80s forever more

Some of the best movie music ever created is from the 80s.

Back then, movie theme songs ruled the charts, from the pop pyrotechnics of Prince's Purple Rain to the smooth seduction of Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me).

Movie scores became shimmery synth soundscapes thanks to composers like Giorgio Moroder, John Carpenter and Vangelis.

Of course, more traditional fellows such as John Williams and Ennio Morriconealso worked their magic.

Today, the music of the 80s continues to find its way into films such as Walking On Sunshine, opening in theatres here tomorrow.

A frothy confection about a love triangle between two Brit sisters and an Italian superhunk, it features 80s faves such as Holiday, Faith and Eternal Flame.

Verily, the music of the 80s remains a force for good for all mankind.

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MOST 80S MUSICAL OF THIS YEAR

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

An English party girl (Annabel Scholey) is set to marry an Italian dreamboat (Giulio Berruti), but there's just one problem­ - her sister (Hannah Arterton) had him first!

Along the way, the gang and their dopey pals sing and dance to one 80s karaoke fave after another.

Among the gems are George Michael's Faith, The Human League's Don't You Want Me and Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun.

Not the most original of song choices and a huge debt is owed to Mama Mia (2008), but the movie has heart.

TIMELIEST RESURRECTION OF AN 80S CLASSIC BY A SERIAL KILLER FLICK

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' IN MONSTER

If there was a band that needed a boost in the early 2000s, it was Journey - they'd reached Barry Manilow levels of uncool.

Their break came when Don't Stop Believin' (originally from 1981) was used during the roller rink scene in the serial killer movie Monster (2003).

The song got another boost from The Sopranos 2007 finale, before really hitting the big time after being covered on the much sunnier TV show Glee two years later.

You see, Journey were right all along about not stopping believing!

MOST DELICIOUSLY RETRO 80S-STYLE SOUNDTRACK

DRIVE BY CLIFF MARTINEZ

Before it came out in 2011, no one had heard anything like the Drive soundtrack in more than two decades.

Tunes such as Nightcall, Under Your Spell and A Real Hero are unapologetic synth-pop - without a hint of hip-hoppery.

The moodier instrumental tracks create an ominous vibe reminiscent of 80s sci-fi, horror and thrillers.

With the very recent arrival of synth bands like Chvrches and Future Islands on the music scene, the Drive soundtrack now seems prophetic in its retroliciousness.

BEST USE OF A ROCKIN' 80S LOVE SONG IN A WRESTLING MOVIE

SWEET CHILD 0' MINE IN THE WRESTLER

Over-the-hill wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) opens the curtain to enter the ring for his final fight just as the first verse of his theme song - Gun N' Roses' Sweet Child O' Mine - kicks into life.

It's one of the greatest moments in any movie ever, and if it doesn't bring a tear to your eye, then you're not human.

Rourke's real-life status as a fallen 80s icon made the moment all the more poignant.

CREEPIEST COVER OF AN 80S TUNE FOR A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI FLICK

EVERYONE WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD IN THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

The original by Tears For Fears is fairly jaunty. An upbeat start-the-day tune for any future dictator.

But Lorde's cover version for the Catching Fire soundtrack takes it down a notch - or five.

She transformed it into a near-dirge, filling it with a darkness and cynicism that's perfectly appropriate for the theme of the flick.