The Umbrella Academyis based on the graphic novel series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. It was developed for television by Steve Blackman and Jeremy Slater. Premiering on Netflix in 2019, it centers around agroup of siblings with superpowers, who reunite as adults after their father’s death. They’re then thrust into an apocalyptic situation that they must work together to defeat – several times over the show’s three seasons, withthe most recent seasonfeaturing an apocalypse after their time travel creates a rift in the world. Music has always been a strong force on the show, featured everywhere from emotional moments to fight scenes. Here’s our ranking of the best music moments in season three.
11Luther and Sloane Meet in Secret to “Higher Love” – Lilly and Steve Winwood
Though the Umbrella Academy and Sparrow Academy are rivals, it doesn’t stop Luther (Tom Hopper) from forming a crush on Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez). He sneaks back to the Sparrow base and climbs in her window, with a slowed-down version of the song playing as they embrace. It’s a sweet moment that highlights Luther and Sloane’s growing romance, and one of the lighter moments of the season.
10Reginald and Klaus’ Car Ride to “Ride Wit Me” – Nelly feat. St. Lunatics
This song makes for a great scene simply because of its humor and absurdity. After Reginald (Colm Feore) has killed Klaus (Robert Sheehan), he brings him out to the country to continuelearning more about his powers. Klaus comes back to life on the way and interrupts the song by banging on the trunk. This song perfectly contrasts Reginald’s cold, calculating actions and strict, buttoned-up appearance, and creates a moment that’s both funny and sad.
9Luther’s Karaoke Performance of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
This is another song that’s memorable because of how fun it is. Luther sings this song on the karaoke machine at his bachelor party, the night before his wedding to Sloane. With the apocalypse growing ever closer, this was a fun, light moment amidst all the darkness. Luther’s horrible performance of the song and the reactions of his brothers makes this one of the funniest moments of the season.
8Reginald and Klaus’ Training to “Cats in the Cradle” – Ugly Kid Joe
Like “Ride Wit Me,” this song also creates a moment that’s funny and sad, as Reginald repeatedly makes Klaus get hit by cars to practice his ability of coming back to life. The song, which is about atense father-son relationship, perfectly underscores Reginald’s horrible parenting and manipulation of his children – and yet the scene still contains humor in Klaus’ annoyance with his father.
7The Umbrella and Sparrow Academies Fight to “No More Heroes” – The Stranglers
Minutes after their meeting (and after a false dance battle), the rival academies finally go head-to-head. It’s the first time seeing the Sparrows in action, and the scene does a good job at following all the characters through the house. The song is a perfect touch, questioning where heroes have gone as we watch these heroes instantly want to tear each other apart, setting up much of the season’s early conflict.
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6Diego’s Drugstore Fight to “Quando Quando Quando” – Engelbert Humperdinck
An odd choice for a fight scene, this song plays as Diego (David Castañeda) fights Jayme (Cazzie David) and Alphonso (Jake Epstein) in a drugstore. After the full group fight in the premiere, this is a smaller showdown that lets Diego and his fighting skills shine as he takes down the Sparrows on his own. It’s also a moment for him to bond with Stan (Javon Walton), the young boy that Lila (Ritu Arya) says is his son. The song, odd though it may be, works perfectly for both the fight and the father-son bonding.
5Umbrella and Sparrow Academies Celebrate to “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
After their plan to finally work together and destroy the Kugelblitz (almost) works, both academies celebrate and drink champagne with the Queen song –a favorite for movies and TV– playing in triumph. We see everyone let loose and dance together, their rivalry forgotten for the moment, even if the joy is short-lived.
4Everyone Contemplating Their Fates to “Bitter Taste” – Billy Idol
With oblivion on the way, Reginald tries to bring his kids to his side, and enter his mysterious project Oblivion, which can save them. Unsure what to do, everyone wanders around the hotel and wrestles with their emotions. The song is dramatic and emotional, a perfect fit for the weighty scene of everyone contemplating whether they want to believe Reginald and follow his plan to save the world, or just wait for their deaths.
This is another song featured the night before Luther’s wedding. The Hargreeves siblings have had their problems with each other, but they still sing theDirty Dancingclassic at Luther’s request. This moment lets all the brothers – minus Ben – come together and enjoy the moment. With the apocalypse nearing, and the characters’ fates unknown, this moment becomes even more special, and reflects how far their relationship has come.
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2Harlan’s Backstory to “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals
This song plays as we learn what happened to Harlan, the young boy Viktor inadvertently gave powers to in the show’s previous season. Now an older man, he comes to the Hargreeves family and saves them in a moment of need. This song plays as we see Harlan and Sissy move from place to place, until the day she dies and Harlan loses control of his powers. The song is chilling and effective as it’s revealed that Harlan is the reason the Hargreeves’ birth mothers were killed in this timeline.
