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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A Scary and Beautiful Masterpiece: Horror Movie Music and Theme Songs (1–10)
Theme Song of the Movie ‘The X-Files’māku sunou
This familiar song is the theme for the hugely popular sci-fi movie The X-Files.
Although it’s the movie’s theme, it’s also used as incidental music in TV programs and the like, so you hear it quite often.
A theme song with this kind of atmosphere is incredibly effective for films centered on the paranormal or mysteries.
The Kindaichi Case Files – The Mysterious Mallets – Extended VersionMidake Akira
This BGM from the TV drama “The Kindaichi Case Files” soundtrack is especially famous as a ‘trauma-inducing’ track.
The drama itself portrays scenes like the victims’ murders in a grotesque way, and this piece was used in those moments.
The sound is simple, but that simplicity gives it a cold feel—many people probably find it chilling to the bone.
PsychoBānādo Hāman
Inspired by a real crime that occurred in 1960, Psycho was adapted into a film.
The music was composed by Bernard Herrmann, who worked on numerous film scores.
His orchestral arrangement masterfully conveys urgency and fear.
Even today, the piece can make you feel uneasy.
Main Theme of the Movie “Resident Evil”Marilyn Manson
The main theme created by Marilyn Manson, famous for the Resident Evil series.
The music box perfectly captures the image of a city lurking with zombies, expressing a decadent beauty—truly a masterpiece.
Listening to it at night might even keep you from sleeping.
The theme song of the movie “Friday the 13th”Harī Manfuredīni
When it comes to horror movies, you just can’t leave out Friday the 13th.
The fun part of this track is definitely that high-pitched, screechy scariness—it’s the kind of BGM that instantly conjures up Jason’s mask.
It’s a spine-chilling theme song that amped up the 1980 splatter-film masterpiece!
THE TWILIGHT ZONE THEMEBānādo Hāman
This is the theme song from the American horror series The Twilight Zone.
The way the intro begins gives me chills—it feels quintessentially like a horror track.
Created solely with analog instruments at a time when synthesizers and electronic instruments weren’t yet popular, it’s an astonishingly well-crafted horror song.
Theme song from the movie ‘JAWS’John Williams
The immensely famous master of film music, John Williams, created this BGM signaling the approach of a shark.
The timpani and horn rhythm, combined with piercing strings and piano, convey the tension of the monstrous “shark” drawing near.
Even director Spielberg acknowledged it as a “major factor in the film’s success.” As expected from a genius—it’s terrifyingly effective!