The 15 best-selling movie soundtracks of all time

The original film was released in 1978 (Moviestore Collection/REX Shutterstock)

When a blockbuster movie couples its box-office success with an equally influential soundtrack, the film's cultural impact and staying power can amplify exponentially. And the dollars add up, too.

Soundtracks hold prominent spots in the Recording Industry Association of America's lists of the best-selling albums of all time.

While some soundtracks like the ones for “Titanic” and “The Bodyguard” were bolstered by giant hit singles — “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, respectively — others soundtracks like Prince's “Purple Rain” became classic albums in their own right.

Check out the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time in the US, ranked:

15. “The Song Remains the Same” (1976) — Led Zeppelin

Copies sold: 4 million

Notable songs: “Rock and Roll,” “The Song Remains the Same”

14. “A Star Is Born” (1976) — Barbara Streisand & Kris Kristofferson

Copies sold: 4 million

Notable song: “Evergreen”

13. “High School Musical” (2006) — Various Artists

Copies sold: 4 million

Notable song: “Breaking Free”

12. “Frozen” (2013) — Various Artists

Frozen: female dialogue falls (only 41 per cent), but there's praise for Ana and Elsa's skills

Copies sold: 4 million

Notable song: “Let It Go”

11. “The Big Chill” (1983) — Various Artists

Copies sold: 6 million

Notable songs: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “My Girl”

10. “Flashdance” (1983) — Various Artists

Copies sold: 6 million

Notable songs: “Flashdance... What a Feeling,” “Maniac”

9. “Space Jam” (1996) — Various Artists

Copies sold: 6 million

Notable songs: “I Believe I Can Fly,” “Fly Like an Eagle”

8. “Waiting to Exhale” — Whitney Houston/Various Artists

Copies sold: 7 million

Notable songs: “Exhale/Shoop Shoop,” “Why Does It Hurt So Bad”

7. “Grease” (1978) — John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

Copies sold: 8 million

Notable songs: “You're the One That I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You”

6. “Titanic” (1997) — James Horner & Celine Dion

Copies sold: 11 million

Notable song: “My Heart Will Go On”

5. “Dirty Dancing” (1987) — Various Artists

Copies sold: 11 million

Notable songs: “(I've Had) The Time of My Life,” “She's Like The Wind”

4. “Forrest Gump” — Various Artists

Copies sold: 12 million

Notable songs: “Hound Dog,” “Respect”

3. “Purple Rain” (1984) — Prince

Prince was found dead in an elevator at his home in Carver County, outside Minneapolis (Getty Images)

Copies sold: 13 million

Notable songs: “When Doves Cry,” “Let's Go Crazy”

2. “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) — The Bee Gees

Copies sold: 15 million

Notable songs: “Stayin' Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love”

1. “The Bodyguard” — Whitney Houston

Copies sold: 17 million

Notable song: “I Will Always Love You”

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