There has been a long and rocky road to the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but, finally, the film has been released on HBO Max for all to see. Audiences were not only astonished at how much better the four-hour spectacle was than its predecessor, 2017’s Justice League, but they genuinely loved the movie’s soundtrack.
With a score by Junkie XL and some truly phenomenal song choices by a couple of additional artists, Zack Snyder assembled a powerful musical composition and landscape for his film. These ten songs took the Snyder Cut from good to great, elevating already incredible scenes to the next level.
10 “The Crew At Warpower” By Junkie XL
Before Zack Snyder’s Justice League even came out, composer Junkie XL — occasionally referred to in marketing for the Snyder Cut by his real name, Tom Holkenborg — stated that “The Crew at Warpower” would be the official theme for the Justice League.
Fans were unsure what to make of the theme at first, but, when they heard how this particular song was used in the film, it definitely seemed to land. “The Crew at Warpower” is now one of the most listened-to tracks from the entire score, and seems to inspire the exact kind of unified and powerful vibe that Snyder wanted his Justice League team to give off.
9 “Distant Sky” By Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
There are actually two songs by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds used in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but “Distant Sky” is not used quite as well as the other song. “Distant Sky” is used over Lois Lane's moments in the movie, particularly when she’s attempting to move on after she’s lost Clark Kent.
This song is all about the loss of someone deeply important, and so it is perfect to play over Lois as she tries to move on from losing Superman. This softer song playing over Lois makes it clear to the audience just how melancholic she has become and how deep her grief is over Clark’s death.
8 “Wonder Woman Defending / & What Rough Beast” By Hans Zimmer, Junkie XL, Et Al
One of the most iconic bits of music to come out of the DCEU has been Wonder Woman’s theme. While it is also titled “Is She With You?”, most fans simply know that piece of music as Wonder Woman’s theme. In Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the song “Wonder Woman Defending / And What Rough Beast” uses pieces of that theme, as well as pieces of the theme of the Amazons.
This music plays during Wonder Woman’s introductory fight in the film and offers that powerful, exhilarating thrill and the rush of adrenaline (accompanied by electric cello) that always comes with Wonder Woman’s music during her action sequences.
7 “Song To The Siren” Cover Performed By Rose Betts
The few songs that were created specifically for the Snyder Cut were used incredibly well. “Song to the Siren” was originally written by Tim Buckley and Larry Beckett back in 1967 before it was officially released on Tim Buckley’s album, Starsailor, in 1970.
For Zack Snyder’s Justice League, English singer Rose Betts sang “Song to the Siren” to be played over Barry and Iris’ first meeting. When Iris is in a car accident and Barry has to save her, this is the song that plays. This is a sort-of parody of a meet-cute, and also, incidentally, a meet-cute in and of itself.
6 “A Hunter Gathers” By Junkie XL
One of the first bits of music that fans hear when they watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the Junkie XL song “A Hunter Gathers.” Another piece composed specifically for the Snyder Cut score, “A Hunter Gathers” is the song that plays over the Snyder Cut’s opening credits.
Fans who have already seen the movie know that the opening credits sequence also sees Batman — or Bruce Wayne — making a huge trek in an attempt to find the small Icelandic village where he just may get a chance to talk to Aquaman. This piece of music has quickly become a fan favorite from the film and offers a great deal of promise, musically and emotionally, for the rest of the film.
5 “Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu,” A Traditional Icelandic Song
A standout track in the movie is “Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu,” simply because it is both beautiful and unlike any other song used in the movie. “Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu” literally translates to "Verses by Rosa of Vatnsendi" in English, and it is a traditional Icelandic song. While the poem the song is based on was originally written by Rósa Guðmundsdóttir, an Icelandic poet from the 1800s, Jón Ásgeirsson, an Icelandic composer, arranged “Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu” as a lullalby in 1960.
In Zack Snyder’s Justice League, “Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu” is sung by Icelandic villagers to Aquaman after he dives back into the ocean. Bruce can only turn to them and walk through them, listening to their song as he leaves the village behind.
4 "Superman Rising, Pt. 2 / Immovable" By Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL
Another brilliant piece of music, much like Wonder Woman’s theme “Is She With You?”, was “Flight” from the score for the movie Man of Steel. “Flight” was originally written by Hans Zimmer, and it could be heard when Clark Kent first took flight as Superman in Man of Steel.
The music was used again in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and so Junkie XL wanted to incorporate “Flight” into his song “Superman Rising, Pt. 2 / Immovable” on the Snyder Cut soundtrack. This piece of music has been referred to as “Second Flight” by fans, as it deconstructs and remakes “Flight” to better suit the new, reframed Snyder Cut.
3 “Hallelujah” Cover Performed By Allison Crowe
Perhaps the most emotionally devastating usage of any song in Zack Snyder’s Justice League would have to be “Hallelujah.” Originally by Leonard Cohen, “Hallelujah” was covered for Zack Snyder’s Justice League by Allison Crowe. Allison Crowe is a friend of Zack Snyder’s, and she sang her cover of “Hallelujah” at the funeral of Zack Snyder’s daughter, Autumn Snyder.
Because “Hallelujah” was Autumn’s favorite song, Zack chose to have Allison’s cover of the song play over the end credits of the Snyder Cut. He also dedicated the film to his daughter, in honor of her memory. The song is not only beautiful and magnificently performed, but the emotional weight behind this piece makes this song one of the best in the entire film.
2 "At The Speed Of Force" By Junkie XL
While Junkie XL composed many phenomenal pieces of music and brand-new songs for the Snyder Cut, it’s hard to argue against “At the Speed of Force” being the absolute best of the best. This is the Flash’s theme, and it plays during his pivotal moment when he has to break the rules and save the world.
The Snyder Cut’s climax is made infinitely better for “At the Speed of Force,” and Barry’s story makes the music all the more impactful. Of all the pieces that Junkie XL composed for the Snyder Cut, it feels like “At the Speed of Force” is absolutely the best. Fans seem to agree, as this song is one of the most listened-to songs, if not the most listened-to song, from the soundtrack so far.
1 “There Is A Kingdom” By Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The award for the best song in Zack Snyder’s Justice League also goes to the song that was used best in the movie. While Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ “Distant Sky” went well paired with Lois Lane, there is just something about matching up “There is a Kingdom” with the DCEU’s Aquaman that is truly, truly excellent.
While this isn’t Aquaman’s first introduction in the movie, “There is a Kingdom” plays over Arthur’s solo intro to the film. He saves a sailor from a storm, slams a bottle of whiskey, and lets the storm and the sea rage over and against him at the end of a dock. There are few moments in the Snyder Cut better than the shots of Aquaman while “There is a Kingdom” plays before he finally dives into the ocean.