The 10 most cinematic music videos of all time
The merging of sound and vision is one of the most powerful combinations of all time, with many people describing how their favourite films have been elevated by a moving score or placement of the perfect song. It comes as no surprise that this pairing can be so affecting, with many filmmakers emphasising the impact of sound in completing their vision.
Because of this, the creation of music videos became the perfect encapsulation of how both mediums can be used to tell stories in different ways, with artists using images to add an additional layer of meaning to their voices. While words can articulate things that cannot be seen, the same goes for the other way round, and both together can create an immersive viewing experience.
As this genre has risen in popularity, many filmmakers have extended their cinematic voices to the world of music videos, with the likes of David Fincher and Paul Thomas Anderson collaborating with some of the greatest musicians of all time.
But out of all these videos, which ones are the most cinematic (in no particular order)?
10 of the most cinematic music videos of all time
‘Sad Day’ (FKA Twigs, 2019)
The sound world of FKA Twigs is unlike anything else, with an ethereal and intimate sound that grounds you in a feeling of raw power and vulnerability. Through an experimental approach to her songs in which she blends stripped-back vocals and percussive sounds, the singer creates a feeling of horror and melancholia as she delves into the depths of her inner world and explores complex feelings relating to heartbreak, womanhood and creativity.
In addition, Twigs is also known for her distinctly original music videos, with surrealist visual concepts that combine her talent for dancing, acting, and singing. She released several stunning videos to accompany her award-winning album, Mary Magdalene, capturing the fractured and disembodied feeling that comes with the fallout of a romantic relationship.
‘Sad Day’, in particular, was very moving, with the singer creating a cinematic story through futuristic visuals and a moody colour palette that shows a couple reuniting after splitting ways, trying to figure out if it was the right decision and if they could attempt a relationship again. This does not play out in a conventional way, with the two battling it out through swordplay and seeing just how deeply they can hurt each other, capturing the soul-destroying feeling of baring your entire soul only for it be split open. Twigs is a one-of-a-kind talent, and her power as a sonic and visual artist cannot be understated.
‘This is America’ (Childish Gambino, 2018)
While Donald Glover has recently forged a career as an actor, his previous music alias of Childish Gambino led to iconic songs such as ‘Redbone’, ‘3005’, and ‘This is America’, with the latter becoming one of the most acclaimed music videos of all time after its release in 2018. The song is a commentary on police brutality and the normalisation of gun violence in America, with the music video showing people gleefully singing and dancing while others are being gunned down, reflecting the blissful ignorance of those who aren’t affected by this.
The video is a visceral and timely statement about gun laws and the way these crimes are often brushed over, with politicians pretending that guns are not the cause and perpetuating a racist culture that allows for Black people to be targets of this violence. His music often touches on political and current issues, but perhaps this song is the most harrowing due to its sadly enduring relevance.
‘Montero’ (Lil Nas X, 2021)
Few artists have been as delightfully controversial as Lil Nas X, with the artist coming under fire after the release of his music video for Montero, which shows him pole dancing to hell and seducing Satan in response to homophobic hate comments about him going to hell for being gay.
It is vibrant, fantastical and completely sexy, with the singer seducing the devil in hell while wearing leather shorts, leaning into the criticisms of his music and turning up a middle finger to those who try to dull his spark. The singer adds a queer twist to traditional imagery with over-the-top production design and an almost overwhelming visual style, creating one of the most authentic and explosive responses to hate.
‘Daydreaming’ (Radiohead, 2016)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it comes as no surprise that the music video for Daydreaming has a dreamy and meticulous look that reflects the style Anderson has carefully crafted in his films. Radiohead have become infamous for their deeply melancholic and introspective sound, and Daydreaming is no exception.
The video shows Thom Yorke drifting from place to place, walking through houses without truly being seen by anyone. It has an allegorical feeling, with the singer looking for something that he cannot find, on a relentless pursuit of something beyond his grasp. In typical Radiohead fashion, it is painfully sad and cynical, with York endlessly searching until he is stopped dead in his tracks, finally arriving at some unknown conclusion that finally gives this journey purpose. Anderson shoots it beautifully, with a haunted feeling that matches the existentialist subject matter of the silent quest.
‘Thriller’ (Michael Jackson, 1983)
Perhaps some people remember the ‘Thriller’ dance because of the iconic scene in 13 Going on 30, in which Mark Ruffalo reluctantly joins an awkward disco orchestrated by Jennifer Garner. However, the chances are you most likely know it from the revolutionary horror-esque music video by Michael Jackson, with the singer changing the possibilities of this medium forever with his terrifying zombie narrative.
The Thriller dance became a cult phenomenon in the 1980s, with the routine becoming associated with endless parties in which everyone was encouraged to join in. In the video, Jackson takes a woman through a foggy graveyard before suddenly turning into a zombie himself, suddenly morphing into a monster through disjointed and exaggerated movements that look distinctly unsettling and non-human. Current musical releases now go hand in hand with TikTok dances as a new marketing tactic, and this can perhaps stem from the unprecedented success of the ‘Thriller’ dance.
Element (Kendrick Lamar, 2017)
‘Element’ is perhaps one of the most beautifully directed music videos in recent years, with breathtaking imagery that captures the nature of systemic violence and generational trauma. Lamar is renowned for his nuanced lyrics and impeccable visuals, creating thought-provoking and profound meditations on both global and personal issues, combining the two together in a moving and affecting way.
His self-awareness and sensitivity are perhaps what put him ahead of many other rappers, something that has seeped through his entire body of work and changed the genre as a whole. While he is notoriously mysterious and private about his work, his music videos provide an added layer of meaning to the stories contained within his songs and allow for more insight into his complex inner world.
‘My Recurring Dream’ (Cold Mailman, 2013)
While this is a lesser-known music video, I think it’s important to highlight indie artists that are creating unique visual concepts without the same level of funding/support as more mainstream artists. Cold Mailman is a Norweigan pop band, and the music video for My Recurring Dream has a distinctly disorienting and surrealist tone to it.
The video is made to look as though it was shot in one continuous take, with the camera floating from one world to the next, drifting along a hospital corridor that then morphs into a lake before shifting into an old-fashioned train carriage. The concept is mesmerising, with each image effortlessly twisting into something else and changing before your eyes, never settling in what you are seeing. Given the fact that band are less well-known compared to the others on this list, it’s an impressive feat that deserves to be recognised for its creativity and ingenuity.
‘Englishman in New York’ (Sting, 1988)
There are many directors who began their careers by directing music videos, with David Fincher working with Sting in the ‘80s to create the backdrop to their hit song, Englishman in New York. Fincher’s later films are known for their dark and grungy style, with a gritty story world and sleek colour palette that heightens their sinister tone.
We can see the beginnings of this through his work with Sting, with the music video being shot in black and white and capturing this feeling of pressing loneliness and alienation as someone wanders around a city, surrounded by crowds but desperately alone. While the tone is light-hearted in spirit, the visual accompaniment to the song adds a new spin to the lyrics, which highlights the potential of the medium as a whole when it changes our interpretation of the work.
‘Apeshit’ (The Carters, 2018)
A list of iconic music videos cannot be complete without mentioning the work of Beyoncé, who remains one of the reigning queens of the music industry. While many would consider Single Ladies as one of her most iconic music videos, Apeshit is one of the most overtly cinematic, with regal-looking images and intricate choreography that add to this monumental visual feast.
Starring alongside Jay-Z in the video, the pair can be seen lounging around various landmark sites, with groups of dancers who move expressively while they look on, being painted as royalty as they observe the movement around them. The singer always creates new ways of maximising the joint power of sound and vision and the majestic yet elegant backdrop to Apeshit is no exception, despite the title of the song.
‘Got Me Started’ (Troye Sivan, 2023)
2023 was the year for Troye Sivan, with the singer making a comeback with his euphoric album Something to Give Each Other which celebrates the joy of single life and the power of our youth. While the singer released multiple music videos for the album rollout, Got Me Started remains as my favourite, with Sivan sampling the infamous melody from Bag Raider’s Shooting Star to create one of the songs of the summer.
The video features wonderfully creative choreography as Sivan embraces the infectious joy of meeting new people and exploring new connections, with a playful undertone as he wakes up to the unbridled wonder of life’s simplest pleasures. The final moment shows him running up a building and propelling down the streets in a glittery silver suit, finally reaching a point of catharsis as he revels in the life-affirming connections that exist all around him.
