The Ultimate Guide: Unveiling Wham Songs' Spectacular Impact in Movies & TV

Wham! songs in movies and TV are used to create lasting memories for viewers. Wham!, the iconic British pop duo of the '80s featuring George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, was incredibly successful during the 20th century. Their records sold millions worldwide, and their songs have been incorporated into numerous films and series.

Even those unfamiliar with Wham! are likely to have come across their songs in a movie or TV show. Wham! songs bring depth, humor, and enrich the overall themes of various stories, spanning across romantic comedies, classic comedies, dark comedies, and gripping dramas. Filmmakers and showrunners from different genres continue to be influenced by Michael and Ridgeley's music, even long after the duo disbanded. It is no surprise that Wham! songs are still being featured in new releases, as their music provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable pop culture moments.

10 "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" In Zoolander

9 "Young Guns (Go For It)" In Scream Queens

One of the most memorable uses of Wham!'s "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" can be found in the iconic movie Zoolander, which is now over 20 years old. During a moment of introspection, Derek Zoolander, brilliantly portrayed by Ben Stiller, ponders if there is more to life than just being exceptionally attractive. In an attempt to uplift him, his fellow male models embark on a journey that leads to a whimsical montage featuring "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." This montage showcases Derek and his friends indulging in delightful orange mocha Frappuccinos. The absurd and comical conclusion of this sequence solidifies it as one of the greatest and most side-splitting uses of a Wham! song in any film.

Scream Queens, a darkly comedic horror series, cleverly combines elements of college comedy and slasher flicks. The show's soundtrack features an array of Wham! songs. In the first episode of Scream Queens season 2, titled "Scream Again," the story moves from a campus to a hospital recently acquired by Cathy Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis). As viewers are introduced to the first patient, the infectious Wham! track "Young Guns (Go For It)" sets the tone. Dr. Brock Holt (John Stamos) and Dr. Cassidy Cascade (Taylor Lautner), both hired by Munsch, stroll down a corridor and notice Catherine Hobart (Cecily Strong) with Werewolf Syndrome. This upbeat Wham! song effectively signifies the shift from the '90s to the '80s in the second season of Scream Queens.

8 "I'm Your Man" In Scream Queens

After the Red Devil commits a murder in episode 3 of Scream Queens season 1, titled "Chainsaw," a new ice cream mascot named Coney, played by Aaron Cohen (David Simpson), is introduced. Unfortunately, upon returning to his dorm room, Aaron is brutally attacked and killed by the Red Devil mascot, who wields a chainsaw. This chilling scene is accompanied by the upbeat '80s bopper "I'm Your Man" by Wham!, further emphasizing the show's unique blend of extreme violence and a lively atmosphere.

7 "Everything She Wants" In Private Practice

The Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice introduces Pete (played by Tim Daly) and Addison (played by Kate Walsh) as they assist a patient who is acting as a surrogate for her sister and sister's husband. In episode 17 of season 4, titled "A Step Too Far," a love triangle is unveiled involving the patient and the couple. Meanwhile, Sam (played by Taye Diggs), Addison's boyfriend, discovers her feeling unwell in the bathroom. Later, Addison questions her readiness for motherhood after receiving a negative home pregnancy test. The background song, Wham!'s "Everything She Wants," resonates with the struggles faced by the troubled couple in the song, eliciting empathy for one of the most divisive relationships in Private Practice.

6 "Careless Whisper" In Deadpool

5 "I'm Your Man" In Johnny English Strikes Again

is repeatedly and ironically used in movies for comedic effect, thanks to its sheer sensuality. Deadpool provides the best example of this. In the final scene, Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), finally kisses Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). However, he momentarily interrupts the tender moment by playing "Careless Whisper" on his phone, exclaiming, "Wham! As promised." This amusing callback to an earlier moment in the movie is enjoyed by Vanessa. Despite the interruption, the two continue kissing while the song grows louder and plays into the end credits. The credits even feature a tiny, animated Deadpool playing the saxophone and dancing to the music.

The spy action comedy film Johnny English Strikes Again concludes the popular franchise. As Johnny English (played by Rowan Atkinson) and Angus Bough (portrayed by Ben Miller) sit inside English's vibrant tomato-red V8 Aston Martin, Bough spots a cassette and assumes it to be one of the agent's clever gadgets. Curiously, he asks English, "What does this do, sir?" With a smirk, English swiftly responds, "It's a mixtape, Bough!" Moments later, English inserts the cassette into the player, and the melodic tune of Wham!'s "I'm Your Man" sets the backdrop for an unexpectedly heartwarming and nostalgic scene within an otherwise hilariously absurd movie.

4 "Freedom" In It's A Sin

3 "Heal The Pain" In Last Christmas

In episode 3 of It's A Sin, the miniseries delves into the lives of gay men in the UK between 1981 and 1991, with a particular focus on the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic. During this episode, a significant event occurs when Colin Morris-Jones, portrayed by Callum Scott Howells, unexpectedly experiences a seizure while working at the back of a copy shop. Subsequent tests disclose that Colin, along with two of his friends, has been diagnosed with AIDS. Adding to the emotional impact, the concluding moments of this episode are accompanied by the poignant sounds of Wham!'s "Freedom," a popular pop-rock anthem that resonates deeply with the youth. Through the song's themes of coming-of-age, this heartbreaking scene serves as a powerful conclusion, showcasing the irrevocable transformation that the characters of It's a Sin undergo.

In the romantic comedy Last Christmas, Kate (played by Emilia Clarke), an aspiring singer, finds herself stuck in a dead-end job as a mall elf, constantly moving from one friend's house to another in order to make ends meet. The movie, Last Christmas, unveils Kate's passion for singing during a heartwarming scene from her childhood, where she leads a church choir in Yugoslavia. A young Kate captivates the audience with a beautiful rendition of Wham!'s "Heal The Pain," which transforms the song into a powerful gospel piece. The film's title, Last Christmas, hints at its connection to George Michael and Wham! songs, which heavily influence its overall atmosphere and are prominently featured in the soundtrack.

2 "Last Christmas" In Last Christmas

True to its name, Last Christmas indisputably showcases the finest and most heartfelt utilization of one of Wham!'s greatest hits. Towards the conclusion of the film, Kate orchestrates a festivity for the homeless shelter where Tom (Henry Golding) had dedicated his time as a volunteer. Following an exceptional introductory speech that ties together the film's fundamental themes, an audience member persuades Kate to perform a song. Agreeing to the request, she commences a soul-stirring rendition of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" in an a cappella style, evoking memories of her moments with Tom. Abruptly, the curtain behind Kate opens, unveiling a band comprised of individuals from the shelter, flooding the room with the buoyant and familiar energy of the song, ultimately concluding the movie.

1 "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" In The Wedding Singer

In the '90s romantic comedy film, The Wedding Singer, Robbie (Adam Sandler) returns home intoxicated to find his ex-fiancée, Linda (Angela Featherstone), attempting to reconcile. The following morning, Robbie wakes up to the sound of Linda's voice serenading, "Wake me up before you go-go. Don't leave me hanging on like a solo." A minor slip-up replacing "solo" with "yo-yo," it momentarily displeases Robbie. This brief moment humorously illustrates the stark incompatibility between Linda and Robbie - a musician from the '80s who presumably adored Wham!