This week, I’m joined by Alex Jacob —Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions winner and 2006 United States Poker Champion — to curate a playlist celebrating the best songs from 2000s movie soundtracks.

The 2000s marked a turning point for film soundtracks. As digital downloads and early streaming changed how we discovered music, soundtrack albums stopped being guaranteed cultural events — which made this the most challenging decade I’ve tackled in this movie soundtrack series. Still, the era delivered plenty of unforgettable moments where the right song met the perfect scene.

From alternative and indie standouts to pop, rock, and genre-blurring deep cuts, this playlist highlights the must-hear soundtrack songs that defined 2000s movies — even when you didn’t realize it at the time. Alex and I dig into the tracks that stuck with us and prove the decade had far more to offer than it often gets credit for.

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode! 👇

Eminem – Lose Yourself (from 8 Mile)

Evanescence – Bring Me To Life (w/ Paul McCoy of 12 Stones) (from Daredevil)

Gary Jewels & Michael Andrews – Mad World (from Donnie Darko)

My Chemical Romance – Desolation Row (from The Watchmen)

Moby – Porcelin (from The Beach)

Bruce Springsteen – The Wrestler (from The Wrestler)

Damian Rice – The Blowers Daughter (from Closer)

The Soggy Bottom Boys – I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?)

Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love (from Shrek 2)

Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag (from Loser)

Steel Dragon – We All Die Young (from Rock Star)

Ewen McGregor & Nichole Kidman – Come What May (from Moulin Rouge)

Stillwater – Fever Dog (from Almost Famous)

Dashboard Confessional – Vindicated (from Spider Man 2)

Stone Sour (Corey Taylor) – Bother (from Spider Man)

Sigur Ros – Staralfur (from The Life Aquatic)

Dropkick Murphys – I’m Shipping Up To Boston (from The Departed)

Destiny’s Child – Independent Women Pt. 1 (from Charlie’s Angels)

Paramore – Decode (from Twilight)

Beck – Everybodys Gotta Learn Sometime (from Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind)