While it is widely acknowledged that films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe have impeccable fight scenes and compelling character dynamics, franchise fans often overlook these films' soundtracks. Yet, like their visuals, these soundtracks play as crucial of a role as what appears on-screen. Such songs range from tear-jerking OSTs that evoke emotion during tragic death scenes to upbeat, even campy song covers that remind viewers that these heroes are more than solemn pursuers of justice.
Even though Marvel films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 have been much more praised for their nostalgic, evocative soundtracks than others, each film is inarguably enhanced by the needle drops they choose to feature.
10 Only Happy When It Rains By Garbage (Captain Marvel)
Although Marvel fans tend to either love or hate Captain Marvel as a character, it is hard to deny how fantastic the film's soundtrack is. Since Captain Marvel is set in the 90s, and much of its plot is centered around the titular hero's complex journey of "self" discovery during this time period, the film's soundtrack reflects this.
One of the most memorable songs in the film is "Only Happy When It Rains" by the rock band Garbage. In addition to playing as Captain Marvel rides away on a stolen motorcycle, the song also functions as perfect background music for the bar scene early in the film as Captain Marvel has cathartic flashbacks of Carol Danvers in the same bar.
9 Blue (Da Ba Dee) By Eiffel 65 (Iron Man 3)
Since Iron Man 3 begins as a flashback that informs why the film's villain has a vendetta against Tony Stark, it was pertinent for the first few songs on its soundtrack to reflect this nostalgic era of music. While many pieces encapsulate this unique musical era, the film starts off to the tune of Eiffel 65's catchy "Blue (Da Ba Dee)."
While many viewers quickly pick up on the song's upbeat vibe, its resounding theme hits surprisingly close to home for Tony Stark throughout the film. Since the color blue is often symbolic of depression, attentive fans have noticed similarities between the song's subject and Stark, who maintains his characteristic chipper demeanor despite his ongoing PTSD and anxiety attacks.
8 I Will Always Love You By Whitney Houston (Spider-Man: Far From Home)
As a film franchise, Marvel is unafraid to poke fun at itself and utilize songs that make this readily apparent. One song that exemplifies this is Whitney Houston's emotional ballad "I Will Always Love You." While the song is quite sad, the way it is used within Spider-Man: Far From Home is comedic and irreverent.
The film starts off with the song playing over Midtown High's "In Memoriam" of the Avengers, who remained dead or passed away after the Blip. In addition to using the universally mocked Comic Sans, the tribute sequence uses transition effects reminiscent of basic iMovie features that hammer home the canonical fact that high schoolers made the clip.
7 Hotel California By The Eagles (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)
Another film within the MCU that proves how fun-loving and irreverent certain film installments can be is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While the film tackles complex subjects like complicated family dynamics and the silent, emotionally taxing ramifications of grief, one song single-handedly uplifts the film and provides much-needed comic relief.
The song in question is "Hotel California" by the Eagles. In addition to being Shang-Chi's and Katy's main karaoke song, "Hotel California" is utilized during one of the film's more riveting fight scenes and playfully reminds viewers of the pair's earlier, light-hearted karaoke sessions.
6 Opps By Vince Staples Feat. Yugen Blakrok And Kendrick Lamar (Black Panther)
High-tension moments within a film can literally be made or ruined by the songs accompanying them. Because of this, it was crucial for the song that plays in the background of Black Panther's nerve-wracking car chase scene to live up to the sequence's stunning, impactful visuals.
Thankfully, this was artfully achieved within the film. During the scene, "Opps" by Vince Staples (featuring Yugen Blakrok and Kendrick Lamar) not only raised the stakes of the scene but provided the perfect counterbalance for witty quips like "Guns...so primitive" that are peppered throughout the sequence.
5 Trouble Man By Marvin Gaye (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
While recurring songs within a film can be utilized as long-running gags, songs that are repeatedly referenced can also act as the emotional backbone of a film. Even though achieving the latter can be more challenging, it is done impeccably in Captain America: The Winter Soldier with the song "Trouble Man" by Marvin Gaye.
Sam Wilson first mentioned the song as a recommendation for Steven Rogers, who had nearly 70 years of pop culture to catch up on. Even though viewers know this was only one of Wilson's many recommendations for Rogers, Gaye's song is important enough to be brought up once again as Wilson plays it while Rogers lies unconscious in a hospital bed.
4 Mr. Blue Sky By Electric Light Orchestra (Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2)
As films that brand their soundtracks as awesome mix tapes, the Guardians of the Galaxy films tend to be more celebrated for their soundtracks in comparison to other Marvel films. Much of this is due to how the two films stick to a similar, nostalgic 70s and 80s soundscape.
One featured song that encapsulates this notion is the upbeat, catchy "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra. In addition to starting Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with a bang, the song plays with Peter Quill's fondness for the music of this era and, in turn, his evident desire to get to know the people his parents were by listening to the music they loved.
3 Back In Black By AC/DC (Iron Man)
Even in the MCU's early Phase One days, the film franchise was a clear powerhouse within the superhero movie industry because of its compelling ability to introduce heroes that are easy to root for despite being inherently flawed. This especially comes across when the MCU first introduced viewers to the impulsive yet brilliant Tony Stark in Iron Man.
Stark initially comes across as an egocentric, selfish billionaire, and much of this is due to the song that underscores his first appearance. The song in question, "Back in Black" by AC/DC, implicitly informs viewers that Stark is and will always be a carefree philanthropist who marches to the beat of his own drum.
2 Hooked On A Feeling By Blue Swede (Guardians Of The Galaxy)
Because the first Guardians of the Galaxy film had to introduce Marvel fans to a new crop of characters who are wholly unlike earlier heroes, its visuals and soundtrack needed to reinstate what makes the Guardians films different from the rest of the franchise.
One film sequence that hammers home these two films' nostalgic soundscapes and irreverent sense of humor is the Guardians of the Galaxy scene when the Guardians are imprisoned. Blue Swede's "Hooked on a Feeling" plays during this scene, which nicely complements Peter's love of retro music and his woeful mention of the song before it even starts playing.
1 Sweet Child O' Mine By Guns N' Roses (Thor: Love And Thunder)
While viewers equally anticipated and dreaded Thor: Love and Thunder since it is the fourth and final solo Thor film, the film boasts an evocative soundtrack that makes this sense of finality a little less bittersweet.
Out of the wide range of songs that enhanced Thor: Love and Thunder, one song that immediately caught fans' attention was "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses. From its catchy, compelling guitar riff to its dulcet, lyrical tones, the song nicely accompanies key moments within the film, like the gang's colorful escape from Omnipotence City, and makes its plot feel refreshingly timeless.