Without a doubt, a truly great blockbuster soundtrack can leave just as much of a lasting impression as anything actually seen on screen, enhancing those visuals and drawing emotions from the audience during the most pivotal moments. Because we’re nearly halfway through 2026, let’s look at some of the best major blockbuster scores released so far, like Masters of the Universe, and those that are still on the way, like The Odyssey.
As great as some of the scores already released have been, some of the most anticipated movie soundtracks of the year haven’t arrived just yet. Nevertheless, absolute legends like John Williams and Hans Zimmer have new scores releasing this year, with some composers like Daniel Pemberton and Ludwig Göransson even pulling double duty with more than one score composed in 2026.
Keeping that in mind, here are some of our favorite and best blockbuster soundtracks released so far, along with five more upcoming scores that will no doubt make 2026 one of the strongest years for blockbuster music of all time.
GOAT – Kris Bowers
Sony’s animated feature GOAT was a great showcase of Kris Bower’s talents. Having previously composed movie and series scores including Bridgerton, The Color Purple, and most recently Spider-Noir, GOAT is definitely one of his best, capturing the basketball movie’s highs and lows with some very fun energy for the animated family film.
Additionally, Sony’s GOAT also took the Spider-Verse approach with multiple original songs created specifically for the movie by various artists, elevating the score even further. Notable tracks include Quinn XCII’s “Best Day”, “Brought The Family” by Jon Bellion and Ayra Starr connecting to the movie’s core themes, with a personal favorite being Bryan Barnes’ cover of “Don’t Dream It’s Over”.
Project Hail Mary – Daniel Pemberton
Daniel Pemberton has a solid reputation for creating scores that feel unlike anyone else’s, and Project Hail Mary may be one of his most unique scores of all time. Having already done the scores for both Spider-Verse movies, Pemberton teamed with directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller once again for Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling, perfectly tapping into the sci-fi astronaut movie’s genuine joy and wonder as a bold “hopecore” blockbuster that is already being considered one of the best movies of 2026.
I can’t fully share just how many times I’ve replayed “Amaze Amaze Amaze (Fist My Bump)” on Spotify (…but it’s a lot).
Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Brian Tyler
Back in 2007, the original Super Mario Galaxy game already featured one of the best soundtracks in video game history, though composer Brian Tyler somehow managed to elevate the score and make it even more cinematic for this year’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Just like with the first Super Mario Bros. Movie, Tyler expands upon the existing classic Nintendo tracks with much larger orchestral arrangements that are so much fun to hear, while also providing a new and exciting energy that is still quintessentially “Mario”. Hopefully, Brian Tyler will be signed on for more Mario movies in the future.
The Mandalorian & Grogu – Ludwig Göransson
While Project Hail Mary’s score generated lots of buzz online, Ludwig Göransson’s work on The Mandalorian & Grogu went fully viral, proving himself yet again as one of Hollywood’s most coveted talents. While Ludwig’s familiar Mandalorian themes return from the Disney+ series, they’ve absolutely been elevated with new life and cinematic energy. Likewise, tracks like “Shakari” and “Rotta” have become particular fan favorites. Both pieces perfectly capture the neon-lit alien city inspired by Chicago while simultaneously helping establish Rotta the Hutt as a larger-than-life gladiator champion.
There’s also the excellent “Mandalorian and Grogu (Boys Noize Remix) created in collaboration with Göransson. While it doesn’t appear in the actual film, it’s become a popular addition to the soundtrack’s overall appeal all the same.
Masters of the Universe – Daniel Pemberton
One of the most recent scores to have been released is Masters of the Universe, again from Daniel Pemberton. Without a doubt, Pemberton managed to blend fantasy, science fiction, and classic rock music into a single cohesive musical identity that’s more than worthy of the original animated series from the 80s. Largely inspired by Queen’s iconic Flash Gordon soundtrack, the main “Eternia” theme is instantly iconic, as well as Pemberton’s homage to the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe theme from the original cartoon briefly heard at the movie’s end.
Likewise, the confirmed involvement of Queen’s electric guitarist Brian May only makes the project even better. Seriously, it doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Disclosure Day – John Williams
The latest collaboration between Steven Spielberg and John Williams arrives this week with Disclosure Day, and movie music fans in particular should be very excited. After all, Williams has spent multiple decades creating some of cinema’s most iconic themes, and Spielberg himself has indicated there’s every reason to believe that the 94-year-old composer has still got it.
A Steven Spielberg science-fiction alien epic already sounds promising on its own. However, Spielberg would be (and has been) the first to admit that perhaps half of what has made so many of his movies so dang iconic is the music provided by the enduring genius of Williams.
The Odyssey – Ludwig Göransson
If The Mandalorian & Grogu wasn’t enough for fans, Ludwig Göransson is also the composer behind The Odyssey, which is set to release in July. Together, Christopher Nolan and Ludwig Göransson have already proven to be an incredible creative partnership, with the score for 2023’s Oppenheimer being one of the most intense and memorable scores of the decade.
Now, Nolan and Göransson have tackled Homer’s legendary epic, and everything heard so far from the trailers suggests another unforgettable and powerful musical experience.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Michael Giacchino
Without question, Michael Giacchino’s themes for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man have become one of the MCU’s most recognizable motifs. After scoring all the previous Spider-Man MCU movies, Giacchino is returning for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, providing what will hopefully be an opportunity to help reinvent the Spider-Man franchise’s new era for Peter Parker in the wake of No Way Home. It’s going to be fascinating to hear how Giacchino helps depict Spider-Man’s evolution while balancing the classic themes heard in the past.
Avengers: Doomsday – Alan Silvestri
When people think of the MCU’s Avengers, they no doubt often think of Alan Silvestri’s iconic theme first heard back in 2012 with the first crossover for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Having also scored Infinity War and Endgame, Silvestri is confirmed to have returned for Avengers: Doomsday, releasing at the end of the year in December.
Given the sheer scale of the project overall, expectations couldn’t be higher for the upcoming crossover. Beyond hearing the classic Avengers theme on the big screen again, I’m incredibly excited to hear what the theme for Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom sounds like, as well as the high possibility of incorporating themes connected to Fox’s original X-Men universe.
Dune: Messiah – Hans Zimmer
If any upcoming soundtrack can rival the hype surrounding Avengers: Doomsday, it’s likely Hans Zimmer’s return for Dune: Messiah, which is set to release the same day, December 18th.
Zimmer’s work on the first two Dune films can only be described as iconic and relentlessly epic, perfectly showcasing the massive scale of the massive conflicts at play in the world of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels brought to the big screen. As such, the same will no doubt be true for Dune: Messiah and the conclusion of Paul Atreides’ journey.