The perfect intersection between harmless soft rock and deafening heavy metal, AC/DC has a unique sound that even people who aren’t fans of rock music can agree is awesome. They’re one of the most successful bands in rock history. Both Rolling Stone and VH1 have recognized AC/DC as one of the greatest rock bands in the world, while Back in Black is the third bestselling album of all time.
From setting the stage for Iron Man’s debut in The Avengers to exemplifying the badassery of Mark Wahlberg’s character in comparison to Will Ferrell’s in Daddy’s Home, AC/DC’s music has made some pretty memorable appearances in the movies.
“Gone Shootin’” In Beavis And Butt-Head Do America
Translating Beavis and Butt-Head to the big screen was no easy feat because the show mostly revolved around the titular duo sitting on the couch, watching TV, and commenting on what they were watching, which isn’t exactly cinematic.
In Beavis and Butt-Head Do America, the pair’s TV is stolen, so they have to go on a road trip to find it. After Butt-Head wore an AC/DC t-shirt throughout the entire series, the band’s track “Gone Shootin’” appeared in the movie.
“Thunderstruck” In Deadpool 2
While it didn’t quite feel as fresh as its predecessor, Deadpool 2 continued to subvert audiences’ expectations. In the second act, ‘Pool assembles a new team of superheroes called the X-Force.
All the characters are played by major stars, seemingly setting up a new franchise, and then when they jump from a plane to carry out their first mission — set to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” —– they all die horrifically in quick succession.
“T.N.T.” In Talladega Nights
After making Anchorman, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay came up with the idea for the next movie at a NASCAR race. They reportedly sold the pitch to Sony with just six words: “Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver.”
There are plenty of great songs in the movie — from Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” — and one of them is AC/DC’s “T.N.T.”
“You Shook Me All Night Long” In Private Parts
Howard Stern and the staff of his radio show played themselves in Private Parts, a comedic biopic adapted from the autobiographical parts of Stern’s book of the same name. Not many biopics star the subject as themselves, but Private Parts works beautifully.
In addition to AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” Private Parts’ soundtrack includes songs by Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, the Ramones, Deep Purple, and Stern himself.
“Shoot To Thrill” In The Avengers
After Iron Man’s first solo movie opened with “Back in Black” and Iron Man 2’s whole soundtrack was made up of AC/DC songs, the band had become pretty closely associated with Tony Stark.
So, it was appropriate that for his introduction in The Avengers, as he shows up to fight Loki alongside Captain America, Joss Whedon chose to play “Shoot to Thrill.”
“Highway To Hell” In School Of Rock
Jack Black plays the career-defining role of Dewey Finn in School of Rock. He’s a wannabe rocker who gets ejected from his band, poses as his roommate, takes a job as a substitute teacher, realizes some of his students are gifted musicians, and inducts them into his new band.
His lead guitarist Zack is used to playing acoustic, so Dewey teaches him a few riffs to help him learn how to play electric guitar, including “Smoke on the Water,” “Iron Man,” and “Highway to Hell.”
“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” In Shoot ‘Em Up
Michael Davis’ Shoot ‘Em Up, named after the video game genre, stars Clive Owen as a gunslinger who is tasked with protecting a newborn baby from legions of armed henchmen.
To match the intensity of the movie’s nonstop action, Davis filled it with rock ‘n’ roll hits, including AC/DC’s aptly titled “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It).”
“Thunderstruck” In Daddy’s Home
Will Ferrell stars in Daddy’s Home as a newly married stepdad who’s trying to win over his wife’s kids when their badass biological father comes to stay. He’s played by Mark Wahlberg, one of Ferrell’s greatest foils.
When Ferrell goes to pick up Wahlberg at the airport and he comes down the escalator in slow-motion, “Thunderstruck” blares on the soundtrack.
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” In Bridesmaids
When Annie’s best friend Lillian gets engaged in Bridesmaids, she meets her new affluent friend Helen and immediately becomes envious. This envy manifests itself as intense competitiveness when Annie and Helen face each other in a tennis match.
AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” plays over the mean-spirited match, which is appropriate because the warring bridesmaids resort to playing dirty to win.
“Back In Black” In Iron Man
Jon Favreau’s Iron Man opens in medias res as a military convoy drives Tony Stark through war-torn Afghanistan. A soldier asks him for a picture as “Back in Black” plays on the soundtrack.
And then, the convoy is attacked. Tony is flung from his vehicle and before he’s kidnapped by terrorists, he’s blown up by a bomb bearing his own company’s logo.
