15 Times Taylor Swift Songs Appeared in Movies & TV Shows

Depositphotos
Our Editorial Policy.

Share:

Taylor Swift’s catalog travels well on screen. Directors lean on her melodies to anchor key scenes, close out credits with feeling, and supercharge trailers that need a spark. From needle drops in teen dramas to original songs written for book adaptations, her work shows up in all kinds of productions.

Below are fifteen clear examples of her songs in movies and television. For each entry you will find where the track appears, the scene or placement that uses it, and any release details that connect the song to the project so you can track it down quickly.

‘Valentine’s Day’ (2010) – Today Was a Fairytale

'Valentine's Day' (2010) - Today Was a Fairytale
Warner Bros. Pictures

The song appears on the official soundtrack for ‘Valentine’s Day’ and was released to tie directly to the film’s theatrical rollout. It plays in the movie to reinforce the ensemble’s intersecting romance plotlines and is also used in promotional materials.

Taylor wrote and recorded the track specifically for ‘Valentine’s Day’, and the single arrived ahead of the film’s February release. The music video includes footage from the movie, which makes it easy to match the song to scenes and characters.

‘The Hunger Games’ (2012) – Safe & Sound

'The Hunger Games' (2012) - Safe & Sound
Lionsgate

Safe & Sound plays over the end credits of ‘The Hunger Games’, giving the first installment a subdued closing tone after the arena finale. The track appears on the companion album and is closely associated with the film’s marketing cycle.

The recording features The Civil Wars, and its minimalist production mirrors the movie’s stark setting. Viewers can hear the full song in theaters and on home releases where the credits sequence is intact.

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ (2022) – Carolina

'Where the Crawdads Sing' (2022) - Carolina
3000 Pictures

Carolina was written for ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and is used in the end credits of the adaptation. The song’s acoustic arrangement connects to the film’s coastal marsh setting and appears on the official soundtrack.

The track debuted in trailers leading up to release and was promoted as an original contribution to the movie. Its placement after the final scene lets the theme continue while credits roll without dialogue interruptions.

‘Fifty Shades Darker’ (2017) – I Don’t Wanna Live Forever

'Fifty Shades Darker' (2017) - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
Universal Pictures

I Don’t Wanna Live Forever appears in ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ during the film and over the credits, aligning the duet with the production’s central relationship. The track is part of the official soundtrack and was a key element of the movie’s audio branding.

The song arrived in advance of the film’s February premiere and featured heavily in television spots. Its inclusion in the closing sequence gives audiences the complete recording without competing effects.

‘Cats’ (2019) – Beautiful Ghosts

'Cats' (2019) - Beautiful Ghosts
Universal Pictures

Beautiful Ghosts is heard inside ‘Cats’ as an in-story performance by the character Victoria, and Taylor’s own version plays over the end credits. Both versions are connected to the film’s soundtrack releases, which list the song as an original written for the adaptation.

The credits placement allows Taylor’s rendition to run in full after the final number. The on-screen version uses the same melody with lyrics adjusted for the character’s perspective.

‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’ (2009) – Crazier

'Hannah Montana: The Movie' (2009) - Crazier
Walt Disney Pictures

Crazier is performed on camera by Taylor during a barn dance scene in ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’. The sequence functions as a live performance in the narrative, making the placement easy to spot during a standard viewing.

The track appears on the film’s soundtrack album alongside other featured songs. Because the performance is diegetic, the audio matches the visuals without a separate montage or voiceover.

‘Miss Americana’ (2020) – Only The Young

'Miss Americana' (2020) - Only The Young
Tremolo Productions

Only The Young was created for ‘Miss Americana’ and plays prominently during the documentary’s final stretch and into the end credits. The song is tied to the movie’s release window and was issued as a standalone single aligned with the film.

The placement ensures the full track is audible without dialogue once the credits begin. Viewers who watch through the end will hear the complete mix as it appears in the documentary.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ (2000–2015) – You’re Not Sorry

'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2000–2015) - You're Not Sorry
Alliance Atlantis

You’re Not Sorry appears in ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ in a special remix tailored for the series. The song is used within an episode that features Taylor in a guest role, and it also supported network promos related to that storyline.

This version of the track is known as the CSI Remix and differs from the album cut to fit the show’s mood. Fans can hear it during the episode’s dramatic sequences and in promotional clips that accompanied the broadcast run.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–present) – White Horse

'Grey's Anatomy' (2005–present) - White Horse
The Mark Gordon Company

White Horse is featured in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during a Season 5 episode that uses the song to underscore a pivotal hospital scene. The track appears in the show’s music cue list for that season and syncs with a sequence that pauses dialogue for a montage.

The placement aligns with the series’ reputation for contemporary needle drops. The song runs long enough in the episode for listeners to identify the arrangement and verse structure from the studio version.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022– ) – Cruel Summer

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' (2022– ) - Cruel Summer
Amazon Studios

Cruel Summer is used in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ during Season 2, matching scenes that highlight beach parties and character shifts. The track’s inclusion was part of the season’s music rollout and can be heard in full segments within the episodes.

The placement helped define the show’s seasonal sound, and the cue recurs in scenes that transition between plotlines. Viewers can find it in early Season 2 episodes where the ensemble converges at the house.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022– ) – The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' (2022– ) - The Way I Loved You (Taylor's Version)
Amazon Studios

The Way I Loved You appears in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ during Season 1 in a sequence that tracks the love triangle at the core of the story. The re-recorded version is used to align the soundtrack with updated masters.

The cue plays over a key gathering that sets up the finale stretch of the season. It is long enough on screen to identify the chorus and guitar break as they match the studio release.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022– ) – This Love (Taylor’s Version)

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' (2022– ) - This Love (Taylor's Version)
Amazon Studios

This Love appears in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ after being introduced in the show’s first season marketing. The track also features within the series to bridge reflective scenes that center on the lead character.

The placement ties the re-record to specific character beats in Season 1. Viewers can hear the song during a quieter stretch that follows a major event at the beach house.

‘Spirit Untamed’ (2021) – Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)

'Spirit Untamed' (2021) - Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version)
Universal Pictures

Wildest Dreams is used in trailers for ‘Spirit Untamed’, giving the animated film a recognizable hook in pre-release materials. The cue accompanies sweeping shots and action beats in official previews.

The version heard in marketing is the re-recorded take that matches Taylor’s updated release timeline. The placement is part of the studio’s public trailer campaign and is preserved in the widely distributed clips.

‘Glee’ (2009–2015) – Mine

'Glee' (2009–2015) - Mine
20th Century Fox Television

Mine is performed in ‘Glee’ Season 4 during the episode titled The Break Up, where the character Santana sings the song in rehearsal. The rendition is a cover recorded by the cast and appears in the episode’s official music release for that week.

The performance is staged with piano accompaniment and runs through the verses and chorus in full. Because it is presented as a rehearsal scene, viewers hear the complete vocal arrangement without background dialogue.

‘Sing’ (2016) – Shake It Off

'Sing' (2016) - Shake It Off
Universal Pictures

Shake It Off appears in ‘Sing’ as an in-universe audition performance delivered by the characters Rosita and Gunter. The film uses a cover version recorded by the cast for that sequence, which is included on the soundtrack compilation.

The scene arrives during the audition montage that introduces multiple acts. The excerpt is long enough to recognize the hook and makes the song a memorable part of the film’s early setup.

Share your favorite on-screen Taylor Swift moment in the comments so other fans can check it out too.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments