Best Horror Movie Music and Soundtracks – The Mary Sue

Music helps shape moments, scenes, and atmosphere. Playing the wrong song can ruin a scene in a film. This is why its important to have a good soundtrackespecially in horror. True you can say this about any genre, but you can absolutely ruin the vibe of a horror movie by including the wrong songs.

Lets face it, you wouldnt hear a ballad during a Michael Myers chase scene. Unless somehow it was necessary/applicable to the movie itself. What are the best horror movie scores and/or soundtracks? How do you narrow that down? To be frank its impossible to shuffle through all the horror movies ever and decide as such. But what I can do is gather some from recent years.

As said in the above paragraph, Im going with soundtracks from recent years. And this soundtrack is by far one of the best. Halloween had been silent as a franchise since the Rob Zombie remakes. Leaving fans to wonder if the franchise would ever return and what would become of it. Once Halloween (2018) was announced as a direct sequel to the original film, fans went wild. And with the new sequel came a soundtrack that felt fresh. All credit goes to John Carpenter, his son Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies. Having John Carpenter and his son team up to not only give us memorable scores, but a more modern take on the original theme is *chefs kiss.*

Top tracks (all by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies):

Sure, the scores arent bad in this sequel to the terrifying home invasion horror movie, The Strangers (2008). But the standout music in the film are the other songs played throughout. All of them chosen specifically to give The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018) that 80s slasher vibe. There are scenes in the movie that are quite iconic because of the song choices. Such as a pool scene that has Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler playing over it. And a burning truck scene chase that includes Making Love Out of Nothing at All by Air Supply. The faults found in his movie certainly cant be the soundtrack.

Top tracks:

I Got 5 On It by Luniz will never be listened to the same way again after this film. Jordan Peeles movies (or at least the trailers) know how to remix songs. With Us (2019), the remix of I Got 5 On It is a real bop. And the scores for this film are, for lack of a better word, beautiful. Not that anyone expected anything less from Jordan Peele, who has such a love for the genre. Its obvious a lot of care went into this soundtrack. And it helped create a terrifying but striking experience. While its not always the favorite between all the horror movies Jordan Peele has made or had a hand inits got one of the best soundtracks of the few.

Top tracks:

Having queer horror be directed and written by folks in the community is special. Queer narratives being told from people who arent straight isnt asking too much. In fact, it should be more commonplace than it is. Not to mention having actual queer people playing queer characters. Freaky (2020) was a smash hit and became beloved quite quicklycementing it as one of the best modern slashers. Which happens to have a good soundtrack! All of those intense, hilarious, and fantastic musical moments shape the viewing experience. From pop sensation, Dua Lipa to the bop that is Suck My Cherry by Haiku Hands being played during the end credits. Plus, the scores are by Bear McCreary, meaning they were bound to be splendid.

Top tracks:

Anna Taylor-Joy shines in yet another horror movie (please, put her in more horror)! Its not to say shes the only good performer, though shes the standout. This psychological horror movie is so visually appealing, even if the main character is obsessed with the 60s (please, dont let me get started on how the cishet white girl froths over this time period). However, the soundtrack is wild (in a good way, of course). Anna Taylor-Joy even covers Downtown by Petula Clark.

Top tracks:

While this isnt the best in the trilogy, it doesnt falter with its soundtrack (despitehow frequently the songs play throughout the movie). The Fear Street trilogyfor horror fans and folks who loved the booksgave us quite the thrill ride. With all three movies releasing on a Friday, it gave us something to look forward to. In terms of the soundtrack, Marco Beltrami (who also composed/helped compose the scores for Scream 1-4) knocks it out of the park alongside Marcus Trumpp. Combine that with the song choices and youve got a jam worthy soundtrack.

And its hard not to think about Deena (Kiana Madeira)and Sam (Olivia Scott Welch) when listening to Hey by Pixes now.

Top tracks:

This is one of those horror movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll. And the soundtrack is really no different. Theres a combination of modern to throwback songs that help shape the bizarre world youre thrown into. Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones dancing to Youre Not Good Enough by Blood Orange and Endless Summer Nights by Richard Marx are moments made especially memorable due to the song choices. Definitely one of the best horror movies of the year.

Top tracks:

After a decade, the Scream franchise was resuscitated and we got a new film. Of course, it leaves a bit of a sour taste in fans mouths since Wes Craven (who passed away in 2015) wasnt able to be involved. But Scream 5 (2022) is a love letter to Wes and the franchise. We saw the return of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and Dewey (David Arquette). And were blessed with a new generation of talented performers. Especially our queer icon, Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown), Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), Amber Freeman (Mikey Madison) and the other cast members. The soundtrack for this movie is superb, the scores are so atmospheric, and its all around one of the most put together horror soundtracks. At least to me it is!

Top tracks:

(featured image: Netflix)

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Best Horror Movie Music and Soundtracks - The Mary Sue