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!
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Terrifying and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (11–20)
Carnival of Souls – Main TitleGene Moore
One of the fun aspects of getting into horror films is discovering that truly great music often lies not in world-famous, globally celebrated works, but rather in those with a cult following and passionate niche acclaim.
Made in 1962, Carnival of Souls is a quintessential classic of cult horror and is even said to have inspired The Sixth Sense.
Beyond the film itself, its soundtrack—composed entirely for pipe organ in light of the protagonist being an organist—has earned high praise.
Even if you don’t know the film, you can likely sense from the melodies the unsettling, ominous atmosphere, and yet a certain mystical aura, all expressed with exquisite balance.
It’s the kind of appeal you can savor precisely because it’s the music of a film so different from Hollywood blockbusters—lacking in lavishness or polish, steeped instead in that low-budget cult vibe.
If this has piqued your curiosity, by all means check out the feature itself!
The ThingEnnio Morricone
In July 2020, the maestro of film music, Ennio Morricone, sadly departed for heaven.
His achievements—spanning works like the Grammy-winning The Untouchables and the globally acclaimed Cinema Paradiso—are far too vast to be summed up in a short passage, but even among horror aficionados, Morricone’s music holds a special significance.
In fact, Morricone scored many early Italian horror films as well.
The piece I’m introducing here is the main title from John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi horror masterpiece The Thing.
The way that heartbeat-like low tones reverberate within the snowbound, quasi-closed space of an Antarctic base is terrifying! Despite having almost no flashy elements, it perfectly captures the creeping dread of an unknown lifeform and the ominous foreboding of the carnage to come—truly remarkable.
Due to various circumstances, half of the music Morricone composed was not used in the film itself, but an album reconstructed by Morricone—including the unused tracks—has been released, so those who are interested should definitely check it out!
Profondo RossoGoblin
The tense, suspenseful intro, the melodious bass line, and that utterly iconic main melody phrase layering together and then suddenly shifting into a full band sound—no matter how many times I hear it, it’s breathtakingly cool, beautiful, and terrifying! It’s the super-famous theme from the 1975 Italian horror masterpiece Deep Red, whose soundtrack was created by Goblin, one of the most popular bands in Italian progressive rock.
When you think of Goblin, of course Dario Argento’s Suspiria is also famous, but it was Deep Red that truly put their name on the map.
Looking at the original title, those unfamiliar with the background might wonder why there’s no trace of the word “Suspiria” at all, but Deep Red’s original title is Profondo Rosso.
After Suspiria became a hit in Japan in 1977, the earlier Profondo Rosso was released under the title Suspiria Part 2—a very era-specific marketing move.
It’s kind of scary in its own way how the Japanese distributor of the time boldly sold it as a sequel despite the works having no connection whatsoever!
Tuesday Suspense Theater – Opening Theme –KIMORI Toshiyuki
When it comes to Japanese horror-suspense, this song is the definitive pick! The theme from “Tuesday Suspense Theater”—I bet many of you used to look forward to the drama series that began with this track.
The music itself feels like it tells a story, and the vocals come in around the one-minute mark.
Give it another listen after all these years!
“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.
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!
Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (21–30)
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!