banks on being underestimated due to his race and uses the overlooking of his skills to his advantage and financial gain. The two become partners in the con game when he tries to pull his scheme on Sidney Deane (Snipes). It’s a hilarious film that has stood the test of time as a cultural classic. A part of that classic status comes from its use of many iconic tracks as needle drops throughout its run time. Perhaps its most iconic song is the track “Superbad” by the legendary James Brown, which plays during the scene where Billy and Sidney play in the final tournament of the film.

Perhaps the most iconic basketball movie of all time. 

is the legendary collaboration between Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes as they team up to defeat the treacherous and talent-stealing Monstars. It's a fun film that has been recognized and remembered by generations of fans and will continue to for years to come. A part of what makes the film so iconic is its use of music. The movie contains many classic tracks, including the opening montage of MJ highlights, scored by the film's theme song, “Space Jam,” by Quad City DJs. Then, later in the movie, in a great moment after Jordan agrees to join the Tunes and gets back into the gym. The song “Fly Like an Eagle” by Seal (as a cover of the Steve Miller Band original) plays as the backdrop to his hoop genius.

directed by John Schultz and starring a young Bow-Wow and Jesse Plemons, is another film that has reached icon status for most basketball fans. It is the entertaining story of 14-year-old Calvin Cambridge (Bow-Wow) and his journey to NBA superstardom after he dons a pair of mysterious sneakers with the initials M.J. The film also centers on the relationship between Calvin and one of his older teammates, Tracy Reynolds (Played by Morris Chestnut), who takes on a fatherly role for Calvin. Their relationship is heartfelt, and one of the first moments we see its endearing nature start to show is in the scene that includes DMX’s track “Party Up,” where Reynolds blasts the song as he and Calvin ride together in his car like a father-son duo would.

is a much different film tonally than many in the genre. It is a basketball film, but the main focus falls on Jim Carroll (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) as he succumbs to the pressure of being a top player and, in his stress, turns to heroin as a way to cope. As one might expect, this coping soon turns into an addiction, and Carroll’s whole career as a basketball player is upended as he instead is forced to wrestle himself from the arms of addiction. It’s a good, intensely emotional film that shows addiction for how brutal it is. An excellent example of this depiction comes in the scene where Carroll finds himself playing in the middle of a basketball game completely high. This scene is scored by The Doors' “Riders on the Storm,” which hammers its impact home as an actual rock bottom point for the character.

directed by Jeff Pollack, is a seminal basketball film. It stars Duane Martin and Tupac Shakur, and it follows the story of basketball star Kyle Lee Watson (Martin) and his relationship with the drug dealer Birdie (Tupac), who works as a security guard at Kyle’s high school. It’s a strong film with a lot of solid music. Not a surprise when the star of your film is one of the greatest rappers of all time. Rightfully so, the film contains Tupac’s own music, most pointedly the track “Holler If Ya’ Hear Me,” which plays during a big game in the film where Birdie finally sees his older brother Shep play basketball.

is one of the greatest docuseries ever made and chronicles the dynasty of the 1990s Chicago Bulls and their dominance with Michael Jordan at the helm. It’s an amazing series filled with pieces of both 90s and black culture that come together to create an entertaining and informative viewing experience. That strong cultural impact can be felt mainly due to the music used throughout the ten episodes of the show. The tracks include classics such as “Still Not a Player” by Big Pun and “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” by Nas and Lauryn Hill in episode 5, plus many, many more.