Beaches Bette Midler Movies Music

Billboard Data Shows Most Popular Soundtracks Of All Time

May 10, 2023
Mister D
3 Comments

The Baltimore Sun
Most popular movie soundtracks of all time, according to Billboard data
By John Harrington
May 9, 2023

#BetteMidler_Grammys
#BetteMidler_Grammys
#Prince_PurpleRain
#Prince_PurpleRain
#BarbraStreisand_FunnyGirl
#BarbraStreisand_FunnyGirl

Music has gone along with cinema since the beginning – initially in the form of live orchestras or a theater organist accompanying silent movies. When the first sound films were released, the sound was music – not dialogue.  

The first commercially released movie soundtrack was that for the 1937 Disney animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” put out in the form of an album of 78 rpm disks in 1938. Soundtrack albums became popular on a large scale in the 1940s, and they haven’t stopped since. Many movies have distinguished themselves with memorable soundtracks over the years, often featuring hit songs that either made their performers stars or embellished their fame. (These are the most popular songs originally written for movies.)

24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data for movie soundtracks on the Billboard 200 album charts to determine the most popular soundtracks of all time. Soundtracks were ranked based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 is worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 is worth one point. Billboard data is current through the week of March 18, 2022. The biggest song on each soundtrack album is based on the total number of plays on Spotify.

<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 3 (for 7 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 115 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "America" (Neil Diamond)</p>
40. The Jazz Singer (1980)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 3 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 70 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Goldfinger" (Shirley Bassey)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/12/14/the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies&wsrlui=812149713'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Songs Originally Written for Movies</a></strong></p>
39. Goldfinger (1964)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 26 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 79 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Theme From Zorba the Greek" (Mikis Theodorakis)</p>
38. Zorba the Greek (1964)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 11 (for 4 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 87 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Camelot" (Fiona Fullerton, Richard Harris)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/29/best-movies-about-music-icons/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=best-movies-about-music-icons&wsrlui=812149714'>ALSO READ: The Best Movies About Music Icons</a></strong></p>
37. Camelot (1967)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 90 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Into the Unknown" (Idina Menzel, AURORA)</p>
36. Frozen II (2019)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 3 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 77 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Iris" (The Goo Goo Dolls)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/03/05/the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980&wsrlui=812149715'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Movie Soundtrack Since 1980</a></strong></p>
35. City of Angels (1998)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 2 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 82 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "I Believe I Can Fly" (R. Kelly)</p>
34. Space Jam (1996)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 5 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 94 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Otis Redding)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/02/the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies&wsrlui=812149716'>ALSO READ: The Best Original Songs from Disney Movies</a></strong></p>
33. Top Gun (1986)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 17 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 99 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Alice's Restaurant Massacre" (Arlo Guthrie)</p>
32. Alice’s Restaurant (1969)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 78 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Maniac" (Michael Sembello)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/20/this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2&wsrlui=812149717'>ALSO READ: This Is the Best Musical of All Time</a></strong></p>
31. Flashdance (1983)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 4 (for 5 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 91 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Oh, Pretty Woman" (Roy Orbison)</p>
30. Pretty Woman (1990)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 2 (for 5 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 94 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Sweet Home Alabama" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/12/14/the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies&wsrlui=812149718'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Songs Originally Written for Movies</a></strong></p>
29. Forrest Gump (1994)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 24 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 120 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Also sprach Zarathustra" (Richard Strauss)</p>
28. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 10 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 93 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Un homme et une femme" (Francis Lai)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/29/best-movies-about-music-icons/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=best-movies-about-music-icons&wsrlui=812149719'>ALSO READ: The Best Movies About Music Icons</a></strong></p>
27. A Man and a Woman (1966)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 4 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 109 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Shallow" (Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper)</p>
26. A Star Is Born (2018)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 95 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Supermassive Black Hole" (Muse)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/03/05/the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980&wsrlui=8121497110'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Movie Soundtrack Since 1980</a></strong></p>
25. Twilight (2008)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 10 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 89 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (Elton John)</p>
24. The Lion King (1994)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 12 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 108 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Don't Rain on My Parade" (Barbra Streisand)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/02/the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies&wsrlui=8121497111'>ALSO READ: The Best Original Songs from Disney Movies</a></strong></p>
23. Funny Girl (1968)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 21 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 107 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green)</p>
22. Pulp Fiction (1994)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 10 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 104 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Need You Tonight" (INXS)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/20/this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2&wsrlui=8121497112'>ALSO READ: This Is the Best Musical of All Time</a></strong></p>
21. Coyote Ugly (2000)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 6 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 106 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Christmas Time Is Here - Vocal" (Vince Guaraldi Trio)</p>
20. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 3 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 126 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Bellas Finals: Price Tag/Don't You (Forget About Me)/Give Me Everything/Just The Way You Are/Party In The U.S.A./Turn The Beat Around" (The Barden Bellas)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/12/14/the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies&wsrlui=8121497113'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Songs Originally Written for Movies</a></strong></p>
19. Pitch Perfect (2012)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 6 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 129 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "I Cross My Heart" (George Strait)</p>
18. Pure Country (1992)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 18 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 97 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Hungry Eyes" (Eric Carmen)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/29/best-movies-about-music-icons/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=best-movies-about-music-icons&wsrlui=8121497114'>ALSO READ: The Best Movies About Music Icons</a></strong></p>
17. Dirty Dancing (1987)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 3 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 125 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!" (Justin Timberlake)</p>
16. Trolls (2016)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 3 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 104 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "America" (Betty Wand, George Chakiris, Johnny Green, Suzie Kaye, West Side Story Orchestra)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/03/05/the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980&wsrlui=8121497115'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Movie Soundtrack Since 1980</a></strong></p>
15. West Side Story (1961)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 17 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 161 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "My Girl" (The Temptations)</p>
14. The Big Chill (1983)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 146 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/02/the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies&wsrlui=8121497116'>ALSO READ: The Best Original Songs from Disney Movies</a></strong></p>
13. Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 24 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 167 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Purple Rain" (Prince)</p>
12. Purple Rain (1984)
#BetteMidler_Beaches
#BetteMidler_Beaches
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 24 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 137 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Stayin' Alive" (Bee Gees)</p>
10. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 108 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Breaking Free" (Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/12/14/the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-songs-originally-written-for-movies&wsrlui=8121497118'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Songs Originally Written for Movies</a></strong></p>
9. High School Musical (2006)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 112 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" (The Soggy Bottom Boys, Dan Tyminski)</p>
8. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 13 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 178 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Let It Go" (Idina Menzel)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/29/best-movies-about-music-icons/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=best-movies-about-music-icons&wsrlui=8121497119'>ALSO READ: The Best Movies About Music Icons</a></strong></p>
7. Frozen (2013)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 4 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 111 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "I Could Have Danced All Night" (Marni Nixon)</p>
6. My Fair Lady (1964)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 14 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 122 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (Julie Andrews, Van Dyke, The Pearlie Chorus)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/03/05/the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-most-popular-movie-soundtrack-since-1980&wsrlui=8121497120'>ALSO READ: The Most Popular Movie Soundtrack Since 1980</a></strong></p>
5. Mary Poppins (1964)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 190 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "This Is Me" (Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman Ensemble)</p>
4. The Greatest Showman (2017)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 1 week)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 157 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Interior Student Café" (Maurice Jarre)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/02/the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-best-original-songs-from-disney-movies&wsrlui=8121497121'>ALSO READ: The Best Original Songs from Disney Movies</a></strong></p>
3. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 2 (for 1 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 316 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "How Far I'll Go" (Alessia Cara)</p>
2. Moana (2016)
<p><strong>> Peak position on Billboard 200:</strong> No. 1 (for 2 weeks)<br> <strong>> Total time on Billboard 200:</strong> 238 weeks<br> <strong>> Biggest song:</strong> "Do-Re-Mi" (Angela Cartwright, Charmian Carr, Debbie Turner, Duane Chase, Heather Menzies, Irwin Kosal, Julie Andrews, Kym Karath, Nicholas Hammond)<br></p><p><strong><a style='color: #008000' href='https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/20/this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=this-is-the-best-musical-of-all-time-2&wsrlui=8121497122'>ALSO READ: This Is the Best Musical of All Time</a></strong></p>
1. The Sound of Music (1966)
Share A little Divinity
 1       
1
Share

Related Posts:

3 thoughts on “Billboard Data Shows Most Popular Soundtracks Of All Time”

  1. It’s nice to see Bette/Beaches on the list, even though it’s Top 11 rather than Top 10. I have to quibble a bit with this article, though, as the Soundtracks to Saturday Night Fever and Grease are missing from the list. So, I jumped on the billboard website and found out that Saturday Night Fever soundtrack jumped to #1 on the Top Billboard Charts and stayed there for 24 consecutive weeks. According to the article’s methodology, wouldn’t that make it to #1, if not at the very least–make it on the list? Grease is 8x Platinum having sold almost 17 million copies. Moana, which is the article’s #2 pick, debuted at #16 on the Billboard Charts, peaked at #2 (never making it to #1) and has sold 3 million copies. Is this article guilty of selective research, or is it just me?

    Reply

    1. There has to be some kind of selective methodolagy. I knew Something didn’t seem right but I’m guilty of not paying attention to hpw they ranked thrm. I mean Purple Rain had a slew of hits.

      Reply

  2. Rolling Stone listed “THE ROSE SOUNDTRACK” as the year’s best selling SOUNDTRACK of 1980. I remember reading that online reprinted from the year end issue. I don’t remember exactly how or where I found it but I do distinctly remember it. It peaked at #12 on the BILLBOARD charts.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.