There’s something special about owning a film soundtrack on vinyl. Film music is so important because it plays a huge role in our immersion in the story, making us feel so many emotions within seconds and taking us to a completely different time and place. Listening to a soundtrack on vinyl can amplify the nostalgia, as you can combine the sounds you hear with the tactile feel of the disc, and watch it play on the turntable. Even taking the vinyl out of the case and setting the needle can feel like a ritual, which only enriches the experience. And then, of course, there’s the matter of sound, which is a lot warmer and richer than what you’ll hear listening to the same tracks on digital channels.
If you’re a vinyl collector, you know what we’re talking about. If, on the other hand, you’re new to vinyls, then the first thing to do is getting the right setup; Vinyl Pickup offers recommendations of turntables, record players, speakers and other essentials you can get for different budgets, and lists iconic records that will sound fantastic. Of course, if you’re a movie fan, you’ll want to listen to some film soundtracks, and that’s where we have you covered!
Keep scrolling for our selection of 5 great film soundtracks on vinyl, listed in no particular order below and recommended for different reasons!
1. The Social Network
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Anything made by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will sound incredible on vinyl, and there is quite a selection to choose from, from the recently released Challengers, Queer, and Tron: Ares to all-time classics like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, Watchmen and even more impressive scores. For this list, we’ve chosen their Academy Award-winning score for The Social Network, David Fincher‘s 2010 masterpiece. What makes this OST so iconic is that while Reznor and Ross understood the cultural importance of the film’s subject – the origins of Facebook – and rightly chose to include many pop and rock anthems in the movie, their signature instrumental score is what really sets the tone for this very unique story.
The most uniquely recognizable tracks here are “Hand Covers Bruise” and “In Motion” (both in Disc 1, Side A), and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” (Disc 2, Side A), which are all used at key moments in the film. “Hand Covers Bruise” is a simple, melancholic piano melody that we hear at the start of the film, right after our protagonist, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), was dumped by his girlfriend (Rooney Mara). Thematically, the cue embodies all his sadness, but it also foreshadows what’s to come, with dark electronic, buzzing sounds that tell us that this won’t be a happy tale. “In Motion” is the opposite, reflecting the excitement of Facebook’s – or, as it was known at first, Facemash’s – creation in Mark’s dorm room, and it’s what gives the entire scene its rhythm.
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” accompanies the Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer), whose creative collaboration with the Facebook creator ends in a battle, and that clash of ideas, wealth and moral codes is brilliantly embodied by the track on the album. This 2-LP soundtrack will bring a rollercoaster of emotions, and its style is reflected in the dark, industrial aesthetic of Rob Sheridan’s cover, with a blurred close-up of Eisenberg and horizontal bars that act as noise. Inside, you’ll find a three-panel gatefold with a moody artwork and, if you buy the 2020 edition, an essay by film critic Elvis Mitchell to give you context on the album.
2. Interstellar
Hans Zimmer
Legendary composer Hans Zimmer and filmmaker Christopher Nolan have worked together on several films, and the score is impressive in all of them. for this article, we chose Interstellar, which comes in a variety of editions including the coveted 4-LP Expanded Edition, which might prove difficult to find. Still, the 2-LP pressing, also a limited edition, is bound to satisfy fans of the movie, as Hans Zimmer’s scores, and the Interstellar one in particular, just sound so good on vinyl.
A highlight of this score is a fantastic organ part that was performer by organist and choral director Roger Sayer and recorded in London’s 12th-century Temple Church to achieve a deeper sound; vinyl helps you hear the organ’s low frequencies in a completely different way that, alone, makes this soundtrack a must-have. Overall, this is a very atmospheric, hypnotic score, with repetitive, rhythmic sounds that make it perfect for you if you like listening to music while doing anything else, getting completely lost in the sound. Yet at the same time, it also makes for highly effective listening material for those who need something immersive that will block out the noise while they work.
For other iconic soundtrack of Christopher Nolan films, we recommend Inception (Hans Zimmer) and Tenet (Ludwig Göransson).
3. Pulp Fiction
Various Artists
Not only is this one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, but it’s also one that’s completely different from the ones we’ve listed above. Quentin Tarantino filled the film’s aural landscape with what is essentially the very essence of the 90s, with classics like Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man”, Kool & The Gang’s “Jungle Boogie”, Dick Dale’s “Misirlou”, Urge Overkill’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”, Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell,” and even more beloved songs. This is the vinyl soundtrack you’ll put on when you want to channel the 90s, when you’re having friends over, when you need an energy boost, and when you simply need to unwind at the end of the day.
The vinyl itself is a standard single LP, but if you’d like it to be even more iconic, you can get your hands on a collectible limited-edition pressing, which comes with translucent vinyls in different colors. On top of the tracks, you’ll also find some dialogue snippets from the movie, including the famous “Royale with Cheese” and “Ezekiel 25:17” monologues, which Tarantino added to the vinyl in-between songs, as a bonus.
If you’re looking for a vinyl that captures the garage punk/indie rock sound of the early 2000s instead, check out the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World vinyl!
4. Purple Rain
Prince
Here’s another iconic album that will look and sound even better on vinyl, whether you’re a collector or someone who just loves the movie and its soundtrack. This remastered 180g vinyl contains some of the most beloved anthems of all time, from “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” to, of course, “Purple Rain”. This is the rare case where the album that was not only just as successful as the movie, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide, but standed as an iconic piece of musical history of its own. You’ll get to hear plenty of Prince guitar solos and it will sound even better with the warmth that only a vinyl can bring.
The vinyl itself is a single LP, with 2-LP deluxe editions occasionally coming out. Though it doesn’t have a gatefold jacket, the artwork itself is on the inner sleeve and foldout poster you’ll find inside. Side B includes a live track of “Purple Rain” where you’ll get to hear the crowd, which makes this gem even more special.
5. Barbie The Album
Various Artists
The universally beloved Barbie soundtrack had to make the list not only for its incredible influence on pop culture upon release, but also for the many shapes in which it comes. If you’re into colorful vinyls, you’ll find plenty here, from multiple shades of pink – from neon pink to candy floss pink and many more – to deep blue and even the gorgeous, much sought-after clear pink splatter. The cover itself also comes in many different versions to match the vibe of Greta Gerwig’s iconic film.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, as every single track tells a story of its own, with songs from Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Charlie XCX, Sam Smith, HAIM, Khalid, and more. And then, of course, you’ll find Ryan Gosling’s rendition of “I’m Just Ken”, at the end of Side A, which we guarantee sounds even better on vinyl. Sadly, you won’t find Gosling’s cover of “Push” by Matchbox Twenty, which was only included as a bonus track on the digital deluxe edition of “Barbie The Album”, but you’ll still find plenty of “Kenergy” in this vinyl.
Whether you’re looking to be unsettled, swept away, hypnotized, or enveloped in nostalgia, the 5 vinyls listed above will do the trick! Collecting soundtracks means more than just owning a piece of music, but it’s a tactile experience that can give you a piece of cinema history while allowing you to experience it in a more tangible way. Enjoy!