Studios usually plan a soundtrack as a side product. It’s a tie in that helps promote the movie and adds a little revenue. Every so often, though, the album takes on a life of its own.
The ten soundtracks below all grew far bigger than anyone planned for. Some belonged to modest films that became hits, and others rode on already huge releases. Figures are rounded, and sales totals vary a little between sources.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
The film was made on a fairly small budget, reportedly a few million dollars, and went on to earn well over two hundred million worldwide. The soundtrack did even more to define the moment. It leaned heavily on the Bee Gees, whose songs became the sound of the disco era.
The album has sold more than forty million copies worldwide, according to commonly cited industry totals. It also won the Grammy for Album of the Year. For a long time it stood as the best selling soundtrack ever released.
Purple Rain (1984)
Purple Rain was a low budget gamble built around a music star who had never led a film. It cost roughly seven million dollars and earned about seventy million at the American box office. That was a strong return, yet the album did something larger.
Prince’s soundtrack spent 24 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. It has sold more than twenty million copies worldwide, and many sources put the figure above twenty five million. It also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
This was a small film with a budget of around five million dollars. Few expected it to become a lasting favorite. Its mix of oldies and new songs, though, found an audience far beyond cinemas.
The soundtrack spent 18 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold in the tens of millions worldwide. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” won both an Oscar and a Grammy. A second volume followed because demand kept going.
The Bodyguard (1992)
The Bodyguard was a commercial hit, earning over four hundred million dollars worldwide. Critics weren’t kind to it, though. The music was what people remembered, thanks mostly to Whitney Houston.
Her version of “I Will Always Love You” spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album won the Grammy for Album of the Year and is often cited at more than forty five million copies sold. It remains one of the best selling soundtracks in history.
Space Jam (1996)
Space Jam grossed roughly two hundred thirty million dollars worldwide, a solid result for a hybrid of animation and live action. The soundtrack proved to be a hit in its own right. It gathered R&B and hip hop stars of the day, and the songs felt like part of mid nineties radio.
The album was certified six times platinum in the United States. R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” became its signature song and won multiple Grammys. Many listeners today know the music better than the movie.
Titanic (1997)
Titanic’s box office run was historic, with a worldwide total in the billions of dollars. The soundtrack still managed to surprise people. It was mostly an orchestral score by James Horner, a format that rarely reaches the mass market.
The album sold more than twenty million copies worldwide, and reported totals go higher. It is widely described as the best selling primarily orchestral soundtrack ever. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
8 Mile (2002)
Few people expected a semi autobiographical drama about a Detroit rapper to dominate the charts. The film earned over two hundred million dollars worldwide, a strong result for an R rated drama. The soundtrack was driven by Eminem, who was already one of the biggest names in music.
The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified multi platinum in the United States. “Lose Yourself” topped the Hot 100 for twelve weeks. It also became the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Frozen (2013)
Frozen was expected to do well, yet it grew into a global phenomenon, earning about 1.28 billion dollars worldwide. The soundtrack grew along with it. It rose to number one on the Billboard 200, which is unusual for an animated film’s album.
It spent a total of thirteen weeks at the top, and sales passed ten million copies worldwide. “Let It Go” won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Children kept the album in circulation for years afterward.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Bradley Cooper’s remake was made for a moderate budget and earned more than four hundred million dollars worldwide. That already beat most predictions. The soundtrack, featuring Lady Gaga and Cooper, became a major release in its own right.
The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and has been certified multi platinum in the United States. “Shallow” won an Oscar and a Grammy. The music’s reach extended well past the film’s theatrical window.
Encanto (2021)
Encanto arrived during the pandemic, when theatrical returns were unpredictable. It earned about two hundred fifty million dollars worldwide and found a much larger audience once it reached Disney Plus. The Lin-Manuel Miranda songs did the rest.
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for a Disney song. The soundtrack also reached number one on the Billboard 200 in early 2022. The music outpaced even the film’s strong streaming success.
