Superhero movies are, for the most part, easy money for Hollywood these days. Even when the Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC Extended Universe produces a flop, it still makes millions of dollars at the box office. Capitalizing on the unprecedented rise in comic book movie interest is the music industry. Over the years, movie and music producers have collaborated to give superhero fans some powerful songs.

We’ve gotten hip-hop bangers from movies like Black Panther and Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse, hard rock anthems by Soundgarden and Seether, and even fun songs written for specific scenes to add to the storytelling. Some of these become so popular they top the Billboard charts and in some cases become synonymous with either the superhero or the actor and actresses playing the role.

11 “Star Spangled Man” – David Zippel & Alen Menken

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

It’s not the first Avengers original theme song, but “Star Spangled Man” is substantially better than his theme song from 1966. Fans of How It Should Have Ended know what we’re talking about. David Zippel provides patriotic lyrics over Alen Menken’s patriotic music that’s used for a montage sequence in Captain America: The First Avenger. In this part of the film, we see Captain Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, being used to help sell war bonds to help support the soldiers laying their lives on the line in WWII. It wasn’t what Rogers wanted to do, but at least he got a cool new theme song out of it.

It’s So Star Spangled Awesome

“Star Spangled Man” is a surprisingly catchy Irving Berlin-inspired tune that transports listeners back to the 1940s, making The First Avenger a solid wartime movie on top of being a superhero movie. The light tone of this song is brought to life with the visuals to give moviegoers a taste of what wartime propaganda was like. It’s a funny song to associate Captain America with considering how much darker Cap gets in his future movies. But the fun, whimsical nature of this song is an entertaining reminder of how far we have come not only in the music world but as a society.

10 “Come On, Come In” – Velvet Revolver

Fantastic Four (2005)

Hiring a super group of rock stars to help promote your superhero movie is a smart marketing move. Velvet Revolver is a rock n roll supergroup featuring Guns N’ Roses legends Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, along with Wasted Youth rocker Dave Kushner, and Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. Together they gave the world two beautiful albums and this rocking promotional song single, “Come On, Come In” for the Fantastic Four soundtrack.

A Forgotten Gem of a Rock Song

The song was only used for the album, which is a shame because the song goes hard, and gets you pumped up. Whoever edited the music video proved that it could have easily fit into a fight scene. Weiland’s vocals and vibe remind music fans why he is considered one of the best frontmans of his era, and Slash gives guitar fans another killer solo to gawk over.

It’s a super underrated song for superhero movies and hard rock in general. It also makes hard rock fans wonder what could have happened if Scott Weiland had stayed clean. How much more of Velvet Revolver or Stone Temple Pilots could we have had? Sadly, we will never know. Rest in peace, Scott.

9 “Peaches” – Jack Black

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

This one may seem like a stretch for some, but we maintain that Super Mario counts as a superhero. After all, the word “Super” is in his name. And like any good superhero, he has an iconic arch enemy in the form of Bowser, played in this case by Jack Black, who wrote a ballad for The Super Mario Bros. Movie that had kids and adults leaving the movie theater singing, “Peaches.”

Barbie Rained on Bowser’s Parade

It’s a love song that oddly makes you feel a little sympathy for the Koopa king and gives you a laugh. The Tenacious D star’s singing voice fits Bowser’s so perfectly. Casting at its finest.

“Peaches” was insanely popular in 2023. It was everywhere, from TikTok videos to the radio, peaking at number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. Jack Black’s ballad to Princess Peach was even nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Song. But alas, Barbie also came out in 2023, which spawned hits like “What Was I Made For” by Billie Elish and “I’m Just Ken” performed by Ryan Gosling, so it was unlikely to win any major awards.

But it’s still a crime that ‘Peaches’ wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. We almost got to see songs performed by Bowser and Ken performed in the same night. We were robbed. Shame on you academy.

8 “Live to Rise” – Soundgarden

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)

In 2012 another rock supergroup came out to write a song worthy of one of the biggest superhero movies of all time, “Live to Rise” by Soundgarden. The grunge band from Seattle was a poetic choice to record a superhero movie song. The band had just recently gotten back together after being on hiatus for over ten years. After a successful reunion tour, Marvel hired the band to write a song for The Avengers, which would be the band’s first original recording since their breakup.

Chris Cornell and Soundgarden Rise to the Challenge

“Live to Rise” is a hard rock anthem that plays during the credits of The Avengers. The heavy guitar riff is catchy, but not overbearing and Chris Cornell’s proved his voice stood the test of time, giving off a vintage Soundgarden vibe. Unfortunately, the song didn’t live to rise very high on the U.S. Billboard charts. It never made the Hot 100, but it did rise to the top of the Canada Rock Billboard while peaking at 69 on Canada’s Hot 100.

This is another rock band that fans of grunge music wish was still around. They broke up after the death of Cornell in 2017, but Marvel fans will never forget their stellar contribution to MCU music. Hopefully, Brad Pitt’s planned Chris Cornell biopic will eventually get back on track to pay tribute to the grunge god. Rest in peace, Chris.

7 “Lift Me Up” – Rihanna

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023)

When a song gives you chills within the first three words, you know you have something beautiful. “Lift Me Up” is the hit single from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, written and recorded by Rihanna, marking the Battle Ship star’s first solo single since 2016. Almost immediately, it hits Marvel fans in the feels because of what the song represents. A tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who starred as King T’Challa in Black Panther and died of colon cancer in 2020, leaving fans and everyone who worked with the 42 star, heartbroken. Rest in peace, Chadwick.

A Tribute to the King: Wakanda Forever

Rihanna teamed up with Nigerian singer Tems, Swedish composer Ludwig Groansson, and Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler to write the tribute to Boseman. The end result is an emotional ballad that helps us remember King T’Challa. “Lift Me Up” peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and is RIAA-certified Platinum.

6 “What’s Up Danger” – Blackway & Black Caviar

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Need to get pumped up for the big game or to find motivation to go to the gym? Then consider adding “What’s Up Danger” by Blackway & Black Caviar to your playlist. The song was written for the Oscar-winning superhero film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and boy does this song slap! From the opening beat, the song builds up to a dope drop that gets the blood pumping and gets you ready to conquer the day.

Visual Storytelling at it’s Finest

“What’s Up Danger” plays when Miles Morales is getting ready to make a leap of faith and realizes that he is ready to be Spider-Man. The song feels like it was written exclusively for this scene, and that’s ok because it is debatably the most gorgeous scene in the movie. Flipping the shot of Miles falling with the lyrics of “What’s Up Danger” gives many fans shivers to this day. The lyrics “Can’t stop me now,” are also perfectly timed.

The song didn’t get the air time it deserved, but it did help propel the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack to peak at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200. The Recording Industry Association of America rewarded the album with double platinum honors.

5 “Heathens” – Twenty One Pilots

Suicide Squad (2016)

Back in 2016, Suicide Squad was getting a lot of hype. It was the first live-action movie where comic book supervillains were the lead characters, but also using “Bohemian Rhapsody” in your movie trailer tends to strike a good chord with movie fans. Warner Brothers Pictures went all out with the promotions too. Stores were flooded with merchandise. But some of the best marketing from the film came from the soundtrack, with the lead single being “Heathens” written by Twenty One Pilots. The single and music video was released a couple of months before the movie and gave fans an extra chance to see the villains in action.

The Bad Guys Get a Good Song

The chilling melody, chord progressions, and sound design that makes it seem like someone is cocking a shotgun throughout the song, almost make you think the Joker himself produced the RIAA multi-platinum hit. “Heathens” is a rare song that fits the tone of the movie it’s written for, while not straying too far from the style of the artist recording it.

“Even though the themes in the movie inspired the beginning of it,” Twenty One Pilots member Tyler Joesph said. “As the lyrics came together, as the song came together, I realized, this was our song…” While Suicide Squad didn’t live up to the hype at the box office, the soundtrack did, and “Heathens” by Twenty On Pilots was a huge reason for the soundtrack’s success, peaking at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

4 “Hero” – Chad Kroger featuring Josey Scott

Spider-Man (2002)

Young Spider-Man fans truly don’t know how huge the first Spider-Man movie was. It was everywhere. The marketing team went all out and the hit song from the Spider-Man soundtrack simply titled “Hero” was constantly on the radio in 2002. The lead singer of Nickelback, Chad Kroeger, teamed up with Josey Scott from Saliva and members of Theory of a Deadman, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden to record the song, giving “Hero” the classic post-grunge 2000s rock vibe that made it one of the songs of the Summer.

Superhero Plus Rock Singer Equals Hit Song

The lyrics for “Hero” come off as if the writers had a meeting with Sony and Marvel Studios to learn more about Spider-Man and try to write from Peter Parker’s point of view. That being said, the song’s lyrics come off as inspirational and heroic, but also safe, cliché and formulaic, which became a huge issue for Nickelback haters ten years later. That doesn’t mean the song is bad. It’s still a 2000s banger. The Billboards tell no lies. “Hero” topped the U.S. Alternative Airplay and Mainstream Rock Billboards, while packing at number 3 on the Hot 100. It’s been over 20 years, but even today, “Hero” is a classic standard of what makes a good superhero song.

3 “Broken” – Seether featuring Amy Lee

The Punisher (2004)

Frank Castle is a tortured and broken man. The Punisher is an ant-hero that many people who watch this movie, the TV show, or read his comics, can oddly relate to. So when the producers of the soundtrack were looking for music, they found a song that perfectly encapsulates the past of Frank Castled: “Broken” by Seether featuring Amy Lee. This song is more than just a standard 2000s rock ballad. It comes from the pain of the South African frontman for Seether, Shaun Morgan, who wrote the song after his marriage fell apart because his wife decided to stay in South Africa with his daughter instead of moving to the U.S. with him.

Sad & Relatable Makes For A Good Breakup Song

“Broken” is a hunting and heart-wrenching song that was rerecorded in 2004 for The Punisher soundtrack. Whoever decided make this song a duet with Amy Lee had better have gotten a promotion because it was pure genius. When you add her vocals to the song, it feels like you are hearing both sides of the failed love story, leaving listeners to wrestle in their minds with who is right and who is wrong.

“Broken” may have only peaked at number 20 on the US Hot 100 BIllboard, but it was RIAA-certified platinum and if you ask anyone who was in high school in the mid-2000s, the song is a post-grunge alternative classic that helped many people through a “tough” high school breakup.

2 “All The Stars” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Black Panther (2018)

To this day, Black Panther is one of the most successful films in MCU history. This is why it was no surprise that the soundtrack also went on to be one of the best in the Marvel franchise, with the crowning jewel of the soundtrack being “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. The song plays during the movie’s end credits, and it may have been the first time people in the audience stayed to see the name of the song instead of one of Marvel’s famous end credits scenes.

An Anthem to All Black Panther Fans

“All The Stars” found moderate success on the charts, peaking at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and being RIAA-certified double platinum. It was also well represented on the award circuit, receiving nominations for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and Record of the Year at the Grammys. Even though it didn’t win any major awards, like “Lift Me Up” the song is synonymous with Chadwick Boseman, so it will always hold a special place in Black Panther fans’ hearts.

1 “Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

The perfect visual for what listening to this song is like is at the end of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse when Miles Morales is lying in his bed after a long day, headphones on, the lights off, and then a rift to another dimension opens up over your head. Maybe a little too wild, but that’s the magic of “Sunflower.” It has that special ability to transport you away from your troubles for two and a half minutes.

New Standard for Superhero Songs

Post Malone and Swae Lee got a lot of love from the music world for this song. “Sunflower” topped the U.S. and Canada Hot 100 chart, became an RIAA-certified double diamond record, and was nominated for record of the year at the 2020 Grammy Awards. “Hero” from the first Spider-Man movie soundtrack may be the “OG” Spider-Man song, but “Sunflower” has definitely taken over the title of THE Spider-Man song.