These Are The Best Hits From Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse's Soundtrack
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is one of the most universally acclaimed superhero movies of all time. Pretty much any Spidey fan you'll talk to will tell you it's the best movie starring the web-slinger. The mind-blowing animation and art style are one reason to adore the multiversal adventure, but it's hard to deny a major part of the aesthetic of "Spider-Verse" is the movie's musical identity.
Not only does the music fit the movie's visual style, it fits the characters like Miles Morales (Shameik Moore). The soundtrack to "Spider-Verse" is a collection of original songs from pop singers and hip-hop stars from all over the music industry. Including songs from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Post Malone, the soundtrack to "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is also an excellent compilation album. Many of these hits, like "Sunflower," broke out into the mainstream music culture beyond super-fans of the movie. Here's the bets cuts from the album.
Sunflower - Post Malone, Swae Lee
Miles Morales's number one jam, "Sunflower" exists as a radio hit in the world of "Into the Spider-Verse." Thankfully, the Post Malone and Swae Lee jam also exists in our universe and was one of the most massive hits to come out of the movie's release. Needless to say, this is one of the best hits on the soundtrack and the biggest song from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."
Starting with an electric drum beat, "Sunflower" is immediately catchy even if, like Miles, you can't quite make out the lyrics before looking them up. Whether it is Post Malone or Swae Lee singing the hook after their verses, this chill "Spider-Verse" track is the best sing-along from the soundtrack. Perfectly used in the film, it's great as a way to see into our young Spidey's inner mind — but more than that, it's just a straight up bop.
What's Up, Danger - Blackway & Black Caviar
It's hard to separate "What's Up Danger" from the scene it appears in during the movie. Miles is demoralized by the reality check from Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) that he's not ready to take on Fisk with the rest of the Spideys. Oh, and he's webbed to a chair. After he gets it together and finds the will and strength to escape, "What's Up, Danger" kicks in. Miles goes to Aunt May and finally dons his iconic suit before the music swells, we hear Peter B. Parker's voice, and Miles takes his "leap of faith." It's a cathartic moment of the movie and that emotion is directed by the music.
Even out of context, the song is great. It has over 35 million views on YouTube. For rapper Blackway and DJ producer duo Black Caviar, it's far and away the most listened track on the video service.
Start a Riot - DUCKWRTH & Shaboozey
There are "Spider-Verse" tracks that go hard, and then there's this. "Start a Riot" is a rap banger by DUCKWRTH and Shaboozey. It has over 30 million streams on YouTube alone, and it is the biggest song by both collaborators. Start a Riot" is a loud party anthem that doesn't require even knowing who "Spider-Man" is to dance to. It seems a lot of people have probably done that exact thing, given its overwhelming popularity compared to other "Spider-Verse" tracks.
Even references to the movie, like the line "every hero needs his theme song," is delivered so confidently that it is completely camouflaged. The funny part is this banger isn't even used in a fight or action sequence. Instead, when all the Spider people are in Miles's dorm hiding from his roommate, it's the song roommate Ganke Lee listens to when puts on his headphones.
Scared of the Dark - Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla $ign & XXXTENTACION
One of the moodier songs on the soundtrack, it didn't take long for Lil Wayne's "Scared of the Dark" became one of the album's best hits. It features Ty Dolla $ign, who contributes one of the most infectious hooks of the album. In collaboration with Weezy, the two have written a track that alternates between the slower paced chorus and the intense rapped verses. In a moment where Miles has just discovered who he is destined to be, he sees Spider-Man die. This is a turning point for the young Spider-Man, and it forces him to consider the danger and consequences of his actions.
The duality in "Scared of the Dark" reflects this inner turmoil in Miles. It also makes it a great background for a montage of shocked New Yorkers discovering their city's hero has died. Lil Wayne and Ty Dolla $ign made a song to reflect that moment, and it turns out it's pretty catchy as well.
Elevate - DJ Khalil
While much of the "Into the Spider-Verse" soundtrack is by artists like Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, who were already superstars, there isn't a better showcase of young talent on the album than "Elevate." The infectious triplet rhythm allows this occasionally corny superhero soundtrack song to pass for a rap hit of the late 2010s. Who pays attention to the lyrics anyway when the flow is this good? Produced by rapper DJ Khalil, this extremely hype track features a bunch of excellent verses from rising stars in hip-hop. The full guest list includes Denzel Curry, YBN Cordae, SwaVay, and Trevor Rich.
Each verse puts a spotlight on a different rapper and it elevates a pretty basic song structure into one of the best tracks on the "Spider-Verse" soundtrack. In the movie, the song kicks in right after the ending, as the first part of the credits start to roll. The energy matches the buzz you feel after viewing of this exhilarating animated adventure.
Way Up - Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith, who now simply goes by the artist name Jaden, recorded one of the most instantly recognizable tracks on the "Into the Spider-Verse" soundtrack. The guitars, synths, and drum beats come together harmoniously before the beat drops. Then there's the simple, yet addictive, hook that comes on to play us into a Jaden verse. "Way Up: doesn't feature in the film itself though until the very end, playing after "Elevate." Hearing it now evokes memories of sitting and waiting to see that last hilarious scene before the lights come up.
A fun fact for Spidey-heads: Jaden also contributed a song to another Miles-focused "Spider-Man" project. He wrote and recorded original tracks "I'm Ready" and "On My Own" (with Kid Cudi) for the 2020 PS5 game "Spider-Man: Miles Morales." "I'm Ready" in particular feels informed by the sound that made "Way Up" such a hit.
Home - Vince Staples
Vince Staples is another huge music name who pitched his lot in with the incredibly diverse "Spider-Verse" Original Soundtrack. Like "Way Up," this has another synth driven intro, the kind that came to define the "Spider-Verse" sound. The fact that "Home," Staples's contribution to the soundtrack, was featured in the epic second trailer has led to that opening being forever associated with this movie. And it should be — lyrically and musically, "Home" encompasses everything "Into the Spider-Verse" is all about.
In the movie, Miles is torn between family and freedom, as well as his duties as a Spider-Man. Staples's lyrics in "Home" reflect the conflict in Miles's life, both internally and externally against his father and uncle. For as much as the movie is about a multi-verse full of alternate possibilities, "Into the Spider-Verse" is also about Miles coming of age. If there is one song on the soundtrack that is could be considered the theme music for Miles Morales, "Home" is it.
Hide - Juice WRLD & Seezyn
More so than the bigger songs on the soundtrack, "Hide" feels like something you'd hear come up on your Spotify Weekly. This laid-back track isn't inspirational or driving in the same way many others like "What's Up, Danger" and "Elevate" are. Instead, it sounds like a typical single from emo-rap pioneer Juice WRLD, full of autotune singing and an underlying sadness.
The track fits its scene in "Spider-Verse" perfectly, though. Declared not ready for action, Miles walks away from the rest of the Spider-people, wallowing in his own feelings while "Hide" kicks in. The lyrics are spot on, but vibe wise it feels like the exact song Miles would pick to put on in a moment like this.
In late 2019, Juice WRLD died of an overdose of oxycodone and codeine (per NPR). Like fellow emo rapper Lil Peep, Juice WRLD's work gained increased prominence after the artist's death, including this track.
Familia - Nicki Minaj & Anuel AA (feat Bantu)
As much as his Black father plays a major role in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," the characterization of Miles in the comics is equally as influenced by his Puerto Rican mother. While a lot of the film glosses over this part of the hero's heritage, one track on the soundtrack smartly taps into Miles's experience growing up in a bilingual household. The track that Nicki Minaj and Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA put together for the "Spider-Verse" soundtrack is a necessary departure from the rest of the movie. "Familia" is a song about family love from a multi-ethnic perspective, and it even features Zimbabwean singer Bantu on the hook.
A Latin beat serves as the backbone of this groovy "Spider-Verse" club hit, which includes Anuel AA doing a verse in Spanish. It is probably the most dance-able song from the entire soundtrack. Gesturing at the movie's themes of family, and specifically nodding to the culture Miles is raised with, "Familia" gets to the sentimental heart of "Into the Spider-Verse."