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All 30 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography

Throughout her career, Ariana Grande has deeply entwined her brand as a musician with film. From her annual Halloween costumes (the most popular ones referencing Creature from the Black Lagoon, Little Shop of Horrors, and Showgirls) to naming her pets…

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography

Throughout her career, Ariana Grande has deeply entwined her brand as a musician with film. From her annual Halloween costumes (the most popular ones referencing Creature from the Black Lagoon, Little Shop of Horrors, and Showgirls) to naming her pets after characters from Harry Potter and The Aristocats, it’s been no secret that Grande is a well-versed film connoisseur. 

Given her taste in film, one of the things Grande does best is reference her favorite movies in her music! It’s a different approach to leaving easter eggs, but it does a more efficient job at marketing than other artists, who may only leave clues related to future releases.

A Comprehensive List of Films

With that being said, here is the first comprehensive list of all 30 films throughout Ariana Grande’s discography and music videos!

30. Batman Returns

the boy is mine” eternal sunshine (2024)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Batman Returns (1992) | The Boy Is Mine (2024)

In a surprise twist, Grande dedicates the music video for “the boy is mine” to Batman Returns (1992) by dressing up as Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. The vigilante tracks down Penn Badgley in the video, who supposedly plays Bruce Wayne (though credited as Max Starling).

29. Once Bitten

the boy is mine” eternal sunshine (2024)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
The Boy Is Mine (2024) | Once Bitten (1985)

The Jim Carrey obsession is real with Grande, as she dedicates yet another song to a Carrey-starred project. To start, the song itself interpolates the lyrics “the boy is mine” from the song Hands Off by Maria Vidal, featured in the film. In a small callback, Grande wears lace on her hands in the music video as she tries to feed Penn Badgley a love potion.

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Once Bitten (1985)

28. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” eternal sunshine (2024)

eternal sunshine” Ariana Grande (2024)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) [2024] | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

When Ariana said her childhood crush was Jim Carrey, she really meant it. Following her divorce, and subsequent online criticism, Grande found solitude in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’s concept and titled her 7th album after the movie. 

Along with the release of the album, Grande dropped the music video for “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”. Playing a parody of Kate Winslet’s character Tangerine (codenamed to Peaches), Grande references many iconic scenes from the movie with Evan Peters, who was invited to play Peaches’ ex-lover. The two even recreate the iconic poster from the movie!

27. Sixteen Candles

we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” eternal sunshine (2024)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) [2024] | Sixteen Candles (1984)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind isn’t the only movie referenced in the video, however. In one scene of the music video, Grande and Peters recreate the iconic ending of Sixteen Candles where Sam (Molly Ringwald) and Jake (Michael Schoeffling) finally kiss at the end of her birthday. 

The shot that they ended up taking for the video is one of my absolute favorites ever. The recreation is genuinely stunning, and director Christian Breslauer does a gorgeous job at making the take individual for Ariana. 

26. Don’t Look Up

Just Look Up” (with Kid Cudi) Don’t Look Up (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) (2021)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi performing “Just Look Up” in Don’t Look Up (2021)

Stepping away from her music videos, Grande has been involved in the production of quite a few films herself! Most recently, she was invited to play Riley, a mega pop star, in 2021’s Don’t Look Up, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Grande collaborated with Kid Cudi for the soundtrack, releasing their single “Just Look Up” the week before the movie. Though a satirical song, Grande and Cudi really executed their mission of creating a banger with political undertones to only be appreciated for its tune at the end of the day.

25. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

34+35″ Positions (2020)

Boyfriend” (with Social House) Boyfriend – Single (2019)

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) | 34+35 (2020)

Austin Powers is clearly one of Grande’s favorite movies of all time, and she takes inspiration from the movie’s Fembots on three occasions. In the “Boyfriend” music video, heart lasers come out of her chest as she shimmies, referencing the Fembots’ bra pistols. The second instance is “34+35”, as the entire music video is Fembot-themed, with Grande and her crew dancing robotically throughout. Finally, Grande upgrades the Fembots’ bra pistols to missiles in the “Break Free” music video.

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Ariana Grande’s Bra Missiles in Break Free (2014)

24. Metropolis

34+35″ Positions (2020)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Metropolis (1927) | 34+35 (2020)

To compliment the female robot theme from Austin Powers in “34+35”, Grande cleverly references Metropolis with a nod to the iconic robot, Maria! 

23. Charlie’s Angels (2019)

Don’t Call Me Angel” (with Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Ray) Charlie’s Angels (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

Bad To You” (feat. Normani, Nicki Minaj) Charlie’s Angels (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

Nobody” (feat. Chaka Khan) Charlie’s Angels (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

How I Look On You” Charlie’s Angels (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

Got Her Own” (with Victoria Monet) Charlie’s Angels (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography 10
Ariana Grande, Lana Del Ray, and Miley Cyrus for Don’t Call Me Angel (2019)

For 2019’s Charlie’s Angels, Grande was tasked with creating the soundtrack for the movie, of which she’s featured in five of the eleven tracks. For the title-interpolated track “Don’t Call Me Angel,” Grande invited friends Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Ray to join her, composing one of the most bizarre collabs in history, though it strangely works. Out of the five tracks she’s on, I’d highly recommend “How I Look On You” and “Got Her Own,” two very underrated songs in Grande’s discography.

22. Dumb and Dumber

Boyfriend” (with Social House) Boyfriend – Single (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
[Top] Dumb and Dumber (1994) | [Bottom] Boyfriend (2019)

Collaborating with her Sweetener World Tour opener Social House, Grande uses the music video to reference yet another Jim Carrey movie (maybe if I name my album Wicked: Part Two, then Ariana would notice me), 1994’s Dumb and Dumber. In the video, Michael Foster (of Social House) references the scene where Carrey’s character, Lloyd, rips out a heart.

21. The Nutty Professor

Monopoly” (feat. Victoria Monét) Monopoly – Single (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor (1996)

In the surprise single to celebrate her Sweetener World Tour, Grande and Victoria Monét’s collab “Monopoly” jokingly mentions Eddie Murphy’s Cletus from “The Nutty Fropessor” (yes, I spelled that right. Peak pop!) in an adlib at the end.

“I don’t care where you been, ho (Been); Where you been, Cletus?; Yeah, who? (What?) Clevus?; Who the fuck is Cletus?; It’s from, um; Cletus? Girl; Nutty Fropessor; We have to wrap, five, six, seven, eight; Yeah”

20. The Sound of Music

7 rings” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
“My Favorite Things” scene from The Sound of Music (1965)

In her number one smash hit “7 rings”, Grande combined her love for musicals and pop music by interpolating the classic song “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Cheekily, she shares that her favorite things are her 6 best friends and, of course, her money!

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Ariana Grande for 7 Rings (2019)

19. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

7 rings” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Another comfort movie of Ariana’s, Grande opens “7 rings” listing Breakfast at Tiffany’s as one of her “favorite things.” 

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s and bottles of bubbles…”

7 rings” thank u, next (2019)

18. Mean Girls

Boyfriend” (with Social House) Boyfriend – Single (2019)

thank u, next” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Mean Girls (2004) | Thank U, Next (2018)

Easily the most iconic film reference of Grande’s career, Mean Girls is the central theme of her first number-one single, “thank u, next.” The music video was a home run for her career, and even invited Jonathan Bennett back to reprise his role as Aaron Samuels! The video references the “Regina did it, so I did it” scene, the Burn Book, The Plastics, and even recreated the Jingle Bell Rock scene. (With Kris Jenner playing Amy Poehler’s character recording the show.)

Grande also references Mean Girls in the “Boyfriend” music video, as she references Cady’s fantasy of pouncing on Regina by pouncing on a random extra.

Boyfriend (2019) | Mean Girls (2004)

17. Legally Blonde & 16. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde

“thank u, next” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
[Top] Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) | [Bottom] Thank U, Next (2018)

But the “thank u, next” references don’t stop there! The video references Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2 with scenes of Grande studying law with her dog, Toulouse; working out like Elle Woods; and conversing with Jennifer Coolidge, reprising her role as Paulette, in her nail salon, even referencing the bend-and-snap dance scene. Check out this deleted scene of Paulette taking back “her fucking dog.”

15. Bring It On

thank u, next” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
[Top] Thank U, Next (2018) | [Bottom] Bring It On (2000)

But the “thank u, next” references don’t stop there!! The music video also references The Clovers and The Rancho Carne Toros from Bring It On in a celebrity cameo-fest of Grande’s friends, including Daniella Monet, Colleen Ballinger, and Victoria Monet.

14. 13 Going On 30

thank u, next” thank u, next (2019)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
13 Going on 30 (2004) | Thank U, Next (2018)

But the “thank u, next” references don’t stop there!!! Ending the video with a homage to Jennifer Garner’s 13 Going On 30, Grande transforms herself into Jenna Rink to recreate the dollhouse scene. 

13. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

“Beauty and the Beast” (with John Legend) Beauty and the Beast (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2017)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
John Legend and Ariana Grande performing “Beauty and the Beast”

In 2017, Grande had the amazing opportunity to perform for the end credits of the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. In a spectacular duet with John Legend, the duo effortlessly breathed new life into the iconic title track.

12. Sing

Faith” (Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2016)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Sing (2016)

The soundtrack of Illumination’s 2016 movie Sing featured generationally iconic covers by Seth MacFarlane, Jennifer Hudson, and Tori Kelly. Stevie Wonder was invited to create an original song for the album, bringing on Ariana Grande as a feature on the track “Faith,” even creating a music video for promotion.

11. Hairspray Live!

Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” Hairspray Live! (Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event) (2016)

Without Love” Hairspray Live! (Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event) (2016)

Come So Far (Got So Far To Go)” Hairspray Live! (Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event) (2016)

“You Can’t Stop The Beat” Hairspray Live! (Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event) (2016)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Cast of Hairspray Live!

Connecting with her musical roots once again, Grande joined the NBC event Hairspray Live! cast as Penny, Tracy’s best friend. Grande sings verses on four different tracks for the live recording, though her role was limited in the production.

10. Trolls

They Don’t Know” TROLLS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2016)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Trolls (2016)

An original song for the soundtrack of the first Trolls, this Justin Timberlake-produced song (Timberlake is also featured in the background vocals) brought on Grande to sing for the trailer. 

9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

All My Love” (Major Lazer feat. Ariana Grande) The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pt 1. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Jennifer Lawrence for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part 1)

The Hunger Games soundtracks have always featured iconic artists such as Lorde, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Maroon 5, and Taylor Swift. Ariana Grande is no exception! For the third installment in the franchise, Major Lazer invited Grande to feature on the EDM track “All My Love.” 

8. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
[Top] Break Free (2014) | Star Wars (1977)

Deciding to go with a space theme for the “Break Free” music video, Grande knew she couldn’t miss the opportunity for a Star Wars-esque opening crawl. The message reads as follows:

‘WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS IS SCIENTIFICALLY AUTHENTIC. IT IS JUST ONE STEP AHEAD OF PRESENT DAY REALITY AND TWO STEPS AHEAD OF PRESENT DAY SEXINESS. PREPARE YOURSELF TO ATTEMPT TO CONCEIVE AN INCONCEIVABLE OUTER SPACE ADVENTURE. BRACE YOURSELF FOR SOMETHING SO FANTASTICALLY FANTASTICAL YOU’LL SOIL YOURSELF FROM INTERGALACTIC EXCITEMENT. GET READY TO…’ “Break Free” by Ariana Grande starts playing.

Additionally, the video shows Grande applying a lipstick lightsaber and Zedd launching the ship into hyperspace at the end. I also like to think this video predicted the future, as it was controversial at the time for a split-second gay kiss, in a scene strangely reminiscent of the split-second lesbian kiss in The Rise of Skywalker.

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Break Free (2014) | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

7. Barbarella

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
[Top] Barbarella (1968) | [Bottom] Break Free (2014)

Though the opening crawl references Star Wars, Grande spends the video making a much more niche reference by paying homage to Barbarella. Dressing up as the 1968 scantily clad “Queen of the Galaxy” proved her cinephilic taste very early in her career. Throughout the video, Grande can be seen floating around without gravity, a nod to the opening credits sequence of the film. 

6. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Break Free (2014) | 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Grande makes some smaller references throughout the “Break Free” video, and this one’s a detail that’s very easy to miss. When Grande is seen singing in the spaceship with the hexagonally shaped interior, she’s subtly referencing the hallway from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

5. Star Trek

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 29 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Break Free (2014) | Star Trek: Voyager

Though she dresses as Barbarella, the visual aesthetic of Space throughout the video matches Star Trek’s. Additionally, there’s a quick scene where Grande’s seen beamed up into her dance party spaceship, pulling straight from the concept of the Holodeck.

4. Planet of the Apes

Break Free” (feat. Zedd) My Everything (2014)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Break Free (2014) | Planet of the Apes (1968)

Though absolutely not as disturbing, the quick scene where Grande helps the caged humans “break free” from the story’s space villains is a nod to the caged humans in Planet of the Apes

3. American Beauty

The Way” (feat. Mac Miller) Yours Truly (2013)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Mena Suvari in American Beauty (1999)

American Beauty is mentioned during Mac Miller’s verse, as a pun, on Grande’s “The Way,” off her debut album Yours Truly

“…Come and watch a movie with me, American Beauty…”

The Way” (feat. Mac Miller) Yours Truly (2013)
All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Mac Miller and Ariana Grande for The Way music video (2013)

2. Bruce Almighty

“The Way” (feat. Mac Miller) Yours Truly (2013)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty (2003)

In the subsequent line, Miller finished the pun with a bait and switch, choosing to reference Bruce Almighty. The film also ironically stars Jim Carrey, making it a perfect reference in regards to Grande.

“…Or Bruce Almighty, that’s groovy, just come and move closer to me”

The Way” (feat. Mac Miller) Yours Truly (2013)

1. Wicked

Popular Song” (with Nathan Sykes) Yours Truly (2013)

All 28 Films Featured In Ariana Grande’s Discography
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for Wicked (2024)

In an astonishingly full circle moment for Grande, “Popular Song,” off her first album, interpolates Popular, Kristen Chenoweth’s solo for the character Glinda, who Grande will portray in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the stage musical later this year. 

Though included on her album Yours Truly, the song is actually MIKA’s, with Grande invited on as the featured artist through their common label at the time.

If you liked this article, please be sure to check out some of our other articles and reviews here at Feature First. Thanks for reading!

Based in Chicago, Illinois. An aspiring singer and director, Bhargav is currently pursuing his undergrad in Marketing, Information & Decision Sciences, and Film in Chicago. Since co-founding Feature First, Bhargav focuses on industry analyses, box office reports, quality movie reviews, and helping maintain consumer engagement across all social platforms.