Baby Driver squealed into theaters last week, debuting as the first great action movie of the summer. Sporting a top-shelf ensemble cast, inventive chase scenes—both on road and on foot—and one of the coolest soundtracks since Guardians of the Galaxy, the newest offering from director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) is pleasing moviegoers across the nation.

It is also presenting a new model for filmmakers: the movie-as-vehicle for a bitchin playlist.

Epic soundtracks have long been...