10. The Lion King (1994)
Copies Sold: 15 Million
Which Disney film’s soundtrack is the most popular? Of course its the Lion King! The Lion King is a Disney animated classic that draws inspiration from both the bible and Shakespeare. As a cub, Simba is forced to leave the Pride Lands after his father Mufasa is murdered by his wicked uncle, Scar. Years later, he returns as a young lion to reclaim his throne. The entire movie is thrilling, exhilarating, and emotionally engaging.
The soundtrack is also comparable. Tim Rice and Elton John contributed songs to The Lion King, including “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata,” which was scored by the renowned Hans Zimmer. All of these songs have musical influences from South Africa, which helps connect the soundtrack to the setting shown in the movie.
9. Bombay (1995)
Copies Sold: 15 Million
The ninth best selling movie soundtrack of all time is the Tamil film classic Bombay. It is an early 1990s romance drama which centres on an interfaith family. Who are coping with the escalating hostilities in Bombay, India between the Hindu and Muslim communities (now known as Mumbai).
Vairamuthu and Vaali wrote the lyrics for the film’s original Tamil version. While Veturi Sundararama Murthy and Mehboob wrote the lyrics for the Hindi and Telugu versions. Multifaceted artist AR Rahman composed the soundtrack for the movie Bombay. This South Asian film continues to inspire cinema in India.
8. Flashdance (1983)
Copies Sold: 20 Million
One of the most enduring dance movies in movie history, Flashdance, has an enduring soundtrack. Funny enough, the soundtrack was stored in low-quality versions because it wasn’t expected that the movie would perform as well as it did; after a few days, it sold out.
The story is about Alex Owens, a teenager juggling between two odd jobs, who aspires to become a successful ballet dancer. Nick, who is her boss and lover, pushes her to follow her ambition and supports her to fulfil her dream.
It exudes the energy of adolescence in the 1980s, particularly in Michael Sembello’s “Maniac,” Shandi’s “He’s A Dream,” and the album’s best song, Cara’s “Flashdance…What a Feeling.”
7. Purple Rain (1984)
Copies Sold: 20 Million
The seventh best selling movie soundtrack of all time is from the dynamic soundtrack of Prince’s film Purple Rain. Which also serves as his sixth studio album. The rock musical’s music propels the plot in ways that are so outstanding that it earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Along with the iconic power ballad “Purple Rain,” the soundtrack includes some of Prince’s most important singles, such as “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and “I Would Die 4 U.”
6. Aashiqui (1990)
Copies Sold: 20 Million
Although you may not be familiar with the Indian romance musical Aashiqui. You have undoubtedly heard some of the songs on the soundtrack.
One reason Aashiqui, written by the creative team Nadeem-Shravan, is the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack of all time is that the soundtrack is equally as important to the narrative as the images. The story revolves around an aspiring singer who meets a beautiful woman surprisingly in a police station. He chases after her and eventually they start dating each other, but they have to deal with many issues along the way.
5. Grease (1978)
Copies Sold: 28 Million
Grease is the only musical to have sold more than 28 million copies globally. Its winning formula of 1950s greaser style, teenage romance, and instantly recognisable lyrics proved to be a perfect fit.
The excellent chemistry of lead actors John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson on “You’re The One That I Want,” which used songs primarily taken from the 1971 rock ‘n’ roll musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, stunned audiences at the time.
Grease, which has songs for everyone, is still regarded by many as the best movie musical.
4. Titanic (1997)
Copies Sold: 30 Million
James Cameron’s epic movie of the British passenger liner’s signature voyage and subsequent sinking into the depths of the Atlantic, suprised and shocked audiences across the world. Particularly when at centre stage was the incredible and endearing romance between Leonardo Di Caprio’s Jack and Kate Winslet’s Rose into the mix.
The magnificent James Horner soundtrack not only helped it become the highest-grossing movie ever (at the time), but it also received a lot of praise.
There was hardly a dry eye in the theatre thanks to Céline Dion’s stunning, Academy Award-winning ballad “My Heart Will Go On,” which became synonymous with the blockbuster.
3. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Copies Sold: 32 Million
Another movie about adolescent rebellion, this one set in 1963, has a great soundtrack full of tunes from the time.
While on holiday with her family at a resort, Frances, the main character falls in love with the resort’s rebellious dance instructor. Her father opposes their relationship which creates a trouble between him and her.
This iconic soundtrack brims with incredible hits, including ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes, ‘Do You Love Me’ by The Contours and ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ by The Shirelles. But, the most well known hit from the movie is theme tune for Dirty Dancing, ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’.
2. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Copies Sold: 40 Million
It was the quintessential soundtrack that launched disco music into the spotlight. Making it the pop cultural phenomenon of the 1970s, and is the second best selling movie soundtrack of all time.
Saturday Night Fever made global superstars out of the Bee Gees, who represented the growing desire to get out to the disco and dance.
The story is about Tony Manero who lives for the weekends. Where he and his friends go to the local disco and dance the night away. When a big dance competition is announced, he wrangles the beautiful Stephanie to be his partner. As the two train for the big night, they start to fall in love with each other.
It features songs that are now classics such as ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Night Fever’ and ‘More than a Woman’.
1. The Bodyguard (1992)
Copies Sold: 45 Million
What is the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time?
It’s The Bodyguard soundtrack of course. This hit-making marvel reached No.1 almost everywhere across the globe.
The movie, which made a box office of $411 million, had a soundtrack that has sold over 45 million copies, a monument to the late Whitney Houston’s unmatched star power and ability.
The soundtrack, which was created by Whitney Houston and Clive Davis, includes some of the singer’s most well-known songs, such as “I Have Nothing,” “Run to You,” and, of course, her well-known cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”