What makes a horror film truly terrifying? Does it always need to be visually scary, with grotesque-looking bad guys running around remote and run-down locales? Is it a requirement to have a motley cast of characters killed off one by one? While audiences recognize many familiar tropes within the horror genre that have developed throughout the years, each film has its own unique way of creeping out its audience. The best horror movies are often amalgamations of typical horror elements, combined to create effective scares.
One of the most important factors in creating a genuinely spooky atmosphere within a movie is sound. The right soundtrack can immerse viewers in the world of the story, making them look over their shoulders even though they’re safe in their own home. The musical component of a horror film can put a new spin on recognizable tunes – like Jordan Peele’s remix of “I Got 5 On It” in Us – or create a sense of anxiety in the background with an original score. Some of the most iconic horror films have relied on all-new auditory styling that stays cemented in pop culture, decades after their releases. With that said, here are some of the best musical scores in horror movies, ranked.
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9 Saw (2004)
Lionsgate Films
The original Saw holds up as one of the great horror films of the 2000s. The score for the whole series was the brainchild of Charlie Clouser, a previous member of the hard rock band Nine Inch Nails. Applying his musical expertise to the films helped to develop an unsettling atmosphere to complement Jigsaw’s horrifying games. The swelling string instruments increasing in intensity as the soundtrack goes on gives the audience a sense of time running out, complemented by the pounding of drums. This score is perfect for the happenings within the plot, seeing as the characters are in a race against the clock against insurmountable odds.
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8 Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Paramount Pictures
Composed by Krzysztof Komeda, the score for Rosemary’s Baby juxtaposes the haunting voice of the titular Rosemary (Mia Farrow) against occasionally happy classical music that definitely sounds a bit “off.” Made to sound like a lullaby, the main titles of the film draw the viewer into what initially sounds like a mother’s love for her child. But, as the film progresses, chanting, choral music, and spooky strings are introduced into the soundtrack, welcoming Rosemary’s devilish new arrival into the world. Given the famous “gotcha” moment in this film, the score conjures up a sinking feeling for viewers as they make the horrifying realization right along with her.
7 A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
New Line Cinema
The musical component of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street expertly combines the futuristic synth typical of ’80s films with some classic auditory elements found in horror films. The resounding percussion within this score is peppered with whispers, gasps, electrical fizzles, breaking glass, and other stunning sounds. Altogether, it encapsulates the essence of this iconic film as Freddy Kreuger (Robert Englund) chases his victims through dreamscapes and waking nightmares. Equal parts campy and creepy, this soundtrack composed by Charles Bernstein definitely does the entire franchise justice.
6 Friday the 13th (1980)
Thanks to its music, the first Friday the 13th film can make even summer camp scary. With its piercing violin notes punctuated by trumpet blasts, and of course its trademark “chh-chh-chh, aah-aah-aah” vocal backing, Harry Manfredini’s score will have you hiding out in the nearest canoe. Developing a feeling of unease among campers and viewers alike, the spooky segments within this score are full of minor keys and dabbles in synth sounds – and let’s not forget the twang of the banjo that briefly creates a false feeling of down-home safety. It’s no wonder the Friday the 13th franchise is heralded as one of the best of all time.
5 The Exorcist (1973)
Warner Bros. Pictures
The otherworldly atmosphere created by The Exorcist expands far beyond Regan’s (Linda Blair) bedroom. When it was released, this film absolutely horrified mainstream audiences, possessing moviegoers with a spirit of fear that they hadn’t experienced before. An article by the AV Club rightfully called its 1973 release “a major cultural event,” in which many viewers left the theater crying and even physically ill. Besides the film’s sickening imagery, the score had a major part to play in its ongoing legacy. Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” became its recognizable main theme song, and director William Friedkin drew upon multiple different composers to bring the rest of the work to life with piano pounding and choral components. Most memorably, the haphazard plucking and screeching of strings sounds a lot like human screaming, culminating in hopeless crescendos and crashes.
4 The Shining (1980)
The aura of isolation created by The Shining is ultimately alluded to by not only its visual mountainous monotony, but by encapsulating the horrors of abuse through sound. Composed by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind, the score’s main title incorporates ominous low trumpeting and wailing effects as we follow the Torrance family into the towering Rockies. The negative energy builds with ear-piercing high notes and shredding violin accompaniment throughout the soundtrack, peaking with drawn-out repetitive peals as the terror takes hold. Finally, the haunting track “Midnight, The Stars, and You” echoes through the Overlook Hotel, creating an old-timey sense of unease and finality.
3 Jaws (1975)
Universal Pictures
Jaws definitely brought the genre of horror into the deep end in the ’70s. The film’s score balances the cheery tunes reminiscent of Amity Island – represented by flutes, trumpets, and major-key strings – with the bloody reckoning that the community undergoes. Under Steven Spielberg’s expert direction and John Williams’ stunning composition, Jaws primarily gathers suspense in a musical manner. This film builds emotions of anxiety through the lower trumpeting tones and the singsong taunting of its dark main theme, invoking the famed behemoth lurking in the depths. It undoubtedly set the standard for future shark movies to come, such as the recent release of Shark Bait.
2 Halloween (1978)
Compass International Pictures
John Carpenter’s Halloween stuns with a titillating backing track punctuated by staccato piano notes. The first installment in another beloved horror franchise, this film creates tension musically by layering tracks on top of one another, creating somewhat of an auditory sensory overload. The impending appearances of Michael Meyers (Nick Castle) are heralded by violin and cello choruses that build in intensity, while incorporating a bit of avant-garde synth as well. As the music swells in and out, viewers can’t help but keep Carpenter’s memorable melody in their minds. The highly anticipated Halloween Ends will bring a close to the series in October of this year.
1 Psycho (1960)
This list wouldn’t be complete without perhaps the most recognizable soundtrack in the world of horror. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, scored by Bernard Herrmann, staked its claim in the genre in a multitude of ways, but its foray into what the right score can do for a film is the most notable. The repetitive high-pitched shrieking of the violin as Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) raises his knife against Marion Crain (Janet Leigh) in the infamous shower scene is one of the most memorable movie moments of all time. Inducing a sense of anxiety that still shocks audiences, this film calls in its scares with just one simple note, repeated throughout various climactic scenes. Herrmann’s music relies on off-kilter-sounding stringed instruments, resulting in an iconic film that pioneered the slasher subgenre.
