Flocking to the movie theater is a summer tradition. Now that the weather is heating up, one of the finest joys is watching some of the best films of the year in the cool comfort of an air-conditioned movie theater. Summer blockbusters pack the right amount of anticipation and adrenaline to keep us entertained through the long months between school years.
Whether it’s an animated classic, hilarious comedy, or non-stop explosive superhero action, APM brings the fire! Here are the top 10 Summer blockbusters which feature the APM catalog:
#10 Bridesmaids (2011) - This Paul Feig directed classic features some of the funniest ladies in comedy. If nothing else, this film taught us to avoid eating at shady restaurants before any dress fittings! APM helps fuel the laughter with these tracks used in the film:
- “Born to Bossa”
- “Two Spanish Hearts”
- “Andalusian Dream”
- "Playground of the Stars”
#9 Thor Franchise: Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Thor: Love & Thunder (2022) – This Marvel franchise features Chris Hemsworth as the leading man and currently has nine installments. APM wields the power with placements in two of the installments:
- “Fighting”
- “Harmony's Garden”
#8 Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (2019) - Quentin Tarantino is synonymous with classic Hollywood filmmaking. He pays homage to cinematic history by placing “Funky Fanfare,” the most recognizable movie snipe of all-time, in all his films. You can also hear another KPM archival gem by Syd Dale in this ode to 1960s Hollywood:
- “Funky Fanfare”
- “Ready for Action”
#7 Toy Story 4 (2019) - Pixar pulls on our heartstrings yet again with the fourth installment of Toy Story. Woody and his friends team up and go on a road trip with their new friend Forky. Check out these 5 tracks that made the cut:
- “Amsterdam"
- “Boogie Juice”
- “Piano Concerto No.21 "Elvira Madigan"
- “Romantic Epic”
- “Schatzwalzer”
#6 Iron Man 3 (2013) - Robert Downey Jr. is at it again with Marvel’s third installment of Iron Man. Tony Stark goes head-to-head with a terrorist villain called The Mandarin in this explosive superhero action film. Endgame’s jazz trio arrangement of O Christmas Tree brings some holiday cheer to the movie:
"O Christmas Tree”
#5 Spider-Man Franchise: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse (2023) – There is no bigger iconic symbol in the comic book universe than Spider-Man! This Marvel character has delighted audiences worldwide since his 1962 debut. Check out these ethnic tracks from the APM catalog which are featured in the Spider-Man cinematic franchise:
- “Moravian Polka”
- “The Devils Wall - Aria 1st Act”
- “Alpenlaendischer Hochzeitstanz”
- “Quando A Saudade (Vocals)”
- “Kathi”
- “Nasho Che”
#4 Easy Rider (1969) – Dennis Hopper’s directorial debut summed up the mood of the counterculture in the 1960s. This movie about a cross-county motorcycle road trip after a drug deal features an iconic soundtrack with many hits from the 1960s acting as a leading character. These KPM classics are a part of this legendary film:
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#3 James Bond 007 Franchise – Octopuss* (1983), License to Kill (1989), No Time To Die (2021) – James Bond is the epitome of a classy cool bad ass. Most people know his drink of choice (a martini, shaken not stirred) and have kept up with his adventures since his debut in 1962. APM is always up for being associated with James Bond in any way possible, here are some APM tracks that made the cut:
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#2 Minions (2015) – This Universal Pictures animated juggernaut won over the nation soon after its release. You can hear this recognizable Boccherini sophisticated track in the film:
“Minuet”
APM can also be heard on the Minions prequel, Despicable Me. Check out this street organ rendition of this Giuseppe Verdi Classical well-known tune:
“Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”
#1 Oppenheimer (2023) – Who could forget the summer of Barbenheimer? While Barbie and Oppenheimer had vastly different plot points, this Christopher Nolan film about the development of the atomic bomb got moviegoers flocking to the movie theater. You can hear these three APM tracks in the film:
- “Brass Birthday Party”
- “Holiday in Big Band Land”
- “Jazz No. 2”
As with every APM top 10 article, it was hard to narrow down the list. Here are some additional summer blockbusters with APM in their soundtracks: Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Ant-Man and the Wasp, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
We hope you enjoyed this thrilling ride of huge cinematic hits! We look forward to checking out this summer’s top grossing blockbusters in theaters with APM fueling the soundtracks.
