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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Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (21–30)
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.
Ave Satani from the film The OmenJerī Gōrudosumisu
The 1976 film “The Omen” centers on the devil and is still renowned as a classic horror movie that has gone down in history.
“Ave Satani” is the film’s theme song, and its title translates into Japanese as “Hail Satan.” The lyrics are written in Latin, which, conversely, helps create a fear of something whose true nature is unknown.
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?
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.
MiseryMaaku Sheiman
The background music from the 1991 film “Misery” in Japan.
The movie is about a popular male author who is imprisoned and restrained by a female fan, and his attempts to escape.
However, the piano melody in this scene is somehow wistful, and it feels as though it expresses her complex emotions.
It’s a piece of background music that evokes something unfathomable in the film’s female lead.
From the film Princess Mononoke: ‘TA-TA-RI-GAMI’Hisaishi Joe
From the 1997 Studio Ghibli masterpiece Princess Mononoke, which grossed 19.3 billion yen, here is the theme of the Tatari-gami (Curse God).
The film’s world, said to have taken 16 years from conception to release, was truly beautiful, wasn’t it? At the same time, this piece is still scary even as an adult.
Theme song from the movie ‘Creepshow’Jon Harison
There are persistent rumors that “Yonimo Kimyō na Monogatari” ripped off this piece, but the truth is unknown.
Harrison’s music is characterized by an accessible touch that never relies on shock effects and includes just the right amount of melody.
Here, too, rather than aggressive horror writing meant to jolt or startle, he focuses on enhancing the sense of mystery, carefully building the atmosphere to leave a lasting impression—crafting ‘listenable’ horror music.