A fearsome and beautiful masterpiece: Themes from terrifying film scores
The role that music plays in horror films and suspense dramas is incredibly significant and important.
There are ways to evoke fear through silence, of course, but iconic theme songs often have the power to make you feel fear from the melody alone, or instantly conjure vivid scenes from the film.
Here, we’re introducing a collection of terrifying yet beautiful masterpieces, centered on classic horror movies.
Many of these tracks transcend the category of “film themes” and are used in all sorts of contexts—you’ve likely heard quite a few of them at least once.
You might even discover, “So this was from that movie?”
By all means, turn off the lights and enjoy with headphones!
- A spine-chilling, terrifying song. Japanese music that evokes madness and horror.
- [2026] Eerie BGM That Stokes Fear | Compilation
- A spine-chilling scary song: masterful tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs
- BGM for a haunted house. Scary music.
- [Ghosts & Yokai] Horror Song Collection [Monsters & Zombies]
- [Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies: those unforgettable classics and popular tunes
- Recommendation of Scary Music: That Song That’s Actually Frightening
- [Showa × Halloween] A roundup of chilling songs with scary lyrics and an unsettling atmosphere!
- Songs that amp up Halloween: a roundup of perfect tracks for party BGM!
- [Classical] Recommended classical music perfect for Halloween
- Which songs are often used on Instagram? A recommended music collection to make your Stories pop
- [Game Battle Music Compilation] Burning Fighting Spirit! Recommended Battle BGMs
- Chills down your spine. A collection of Vocaloid songs that are scary but irresistibly listenable.
Terrifying and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (11–20)
“Cell” from the film Parasite EveHisaishi Joe
From the soundtrack of the 1997 Japanese film Parasite Eve.
It is memorably used in the scene where, after overcoming a tragic accident, the protagonist loses his sanity and the story finally shifts into full-on horror.
The music is by Joe Hisaishi, renowned for his Studio Ghibli works.
Here, you can witness a completely different side of his talent from the soothing melodies he’s best known for.
Ave Satani from the film The OmenJerī Gōrudosumisu
The film The Omen, released in 1976, centers on the theme of the devil and is still renowned as a classic horror movie that has gone down in history.
Ave Satani is the movie’s theme song, and its title translates into Japanese as “Hail Satan.” The lyrics are written in Latin, which, conversely, creates a sense of fear stemming from the unknown.
Main ThemeRiz Ortolani
There probably aren’t many pieces whose impression changes as drastically as this one depending on whether you listen without any prior knowledge or knowing which film it’s the theme for.
Most people will likely find it beautiful the moment they hear the gently played acoustic guitar and the main phrase rendered by gorgeous strings.
You might be surprised to learn that such music serves as the main theme for a film titled “Cannibal Holocaust,” a title that would make the average person recoil.
Using deliberately beautiful music for a shocking horror movie is a technique you could call classical, and the prime example of that is this very theme from Cannibal Holocaust.
The composer, Riz Ortolani, a heavyweight who was nominated for an Academy Award for “More,” the theme from the mondo film Mondo Cane, is known for crafting many beautiful melodies.
In a sense, it’s remarkable—perhaps even audacious—how he chose to apply that talent here.
If you’re not fond of grotesque depictions, you can skip the film itself and simply enjoy this piece as beautiful music!
Zombie (Main Title)Fabio Frizzi
Guided by an ultra-minimal kick drum that sounds like it came from a rhythm machine, and drenched in a handmade-feeling, inorganic synth tone that’s both insanely cool and terrifying, this is a masterpiece among masterpieces! It’s the theme from the 1979 zombie film “Zombi 2” (known in Japan as “Sangueiria”), the work that, for better or worse, put Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci’s name on the world map, with music composed by Fabio Frizzi, Fulci’s famed collaborator.
It was even released at the time as a 7-inch single titled “Theme from Sangueiria,” which shows just how popular it was in Japan.
I feel the track, despite its simplicity, brilliantly captures the essence of “Sangueiria,” a film that approaches “zombies” from a different angle than George A.
Romero’s works.
Of course, if you watch the movie first and then revisit the track, the fear factor doubles—but be warned: the film itself contains quite a few shocking scenes, so it might be tough unless you’re fairly into horror.
Proceed with caution if you decide to take the plunge!
Chariots of PumpkinsJohn Carpenter
Halloween, the American splatter film series.
The theme song of this popular franchise is an intensely immersive track.
With its mysterious clattering sounds and dynamic swells, the arrangement creates the illusion of spiraling into panic—part of its appeal.
I definitely recommend listening with headphones.
Tales of the Unusual Main Title: “Garamon Song”Kuniaki Haishima
In Japan, this series, Tales of the Unusual, is also well-known for its focus on horror and the supernatural.
The opening melody is very famous, but what follows—especially the part that sounds like a children’s chorus—is incredibly eerie.
How about listening to the entire piece again, including the sections people don’t usually hear?
Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (21–30)
Theme song from the film ‘Suspiria’goburin
A lump of discomfort and anxiety.
Personally, the ominous percussion sounds are truly terrifying.
After layering wind noises and the eerie voice of a grim reaper onto the delicate, music-box-like tones heard in the opening and ending, the mysterious, beautiful melody and the whisper-like, raspy “na-naa” voice intensify the sense of madness.