This week, I’m joined by Jason Whissell — host of It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One — to curate a playlist packed with great songs from critically panned movies. These are the soundtrack moments that outshined the films they were attached to — songs that stuck around long after the credits rolled.

To be clear, these aren’t movies we necessarily think are bad — we actually enjoy a lot of them! Our only rule? Each film had to score below 60% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. So if you’re side-eyeing the “bad movie” label, blame the critics, not us.What you’ll hear instead is a collection of undeniable soundtrack highlights — proof that even movies with rough reviews can deliver all-time great songs. And honestly, if Rotten Tomatoes listens to this episode, there’s a good chance these films get retroactively certified fresh.

🎙️ 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! 👇

Josie And The Pussycats – Three Small Words (from Josie & The Pussycats)

Kenny Loggins – Nobody’s Fool (from Caddyshack 2)

Robert Tepper – No Easy Way Out (from Rocky 4)

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band – Runnin’ Through The Fire (from Eddie & The Cruisers 2: Eddie Lives)

Bonnie Tyler – Holding Out For A Hero (from Footloose)

Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (from Mannequin)

The Las – There She Goes (from So I Married An Axe Murderer)

Coyote Shivers – Sugar High (from Empire Records)

Stroke 9 – Kick Some Ass (from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back)

Lustra – Scotty Doesn’t Know (from Eurotrip)

The Louisiana Gator Boys – How Blue Can You Get? (from Blues Brothers 2000)

G. Love & Special Sauce – The Things That I Used To Do (from Dog Park)

John Hiatt – Straight Through The Heart Of Love (from The Country Bears)

Joan Jett / Paul Westerberg – Let’s Do It (from Tank Girl)

Mudhoney – Pump It Up (from PCU)

Tantric – Breakdown (from Driven)

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

Vince Neil – You’re Invited But Your Friend Can’t Come (from Encino Man)

The Bangles – Hazy Shade Of Winder (from Less Than Zero)

Chris Cornell – Sunshower (from Great Expectations)