I’ve always considered original scores to be a very underappreciated element of filmmaking, as many audience members rarely seem to take notice of the beautiful and indelible soundtracks that saturate many scenes throughout cinematic history. These scores serve an important purpose in audibly immersing the audience in a narrative via dramatic, unnerving or sorrowful tracks that evoke deep emotion inside them (even if they aren’t aware of it), greatly enhancing the cinematic experience. Here are some of my personal favourites…
Dune (2021) – Composer, Hanz Zimmer
Favourite Tracks: Herald of the Change, Ripples in the Sand
Drive (2011) – Composer, Cliff Martinez
Favourite Tracks: I Drive, Bride of Deluxe
Jaws (1975) – Composer, John Williams
Favourite Tracks: Main Title and First Victim, Quint’s Tale
Dunkirk (2016) – Composer, Hanz Zimmer
Favourite Tracks: The Mole, Supermarine
WALL-E (2008) – Composer, Thomas Newman
Favourite Tracks: 72 Degrees and Sunny, All That Love’s About
Arrival (2016) – Composer, Jóhann Jóhannsson
Favourite Tracks: Arrival, Kangaru
Halloween (1978) – Composer, John Carpenter
Favourite Tracks: Halloween Theme – Main Title, The Shape Stalks
Ratatouille (2007) – Composer, Michael Giacchino
Favourite Tracks: Ratatouille Main Theme, End Creditouilles
Jurassic Park (1993) – Composer, John Williams
Favourite Tracks: Welcome to Jurassic Park, Journey to the Island
The Neon Demon (2016) – Composer, Cliff Martinez
Favourite Tracks: The Neon Demon, Something’s in My Room
A Ghost Story (2017) – Composer, Daniel Hart
Favourite Tracks: The Secret in the Wall, Safe Safe Safe
Vertigo (1958) – Composer, Bernard Herrmann
Favourite Tracks: Prelude and Rooftop, Carlotta’s Portrait
The Shape of Water (2017) – Composer, Alexandre Desplat
Favourite Tracks: The Shape of Water, Elisa’s Theme
Nocturnal Animals (2016) – Composer, Abel Korzeniowski
Favourite Tracks: Revenge, City Lights
Edward Scissorhands (1990) – Composer, Danny Elfman
Favourite Tracks: Storytime, Ice Dance
The Social Network (2010) – Composers, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Favourite Tracks: In Motion, Painted Sun in Abstract
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Composer, Daniel Pemberton
Favourite Tracks: Visions Brooklyn 1, 2, 3, Spider-Man Loves You
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – Composer, John Williams
Favourite Tracks: Hedwig’s Theme, Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – Composer, Alexandre Desplat
Favourite Tracks: Mr. Moustafa, The War (Zero’s Theme)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) – Composer, Ennio Morricone
Favourite Tracks: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Ecstasy of Gold
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) – Composer, Alexandre Desplat
Favourite Tracks: Mr. Fox in the Fields, Boggis, Bunce and Bean
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) – Composer, John Williams
Favourite Tracks: Main Title, The Princess Appears
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) – Composer, Daniel Pemberton
Favourite Tracks: Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacey), Canon Event
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Composers, Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch
Favourite Tracks: Tears in the Rain, Blade Runner
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Composer, Jon Brion
Favourite Tracks: Theme From Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Bookstore
Great picks, I’d personally have to go with The Godfather, James Bond, Laurence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind and The Greatest Showman, to name a few!
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Amazing list! I personally would’ve included the Amelie soundtrack.
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