Wherever you may stand on the spectrum from Twihard to Twihater, it’s hard to argue with the quality of The Twilight Saga’s movie soundtracks. Alongside the famous blue filter, the soundtracks are part of what made these movies so iconic. With artists like Paramore, Bon Iver, Muse, and Florence + the Machine, the soundtracks’ alternative edge surprised initial viewers. However, the author of the books, Stephenie Meyer, made it clear that this was always part of the story’s DNA. Speaking to Rolling Stone, she said, “It wouldn’t feel like this movie was based on something I did without Muse in it.”
Dabbling in rock, alternative, and indie genres may not be the obvious choice for a teen romance franchise, but when you consider the melodramatic nature of the plot and characters, it all comes together. The unique approach to these musical accompaniments could be what has helped Twilight to stand the test of time. When you compare its cultural relevance to counterparts like Divergent — which never even received a final installment — its longevity is undeniable. In recent years, as part of the so-called “Twilight renaissance” (via Paper), the soundtracks have developed a cult status, spawning much discussion and memes. Now, here’s the answer to the question on the tip of your tongue: which of the movies had the best soundtrack?
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5 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
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The final installment of the saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2, comes in fifth place. In the culmination of the saga, we follow Edward and Bella as they navigate Bella’s early vampirism, new parenthood, and the looming threat of destruction by the Volturi. This soundtrack was curated by Alexandra Patsavas, who had been working on the franchise since Twilight. Piecing together the album must have been second nature at that point, and maybe this is what resulted in the slightly lackluster compilation. Featuring St. Vincent, Green Day, Passion Pit, and a surprising pop moment from Ellie Goulding, this is by no means a poor turnout. A standout moment comes from Passion Pit’s song “Where I Come From,” tracing Bella’s first moments as a vampire. The delicate synths tinkling as she explores her newly-sharpened senses add to the whimsy and wonder of the moment. However, all in all, the movie simply falls short of some of the greater musical punches packed in the Twilight series. This installment feels somewhat like an A.I.-generated version of the more exciting previous entries.
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4 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
In fourth place, we have Eclipse, the third movie in the series. This movie is something of an interlude in the saga. Bella is graduating from high school and pursuing her dreams of becoming a vampire so that she can be with Edward forever. Its soundtrack was curated by Patsavas, as was tradition, and includes Vampire Weekend, Beck, The Black Keys, and Muse’s third contribution to the series. In terms of an overall atmosphere, the Eclipse soundtrack continues the effort valiantly. Indie darlings Bombay Bicycle Club also make an appearance, though they aren’t featured on the official album. While this soundtrack features some of the best individual songs of the whole series, it has a similar problem to Breaking Dawn Part 2. The songs just aren’t matched with strong set pieces in the same way as the higher-ranking options.
3 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Our middle-ranking soundtrack is awarded to Breaking Dawn Part 1. A source of some of the most iconic scenes and memes of the whole series. At the movie’s opening, Bella and Edward are blissfully getting married and honeymooning before things take a turn for the worse. This soundtrack album packs in Angus & Julia Stone, Sleeping at Last, and even Bruno Mars. “Turning Page” by Sleeping at Last playing over the wedding between Bella and Edward is enough to secure the third place spot alone. Tears were shed, screams were heard, and weddings were never the same again. However, some of the best musical moments in this series rely on lesser-known songs being used to great effect. For example, “From Now On” by The Features playing over the honeymoon montage, or “Endtapes” by The Joy Formidable playing after the final moment of Bella opening her red vampire eyes. When it’s the first time you’ve heard a song it becomes indelibly fused with its accompanying scene in your mind and these iconic associations can last a lifetime.
2 Twilight
The first movie of the series, Twilight, comes in second place in this ranking. Opening the saga with a bang, this chronicles Bella’s introduction to Edward, her discovery of his supernatural status, and the inevitable fallout when their relationship is discovered by some not-so-friendly vampires. The first auditory supplement to the world of Twilight does not disappoint, bringing in Iron & Wine, Muse, Paramore, and Robert Pattinson’s own original music. The inclusion of Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” in the famed baseball scene was a genius, high-camp move. But as with Breaking Dawn Part 1, some of the best musical moments are less showy. “Full Moon” by the Black Ghosts playing as we enter Forks or Blue Foundation’s “Eyes on Fire” playing while Bella contemplates Edward’s erratic behavior are almost unbeatable. These moments build the atmosphere of the Twilight universe expertly, creating intrigue and depth. The saga would not have achieved what it did without its unique soundtrack and for that, we have to thank the first installment.
1 The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The number one spot goes to none other than New Moon. The second movie is perhaps the broodiest of them all. After a close call with some spilled blood and a vampire family member, Edward decides he must leave Bella for her own safety. She, naturally, does not take this well and spirals into a deep depression, resulting in a series of risky behaviors that allow her to hallucinate visions of Edward. The depressing and melodramatic source material enables some truly top-tier musical moments. Another of the saga’s most iconic scenes is Bella sitting by her window as months go by, and “Possibility” by Lykke Li plays. The way this adapts what is, in the book, literal blank pages into a classic moment of the franchise is a masterful move that exemplifies the strength of music in these movies. Other contributions from Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear featuring Victoria Legrande, Bon Iver featuring St. Vincent, and Death Cab for Cutie round out this heavy-hitting, evocative crown jewel of the saga’s lineup.
