5 Iconic Movie Soundtracks That Helped Define the 1990s

Need some solid movie soundtracks from the 1990s to get you in a nostalgic mood? There are so many excellent film soundtracks from that era, but I’m particularly fond of the following five. They’re all excellent, even if a few of them are a bit self-indulgent.

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1. ‘The Lion King’

Few soundtracks are as embedded into the minds of millennials from childhood quite like the soundtrack to the 1994 animated film The Lion King. This soundtrack won Grammys and Oscars for a reason. The production of this album is on another level, and not just due to Elton John’s involvement.

2. ‘Clueless’

The 1995 film Clueless is packed with hit songs, and all of them fit this girl-power-packed movie beautifully. From No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” to Jill Sobule’s “Supermodel”, this soundtrack will instantly transport you to a sparklier, pinker, sassier time.

3. ‘Armageddon’

This is one of the most well-loved movie soundtracks to come out of the 1990s, in part because of Aerosmith and Steven Tyler’s heavy involvement in the album. Outside of them, this soundtrack is packed with classic rock hits. “La Grange” by ZZ Top and “Remember Me” by Journey are just a few standout additions. Still, what better band to bid us adieu at the end of times than Aerosmith? At least it’ll be a cool way to go out.

4. ‘10 Things I Hate About You’

I don’t hate this movie soundtrack from the 1990s. Not even close, not even a little bit. Not even at all. The 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack is full of gorgeous 1990s staples, from Letters To Cleo’s cover of “I Want You To Want Me” by Cheap Trick to “War/My Favourite Game” by The Cardigans.

5. ‘Spice World’

This entry is a little self-indulgent, but Spice World is a hard movie to hate if you are a fan of these divas. This is one of the more definitive movie soundtracks from the 1990s, simply because the Spice Girls’ music was absolutely everywhere in the late 1990s. 

It’s worth noting that an official soundtrack for this movie was never released, though the girl group’s 1997 record Spiceworld more or less served as the soundtrack and was heavily used in its promotion.

Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images

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