The world of Synthwave is one like no other, inspired by the magical nostalgia of the 80’s, mixed with the modern sound of electronic music. As the now semi-underground genre slowly makes its way to a more mainstream status, some classic songs within the community are also gaining in popularity. So, the time is perfect to seize the opportunity to shine a light on the hidden gems of Synthwave. From lesser known artists and off-genre entities, to top tier stars from within the genre, let’s take a look at the 10 greatest Synthwave songs you may have never heard.

Top 10 Most Influential Synthwave Artists

10 “Clara” by Rebecca & Fiona

Rebecca & Fiona is a duo composed of two very enigmatic ladies from Sweden with a unique style. They have been around the block since 2010 and have been widely praised for their particular talent when it comes to blending modern and retro together. Their award-winning debut album “I Love You, Man”, an 80’s and 60’s pop hybrid complete with a mighty touch of modern House music, made them instant stars around the world.

Their true hidden gem, though, comes from their 2014 second album “Beauty Is Pain”, in the form of the song “Clara”, a brutally underrated Synthpop masterpiece graced with Rebecca & Fiona’s signature ethereal vocal style that gives the song a dreamy vibe that perfectly compliments its beautiful sense of nostalgia. While the song is part of another award-winning album, it is by far the most overlooked piece of the duo’s entire body of work.

9 “Neon Shade” by Starfounder

Being a criminally underrated artist in the world of Synthwave in general, we could say, in a way, that Starfounder’s entire discography is eligible for this list. The producer has been around for a couple of years now, and he shows no signs of stopping. His style falls heavily in the realm of Darksynth, and he excels at it in ways other people simply cannot.

While pretty much all of his songs could make it on here, the crown definitely goes to his 2018 artistic tour de force “Neon Shade.” The hard-hitting, obscure, yet insanely groovy beat of this gem grasps you from the very first seconds, and doesn’t let go. The production is flawless, complimented with a lead melody reminiscing of 80’s horror films. It simply oozes badass energy, and deserves to be one of the top hits of the genre.

8 “Words” by Lost Nights

Lost Nights is one of those artists who greatly enjoys playing with genres, in a way that makes his sound feel fresh and untouchble. And, as a result of this experimentation, he offers a variety of original takes on Synthwave. The perfect example for it would be the entirety of his 2019 debut album “Rewind”, but, more specifically, none of his songs hammer this point in harder than “Words”.

The sinister production, paired with the incredibly original robotic vocal design, makes “Words” an absolute marvel to listen to. The melodies are as catchy as it gets, and the ever-changing rhythmic of the drums make for a surprisingly transformative track, heavily driven by its meticulous sense of detail. Lost Nights truly gives us an impressive piece of art that we hope will soon go beyond the Synthwave community and reach mainstream audiences.

7 “Bad Tourist” by Madelyn Darling

Madelyn Darling is a young singer/songwriter who has made quite a solid name for herself within the universe of Synthwave in the past couple of years, which is quite an impressive achievement knowing she has only ever released three songs. And although these songs all have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, it is ironically her most popular song that is also one of the most underrated Synthwave tracks ever made.

The only thing smoother than the effortlessly soothing beat of “Bad Tourist” is Madelyn’s impeccable vocal work. From the very first word, her soft and serene voice captures you and sends you into a galaxy of tremendous writing. “Bad Tourist” is one of those songs that definitely deserves to kick down the mainstream audience’s doors and become a certified hit, making of Madelyn the star she should be. And, if this song is any indication of what is to come for the singer, there is no doubt she will soon receive the recognition she is deserves.

6 “Gonna Live My Life” by Leandro Da Silva and Tom & Hills (featuring Jutty Ranx)

It is an odd thing when artists known for being in a very specific genre suddenly break their own rules to tackle another one. It generally comes from a personal desire to expand artistically, or simply from a passion project being brought to life. So, when EDM producers and DJs Leandro Da Silva and Tom & Hills teamed up to make a Synthwave record in 2017, people were understandably taken by surprise. Thankfully though, the trio delivered on every front.

With American band Jutty Ranx joining on the vocals, “Gonna Live My Life” is a dynamic, groovy and wistful track that will make you crave an afternoon on the beach with your friends as soon as the beat kicks in. Da Silva’s trademark undertones are still very present in the song, but every single cook in this kitchen put their hearts into making one of the best Synthwave tracks of that year. And while it may have had minor success in the EDM community, it largely flew under the radar in the Synthwave world… or in the world in general.

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5 “Creation” by DJ Ten (featuring Lost Nights)

DJ Ten is a highly respected figure in the vast universe of Synthwave. After all, he is the founder of NewRetroWave, the biggest network in the world for the genre, as well as one of its most prominent record labels. As an artist, he is also a powerful presence. When his EP “We Dream Loud” was finally revealed to the world in November 2019, the excitement was palpable. And it is with a sheer sense of euphoria that people to got to discover “Creation”.

Joining forces with Lost Nights, who bears a mighty set of vocals on the track, Ten delivers a compelling song, graced with a slow beat, beautiful melodies, a smooth vibe, and an enchanting sense of nostalgia that will transport you right back to the 80’s. “Creation” is a real masterpiece of the genre, one that is part of a brilliant body of work that solidifies once more DJ Ten’s status in the world of Synthwave.

4 “Paralyzed” by John & The Volta

French Indie Pop band John & The Volta (yes, it is a reference to John Travolta) has been around since 2017, and their 2013 debut EP “Empirical” introduced the world to the song “Paralized”, the original version of “Paralyzed”. The revitalized take on the song was released in their 2017 album “Low Life” and quickly became a fan favorite that established the band’s name in the Indie world.

“Paralyzed” is a charismatic effort from John & The Volta — one that graciously blends Synthwave with a masterful touch of Indie Rock, giving the track its own, very unique identity. If the hook doesn’t make you move even a little bit, we’re afraid nothing ever will. The song has had a moderate wave of success in 2019 after being featured in the third season of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why (just like their song “Bad Dreams” was featured in the second season), but it is still far from being the absolute hit it should be.

3 “Galactic Swing” by Florida Skyline

The beautiful sub-genre of Chillwave (or Lo-Fi Synthwave) has been tackled by many over the years, but few have been able to make it their own the way Florida Skyline has. Sadly, we lost Florida Skyline in late 2019, as she tragically past away at the young age of 17. But we are eternally thankful that she left behind her a unique and powerful body of work that we will be able to enjoy forever. The Moscow prodigy was a true master of the genre, and it was never as obvious as it was in her instrumental piece “Galactic Swing”.

The world-class production skill in this song is to die for. The melody work is precise and heavily detailed, creating a dreamy atmosphere that perfectly showcases the talent behind the track. Florida Skyline was only 15 years old when the song was released in her EP “Utopia”, back in June 2017, and we can only imagine what the future would have held for such a talent. And thus, “Galactic Swing” is a song that is entitled to far more recognition than it already has within the community. Rest in peace, Florida Skyline.

2 “Dance 1984” by Wayfloe

Despite being relatively new to the scene, Wayfloe needs no introduction in the Synthwave world. They are one of the most inventive acts the genre has ever known, and they especially stand out due to the glaring sense of mystery around them and their cryptic lyrics. But, while they have mostly been experimental with Synthwave, Wayfloe have also proven several times that, when they do tackle the genre in a more traditional way, they can still outdo almost anyone. Case and point: “Dance 1984”.

From their now iconic tracks “Neon West” with Firefox AK and “Fractions” with Jessie Frye, to the blissfully sinister “Godspeed” and “Moonwalker”, it is safe to say Wayfloe’s unique nostalgic dark tone has become an artistic signature no one can replicate. Which is why “Dance 1984” is such a delight. The track is a surprisingly joyful antithesis to an otherwise somber album with heavy themes. A happy and playful tune that simply expresses the desire to let go and have fun is the opposite of what anyone would expect from the boys in the round glasses, and that is the very reason why this underrated gem is so perfect.

1 “Jumping Judas” by Teenage Bad Girl & Illa J

It has been almost ten years since French duo Teenage Bad Girl has disappeared from the world. With several EPs and albums under their belt, they have had a few minor hits in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, mainly with their 2011 final album “Backwash”, which has gathered a bit of a cult following over the years, thanks to tracks like “X Girl” with Rye Rye, or the powerful “Fast Food Delivery”. And it is in that final album that the duo gave us what is, to this day, one of the greatest Synthwave tracks of all time.

“Jumping Judas” sees Detroit rapper Illa J join forces with Teenage Bad Girl to create an absolute banger of a record with a dark tone and a powerful lead melody creeping up on you midway through. The whole song is driven by Illa J’s impeccable flow and his old school style of rapping, as well as a flawless production by Teenage Bad Girl, blending several genres of music together, to glue it all with a heavy layer of 80’s synth. Almost 10 years later, very few Synthwave tracks can compare to the sheer brilliance of “Jumping Judas”, and the fact that this song does not get the reputation it has always deserved is an absolute outrage.

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Every year, moviegoers are treated to new unforgettable films. But far too often, the spectacular acting performances that make the films so great are overlooked. Here, we honor actors’ work that has been underrecognized, underappreciated, and unacknowledged during awards season.

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10 Joaquin Phoenix—You Were Never Really Here

Who better to kick off this list than someone who has continuously flown under the radar? It wasn’t until 2020 that this brilliant artist won an Academy Award: a well-deserved honor for interpretation of the iconic Joker. But two years earlier, Joaquin Phoenix gave one of 2017’s most unforgettable performances as Joe, a war veteran with PTSD who earns his living rescuing sex-trafficked girls in the crime/thriller You Were Never Really Here, written and directed by Lynne Ramsay.

“It’s tempting to say Phoenix has never been better than he is here, but that just would not be true,” writes film critic Sheila O’Malley. “He was great in The Master and Inherent Vice, in two very different kinds of roles. His career has been a bit all over the place, but in the last few years he’s settled into himself. It’s like he feels the earth beneath his feet, and he knows what to do. It’s been exhilarating to witness.

“At his very best, he doesn’t ‘show his work.’ You’re just hanging out with whatever peculiar character he’s playing. He’s not self-consciously ‘stretching’ as an actor by taking these different kinds of roles. It’s just that he, to steal from Walt Whitman, ‘contains multitudes.’ In You Were Never Really Here, he sometimes vibrates with unmanaged trauma and suicidal ideation. His tears are heart-rending because he is so helpless when they come. His translucent green eyes pulse with mute torment. You are never 100 percent sure what Joe is going to do next.”^[1]

9 Melissa McCarthy—Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Melissa McCarthy does not disappoint with her portrayal of the real life Lee Israel in Marielle Heller’s comedy-drama from 2018, Can You Ever Forgive Me? A frustrated alcoholic and unsuccessful writer desperate for money, Lee pays her rent by forging old letters by famous writers and selling them for big bucks. While McCarthy was nominated for the role, her stellar performance was otherwise overlooked.

“Playing Lee, McCarthy manages something very special: She makes a character who is odd, obnoxious, difficult, and alcoholic seem lovable and even heroic,” writes Geoffrey Macnab @TheIndyFilm. “McCarthy doesn’t try to be ingratiating at all or to tone down Lee’s mixture of awkwardness and malevolence.” Somehow, she makes the audience root for this despicable character.^[2]

8 Robert Pattinson/Willem Dafoe—The Lighthouse

It’s impossible to recognize one without the other. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe compliment each other brilliantly, acting opposite each other as the leading men in Robert Egger’s 2019 psychological horror film, The Lighthouse. The two men try to maintain their stanity while living on a remote island and working as lighthouse keepers.

“At the core of the film is Pattison’s impressively committed performance as the taciturn Winslow,” writes Alison Willmore for Vulture. “Dafoe may be a delight as a sea-brined gremlin with a bottomless thirst and a surprising sensitivity about his own cooking. (‘Yer fond of me lobster,’ he howls at one point. ‘Say it!’) But it’s Pattinson, playing the straight man, who sells the slow deterioration of the pair’s mental state.”^[3]

7 Ethan Hawke—First Reformed

In Paul Schrader’s 2017 drama/thriller First Reformed, Ethan Hawke plays Reverend Toller, the pastor of a small church in upstate New York. Toller begins to question his faith and spiral out of control after an existential encounter with an environmental activist and his wife.

“You are drawn into Toller’s story by a steady, unblinking camera that quickens your pulse even as it encourages your contemplation,” writes Justin Chang for the Los Angeles Times. “And you are held there by the mesmerizing clarity and intelligence of Hawke’s performance, which suggests that the most powerful epiphanies may also be the subtlest.

“Possibly too subtle,” continues Chang. “Hawke was conspicuously not conspicuously not nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award or a Golden Globe, both key Oscar precursors. It’s easy to see why. This isn’t the kind of acting that calls attention to itself, that bowls you over with bravura feats of vocal distortion and prosthetic wizardry.

“First Reformed gives us the latest in a string of remarkable Hawke performances, following the subtle explorations of midlife discontent in Before Midnight (2013) and Boyhood (2014) and the biographical transformations of Born to Be Blue (2015) and Maudie (2017). It is, I would propose, the culmination of the richest, most accomplished and surprising career of any actor now working in American movies.”^[4]

6 Natalie Portman—Vox Lux

It’s not on the same level as her Oscar-winning performance in Black Swan, but Natalie Portman’s portrayal of a Celeste in Brady Corbet’s musical drama Vox Lux is one you don’t want to miss. Celeste is a school shooting victim-turned-pop star. Now 31, she is on the verge of a comeback when another horrific scandal threatens her career. Terrorist attacks juxtaposed with the wild world of pop? You bet!

Film critic Luke Chanell explains that in directly referencing both the Columbine High School massacre and 9/11, Vox Lux seeks to explore the connection between popstars and terrorism—coaxing up a wealth of thought-provoking ideas in the process:

“This is held together by a powerhouse performance from Portman. She’s equal parts fierce, bratty, and unhinged, yet she is also empathetic, emotionally wounded, and deceptively intelligent. Portman’s complex portrayal is never less than enthralling and she completely looks the part too with her over-styled quiff and swaggering demeanour. She is utterly captivating and convincing as a world-famous pop star in the film’s climatic concert sequence.^[5]

Top 10 Underrated Disney Villains

5 Jake Gyllenhaal—Nightcrawler

In perhaps one of the finest performances of his career, Jake Gyllenhaal blew audiences away as Louis Bloom in Dan Gilroy’s 2014 crime/thriller, Nightcrawler. Louis begins a new career as a freelance cameraman after discovering that he can earn money by selling footage of accidents and crimes to local news networks. He becomes obsessed with getting the money shot and is willing to do anything it takes to get it.

“Gyllenhaal’s bold, committed performance makes Nightcrawler one of the most entertaining movies of the year…” writes Jocelyn Noveck for the Associated Press. “The most frightening thing about [Gyllenhaal]—even more than those sallow, sunken cheeks, those googly eyes, and that unkempt hair tied into a greasy bun—is his smile. They invented the word ‘creepy’ for that smile, a goofy, confident grin that reaches its full breadth just when you’re starting to realize how deranged the guy really is.”

4 Lupita Nyong’o—Us

After snagging an Oscar for her role in 12 Years A Slave back in 2014, it’s surprising that Lupita Nyong’o would be passed up for a nomination five years later when she took on the dual role of Adelaide and Red in Jordan Peele’s horror film, Us.

“A vibrant, appealing screen presence, Nyong’o brings a tremendous range and depth of feeling to both characters, who she individualizes with such clarity and lapidary detail that they aren’t just distinct beings; they feel as if they were being inhabited by different actors,” writes Manohla Dargis for the New York Times.

“She gives each a specific walk and sharply opposite gestures and voices (maternally silky vs. monstrously raspy). Adelaide, who studied ballet, moves gracefully and, when need be, rapidly (she racks up miles); Red moves as if keeping time to a metronome, with the staccato, mechanical step and head turns of an automaton. Both have ramrod posture and large unblinking eyes. Red’s mouth is a monstrous abyss.”^[6]

3 Song Kang-ho—Parasite

Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 comedy/thriller Parasite swept the Oscars, but the acting performances did not receive the credit they deserved: in particular, Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek, the father of a destitute family struggling to make ends meet. After his son lands a job as a fake tutor for the wealthy Park family, the other members of the Kim family soon find themselves lying about their education and experience level to land jobs within the household.

Bong explained that choosing Kang-ho to star in the film enabled him to embolden his approach. “There was a relief that came from the certain expectation that if this actor plays this role, even the controversial parts will definitely be convincing to the audience. The script of Parasite, especially, has bold, unexpected, or somewhat controversial moments in its latter part, but having Song Kang-ho in mind resolved the fears and concerns that I had writing them.”

Kang-ho, who has starred in more than 30 Korean films and collaborated with Bong on four of them, says, “Over the years, the characters I’ve played have appealed to the Korean audience more as familiar, very realistic people that they can relate to, rather than somebody from a fantasy world.” But in Parasite, Kang-ho isn’t the “big star,” nor is he able to lean on his instant likability, says Patrick Brzeski for the Hollywood Reporter.

Bong observes: “Indeed, the acting format is that of an ensemble, where almost 10 main characters work with each other in even balance. Despite this, as can be seen when we look back on the film’s climax sequence, it’s Song Kang-ho who’s bearing the core sentiment of the film as well as its riskiest moments, the most daring parts,” he said.^[7]

2 Toni Collette—Hereditary

One of the worst Oscar snubs of the last decade was Toni Collette’s performance in Ari Aster’s 2018 horror film, Hereditary. Collette plays Annie, a grieving mother who has just lost her daughter in a tragic car accident. Annie is unable to cope with the loss of her daughter and quickly becomes unhinged, spiraling down a rabbit hole of satanic rituals and discovering that her own mother may be to blame for a curse on their family.

“The film’s most important asset is Collette, who weeps, screams, and snarls her way halfway off the screen and into the audience’s laps,” Tasha Robinson wrote for the Verge. “Annie is a complicated character, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes outright repulsive. The role only works because of Collette’s power to sell her emotions to an audience that may want to distance itself from her visible agony. Watching her suffer is emotionally exhausting, because she plays the character with such intensity.”^[8]

1 Adam Sandler—Uncut Gems

Last but most definitely not least, one could argue that Adam Standler gives the best performance of his career as charismatic New York City jeweler and gambling addict Howard Ratner in Josh and Benny Safdie’s crime thriller Uncut Gems. Sandler brings audiences along with him on the ride of their life as he rushes around the busy streets of Manhattan, placing high-stakes bets and fighting off Jewish mobsters all while dealing with a messy life at home that includes a divorce and a girlfriend half his age.

“The Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems proves to be one of the most mesmerising thrillers in a long time, and Sandler is a major reason why it works,” wrote Nick De Semlyen for Empire. “It’s a career-best performance, reminiscent of his character study 17 years ago in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love but even more layered and magnetic. His Howard is instantly iconic: part Job, part Jordan Belfort, part Jerry Maguire, he’s louchely attired, balancing out his shady wardrobe and dirtbag facial hair with a Star of David pinkie ring. Rarely stopping to take a breath, he is by turns hilarious, soulful and maddening; drilling down into a character who seems initially cartoonish but becomes ever more fascinating and human, Sandler is totally believable as a rapacious lowlife with big dreams.”^[9]

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Mentioning soundtracks of animated musical films, would likely immediately conjure up the image of Elsa strutting over the snow, singing “Let It Go”. Songs in kids’ films are not a new concept, but they have gotten better over the years to the extent where they are nominated for and win Academy Awards.

However, there are several criminally underrated songs in animated films that are just as good as the prize winners (sometimes even better).

10 “Great Spirits” – Brother Bear

Brother Bear was released in 2003 and tells the story of a Native American boy, Kenai, who can’t wait to become a man. However, when one of his brothers is killed by a bear, he immediately seeks revenge and is turned into a bear himself when he angers the spirits of his people. This profound story couldn’t have anything other than fantastic music to accompany it, and that it does.

The soundtrack was written by Phil Collins (who also wrote the songs for Tarzan) and some of the songs are truly excellent. A great example is “Great Spirits” performed by Tina Turner. Tina is no stranger to movie soundtracks, having also provided the title song to the James Bond film, “Golden Eye”.

9 “I See The Light” – Tangled

Tangled doesn’t only have many underrated songs, but is also an underrated film as Frozen seems to take precedence when it comes to favorite animated movies. The film tells the story of Rapunzel in a new and fresh way, with some great songs in the mix. These include “When Will My Life Begin”, “Mother Knows Best”, and “I’ve Got A Dream.”

The best by far however, is the song at the end of the movie when Rapunzel’s dream of seeing the floating lanterns comes true. She and Flynn are on a boat with the lanterns highlighting the scene from the background when they start singing, “I See The Light.” This epic song is performed by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi and is still truly underrated.

8 “Deliver Us” – The Prince of Egypt

Dreamworks is behind the grand animated story, The Prince of Egypt, and while there are many awesome songs that form part of the soundtrack including “When You Believe”, some are surprisingly underrated as well. “When You Believe” is sung in the movie by the characters of Tzipporah and Miriam and a pop version was recorded by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey in 1998. It also won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

Mostly overlooked however are the scores created by Hans Zimmer and Stephen Schwartz including the opening number of the movie, “Deliver Us”. Ofra Haza and Eden Riegel deliver a powerful vocal that sets up the story of the struggle of the Hebrew slaves.

7 “When We’re Human” – The Princess And The Frog

The Princess And The Frog is one of Disney’s most underappreciated gems. The movie tells the reworked tale of The Frog Princess in which a waitress named Tiana dreams of owning her own restaurant. She ends up kissing a prince who’d been turned into frog and ends up as a frog herself.

This film too features some great songs, two of which were nominated for Academy Awards but lost out to Up and Crazy Heart. The song that not many people talk about however is the fantastic “When We’re Human”.

Starting with the quip “enjoy your loneliness, my friend” this catchy tune definitely deserves more love.

6 “Lost in the Woods”- Frozen II

There is no doubt that Frozen has delivered some of the best songs of all animated films. “Let It Go” became a smash hit after the first film and the Idina Menzel-performed song won both a Grammy and an Oscar. It became one of the most globally recorded Disney songs and the international releases of the movie included at least 41 versions sung in different languages.

Menzel shone again in 2019 with the song “Show Yourself” that she performed as Elsa in Frozen II. While not quite as popular as “Let It Go”, the song garnered much acclaim.

There is a highly underappreciated ballad in the second movie however, sung by Kristoff (Jonathan Groff). Sounding like a nod to Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration”, Kristoff belts out “Lost in the Woods” while he’s, you know, in the woods. There is even a nod to Queen in one scene during the song.

And while we’re at it, let’s never forget about “Reindeer Are Better Than People.”

5 “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” – Mulan

Mulan is another beautifully told story and is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. The film takes place during the Han dynasty in China and sees Fa Mulan impersonating a man in order to take her father’s place in battling a Hun invasion.

The action is set to a great soundtrack that includes songs like “A Girl Worth Fighting For”, “Honor To Us All”, and “Reflection.” One of the best songs to come out of this classic animated film is the inspiring “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” It is performed by Donny Osmond & Chorus and plays as Mulan and her army are transformed into warriors. Stephen Schwartz was tasked with scoring the soundtrack of Mulan, and his ideas included a melody called “We’ll Make a Man Out of You.” He was however persuaded by Dreamworks to make music for the Prince of Egypt instead and the song was changed to “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”.

4 “When She Loved Me”- Toy Story 2

The Toy Story movies are hugely popular with kids and adults alike. Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends made a huge impression with the first film and this led to 3 sequels all with their own great soundtracks. The first instalment was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay and was also nominated for Best Original Song for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” which is the most well-known song on the soundtrack.

There are quite a few sad moments throughout the Toy Story movies, with one of the most heartbreaking scenes being the one in Toy Story 2 when Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl ruminates about being forgotten and given away by her owner Emily. The song that plays during this scene “When She Loved Me” is sung by Sarah McLachlan and is a true underrated tearjerker.

3 “Immortals” – Big Hero 6

During the trailers of Big Hero 6, the song “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” by Fall Out Boy could be heard playing throughout several scenes. And that wasn’t the last of the band’s songs in the movie either. Big Hero 6 follows the adventures of Hiro Hamada and Baymax and is the first Disney animated film to feature Marvel Comics characters.

It was the highest grossing animated film of 2014 and won several awards including an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The soundtrack includes a thumper of a song by Fall Out Boy called “Immortals.” The song was written specifically for the movie and sold one million units. But despite its success, the tune still doesn’t make a lot of ‘best of’ lists.

2 “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” – Hercules

Development of the animated classic, Hercules, began in 1992 and the movie was finally released as a musical fantasy film in 1997. The film didn’t perform quite as well as its Disney predecessors and the soundtrack received mixed reviews. Some of the most recognizable songs to come out of the movie, is “Go The Distance” by Michael Bolton and “One Last Hope” by Danny DeVito.

The most under appreciated song on the soundtrack is “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” which is performed by Susan Egan, Lillias White, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Cheryl Freeman and Vanéese Y. Thomas. The pop ballad is reminiscent of 1950s songs and its lyrics are about denying have romantic feelings towards a particular person; in this case Meg denying having feelings for Hercules.

1 “You’ll Be In My Heart” – Tarzan

Tarzan was the most expensive animated film ever made until Final Fantasy was released in 2001. It grossed $448 million worldwide and became the second highest grossing animated release in 1999, after Toy Story 2. The success of the film led to two sequels, a TV series and a Broadway show.

The songs on the Tarzan soundtrack were composed by music legend, Phil Collins and one of the tracks, “You’ll Be In My Heart”, won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. The soundtrack as a whole was the first to be recorded in several different languages to cater for different countries and Collins recorded French, Italian, German and Spanish versions of the songs. The album release of the soundtrack put Phil Collins back in the spotlight as it became his best-selling album in ten years. Strangely enough, despite “You’ll Be In My Heart’s” massive success, it is still one of the most underrated songs in an animated film.

Movie buffs know the names behind the music in their favorite films. Hollywood composers usually rise in fame when they get the chance to write music for blockbuster hits, often becoming as recognizable of a name as a movie’s director or lead actor. For example, think about composer Danny Elfman’s long-lasting partnership with director Tim Burton or John Williams’s extensive collaborations with filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Composers are often remembered for their most famous scores, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a vast portfolio of great musical works. This list shines attention on well-known composers who wrote film music that can be often overlooked and underrated. If you don’t know their names, you definitely will know the movies they’re most well-known for working on. These accomplished crafters of sound can deliver quality music for films that do not end up being box office successes, or they can frequently overshadow their own work with another more high-profile Hollywood gig. This list highlights ten underrated film scores by famous composers.

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10 James Horner—The Pagemaster (1994)

James Horner sadly died in 2015, but he left behind a legacy of immensely successful and popular film scores. He is most famous for his music for two of the highest-grossing movies of all time: Titanic (1997) and Avatar (2009). In fact, Titanic had the best-selling orchestral film soundtrack of all time, leading to Horner becoming Hollywood music royalty. Additionally, his popularity branches from his scores for the hit movies Aliens, Apollo 13, and Braveheart, all of which earned the composer prestigious award wins and nominations.

Unfortunately, not every film that Horner wrote music for was successful. The 1994 fantasy movie The Pagemaster, which is about a boy who journeys through the pages of literary classics, was a box office disappointment despite its star-studded cast and colorful blend of live-action and animation. Horner’s score is one of the movie’s biggest strengths. The fantasy aspect of the story allows the composer to shift tones and emotions throughout each scene. He molds his large orchestra to tackle all of the classic cinema genres: grand adventure, thrilling action, unsettling horror, whimsical fantasy, and heroic fanfare. It’s a musical treat for audiences with playful imaginations.

9 Shirley Walker—Final Destination (2000)

Batman fans should know the name Shirley Walker (who unfortunately passed away in 2006). She is best known and beloved for her music for the 1990s award-winning television show Batman: The Animated Series. She also scored several other superhero projects such as the 1993 movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and the 1990s-2000s shows Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Batman Beyond. Walker was a trailblazer for female composers in Hollywood; she earned prestigious awards and held the record for scoring more major-studio movies than any other American woman.

Although Walker is most famous for her work in superhero worlds, she also wrote music for numerous other genre films, including the 2000 supernatural movie Final Destination. Walker’s score elevates the stereotypical teen horror genre with intelligent writing. The composer’s command of the orchestra is on full display with her abilities to establish melodic themes that develop throughout the story (an approach she continued in the following two sequels before her death). The music is perfectly controlled and patient as it establishes slow-building tension and eeriness. It’s some of the best orchestral writing heard in contemporary scary movies.

8 Marc Shaiman—Simon Birch (1998)

March Shaiman is a prolific Hollywood composer who has been creating music for film, television, and theatre since he was 16 years old. He wrote music for dozens of hit movies, especially ones during the 1990s and early 2000s. His most well-known works include the popular films When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, The Addams Family, Sister Act, Sleepless in Seattle, The First Wives Club, and The Wedding Planner.

Shaiman is known for his ability to write sweeping orchestra music with emotional warmth, a strength that is evident in the 1998 drama Simon Birch about a boy born with dwarfism. The movie was a box office bomb and earned criticism for its overly sappy tone. Despite the movie’s flaws, Shaiman’s score is its brightest highlight. The music ebbs and flows between an intimate solo piano and a sweeping orchestra. The well-crafted melodies and lush harmonies create a score that is full of emotional drama and power. The music is quite simply beautiful in every sense of the word.

7 Danny Elfman – Darkman (1990)

Danny Elfman is one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood today. He has scored over 100 films, as well as signature themes for television and video games. He is best known for his long-lasting collaboration with director Tim Burton, a partnership solidified during the 1980s and 1990s with a slew of popular films like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Sleepy Hollow. Elfman is known for his ability to write music that blurs the lines of quirky, eerie, and fantasy.

Although Elfman’s iconic Batman theme is undoubtedly his most famous composition, he wrote similar-sounding music for another dark superhero around the same time as his Batman movies: the lesser-known 1990 film Darkman. Darkman tells the story of a scientist who becomes disfigured after a brutal attack, develops super-human abilities, and seeks vengeance against his attackers (leading the character to become more of an antihero than a traditional superhero). Elfman’s score explores the same darker sounds the composer uses in his famous Batman music: low droning tones, pulsating drums, energetic strings, swelling brass, and dramatic dynamic levels. Darkman’s score may not be as catchy and memorable as Batman’s music, but both highlight Elfman’s flair for darker epic themes.

6 Alan Silvestri – Contact (1997)

Yes, another 1990s score on the list. Film music reached new levels of grandiose orchestras blasting out memorable melodies during the 1980s and 1990s. Composers like Alan Silvestri became known for strong melodic themes that are instantly recognizable. Silvestri is best known for scoring the Back to the Future trilogy, most of the Avengers movies, and the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump.

Surprisingly, one of Silvestri’s most intimate scores is for the 1997 science fiction film Contact. The movie is based on a novel by legendary scientist astronomer Carl Sagan and tells the story of a scientist who discovers evidence of intelligent life outside of planet Earth. The film is a large-scale movie that travels audiences around the globe and deep into space. Yet, despite the film’s emphasis on high-tech science fiction adventure, Silvestri’s music is incredibly human. At the center of the score is a lullaby-like piano theme that smoothly rises and falls over top gentle strings. At times, that melody swells to a more majestic version of itself played by the full orchestra before ultimately returning to its softer home. The music grounds the story in the emotional investment of the human characters and not in the potential otherworldliness of aliens (as so many science fiction scores often do). At the center of a bigger-than-life outer space odyssey is a simplistic gentle melody that beautifully reminds the audience they are all human.

5 Howard Shore—The Cell (2000)

Howard Shore is a multi-Oscar-winning composer who has been working in the entertainment business since the 1970s. He famously scored the entire film franchise based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy. He also scored numerous successful movies in various genres, including The Silence of the Lambs, Seven, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Panic Room.

Shore’s ability to span genres and moods is evident in the particularly polarizing science fiction horror film The Cell. The movie tells the story of a psychologist who enters the horrific mind of a serial killer through experimental technology. The film’s heavy emphasis on gruesome imagery and unsettling surrealism made the project both praised and condemned by critics. Shore’s music does not shy away from the movie’s dark edge; it embraces it. He incorporates many unique instruments and intricate moving musical parts to shift between seductive exoticism and terrifying tension. Shore’s surprising score elevates typical horror music to new levels of sophistication. The music is beautifully dark and intense, and it is deserving of a brighter spotlight.

4 Hans Zimmer—A League of Their Own (1992)

Hans Zimmer is one of the most famous composers on the planet. He has scored more than 200 projects that have collectively grossed more than 28 billion dollars at the box office. He has written music for some of the biggest blockbusters in recent decades, including The Lion King, Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, and multiple installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Despite Hans Zimmer’s reputation for epic action music in big-budget movies, one of his most warm and emotional scores is for the 1992 drama A League of Their Own. The film is about an all-female professional baseball league during World War II. A League of Their Own was a success, but it is not typically what comes to mind when one thinks of Zimmer. The music is a traditional Hollywood-style orchestra, which is important to point out when considering Zimmer often experiments with innovative hybrids of orchestra and technology. The score is beautifully melodic and heartwarming. Zimmer masterfully captures the essence of 1940s American radio, the excitement of sporting events, and the dramatic emotions of heartache and survival. The music is celebratory at its heart and remains some of Zimmer’s most endearing melodies.

3 Elliot Goldenthal – Sphere (1998)

Elliot Goldenthal is an Oscar-winning composer who writes music for film, orchestra, opera, ballet, and theatre. His best-known works include popular movies such as Demolition Man, Interview with the Vampire, Batman Forever, A Time to Kill, Frida, and Public Enemies. He is also famous for his personal and professional relationship with Julie Taymor (a prolific film and theatre director).

Goldenthal has scored multiple films that were released with high expectations but ultimately seen as disappointments (Batman & Robin is a prime example). His score for the 1998 science fiction thriller Sphere deserves more attention. The movie, which is about a team sent into the ocean to explore a crashed alien spaceship, should have been a massive hit with its famous cast and novel origins by the same writer of Jurassic Park (one of the most successful blockbusters of all time). Unfortunately, the movie flopped with critics and audiences, meaning Goldenthal’s score went largely unnoticed. The composer uses a creative balance of traditional orchestra (frequently led by a stately trumpet fanfare) and more experimental tones. The result is an excellent juxtaposition of cinematic melodies and eerie otherworldly sounds, seemingly representing both our planet and the mysterious unknown of outer space. Goldenthal’s effective score is intriguing and deserves praise apart from the failures of the movie.

2 Hildur Guðnadóttir—Mary Magdalene (2018)

Hildur Guðnadóttir has earned an abundance of well-deserved attention in recent years. She is viewed as an essential trailblazer for several achievements, including being the first Icelander to win an Oscar, the first solo female composer to win a Golden Globe, and the first woman in over two decades to win the Oscar for Best Original Score. She is best known for her music on the 2019 live-action film Joker and the 2019 television miniseries Chernobyl.

Before Guðnadóttir earned international fame with her 2019 successes, she wrote music for the lesser-known 2018 biblical film Mary Magdalene. The movie tells the story of the titular character and her journey of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Guðnadóttir, alongside her frequent collaborator Jóhann Jóhannsson, composed a powerful score for the movie. The music consistently hovers in ambiguous tension in the most beautiful ways. The lingering strings, haunting vocals, and breathy woodwinds create a somber mood that feels simultaneously still and moving. The score never ceases to present itself as a prophetic sound for something tragic and profound. Guðnadóttir’s sensibilities for crafting mature music that possesses both darkness and light are at peak levels in this complex score.

1 John Williams—Artificial Intelligence (2001)

No list of famous film composers can exclude John Williams. His decades-long career of writing iconic scores led to him becoming the most successful film composer in history. Some of his most beloved and legendary music are the scores to Jaws, the Star Wars films, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and the Harry Potter films. If someone hums a famous music theme from a movie, there’s a good chance John Williams wrote it.

For all of the prominent scores that Williams is known for, there are just as many lesser-known works that deserve highlight, and the 2001 science fiction film A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a great example. The movie, directed by legendary director Steven Spielberg (a long-time collaborator with Williams), tells the story of a robotic boy who is the prototype of an artificial intelligence being programmed to love. The movie earned box office success and Oscar nominations, but its music is not typically one of the prolific scores associated with Williams. However, it is nonetheless just as beautiful as anything he’s composed. Williams writes a score that contains some of the most gorgeous musical segments of his career. For a composer who is famous for several explosive fanfare themes, his music for A.I. Artificial Intelligence is equally powerful in its restraint. Much of the movie’s pivotal scenes involve intimate moments of the young boy robot experiencing the complex emotions associated with love. Thus, William’s central music theme is a bittersweet melody played gracefully on a piano supported by an expressive orchestra and sometimes an angelic female voice. The theme is tremendously moving, romantic, heartbreaking, and ultimately peaceful. William’s score is exquisite and is a testament to the composer’s mastery of music.

Music unites people, but it can also be incredibly divisive. Especially on a platform such as which is visited by a wide variety of people, all with their own valid opinion on what constitutes good music. Some prefer rock and hate pop; others might go the opposite direction or even choose classical music above all. And that is just three of the more than 1,300 genres of music to be found in the world!

This list highlights some of the most underrated songs of the last 70 years, according to various websites’ stats, fans’ opinions, and rankings on Top “However Many Songs” lists.

Which of these do you agree with?

Related: Top 10 Little-Known Facts About Popular 1990s Songs

10 “Cindy Lou” – Dick Penner (1957)

The ’50s saw artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, Ritchie Valens, and Patsy Cline dominating the music scene, to mention but a few. People danced to “That’s Amore,” sang along to “I Walk The Line,” and fell in love while listening to “Love Me Tender.” Most likely, very few people would mention “Cindy Lou” by Dick Penner when the topic of ’50s music comes up.

Before recording “Cindy Lou,” Penner co-composed “Ooby Dooby,” which was eventually handed to Roy Orbison, whose recording was a huge rockabilly hit. Penner, who was a singer, guitar player, recording artist as well as a retired English professor, scored his own hits with “Move Baby Move,” “Fine Little Baby,” “Honey Love,” and of course “Cindy Lou.” Sadly, none of these songs ever made it to the popularity level of “Ooby Dooby,” but “Cindy Lou” remains a great, albeit very underrated, track.^[1]

9 “Cloudy” – Simon & Garfunkel (1966)

There is no doubt that Simon & Garfunkel will always first be associated with “The Sounds of Silence, “Bridge over Troubled Water,” and “Mrs. Robinson. However, they had a slew of other tunes that were great too. These include “Old Friends, “Feelin’ Groovy,” and “Cloudy.”

“Cloudy” has a whimsical sound to it and is definitely catchy. It was released in 1966 as part of the duo’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album. It was co-written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley and reflects the narrator’s thoughts as he watches the clouds travel across the sky.^[2]

8 “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” – The Hollies (1971)

The Hollies did have some success with “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” after the song’s release in 1972. It sold two million copies worldwide and reached the runner-up spot on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed put for two weeks.

Then came controversy in the form of John Fogerty of CCR fame suing The Hollies for plagiarising his song “Green River.” The case was settled out of court, and Fogerty received half of the proceeds for the song.

Despite the drama, however, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” remains a very memorable tune and is one of the most underrated songs of the ’70s.^[3]

7 “The Night Chicago Died” – Paper Lace (1974)

When Paper Lace sent their song “The Night Chicago Died” to Richard Daley, the then-mayor of Chicago, they didn’t find a new fan in him. In fact, it was reported that the mayor hated the tune, as did most of his staff. One staff member went as far as to say Paper Lace should “jump in the Chicago River, placing your heads underwater three times and surfacing twice.”

Many music lovers are still of the same opinion and hate the song just as much. Others feel that the song is grossly underrated and should get more love. Either way, “The Night Chicago Died” is about a fictional shoot-out between the Chicago police and the Al Capone Syndicate. It includes a unique intro during which an electronic synthesizer imitates a police siren, after which the first four lines are spoken.^[4]

6 “Sweet Dreams” – Air Supply (1981)

Air Supply will probably never win any awards for being cool. The band members themselves admitted that they probably weren’t cool enough for MTV or Rolling Stone and that it may be the reason neither would feature the band or their music.

Despite this, Air Supply boasted eight top ten hits in the U.S. during the ’80s, and the band was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2013. Their most popular hits include “Even the Nights Are Better,” “All Out of Love,” and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.”

One of their most underrated hits however, is “Sweet Dreams.” It is beautiful and touching, with a rock edge, and shows off Russell Hitchcock’s amazing vocal range.^[5]

5 “Baby, Can I Hold You” – Tracy Chapman (1988)

Tracy Chapman has enjoyed worldwide success with her hits, “Give Me One Reason,” “Fast Car,” and “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution.” Her albums have gone multi-platinum, and she has four Grammy Awards under her belt. Yet, Chapman remains one of the most under-acknowledged artists in the world. Her songs receive little airplay, which is a shame because she possesses an outstanding vocal ability. She wowed the audience on the Letterman show in 2015 with an excellent cover of “Stand By Me,” and it just reaffirmed how underrated her talent truly is.

One of her best songs is “Baby, Can I Hold You,” which failed to make the Top 40 in the U.S. in 1988. This under-appreciated song was covered by Boyzone in 1997, which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and was the 26th best-selling single of 1997 in the UK. It doesn’t have a patch on the original, though.^[6]

4 “Twist in My Sobriety” – Tanita Tikaram (1988)

Including the iconic line “All God’s children need traveling shoes,” which was originally used as the title of a book by Maya Angelou, “Twist in My Sobriety” was the biggest international success that Tanita Tikaram achieved in 1988. Tikaram said that the obscure lyrics of the song alluded to growing up and going through an emotional “relationship” with the world at age 18.

The song didn’t make it big in the U.S. but hit the top 10 in several European countries. Tikaram’s deep vocals suit the melody perfectly and add to the atmosphere of the song.^[7]

3 “What’s Up” – 4 Non Blondes (1992)

The lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry, wasn’t a fan of the production of the song “What’s Up,” and the final version was eventually recorded in one day after the band re-recorded Perry’s demo version. It only reached number 11 on the pop chart but has since received a lot of radio airplay.

Some, however, hated the song to the extent that they called it the worst song of the ’90s, while others called it the worst song ever written. Regardless, the song is still a radio staple and has a stable fanbase. “What’s Up’s” underrated status dropped a bit in 2021, when its official music video passed one billion—and still climbing—views on YouTube.^[8]

2 “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – Deep Blue Something (1993)

The nineties were a time of TV shows about teen angst, sitcoms that ruled over all others, memorable cartoons, and some of the best music ever recorded. No, I’m not talking about the Macarena, even though it was so popular that even important people busted out the moves during public events. The ’90s gave us The Offspring, Nirvana, Supergrass, Weezer, Oasis, TLC, Missy Elliot, and a whole lot more.

There are also a whole lot of underrated songs from the ’90s, including “Another Night” by Real McCoy, “Show Me Love” by Robyn, “Crush With Eyeliner” by R.E.M, and “Most Girls” by Pink.

Another terribly underrated ’90s song is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Deep Blue Something. Released in 1995, it was the band’s only hit song. The lyrics were inspired by the film Roman Holiday and named after the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, both starring Audrey Hepburn.^[9]

1 “Perfect” – Simple Plan (2002)

The drummer of the band Simple Plan didn’t have his parent’s support or approval when it came to his choice of career, and he claimed that the lyrics of the song “Perfect” were inspired by this experience. Backing vocalist, David Desrosiers, has also claimed fame when it comes to the lyrics saying that they tell the story of his brother supporting him in his music career.

“Perfect” reached the top 40 in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand and was the band’s biggest hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is underrated today, but at the time, it resonated with teenagers worldwide who had unresolved issues with their parents.^[10]

+ “Ugly Heart” – G.R.L. (2014)

The music of the 2010s is a far cry from the tunes that were released back in the ’50s through the ’90s. But this doesn’t mean that there wasn’t any good music to come out of this decade. One of the most overlooked songs of the 2010s is the banger “Ugly Heart” by American-British-Canadian girl group G.R.L.

The group received critical acclaim for the song, but their success was sadly short-lived. “Ugly Heart” was their last single before one of the group’s members, 25-year-old Simone Battle, committed suicide on September 5, 2014.^[11]

Have you ever had a conversation with your friends about an awesome film, TV show, or childhood cartoon? How often is the talk about the hero? About the torrid love affair or the “will they, won’t they?” between the two main characters? What about the most hateable villains or the funniest series regular? Pretty often, probably.

But we mustn’t forget that there are tons of small roles that can help elevate a scene, a film, or even a series to classic status. Even in some sucky IPs, there can be some small, memorable performance that sticks with the viewer. Here’s a list that shows appreciation for some of the more incidental characters that were elevated by the able actors who brought them to the screen.

Related: Top 10 ‘Star Wars’ Background Characters You Never Even Noticed

10 Mr. Treeger

TV Series: Friends (1994-2004)
Played by: Michael G Haggerty

Where would we be without your average working schlub? One thing is for certain, a whole building’s worth of rent-dodging, coffee-swilling, intra-dating, unfeasibly attractive twenty-somethings in the late ’90s/early ’00s would soon succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning or die under the rubble of their collapsed rent-controlled brownstone. Not so schlubby now, are they? One character given fairer treatment than most “working-class” archetypes in comedy is the superintendent of the building that the friends live in, Mr. Treeger.

He isn’t generically “street smart” or a simple “diamond in the rough” or any other patronizing stereotype. Treeger is just a working guy who knows his stuff and does his job. He can be tough and goofy, mean and kind, surly and have a tender side—the revelation that he enjoys ballroom dancing with Matt LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani, his impromptu practice partner, is a surprisingly touching, decently written episode—”The One with the Ballroom Dancing.”^[1]

9 Wizard

Film: Taxi Driver (1976)
Played by: Peter Boyle

Now to a slightly less funny depiction of a working-class New Yorker.

Peter Boyle, known for his comic turns as “The Monster” in Mel Brooks’s Young Frankenstein and as Ray Romano’s crotchety father in the beloved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, puts in a great performance in this classic. He’s a regular guy, just a typical New York taxi driver, starkly contrasting against DeNiro’s warped, homicidal, deranged Vietnam vet cab driver.

When pressed to help with Travis Bickle’s growing unease at society and provide some real wisdom, he retreats into trite aphorisms, culminating in just telling the future rampage killer to “go out, get laid, get drunk, do anything” and that:

“We’re all f**ked. More or less, y’know.”

His character’s non-advice would have rendered him a 2D scene filler were it not for one line, perfectly delivered, that really underscores the visceral futility in the movie: “It’s not Bertrand Russell, but what do you want? I’m a cabbie, y’know? What do I know?” Boyle’s assured performance helps turn DeNiro’s iconic anti-hero from a cartoonish monster into the very embodiment of broken mental states and outsider rage at society.^[2]

8 Quaithe

TV Series: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Played by: Laura Pradelska

This is an interesting case of a character that was underrated by those writing the show she was in. in George RR Martin’s expansive fantasy universe, the character of Quaithe adds intrigue and a mystical air. She hails from the far-away city of Ashai, a place steeped in dark legends (a ghostly glowing river, mask-wearing denizens competent in forms of eldritch magic, the whole place built in the mysterious oily black stone—a motif inspired by the cosmic horror works of HP Lovecraft).

Quaithe shares visions and portents with the prospective queen of Westeros, Daenerys Targaryen, popping in and out of her life like a ghost. And that ghost-like quality may be fitting—not only does it denote a sense of otherworldliness, but it allows for speculation that she may be a long-lived relative from centuries past, a fallen Targaryen who knows what’s coming around the pike for her family.

Yeah, that’s not what we get in the show. She turns up, says some kooky stuff. And that was that.^[3]

7 Charmaine Bucco

TV Series: The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Played by: Kathrine Narducci

Characters like this are vital to create the audience introspection that classic TV series demand. And there is no greater classic than The Sopranos. Charmaine is wife to Artie Bucco, the chef and owner of Vesuvio. The restaurant is a regular haunt for the members of North Jersey’s Soprano crime family. Tony Soprano is Artie’s childhood best friend. He feels a constant draw into that world (but has nowhere near the street smarts or the hard edge required), constantly thinking of himself as an extension of that world. He lives vicariously enough through the ballbusting and the stories to even consider working with the mafiosos at certain junctures in the series.

But then there’s his wife. Katherine Narducci’s Charmaine is very Jersey. She’s very loud. Very expressive. And very much opposed to the criminal lifestyle of her main customers. Her wry, hostile attitude reminds her husband (and us) of exactly who these people are—charming, lovable, funny murderous thugs and pimps who kill as easily as they finish plates of gabagool.^[4]

6 Arthur Slugworth/Mr. Wilkinson

Film: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Played by: Günter Meisner

Beloved by millions as the film that defines their childhood, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory not only delighted children all over the world but also freaked them out to the point of persistent nightmares. The “Boat Trip” scene is enough on its own to cause nightly bed-wettings.

Worse still for the nervous systems of the pre-pubescent is the creepy owner of a competing chocolate company, Wonka’s arch-rival, Arthur Slugworth. He makes Charlie an offer, asking the boy to commit an act of industrial espionage (a mission Charlie refuses, thus allowing him to inherit the factory. Wonka orchestrates this whole ruse for, uh, reasons. Psychopathic reasons.) For all the kookiness and creepiness, all the whimsy and wonder, Slugworth helps ground a filmic vision that could have meandered off into “too-fuzzy-to-be-good” territory. German actor Günter Meisner brings some Teutonic steeliness to this faux antagonist, leaving weak-willed and naughty children in his wake like some corporate pied piper.^[5]

5 Éomer

Film: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Played by: Karl Urban

Right, Tolkeinologists, in light of the upcoming nightmare that will drip from Bezos’s spite glands, let’s talk about an imperfect but much more faithful screen adaptation of J.R.R’s opus. Where would Middle Earth be if not for a comparatively unsung hero? In some pretty deep Mordorish crap, that’s where!

Éomer, Marshal of the Mark in the kingdom of Rohan, is the real martial brains behind the survival of the world of Men.

But the real sign of (movie) Éomer’s badassery comes in the scene where he warns the remaining members of the fellowship to leave Rohan, lest they succumb to the same fate as his King. Actor Karl Urban, on mounting his horse but before exuding pure loss with the line “Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope,” lets his sword slip from its scabbard. This unintended blooper only serves to add to his character’s hard edge. This dude doesn’t even need a sword (Seriously, watch the clip!).^[6]

4 Santos & Pasquel

TV Series: Family Guy (1999– )
Voiced by: Denis Martell & Mark Pasedes

Big characters sometimes come in small scenelets.

Take Santos and Pasquel, two throwaway characters that Peter Griffin hires to work on his fishing boat (remember that? Peter was a fisherman for a bit in the 3rd season). They were Portuguese. That’s how many humorless people perceived the gag. Non-English-speaking characters interact with monolingual American; we see the translation. Ha.

So…funny ‘cos they’re foreign, yes?

Not exactly. Their lives, expounded upon through their conversations, reveal a very different pair of men from how Peter perceives them. They are normal, intelligent guys. One was even a cardiologist back on the Iberian Peninsula. Now, due to the language barrier, they are forced into menial labor on an imbecile’s boat. That’s a lot of character complexity and arc spread across a few scenes and a clutch of lines.^[7]

3 Father Larry Duff

TV Series: Father Ted (1995-1998)
Played by: Tony Guilfoyle

If you are from the geographically larger, brasher, slightly more oil-rich side of the pond, you may very well never have heard of this Irish sitcom. Everyone in Ireland has. Hell, everyone in Britain has! Amid a whole slew of memorable guest spots, all actors portraying increasingly absurd, eccentric characters (mainly priests, all leveling wonderfully satirical jibes at late ’90s Irish culture), Father Larry Duff should get more love.

Used as a throwaway slapstick gag once every few episodes, this unlucky priest’s travails are hilarious. Every time he is in a high-risk situation, he gets a phone call from Ted, the eponymous protagonist of this sitcom. Every time Duff, played by Tony Guilfoyle, is called by Craggy Island’s resident priest, the call itself causes some violent mishap. Ted then realizes he’s been told not to call him for whatever reason, unknowingly having injured his friend. Simple but memorable.^[8]

2 The Bank Manager

Film: The Dark Knight (2008)
Played by: William Fichtner

How do you turn a run-of-the-mill, in-almost-every-crime-based-action-movie heist scene into a work of cinematic beauty? Add Heath Ledger’s Joker. How do you set the tone for what may still be the best (true) Superhero movie of the new millennium? Make sure your ancillary characters seem as 3D as possible.

What type of guy would be the manager of a bank that mainly does business with the mob? The baddest badass, that’s who. When he bursts out of his cubicle office in the palatial downtown Gotham bank building, riding the powder of his shotgun’s blast, the viewer gets the sense that the robbers have bitten off more than they can chew here. Only a new type of criminal could take on this mobbed-up, “old money” sort of guy.

Unfortunately for Gotham’s underworld, that’s exactly who the Joker is. Left with a mouthful of smoke-spewing explosives of some sort and let off with the severing of the Joker’s jacket thread, this scene not only sets the mood for the film but also for superhero blockbusters for the next few years. Smart and entertaining, the whole film would have suffered if not for the performance of this humble/sociopathic bank manager.^[9]

1 The Salesman

Film: Sin City (2005)
Played by: Josh Hartnett

As with the opening scene of The Dark Knight, 2005’s neo-noir adaptation of Frank Miller’s classic comic series Sin City has the quintessential mood-setting opening chapter. A dark cityscape lies beyond the rooftop of an American city. A beautiful woman in a ballgown strikes up a conversation with a tall, dark stranger as the score of doleful sax music sets the mood beyond the scene. He lights a cigarette for her. He tells her things about her that seem to reach deep into her soul. He makes her promises and reassures her that he can make her life better. He tells her he loves her.

He shoots her in the stomach. Then tells us that he’ll “cash her check in the morning.” Did she pay him, a last dramatic flight of fancy and some kind words before her life ends? Then the movie starts. Wow.

The only issue with this character, brought to life by a beautifully smooth turn by Hartnett, is that we don’t get to see this enigmatic character again until the very end of the movie.^[9]

And now for a bonus character!

+ Cravex

TV Series: Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987)
Voiced by: Chris Latta

A minor henchman antagonist from a cartoon? Why on earth would this screech-voiced, generic character make a list like this? I mean, how could the writing for a short-lived 1980s science fantasy, Hasbro-owned toy tie-in cartoon produce a good character?

One scene.

The scene that every person who has ever felt frustrated in a work meeting/classroom/waiting in line at customer service dreams about. After the show’s main antagonist, Darkstorm, refuses to share some of the plundered treasure with his fellow baddies, Cravex (member of the show’s evil faction, The Darkling Lords) just flips out. He smacks every other member of this gang of evildoers, castigating them based on their character flaws…except for Cindarr, who gets smacked just “out of principle!” This otherwise forgettable character shows us that even those with minimal personality can sometimes hit a nerve. All while viewers shout, “YES! Take that, Jeremy, you don’t even run the IT department, ya jerk!” at their screen.^[11]