All movies use a soundtrack to enhance the experience. Even when a particular work lacks music, silence becomes the soundtrack. Special mention has to go to licensed music. Whether filmmakers are using popular tunes to excite an audience or introducing them to a more obscure track, including previously written songs into a story usually works out well.
One franchise that often utilizes licensed music is the MCU. The beloved shared universe really knows how to please moviegoers, and their choice of licensed songs reflects this. The following list will showcase the ten best uses of licensed music within the more than twenty film franchise. Some of these are subjective, since an individual may hate a particular song. Even so, a loathed piece of music can still be effective if used right.
Iron Man 3 - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
People were unsure how the franchise would continue after 2012’s landmark team-up. Would they start taking themselves too seriously, or adhere to a strict formula and stop taking risks? Fortunately, they avoided both of those by hiring Shane Black to write and direct Iron Man 3, a film that goes pretty far out for a superhero movie.
The use of “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65 in the opening credits does an excellent job of stating the movie’s ambition from the get-go, saying “this is going to be a weird one, folks.”
Spider-Man: Far From Home - Back In Black
Despite his passing, Tony Stark’s influence is still strong in the story. Spider-Man: Far From Home sees Peter Coping with the loss of his mentor, and the villain has a direct connection to the hero as well.
Before the climactic battle, Happy Hogan selects a music track that is yet another call back to Tony. “Back In Black” played in the first Iron Man, and its use in Spider-Man’s second outing is yet another reminder that though Stark is gone, his legacy will live on.
Endgame - Dear Mr. Fantasy
To say Avenger’s: Endgame starts on a dour note would be an understatement. The cold opening shows Hawkeye losing his family to the snap, quickly followed by the logo coming in over Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy” before cutting to Tony and Nebula adrift in space.
The title could be an allusion to Thanos, whose fantasy came true and now everyone else has to live with the consequences. The song itself is melancholy and slow, a proper accompaniment to the sad state of the world at the start of the movie.
Captain Marvel - Just A Girl
Captain Marvel does a good job of transporting the audience to the mid-’90s, with the use of licensed music assisting in the effort. The movie is chock full of classics from the era, and a few that are a bit older too.
A standout moment comes during the film’s climax when Danvers and her companions must escape a laboratory in space. Just as she is about to deliver some butt-kicking, the opening riff to “Just A Girl” by No Doubt kicks in, a fitting song for the MCU’s first female-fronted film.
Endgame - Supersonic Rocket Ship
It is always nice when a film opts to use a more obscure song from a popular band. Most films would have gone with “Lola,” “You Really Got Me,” or “All Day and All of the Night,” but Endgame has more class.
The MCU opted for “Supersonic Rocket Ship” from the album Everybody’s in Show-Biz. The lighthearted mood of the song relays that the movie is starting to enter its action-adventure phase, having already dealt with the dour aftermath of the snap.
Spider-Man: Homecoming - Blitzkrieg Bop
What better way to represent New York than with some good old fashioned punk rock. For the friendly neighborhood web slinger’s first outing in the MCU, the classic Ramones song “Blitzkrieg Bop” accompanies a montage of his anti-crime activities.
Even those who have never heard of the band recognize the tune. It is used once again to hilarious effect to cue the ending credits right after Aunt May discovers Peter’s Identity.
Avengers - Shoot To Thrill
When one hears AC/DC in a Marvel movie, it must mean that Tony Stark isn’t far behind. As Loki and Captain America are engaged in combat, the sounds of “Shoot to Thrill” start slowly fading in until it comes on full blast as Iron Man enters the scene.
Most scientists aren’t generally known for their love of hard rock, but Tony Stark is no average scientist.
Guardians Of The Galaxy - The Whole Movie
James Gunn brought all of his eccentricities to the MCU when he made the fantastic sci-fi adventure film, Guardians of the Galaxy. Part of what makes it so fun is the stellar licensed soundtrack and the way it is implemented into the story.
The cassette tape is all Star-Lord has to remember Earth and, more importantly, his Mother. It’s impossible to pick just one song or sequence, but the opening credits to the first film is a particularly enjoyable moment.
Thor: Ragnarok - Immigrant Song
What better song to use to hype up an audience than Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song?” The iconic riff rocks just as hard today as it did more than forty years ago. It also fits in with the movie nicely, with its references to Vikings and Norse mythology.
It’s not every day one hears Led Zeppelin in a movie, and it is doubly special when it is in such a great movie. The song is so good, they used it twice and nobody was bothered by that.
Endgame - It’s Been A Long, Long Time
Avengers: Endgame was an emotional roller coaster for everyone on the ride since the beginning. The way they resolved and paid off almost every thread and relationship was simply astonishing. Before this, no one thought it possible to satisfactorily wrap up more than twenty movies.
The biggest pay off is the moment right before the credits roll as Steve Rogers finally shares a dance with Peggy Carter to the tune of “It’s Been A Long, Long Time.” And now everybody reading this is crying; you’re welcome.
Next: Every MCU Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best
