Top 11 Song Moments in Movies
- CJ Tiernan
- Nov 10, 2025
- 7 min read
By CJ Tiernan
The music in a movie often lurks in the shadows, providing an imperceptible emotional backbone to a scene. Other times, however, the character or characters are just straight-up singing or dancing to a song that is part of the world of the film. When the song is part of the world, it creates an opportunity to get a sense of the character(s) thoughts, feelings, or behavior. Then again, sometimes it's just cool. The following is a list of my 11 favorite moments I've ever seen in a movie where music plays a big part of the scene.
1. Whiplash (2018) - Ending
"Whiplash" is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Miles Teller plays Andrew Neiman, a college student in relentless pursuit of jazz-drumming greatness. With the help of one of the best teachers/worst people, Terrence Fletcher (JK Simmons, in an Oscar-winning performance) helps push him to his limits. By the end of the film (this goes without saying, but, Spoiler Alert!), Fletcher has lost his job at the school and is aware that Neiman was, in part, responsible for his dismissal. In a new role, he leads Neiman in to a sabotage-esque event where Neiman is left on stage not knowing the song they are playing. Neiman leaves the stage, only to come back on and play a song ("Caravan" by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington) to impress Fletcher and showcase his skills. During the scene, Fletcher goes from gloating over the sabotage, to angry that Neiman is taking over the performance, to impressed by his skills and rooting him on and supporting it (all while saying barely a word). It is one of the most impressive performances I've ever seen and also one of the greatest finishes to a movie. It was written and directed by Damien Chazelle, who would go to do "La La Land" and "First Man."
2. Back to the Future (1985) - Enchantment Under the Sea Dance
This scene has everything. The Chuck Berry song "Johnny B Goode," the disappearing photo of Marty McFly and his siblings, Marty trying to get his parents to kiss to restore his very existence, and the song "Earth Angel." There is tension and drama, but also sci-fi and comedy. It is a perfect blend of so many different elements and a culmination of the movie. It is the perfect climax. Also, the cost of admission to the dance was $1. When's the last time a dollar got you anything? The only thing I've ever gotten for a dollar is 4 quarters.
3. It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010) - Under Pressure
This movie is kind of a depressing story. It follows a teenager who admits himself into the psych ward because the stress he feels at school nearly drove him to suicide. He feels a great deal of pressure from his family and friends to be great and do great things. It weighs on him. In this scene, he is pressured to sing the song crafted by the great David Bowie and Queen. While the song title may feel a little on the nose, the scene is perfect. It gets very surreal and quickly shifts from the meeting room on the psych ward to a stage with everyone dressed in rock-star gear. When the song ends, it fades back in and the teenager has won over the room with his performance. He gains both a sense of belonging and the adoration of his peers (who are basically all adults because the adolescent portion of the psych department is temporarily closed). It is a beautiful scene and a bit of a turning point in the middle of the film. The film features great performances all around but this scene is my favorite. Viola Davis, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Zoë Kravitz are in this thing so check it out.
4. The Lego Movie (2014) - Everything is Awesome
The song "Everything is Awesome" more or less starts the movie (it is the second scene behind putting in place the villain and the lore). It is a fantastic way of setting up the tone of the movie and its main character (and Taco Tuesday). The world in which the film takes place is established to delicious effect, incorporating both the Lego elements and the comedy of the film. The song itself is an unforgettable ear worm, but the scene as whole sets the whole thing into motion.
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Twist and Shout
"Twist and Shout" is a banger. It is sung (or lip-synched to a rendition by The Beatles) by the title character during a parade through Chicago (the name of the parade is the Von Steuben Day parade, which is apparently a real thing). While the carefree energy (that runs counter to Cameron's energy) of Ferris has been well established at this point in the film, I still love this scene. It is classic John Hughes (a pillar of the millennial childhoods everywhere). While the vest may have aged poorly, the movie and the scene haven't. I love the people dancing on the steps. This scene just makes you feel so alive! Save Ferris!
6. Step Brothers (2008) - Por Ti Volare (Catalina Wine Mixer)
This is the makeup scene at the very end of the movie. People have drifted apart and this one, tear-jerking song seemingly reunites the world. I don't believe I've ever heard this song outside of this movie. It is, after all, written in Spanish (as Baxter knows, I don't speak Spanish). Will Ferrell actually sang his part (and John C. Reilly actually played the drums) and the earnestness with which he sings it make the comedy. It creates a comically magical ending to a very funny movie. Say it with me now: "the f***ing Catalina Wine Mixer!"
7. Tangled (2010) - I See the Light
The second animated movie on my list, "Tangled" is a retelling of the classic Brothers' Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel." In a nearly infinite list of fantastic Disney songs, this one is one of my all-time favorites. It features the main character (played to perfection by Mandy Moore) experiencing freedom for the first time and watching her favorite thing in the whole world: an epic release of paper lanterns that occurs annually on her birthday (unaware that it is happening because of her). Zachary Levi (of "Chuck" fame) is also great in this. It is a beautiful moment in a great movie.
8. Pitch Perfect (2012) - Barden Bellas Finals
"Pitch Perfect" is a really fun movie. It's a musical and a rom com. With great energy and great music, it is a great way to spend two hours. The part at the end where the Barden Bellas perform their new routine in the finals is my favorite part. As a way of an apology, Anna Kendrick's character incorporates an inside joke into their routine by including the Simple Minds song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the movie "The Breakfast Club." As the camera cuts between the performance and Skylar Astin's character, we feel the connection between the characters and the metaphorical bridge being repaired. It makes my heart sing!
9. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - Bifrost Bridge
Speaking of singing: that Led Zeppelin band was pretty good, eh? That Robert Plant fella had some wicked good pipes, eh? Speaking of metaphorical bridges: I give yo a literal bridge. The climactic final battle sequence that takes place on the Bifrost is so epic. Thor, returning with a sick new weapon, down an eye, and seeming brand spanking new skillset, gets played in with "The Immigrant Song." It is a superhero entrance for all time. The entrance, splayed out initially from the side, looks like some sort of epic painting the way the tableau is set up. It is deliciously perfect.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) - Live Aid Ending
I am not someone who gets mad at a biopic for leaving out relevant details of a persons life. Ultimately, the goal of a movie is to entertain, not to educate. For that reason, I have no objection to way they chose to portray Freddie Mercury and Queen in "Bohemian Rhapsody" (that being said, I wish I lived in the alternate universe where Sasha Baron Cohen was permitted to portray Mercury in a warts and all flick). Indisputably, the best scene in the movie is the final one. It is a largely shot-for-shot recreation of Queen's performance at Live Aid in 1985 (shout out to the performance of Rami Malek). While the film ratchets up the tension by fudging with the timeline and cutting to Freddie's family, this scene is so powerful and so epic. It is an unbelievable sendoff to both the movie and a rock legend. Damn you, AIDS!
11. Baby Driver (2017) - Opening Car Chase
Aw man, this car chase. I love me some Edgar Wright and his ability to craft unique shots and powerful music moments. He set out to just create something that looks really cool. Spencer Blues Explosion's “Bellbottoms” blasts through the main characters ear buds while he waits to be the getaway driver of a heist and subsequently executes the getting away. Everything during the pursuit is so fun and cool and the action is perfectly synched up to the music, including perfectly timed door slams. There is tension, action, and misdirection right out the gates. Love it!
Final Thoughts
Music can add to a scene in so many ways. It can bring characters together in meaningful and impactful ways. It can also just be totally dope. I'll leave a list of a few of the music moments that just missed my list down below. As always, please let me know in the comments if I left one of your favorites off the list. Thanks!
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