Best 2017 Soundtracks

Some movie years are about superheroes, some are about horror, and some are about one thing:
incredible soundtracks. 2017 did all three at once. From car chases cut to deep-cut
rock songs to emotional ballads that went straight from the cinema to karaoke playlists, 2017 was
a goldmine for anyone who loves films and music in equal measure.

This ranking of the best 2017 soundtracks leans on what movie fans talk about most: the albums
they still stream, the songs they still hum in the shower, and the scores that still give them
goosebumps during a rewatch. Think of it as your go-to guide for the
best 2017 movie soundtracks – part nostalgia trip, part listening checklist.

Why 2017 Was a Big Deal for Movie Music

So what made 2017 such a stacked year for film music and great soundtracks?

• Mixtape-style soundtracks made a comeback. Curated needle-drop soundtracks
  (where existing songs are used like a DJ set) became a major selling point, not just background
  noise.
• Original songs owned the charts. Musical films and animated movies turned
  soundtrack albums into pop phenomena, not just side merch.
• Experimental scores went mainstream. Composers pushed boundaries with ticking
  clocks, synth soundscapes, and eerie choral writing that audiences actually noticed and talked
  about.

Put that all together and you get a year where people walked out of the theater and immediately
opened Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube to relive the experience. That’s the energy behind this
list.

Best 2017 Soundtracks, Ranked by Fans

This list blends fan chatter, playlist popularity, and critical buzz to highlight 2017 films with
truly standout soundtracks. It covers both song-driven soundtracks and
original scores, because your ears deserve variety.

1. Baby Driver – A High-Speed Mixtape on Wheels

If you had to pick one movie that defined 2017 soundtrack culture, it would probably be
Baby Driver. Director Edgar Wright built the whole film around music – the main
character, Baby, literally times his driving to the songs blasting in his earbuds. The
soundtrack album features dozens of tracks from different decades, including artists like Queen,
The Beach Boys, Blur, and Run the Jewels, stitched together like the coolest road-trip playlist
ever assembled.

What fans love most is how every chase, gunfight, and quiet moment is choreographed to
the music. It’s not just songs laid on top of scenes; it’s editing, sound, and rhythm working
together. The result: people walked out of the theater and instantly looked up the soundtrack
just to keep the adrenaline going.

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – Awesome Mix, Round Two

The first Guardians of the Galaxy made everyone realize a movie mixtape could be as big
a star as the actual cast. The 2017 sequel doubled down with
“Awesome Mix Vol. 2”, a collection of 1970s and early 80s gems hand-picked to
match the film’s emotional beats. The soundtrack includes tracks like “Mr. Blue Sky,” “The
Chain,” “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” and “Lake Shore Drive,” all woven into the story rather
than just dropped in as background noise.

The album became one of the year’s best-selling records in the U.S. and was even a leader in
cassette sales (yes, actual cassettes). Between the throwback vibes, deep cuts, and the
continued emotional link to Peter Quill’s mixtapes, this is one of the
best 2017 soundtracks for fans who like their superhero movies with a side of
dad-rock and feelings.

3. Call Me by Your Name – Sun-Drenched, Melancholic, Perfect

Some soundtracks scream at you; others quietly ruin you for days. The
Call Me by Your Name soundtrack falls into the second category. It blends classical
pieces and European pop with haunting original songs by Sufjan Stevens. His track “Mystery of
Love” became the film’s unofficial emotional thesis and went on to earn major award nominations
alongside the full compilation.

The album feels like a summer you never had but somehow deeply remember: bicycles, old villas,
and heartbreak in slow motion. If you want a 2017 film soundtrack that works just as well on a
quiet Sunday afternoon as it does during a cinematic ugly-cry, this one is essential.

4. Blade Runner 2049 – Synths, Dystopia, and Echoes of the Original

Following up one of the most iconic sci-fi soundtracks of all time is a terrifying job, but the
2017 sequel pulls it off. The Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer and
Benjamin Wallfisch, leans into heavy, atmospheric synths that feel like they’re vibrating the
entire future city.

The score nods to Vangelis’s legendary original Blade Runner music while carving out
its own identity with massive, rumbling textures and eerie calm. It’s the kind of soundtrack
that makes even checking your email feel dramatic if you play it in the background. For fans of
sci-fi and electronic scores, it’s one of 2017’s most immersive listens.

5. Dunkirk – A Score That Feels Like a Panic Attack (In a Good Way)

Christopher Nolan’s war film Dunkirk is intense on its own, but Hans Zimmer’s score
turns the stress level up to “I might need to pause and breathe.” The music famously uses a
ticking clock effect and an auditory illusion known as the Shepard tone to create the feeling
that tension is constantly rising and never resolving.

Instead of big hummable themes, you get sound design fused with music: siren-like textures,
mechanical rhythms, and that relentless ticking. It’s not the kind of soundtrack you casually
throw on during dinner, but as a piece of film scoring, it’s one of 2017’s boldest and most
talked-about works.

6. The Greatest Showman – The Pop Musical That Took Over the World

If you somehow escaped hearing “This Is Me” in 2017 and 2018, congratulations on your secluded
mountain lifestyle. For everyone else, The Greatest Showman soundtrack was everywhere.
The album features original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including “The Greatest Show,”
“A Million Dreams,” “Never Enough,” “Rewrite the Stars,” and, of course, “This Is Me,” which
went on to win major awards and become a global empowerment anthem.

What makes this one of the best 2017 film soundtracks isn’t just the catchy
tunes; it’s how replayable they are. The songs jumped from the screen to gym playlists, kids’
singing competitions, wedding playlists, and car sing-alongs. The soundtrack turned the movie
into a word-of-mouth hit and spawned covers, remixes, and even a re-imagined tribute album.

7. Coco – Music, Memory, and One Devastating Song

Pixar’s Coco is a love letter to family, music, and Día de los Muertos, and its
soundtrack is central to that storytelling. The standout is “Remember Me,” written by Kristen
Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Throughout
the film, the song appears in different arrangementsflashy, tender, and finally devastating
each version deepening the emotional impact.

The rest of the soundtrack mixes traditional Mexican styles, lively ensemble numbers, and
heartfelt ballads. It’s one of 2017’s most culturally rich soundtracks and a reminder that
animated films often bring their A-game when it comes to music.

8. Thor: Ragnarok – Cosmic Colors, Cosmic Sound

Thor: Ragnarok ditched the overly serious tone of earlier Thor films and went full neon
space comedy. The soundtrack followed suit. Composer Mark Mothersbaugh crafted a synth-heavy,
retro-futuristic score that feels ripped from a lost 80s video game, and the film’s use of Led
Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” instantly became one of Marvel’s most beloved music cues.

Fans still talk about how perfectly the music matches Thor’s glow-up from moody hammer guy to
wise-cracking cosmic hero. As a listening experience, the score is playful, punchy, and perfect
for anyone who wants their superhero music with a side of arcade nostalgia.

9. Get Out – Horror with a Haunting Choral Edge

Jordan Peele’s breakout horror film Get Out has a reputation for its social commentary,
but the soundtrack quietly does a lot of heavy lifting. Composer Michael Abels uses eerie choral
writing, including Swahili lyrics warning the protagonist, to create a sense of unease that
starts before anything visibly scary happens.

The music is sparse and strategic: it doesn’t flood every scene, but when it appears, it grabs
your nervous system by the shoulders. For horror fans, it stands out as one of the most
distinctive and atmospheric soundtracks of 2017.

10. Star Wars: The Last Jedi – A Legend Returns

No list of the best 2017 soundtracks would feel complete without John Williams. In
Star Wars: The Last Jedi, he continues his decades-long job of being the franchise’s
emotional backbone. The score reuses classic themes for Luke, Leia, and the Force while weaving
in new material for characters like Rey, Kylo Ren, and Rose.

Even fans who were divided on the film’s story generally agree on one thing: the music is
stunning. If you love big, sweeping orchestral writing, this soundtrack offers a masterclass in
how to evolve a musical universe without losing what made it iconic in the first place.

Honorable Mentions: More 2017 Films with Great Soundtracks

Narrowing 2017 down to a top 10 is borderline cruel. Other movies with soundtracks worth adding
to your queue include:

• Logan – Moody, understated needle drops that match the film’s dusty Western vibe.
• Wonder Woman – Heroic orchestral writing with that already-famous electric-cello theme.
• War for the Planet of the Apes – A powerful, emotional score that gave the trilogy a grand send-off.
• IT – A horror score that mixes 80s nostalgia with nightmarish textures.

If you’re building the ultimate 2017 soundtrack playlist, these are strong
additions.

How to Enjoy the Best 2017 Soundtracks Today

Want to really appreciate these albums beyond just pressing play? Try a few simple “fan
rituals”:

• Rewatch key scenes with headphones. The Baby Driver opening heist or
  the bridge scene in Thor: Ragnarok hit differently when you focus on the music.
• Build themed playlists. Make a “2017 Night Drive” mix with tracks from
  Baby Driver, Blade Runner 2049, and Guardians Vol. 2, then use it
  for your next late-night commute.
• Use them as mood soundtracks. Need motivation? Queue up The Greatest
  Showman. Need to concentrate? Go with Dunkirk or Blade Runner 2049.
• Share them with new fans. Younger friends or family who never saw these in
  theaters might fall in love with the music first and the movies second.

The beauty of 2017’s best soundtracks is that they still feel modern while already carrying a
little bit of nostalgia. They’re perfect for rediscovery.

Real-Life Experiences with 2017’s Best Soundtracks

Part of what makes these 2017 soundtracks so special is how personal they became for people.
Ask around and you’ll hear stories that start with: “I first heard that song in a movie theater,
and now…” For a lot of fans, Baby Driver was the first time they noticed how tightly
music and editing could sync. Suddenly, every time “Bellbottoms” or “Radar Love” popped up on a
playlist, they weren’t just hearing a songthey were mentally flooring an imaginary getaway car.

The same thing happened on the emotional side with films like Coco and
Call Me by Your Name. Many people now associate “Remember Me” or “Mystery of Love” with
specific moments in their own lives: a family gathering, a breakup, a summer trip, or even just
a quiet night where the movie happened to hit at exactly the right time. Those songs become
mental bookmarks, filing real emotions alongside fictional characters.

For some, The Greatest Showman soundtrack became a kind of unofficial confidence
playlist. “This Is Me” turned into a go-to track before job interviews, big presentations, or
even just a rough Monday morning. Parents talk about how their kids memorized every lyric, how
car rides turned into full cast sing-alongs, and how a simple movie musical quietly upgraded the
family stereo to “mini Broadway.”

Others gravitated toward the more atmospheric 2017 scores. Fans of Blade Runner 2049
describe putting the soundtrack on while working late and suddenly feeling like they’re doing
something way more important than answering email. People who loved Dunkirk talk about
using the score for tough workouts or long study sessions, letting the ticking, rising tension
trick their brains into staying focused just a little longer.

And then there’s the communal side. Online forums and playlists dedicated to “Best 2017 movie
music” became places where strangers traded favorite tracks and scenes: “The bridge fight in
Thor: Ragnarok with ‘Immigrant Song’ still gives me chills,” or “I can’t listen to
‘Remember Me’ without thinking of my grandparents.” Those conversations are part of why these
soundtracks feel so alive, even years after their release. They’re not just products; they’re
shared experiences.

If you revisit these 2017 soundtracks now, you’ll probably notice your own little time warp
happening. Maybe you flash back to where you were when you first saw the moviewhat theater you
were in, who you sat next to, what kind of day you’d had. Or maybe the music has drifted so far
from the original context that it now belongs to a totally different part of your life. Either
way, that’s the magic of a great movie soundtrack: it escapes the film and moves into your daily
soundtrack, quietly playing in the background while life keeps rolling.

Final Thoughts

The best 2017 soundtracks prove that movie music can do more than just fill
silence. It can drive the story, enhance the mood, and then follow you home in your headphones.
Whether you’re into heart-pounding scores, glossy pop musicals, or quiet emotional ballads, 2017
delivered something worth replaying.

Queue up a few of these albums, hit play, and let 2017 borrow your ears for a while. You might
discover that your new favorite playlist is actually hiding in a movie you haven’t revisited in
years.