Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Space Cadet.

Space Cadet features an interesting story, unique characters, and a soundtrack that helps capture the movie’s mood and the characters’ ups and downs. The Space Cadet cast includes Emma Roberts as Rex Simpson, a woman in her 30s who dreams of becoming an astronaut. After some life detours, Rex recommits herself to her dream, making it to astronaut training despite not having the qualifications to be there, let alone in space. Yet, Rex beats all odds, even though it made the space movie unrealistic.

Space Cadet is classified as a romantic comedy, but the story focuses most of its attention on the comedic aspects. This allows the romance to build naturally over time, as it was just one part of Rex’s story but not the heart of her journey. Alongside these romantic-comedy elements are some emotional, heartfelt scenes that make it a true women’s empowerment movie. Space Cadet has an important message, and the music helps drive certain points home.

When Every Song On The Space Cadet Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

Space Cadet Uses Music To Great Effect Throughout The Movie

“What I Want” By Bagsy – The opening song in Space Cadet plays as viewers are introduced to Rex. A montage of her life as a Florida party girl and an animated sequence of journal entries that highlighted her dreams of going to space growing up offer a look at the juxtapositions within her character. Artist Bagsy blends pop and dance music, and “What I Want” associates Rex’s character with these genres.

“Selfish Soul” by Sudan Archives – As Rex and Nadine walk into their 10 year high school reunion, “Selfish Soul” by Sudan Archives plays. The chorus repeats the lyrics “I don’t want no struggles / I don’t want no fears” and “Am I good enough? About time I embrace myself and soul.” Rex struggles at the reunion with the expectations others have of her, and this song represents a shift in mood and how Rex views herself.

“It Was Bananas” by Hot As Sun – The Hot As Sun song plays as Rex talks to her other classmates, revealing somewhat underwhelmingly what she’s been up to in the past 10 years. The song’s high-energy instrumentals stand out, emphasizing just how little Rex herself does at that moment.

“Sleepy Town (Lektric Remix)” by AFTRHOURS & Lektric – A song that plays much more quietly in Space Cadet is “Sleepy Town (Lektric Remix).” This is because the focus is on the dialogue, as it plays while Rex catches up with Toddrick at the reunion. The AFTRHOURS song is about heartbreak, which suggests a potential romantic connection between the characters.

“magicalove” by Isaac Delusion – After talking to Toddrick, Rex decides to apply for NASA astronaut training. Isaac Delusion’s “magicalove” has a funky bassline and the song cleverly pauses whenever Rex gets down on herself for her lack of qualifications. The instrumental kicks back in when she tries to be positive, but the song is cut off when Rex seems like she’s giving up.

“Born to Be Wild” by Alana D – “Born To Be Wild” is a classic rock song released by Steppenwolf in 1968. Space Cadet plays a cover by Alana D as Rex arrives in Houston for astronaut training. The lyrics and the music fit Rex’s personality, and using a woman’s cover helps make it into a girl power anthem.

“What Girls Do” by Keys N Krates – A true girl power anthem is “What Girls Do” by Keys N Krates. The song plays during the montage where Rex and her astronaut training roommate, Violet Marie, help each other improve their weaknesses (Rex’s lack of knowledge and Violet Marie’s physicality). This scene is one of many in Space Cadet that draws comparisons to the classic Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy, Legally Blonde.

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen – When Violet Marie struggles during a treadmill endurance test, Rex sings “Call Me Maybe” to take her mind off the physical aspects of the test. Fellow Ascan (astronaut candidate) Captain Jack Mancini surprisingly sang with them, and the stuck-up Dr. Stacy Kellogg fell when she tried to tell them to shut up, making them the only three to pass. This represented a turning point for Rex and Violet Marie in Ascan, proving that sometimes the unconventional method is best.

“Onset” by Haiku Hands ft. Mad Zach – One of the many upbeat songs in Space Cadet is “Onset” by Haiku Hands featuring Mad Zach. The song plays during a training montage of Stacy and Rex going head-to-head after challenging each other.

“DANCE WITH ME TODAY” by Yb. – After Violet Marie is cut from the training program and the Ascans have suffered through weeks of hard training, Rex decides to lift everyone’s spirits by inviting them to a karaoke bar. In the background, “DANCE WITH ME TODAY” by Yb. plays, marking a return to positivity in Space Cadet.

“Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows – Rex had invited their supervisor Logan to karaoke, and he initially turned her down. However, as she sings the 1993 hit song “Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows, Logan surprises her onstage, making it a duet. While the scene may not show off their singing voices, it shows off the chemistry between their characters and Emma Roberts and Tom Hopper as actors.

“D.Y.S. (Defend Your Situation)” by CLYPSO – The Ascans’ biggest test in Space Cadet is a lengthy space simulation that sees them spend weeks in a model rocket. The CLYPSO song is another funky addition to the movie’s soundtrack, and the lyrics describe the importance of the test. She sings, “Defend your situation / Forget your reputation / Got so much more at risk,” which could be seen as foreshadowing for Rex.

“Dancing in the Moonlight” by HUESA – Space Cadet featured another cover of an iconic song, “Dancing in the Moonlight.” The HUESA cover plays when Logan discovers Rex made up her resume and she gets escorted out of the NASA training center by police officers. The slow, somber cover of the usually jubilant song reflects how much her situation has changed.

“Face Down in the Moment” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Space Cadet features an 8-month time jump from when Rex was kicked out of the training program to when the team went to space. “Face Down in the Moment” plays when Rex goes to see their liftoff and cheer them on. Once again, the lyrics reflect her situation, as the song is about the feeling that everything in your life is going wrong.

“We Are Free” by Zanillya ft. Humphrey Dennis – “We Are Free” is the comeback of the girl power anthems in the Space Cadet soundtrack, and it only makes sense that it would happen during a Rex and Violet Marie scene. The song plays as the former roommates and Ascans prepare to save the team. It represents a shift back to the earlier mood and vibe, suggesting order has been restored.

“Welcome to Paradise” by Green Day – The popular Green Day track is one of multiple examples of diegetic music in Space Cadet. The Ascans sing the song in the rocket as they celebrate the successful rescue mission. It turns into background music when Rex uses her journal once again to provide updates on what happened to everyone after the mission.

“Golden Nights” by Sophie and the Giants, Benny Benassi, Dardust & Astrality – It was only right that the last song in Space Cadet is a fun dance song. It plays right after Rex hugs Violet Marie & Nadine and says, “Do you think every time a party ends, a new one begins?” The song also becomes the first of two in the end credits.

“Space Girl” by Feinte & Djibouti – “Space Girl” by Feinte & Djibouti is the only song on the Space Cadet soundtrack written specifically for the movie. “Space Girl” matches the movie’s energy, with a vibe that can only be described as space-like with its multiple tempo changes and electronic backing. The title and its lyrics are a clear tribute to Rex.

Where To Listen To The Space Cadet Soundtrack

There Is Currently No Official Space Cadet Soundtrack On Major Music Streaming Platforms

With music playing such an important role in Space Cadet, it’s understandable that viewers would turn to their major music streaming platform of choice to listen to the soundtrack. Unfortunately, no official version of the Space Cadet soundtrack is currently available for streaming. “Space Girl” by Feinte & Djibouti was released on major music platforms on July 2, 2024, but some songs, such as the “Born to Be Wild” cover by Anna D, aren’t available for streaming on most platforms. Viewers can use the soundtrack list to make their own playlists on their favorite platforms.