Let’s talk about 2025's best superhero soundtracks: Thunderbolts*, Superman & Fantastic Four

When it comes to 2025 superhero movies- in the words of the kids - we are so back. For the first time in quite some time, it felt great to feel swept away by a set of fun comic book movies. (And all it took was a creative overhaul at Marvel and a complete reboot at DC.)

There's lots to be said about the strengths and weaknesses of each, but honestly I've just really enjoyed going to the cinema to watch each of them. (And no, I haven't forgotten about Captain America: Brave New World but it is a) the delayed product of Marvel's pre-overhaul mentality and b) not very good - so I don't want to write about it. So there!)

One thing that each of these three movies share is having really great scores. I wrote a bit about why I loved each of them, and their different approaches.

Want to read more about movie music from me? I'm counting down my 100 favourite movie, TV and video game soundtracks over on Substack. Check it out here.

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Thunderbolts* by Son Lux

I was hopeful as soon as I heard that Son Lux, the composers (or rather, rock band) behind the Best Picture winning sci-fi Everything Everywhere All At Once, were signed up to score Thunderbolts*. And luckily they delivered a truly great soundtrack, certainly one of the MCU's most emotional scores.

Of the three films, Thunderbolts is somewhat of an outlier in both its tone and music: it's more grounded, more human, and, at times, quite anti-heroic. Having said that, each of these three superhero movies is about found family in one way or another, and Thunderbolts' approach to this is via the lens of mental health, something that I thought was quite admirable for a blockbuster on this scale. There's a sense of detached loneliness, pain and ennui in the score ('There's Something Wrong with Me', 'I Don't See Your Mistakes') that makes the subsequent heroic theme ('Thunderbolts', 'Bucky's Back') incredibly satisfying. It's exactly this contrast between decidedly flawed, emotional authenticity with glimmers of heroism that makes this story, and Son Lux's music, so special.

The best musical moment in the film has to be Bucky's motorcycle action scene, with the main theme soaring in the background; Yelena's breakdown to her adoptive dad is also a great blend of Florence Pugh's performance and the stirring score. However, my absolute favourite track of the film has to be 'Not Alone', which accompanies the scene where the team hold Bob back from attacking his dark persona, Void. The gentle, melancholy piano melody for Bob swells into a truly heartbreaking rendition of the motif; I'd vote this as the most emotionally affecting MCU scene, simply because of the soundtrack.

Favourite tracks: Not Alone, Thunderbolts, Bucky's Back!, I Don't See Your Mistakes, First Flight, There's Something Wrong with Me

Superman by John Murphy & David Flemings (main theme by John Williams)

Of the three movies, Superman is the only soundtrack based around an existing work: John Williams' original, iconic theme from 1978's Superman, starring Christopher Reeve. Though a few soundtrack reviews I read didn't rate the heavy reliance on a previous iteration's music instead of forging something new, I personally thought it was really effective for what the movie was trying to go for.

Williams' theme is a perfect accompaniment for a more hopeful, sincere Superman, one who feels like a true inspiration for citizens in this world. John Murphy and David Flemings do wonderful work to modernize the '70s theme, adding electric guitars and drums, while still keeping it heartfelt and sincere. There were several scenes in the film that made me feel like very few superhero movies have before: truly hopeful, energised and inspired. Just listening to 'Last Son', 'Your Choices, Your Actions' and 'Raising the Flag' reignites that same reaction in me, which is what I really love from any film soundtrack.

Do I wish the non-Williams based themes were a tad more memorable? Maybe. But, Lex Luthor's theme is good fun ('LuthorCorp'), as is the rock flavour for the Justice Gang's action scenes ('Justice Gang vs. Kaiju', 'Upgrade').

I can't leave without mentioning the standout Mr Terrific action scene- a oner filmed from the perspective of Lois Lane - especially given director James Gunn's history of using pop music in his movies. Gunn's taste is impeccable as ever, able to match his bombastic, kinetic action with the absolute perfect choice of song, this time '5 Years Time' by Noah and the Whale.

Favourite tracks: Last Son, Home, Your Choices Your Actions, Raising the Flag, Upgrade, Look Up

The Fantastic Four: First Steps by Michael Giacchino

I'm part of the small group of people that actually thinks that the MCU has had a decent share of fairly strong scores (albeit very unevenly utilised across multiple movies). Yes, there were plenty of mediocre, dud soundtracks that you forget in five minutes - but there were also a lot of strong scores (Thor, Captain America: Winter Soldier, The Avengers, Shang-Chi). Having said that, there are only a handful of truly great ones (Black Panther, Loki). The Fantastic Four: First Steps has easily joined the latter group, and is Michael Giacchino's best work as part of the MCU.

And yes, that's coming from a huge Giacchino fan. Between his work on Lost (one of the best scores of all time), and The Incredibles (one of the best scores of all time), and The Batman (one of the best scores of all time) - well you get the idea. His real strength lies in being able to write incredibly epic sci-fi/action music with a real sense of style, and most crucially, so much heart.

The main Fantastic Four theme is something that I'd argue only one other MCU score is: truly hummable. You could ask anyone coming out of the movie to hum the main theme: it's catchy, energetic and literally has a choir singing the name of the team at the end. It does so much heavy lifting in making the opening montage - where we get caught up on the team's origin and the worldbuilding - work. Many people have and will compare this soundtrack to the comic book's pseudo-adaptation, The Incredibles, which Giacchino also wrote the music for. However, there's little overlap in style: FF is a retro-futuristic, family drama/sci-fi, whereas The Incredibles takes far more inspiration from stylish spy movies of the '60s.

And I think that's part of why the movie, and its soundtrack, shines. It's not perfect but it captures what makes the FF such a unique superhero team. You have the warmth of their family dynamic (something Giacchino nails in his now signature gentle piano melodies), but also their focus on cosmic exploration and discovery.

Favourite tracks: Fantastic Four First Cue, Main Theme Extended, Out to Launch, The Light Speed of Your Life, The Galactus/Silver Surfer Suite, The Other Sue Drops, Fantastic Four to be Reckoned With

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Thanks for reading this! For more on film soundtracks, check out my Substack series where I've written about the scores from Howl's Moving Castle, Prey, King Kong, The Man from UNCLE & more.