Music has always been the emotional core of teen movies, especially for millennials. Whether it was blasting through headphones on the bus ride home or playing in the background of a bedroom dance party, the right soundtrack could make every heartbreak feel deeper, every kiss more magical, and every awkward moment just a little more bearable. These 11 movie soundtracks didn’t just complement their films—they became the soundtracks to our lives.
1. Empire Records (1995)
A record-store movie has no option but to have the music right, and Empire Records completely succeeded. Its soundtrack is filled with indie pop, punk, and alternative rock, blending underground gems with more mainstream artists such as The Cranberries and Better Than Ezra. It captures that mid-90s vibe—perfect for anyone who ever fantasized about working in some place that breathed and lived music.
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
This one’s a lesson in getting music right for the mood. Assembled by author-director Stephen Chbosky, the soundtrack includes The Smiths—pretty much the patron saints of teenage angst—along with a dreamy mix of retro and emotional cuts. It’s the sort of playlist you’ll find yourself driving down a highway with the windows open, imagining you’re endless.
3. Boyz N The Hood (1991)
Narrowly fitting within the millennial timeframe, Boyz N The Hood is notable for its pioneering narrative and killer hip-hop soundtrack. Featuring legends Quincy Jones, Ice Cube, and Yo-Yo, the album reached Number 12 on the Billboard 200. The soundtrack didn’t merely follow the film—it internalized its impact, providing a raw and forceful soundtrack to a narrative that hadn’t been presented in such a manner previously.
4. Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls provided us with a never-ending supply of quotable catchphrases, but the soundtrack gets some love as well. Kelis’ “Milkshake” made its memorable appearance, and The Donnas, Peaches, and Samantha Ronson tracks provided the album with a pop-punk flair that translated the film’s tough teenager spirit. It’s a blast, a tuneful effort, and just rebellious enough.
5. Juno (2007)
If quirky sounded like something, it would sound like this. The Juno soundtrack is peopled with indie cute, The Moldy Peaches, Belle & Sebastian, and Antsy Pants among them. The gentle moments of vocals, ukuleles, and the offbeat atmosphere created made it the ideal soundtrack to a film about an offbeat girl with a large heart. It’s that kind of soundtrack that feels like being hugged by your art-school best friend.
6. Save the Last Dance (2001)
The soundtrack remains a complete banger to this day. Featuring a list of hip-hop and R&B legends, it’s ideal for blasting in your room while imagining your space is a dance studio. From the dance to the chemistry, the soundtrack made Save the Last Dance a cultural phenomenon—and a teenage Kerry Washington didn’t hurt.
7. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
The film may not have stood the test of time as well as its prequel, but the soundtrack? Still lit. With songs by Wyclef Jean, Christina Aguilera, and Santana, this soundtrack is filled with Latin-infused beats and dance-floor bangers. It’s perfect for hot summer evenings and spontaneous dance parties in your living room.
8. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Baz Luhrmann’s version of Shakespeare is wild, passionate, and eye-candy-and-ever-so-chic—and the soundtrack is the same. Featuring tunes by Garbage, The Cardigans, and Radiohead, the CD reached Number 2 on the Billboard 200 and was double-platinum in Australia. It’s dark, dreamy, and utterly unforgettable.
9. Cruel Intentions (1999)
This one didn’t have the easiest ride. The original score was shelved after bad test screenings, but the alternate proved to be iconic. With a moody blend of Aimee Mann, Marcy Playground, Placebo, and Counting Crows, the soundtrack ended up being as warped and indelible as the film’s narrative.
10. Clueless (1995)
Clueless set the style and tone of the ’90s, and its soundtrack is just as memorable as the film. Featuring tunes from The Beastie Boys, Radiohead, and The Muffs, it’s a carefree, sun-drenched playlist that immediately transports you back to plaid skirts, flip phones, and mall rides. Each song is like it was written specifically for a montage.
11. 10 Things I Hate About You (1998)
Arguably, the teen movie soundtrack gold standard. 10 Things I Hate About You took Shakespeare, punk-pop, and romance, and came up with something that aged incredibly well. With acts such as Save Ferris, The Cardigans, and Semisonic, it has that perfect balance of attitude, yearning, and teenage drama. It’s an album you never truly outgrow.
Most of these soundtracks are debtors to the indie sleaze era—the dirty clubs, the jeans that were too tight, the bands that made us feel heard. Bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs defined the sound of a generation, and their mark is on these films. Collectively, they did more than provide background music—they provided us with the soundtrack for coming of age.