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All the Catchiest, Most Earworm-y Theme Songs From Genre Movies

All the Catchiest, Most Earworm-y Theme Songs From Genre Movies

With a new Ghostbusters movie hitting theaters, here's a playlist of our favorite themes and standout soundtrack cuts from sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movies.

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Image: Sony, Lionsgate

The eternal question—“Who you gonna call?”—has come back around thanks to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Ray Parker Jr.’s 1984 anthem has us thinking about the pop songs so prominently featured in some of our favorite sci-fi, animated, and superhero movies, they’ve become just as well-known as the movies they’re featured in.

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Sometimes, soundtrack cuts become even more popular than the theme songs themselves—like with The Lost Boys’ sax-man jamI Still Believe” overshadowing “Cry Little Sister (Theme From The Lost Boys).” Other times, songs take on a new life after being used in films, like Smash Mouth’s “All Star” in Shrek, or “Hip to be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News in American Psycho.

Including Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, and many Batman movies, as well as Spider-Man movies, Twilight, Will Smith’s iconic sci-fi theme songs, and modern hits featured in recent blockbusters like Nope, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Barbie—here are all our favorites.

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2 / 38

“Ghostbusters,” Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters

“Ghostbusters,” Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters

Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (Official Video)
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3 / 38

“Rainbow Connection,” Kermit the Frog -The Muppet Movie

“Rainbow Connection,” Kermit the Frog -The Muppet Movie

Kermit the Frog Sing Along | Rainbow Connection | The Muppets
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4 / 38

“The NeverEnding Story,” Limahl - The NeverEnding Story

“The NeverEnding Story,” Limahl - The NeverEnding Story

The Neverending Story • Theme Song • Limahl
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5 / 38

“Killer Klowns,” The Dickies - Killer Klowns From Outer Space

“Killer Klowns,” The Dickies - Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Killer Klowns From Outer Space - Music Video
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6 / 38

“Magic Dance,” David Bowie - Labyrinth

“Magic Dance,” David Bowie - Labyrinth

Labyrinth (1986) - David Bowie’s Magic Dance | Movieclips
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7 / 38

“The Power of Love,” Huey Lewis and the News - Back to the Future

“The Power of Love,” Huey Lewis and the News - Back to the Future

Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love
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8 / 38

“Back in Time,” Huey Lewis and the News, Back to the Future

“Back in Time,” Huey Lewis and the News, Back to the Future

Back In Time
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9 / 38

“Ninja Rap,” Vanilla Ice -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

“Ninja Rap,” Vanilla Ice -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Ninja Rap Vanilla Ice Music Video HD - Go Ninja Go Ninja GO! - High Quality
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10 / 38

“Cry Little Sister (Theme From The Lost Boys),” Gerard McMahon, The Lost Boys

“Cry Little Sister (Theme From The Lost Boys),” Gerard McMahon, The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys - Soundtrack - Cry Little Sister (Theme From The Lost Boys) - By Gerard McMann
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11 / 38

“I Still Believe,” Tim Cappello -The Lost Boys

“I Still Believe,” Tim Cappello -The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys - Tim Cappello - I Still Believe - Music Video
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12 / 38

“Weird Science,” Oingo Boingo - Weird Science

“Weird Science,” Oingo Boingo - Weird Science

Oingo Boingo - Weird Science
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13 / 38

“Day-o (Banana Boat Song),” Harry Belafonte - Beetlejuice

“Day-o (Banana Boat Song),” Harry Belafonte - Beetlejuice

BeetleJuice (1988) - Day-O (Banana Boat Song) #1080p
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14 / 38

“Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora),” Harry Belafonte - Beetlejuice

“Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora),” Harry Belafonte - Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice (1988) - ending scene - Jump in the line
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15 / 38

“Batdance,” Prince - Batman

“Batdance,” Prince - Batman

Prince - Batdance (Official Music Video)
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16 / 38

“Space Jam,” Quad City DJ’s - Space Jam

“Space Jam,” Quad City DJ’s - Space Jam

Space Jam • Theme Song • Quad City DJ’s
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17 / 38

“Wild Wild West,” Will Smith ft. Dru Hill and Kool Mo Dee - Wild Wild West

“Wild Wild West,” Will Smith ft. Dru Hill and Kool Mo Dee - Wild Wild West

Will Smith - Wild Wild West ft. Dru Hill, Kool Mo Dee
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18 / 38

“Men in Black,” Will Smith - Men in Black

“Men in Black,” Will Smith - Men in Black

Will Smith - Men In Black (Video Version)
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19 / 38

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith - Armageddon 

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith - Armageddon 

Aerosmith - I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Official HD Video)
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20 / 38

“Kiss From a Rose,” Seal - Batman Forever

“Kiss From a Rose,” Seal - Batman Forever

Seal - Kiss From A Rose (Official Music Video) + Lyrics (HQ - High Quality)
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21 / 38

“Hip to Be Square,” Huey Lewis and the News - American Psycho

“Hip to Be Square,” Huey Lewis and the News - American Psycho

Hip to be Square - American Psycho (3/12) Movie CLIP (2000) HD
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22 / 38

“All Star,” Smash Mouth - Shrek

“All Star,” Smash Mouth - Shrek

Shrek (2001) - An All-Star Ogre Opening Scene (1/10) | Movieclips
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23 / 38

“Hero,” Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott - Spider-Man

“Hero,” Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott - Spider-Man

Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott - Hero (2002) HQ
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24 / 38

“Mad World,” Gary Jules - Donnie Darko

“Mad World,” Gary Jules - Donnie Darko

“Mad World” (feat. Gary Jules) - Official Music Video
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25 / 38

“Vindicated,” Dashboard Confessional - Spider-Man 2

“Vindicated,” Dashboard Confessional - Spider-Man 2

Dashboard Confessional - Vindicated HD 1080P
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26 / 38

“Decode,” Paramore - Twilight

“Decode,” Paramore - Twilight

Paramore: Decode [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
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27 / 38

“Tip Toe Through the Tulips,” Tiny Tim - Insidious

“Tip Toe Through the Tulips,” Tiny Tim - Insidious

Insidious: Tip Toe Through The Tulips (ROSE BYRNE SCARY MOVIE SCENE)
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28 / 38

“Safe and Sound,” Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars - The Hunger Games

“Safe and Sound,” Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars - The Hunger Games

Safe & Sound (Taylor’s Version)
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29 / 38

“I Got 5 On It [Tethered Mix],” Luniz ft. Michael Marshall - Us

“I Got 5 On It [Tethered Mix],” Luniz ft. Michael Marshall - Us

“I Got 5 On It (feat. Michael Marshall) [Tethered Mix from US]” by Luniz
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30 / 38

“Sunflower,” Post Malone - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

“Sunflower,” Post Malone - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Post Malone, Swae Lee - Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)
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31 / 38

“Something in the Way,” Nirvana -The Batman

“Something in the Way,” Nirvana -The Batman

Nirvana - Something In The Way | The Batman OST
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32 / 38

“Sunglasses at Night (Jean Jacket Mix),” Corey Hart - Nope

“Sunglasses at Night (Jean Jacket Mix),” Corey Hart - Nope

“Sunglasses At Night (Jean Jacket Mix)“ by Corey Hart from NOPE
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33 / 38

“Peaches,” Jack Black -The Super Mario Bros. Movie

“Peaches,” Jack Black -The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Bowser - Peaches (Official Music Video) | The Super Mario Bros. Movie
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34 / 38

“Walk the Night,” Skatt Bros. - M3GAN

“Walk the Night,” Skatt Bros. - M3GAN

M3GAN (2023) Dance Scene (Unrated) 4K
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35 / 38

“Can’t Catch Me Now,” Olivia Rodrigo -The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

“Can’t Catch Me Now,” Olivia Rodrigo -The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Can’t Catch Me Now (from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
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36 / 38

“What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish - Barbie

“What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish - Barbie

Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For? (Official Music Video)
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37 / 38

“I’m Just Ken,” Ryan Gosling - Barbie

“I’m Just Ken,” Ryan Gosling - Barbie

Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson Perform ‘I’m Just Ken’ at Oscars 2024

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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