When it comes to horror films, what we see on screen is only half of the terror. The other half? The music that haunts us long after the credits roll, of course. Composers know how to evoke fear, tension, and dread with the perfect mix of melody, dissonance, and silence. Let’s dive into our picks of some of the scariest film scores of all time.

1. Psycho (1960) – Bernard Herrmann

The shrieking strings of Psycho are iconic in horror. Herrmann’s score is unsettling from the very first note, punctuating the film’s violence and unease. The high-pitched violin stabs during the infamous shower scene remain some of the most anxiety-inducing sounds in cinematic history.

2. The Exorcist (1973) – Mike Oldfield & Jack Nitzsche

Though Oldfield’s Tubular Bells wasn’t written for the movie, its ethereal yet ominous tone became synonymous with demonic possession after its inclusion in The Exorcist. Add Nitzsche’s eerie atmospherics, and you get a score that builds a deep sense of foreboding.

3. Halloween (1978) – John Carpenter

Carpenter’s minimalist yet menacing score for Halloween is legendary. His use of repeating piano motifs keeps listeners on edge, perfectly mirroring Michael Myers’ relentless pursuit. It’s proof that sometimes, the simplest music can be the most terrifying.

4. Suspiria (1977) – Goblin

Italian prog-rock band Goblin created an unsettling, almost otherworldly score for Suspiria. Their use of dissonant melodies, haunting whispers, and bizarre instrumentation gave this supernatural thriller an extra layer of madness. It’s hard not to feel creeped out with each spine-tingling note.

5. The Shining (1980) – Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind

The score of The Shining draws from classical pieces but is transformed into something deeply unsettling. Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind’s contributions blend with eerie atmospheres and dissonant strings, heightening the film’s overwhelming sense of dread and isolation.

6. Hereditary (2018) – Colin Stetson

Colin Stetson’s score for Hereditary is a masterclass in creating unease. The avant-garde composer uses unconventional woodwind techniques and distorted soundscapes to make listeners feel suffocated by the tension, much like the film’s characters as they descend into madness.

7. Jaws (1975) – John Williams

Sometimes, just two notes are all you need. Williams’ iconic theme for Jaws made a generation afraid to go into the water. The slow, rising tension of the score mirrors the lurking danger beneath the surface, and it’s the perfect example of how music can embody fear itself.

8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Charles Bernstein

Bernstein’s score for A Nightmare on Elm Street is dreamy and haunting, blending lullabies with eerie synths. This dreamlike quality matches Freddy Krueger’s nightmarish world, where the boundary between dream and reality is constantly blurred.

9. The Witch (2015) – Mark Korven

Korven’s use of period instruments, along with a stark, minimalistic approach, makes the score for The Witch feel like an ancient horror lurking in the woods. The eerie dissonance and vocal chanting create a suffocating atmosphere that leaves you anxious from start to finish.

10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – Tobe Hooper & Wayne Bell

Hooper and Bell’s score for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is less about music and more about pure sound design. Industrial noises, distorted sounds, and screams combine to create an oppressive auditory nightmare, giving the film its raw, chaotic energy.

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