Following the release of Rihanna's new music for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, many film fans on Reddit have begun to discuss some of their favorite movies that use music in a fun and interesting way - leading to many songs becoming intrinsically connected to the film.
When a movie uses a song effectively, it becomes very easy for audiences to associate that song with the movie in the future. It's one of the most efficient ways of ensuring that films stay relevant and timeless, which is why so many of these movies rank among Reddit's favorites.
"Stuck In The Middle With You" - Stealers Wheel: Reservoir Dogs (1992)
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Quentin Tarantino's feature-length debut, Reservoir Dogs, is a thrilling and exciting drama about a group of criminals who suspect that an undercover cop stands among them. When people talk about the film today, there's one particular scene that always gets brought up, and it's set to the chilling backdrop of Stealers Wheel's hit song.
The scene involved Michael Madsen's character torturing a police officer as he dances to the song, displaying his complete lack of humanity and empathy. Reddit user slightlyunhingedlady argues that scene is a "great choice" to display just how effective the right music can be.
"I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" - Aerosmith: Armageddon (1998)
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Armageddon is arguably one of the best sci-fi disaster movies ever made, filled with style and personality from start to finish. It's extremely powerful despite its far-fetched narrative, and much of this is due to the inclusion of Aerosmith's music, which was actually written specifically for the movie.
Redditor dontovercookpasta admits that they "can't separate the movie from the song" in their head because it's used so effectively. It creates a very distinct atmosphere that allows Armageddon to shine among its competition in the genre.
"Heroes" - David Bowie: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
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David Bowie's "Heroes" plays throughout one of the many emotional climaxes of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, and it makes everything infinitely more emotional. Bowie's powerful vocals and precise instrumentation create a dreamlike atmosphere of pain and regret that perfectly embody the film's themes.
Redditor zealousideal-club290 agrees that this scene "has always stuck with me as a microcosm of the feel of the whole movie." The climax would still be powerful without Bowie's music, but it's the use of "Heroes" that really creates this painful atmosphere that so many audiences associate with the film.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" - Simple Minds: The Breakfast Club (1985)
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John Hughes' The Breakfast Club ranks among the best '80s coming-of-age movies, bringing a group of young adults together in detention as their own company forces them to learn hard truths about themselves. It's brought to life by the five lead performances, but the film's soundtrack also does much of the heavy lifting.
Redditor notjawn shares they "cannot listen to that Simple Minds song without imaging me walking out of detention and then a freeze frame and fade out of me fist pumping the air," mirroring the iconic ending of the movie.
"You Never Can Tell" - Chuck Berry: Pulp Fiction (1994)
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Although Chuck Berry's song predates Tarantino's movie by 30 whole years, the two have quickly become inseparable thanks to its inclusion in John Travolta and Uma Thurman's iconic dance scene. The sequence wouldn't be half as memorable without Berry's catchy music, which really brings the moment to life.
Reddit user gabbagool admits that "pretty much every song [Tarantino] uses in his movies" quickly becomes synonymous with the movie itself. There are several other songs in Pulp Fiction that help elevate the screenplay, but this one simply works perfectly.
"Hip To Be Square" - Huey Lewis: American Psycho (2000)
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Anybody who's familiar with American Psycho will remember the haunting inclusion of Huey Lewis' smash hit "Hip To Be Square" as Bateman prepares himself for a brutal murder. As many have noted, it's the contrast between Bateman's behavior and the peppiness of the song that makes the scene so memorable.
Redditor exmo_therapist comments on just how "disturbing" this scene is, with Huey Lewis' music adding a whole new layer of discomfort to the moment. It's choices like this that lead many audiences to view American Psycho as one of the best thrillers ever made.
"Don't Stop Me Now" - Queen: Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
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More than any other director, Edgar Wright always uses music effectively in his films. Many of his most iconic scenes are designed specifically for certain songs, which creates a unique relationship between the visuals and the music that's impossible to look away from.
Shaun Of The Dead includes an unforgettable fight sequence that's specifically choreographed to the tune of Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," which gives it a hilarious momentum that Redditors such as khanskt rank among the most effective uses of music in films.
"Ride Of The Valkyries" - Richard Wagner: Apocalypse Now (1979)
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Francis Ford Coppola's classic war epic, Apocalypse Now, is filled with moments that audiences will never forget, but it's arguably the helicopter flight scene that's maintained its place within pop culture most effectively. It's the scene that most audiences think of when they consider the movie, and it's impossible to think about without humming along to the music.
Reddit user sly1969 argues that "pretty much all the songs" in the film are used in creative and memorable ways, but it's definitely this scene that most audiences remember. The cinematography of the scene is also immaculate, leading many audiences to argue that Apocalypse Now should only ever be viewed in cinemas.
"Eye Of The Tiger" - Survivor: Rocky III (1982)
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There are very few movies with theme songs as recognizable as "Eye of the Tiger," which initially appeared in Rocky III and quickly become synonymous with the entire franchise. Survivor's hit single perfectly encapsulates the themes and style of the Rocky movies, which is why it worked so well.
One Redditor believes that "Eye of the Tiger will forever be cemented" as the musical theme of the Rocky franchise, simply because of how fitting and suitable it is. Both the lyrics and the sounds blend perfectly with Balboa's journey, which is why so many people think of the film when they hear the song.
"Where Is My Mind?" - Pixies: Fight Club (1999)
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David Fincher's Fight Club is filled with '90s style and personality that really brings the film to life, and the soundtrack is actually responsible for a lot of this. The movie's ending actually features one of its most memorable moments, backed by a powerful musical number from the rock band Pixies.
"The movie only plays [the song] for a really short time, but they're inextricably linked in my mind," writes Reddit user probablyhittingonyou. The final frame of the movie has gone down in history as one of the most powerful endings ever filmed, reveling in its own simplistic imagery and complex themes.