The music featured in all of my picks for the best original movie soundtracks from 2025 is integral to the movies they’re from, not just backing tracks, but arms that help move the needle on the themes and ideas each film is exploring. Building tension, adding drama, or being important parts of key scenes are seen in the films. On their own, of course, fantastic creations from each composer, but more importantly, part of the artistry of the films.
Here are my picks for the Top 5 Best Original Movie Soundtracks from 2025.
Weapons – Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay, and Zach Cregger
The mystery of Weapons surrounds the score from the moment you hear the main theme. There’s a mix here of tracks that feels less like songs, too, and more like they’re sound design for the film itself. A mix of sounds that make it such an integral part of the film and all of its key moments.
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson
Sinners is a vampire movie on paper, but when it comes down to it, it’s a movie about music. And with that, you’d need a great soundtrack to accompany the film’s themes, which is what Göransson brings to the project. Things start so hopeful and airy with tracks like ‘Smokestack Twins,’ and turn to intense metal and doom with songs like ‘Bury That Guitar,’ featuring Metallica’s Lars Ulrich on the drums.
Bugonia – Jerskin Fendrix
The story goes that Yorgos Lanthimos didn’t give Jerskn Fendrix even the script to work on the film’s music; the director simply gave a sticky note with the three notes of “bees,” “spaceship,” and “Emily bald” on it. And the composer delivers exactly what the director ordered, with music that buzzes; listening to it outside the film, it’s also very alien and prone to making you feel like something is zipping around in your own head.
28 Years Later – Young Fathers
The original music from Young Fathers for 28 Years Later delivers the eerie atmosphere needed for the zombie apocalypse film, while also bringing a new sound you wouldn’t expect for the genre and the film. Their ‘Boots’ mix of the classic poem from the outset of the film’s trailer gave you an idea of exactly what kind of film it would be. It’s always been political; there’s always more to see beneath all of this bloodshed. There’s an animistic feel to the whole score, and the music is a big part of the film’s tone.
One Battle After Another – Jonny Greenwood
The description for the One Battle After Another original soundtrack on Apple Music says it’s a “little quirk,” which I think is a fair description. The music by Johnny Greenwood does a great job of building the tension throughout the film, thanks to the evocative piano notes that build and build as more instruments are added to the main theme, and as the film continues, but there are elements of playful quirkiness here. Especially when that main theme is almost played on with the nearly off-tune tapping head in ‘The French 75’ theme. Although the whole soundtrack is great, it’s the percussion and its use in the film ‘River of Hills’ that’s easily the most memorable piece for me.
Find all of Explosion Network’s Best of 2025 coverage right here, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on any of our lists in the comments section.
