While many love a good horror movie, a movie is only as good as the music that accompanies it. While some movies choose scores, some horror movies also implement a great soundtrack to go along with it. Often times that soundtrack becomes a recurring element throughout the film, enhancing the experience two fold. A good soundtrack is very important, and these are five great horror films with some Great soundtracks.
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
“Return” is very well known for its soundtrack as much as it is for re-inventing the zombie movie. The soundtrack is just packed with some excellent tunes that also help compliment the film’s momentum. There’s the iconic “Tonight We’ll Make Love Til We Die” from SSQ, Trash’s Theme also from SSQ, the great “Surfin’ Dead” from The Cramps, “Dead Beat Dance” from The Damned, and, my personal favorite, the film’s now iconic theme song: “Party Time” from 45 Grave.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Joel Schumacher’s horror comedy is famed for its great soundtrack which helps enhance an already great film. The soundtrack is only one of the many things I love about “The Lost Boys.” Among the great tracks there’s “Walk This Way” from Aerosmith and Run DMC, the film’s theme song “Cry Little Sister” from Gerard McMahon, the cover of “People are Strange” from Echo and the Bunnymen, “Lost in the Shadows” from Lou Gramm, and of course “I Still Believe” from Tim Cappello.
The Crow (1994)
Along with the great score by Graeme Revell, “The Crow” is another film complimented by the wonderful soundtrack. Since much of the film is steeped in industrial rock and gothic rock, there are a slew of great rock and roll tunes that just screams the 90’s. Just to name a few, there’s “Dead Souls” from Nine Inch Nails, “The Badge” from Pantera, “Burn” from The Cure (which plays during Eric Draven’s ultimate transformation in to The Crow), and of course “Big Empty,” from the Stone Temple Pilots, which was featured prominently in the movie’s trailers, and became a hit single from the group.
28 Days Later (2003)
Danny Boyle’s science fiction horror film is a film that mixes its score and music beautifully to help emphasize some key moments in the film. It’s such an influential soundtrack that many horror movies would borrow from. There’s the great “Taxi (Ave Maria),” the great “In Paradisum,” Grandaddy’s “A.M. 180,” the upbeat pop tune that plays during the groups raid of an abandoned market, “In the House—In a Heartbeat” which would be used and re-used by a ton of horror fodder in the early aughts. My personal favorite is the closing theme song “The Season Song” from Blue States, a perfect capper to such a grueling film.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Since “Shaun of the Dead” is a movie about Gen X’ers by Gen X’ers, the soundtrack is comprised mainly of eighties music and it’s filled with some absolute bangers. There’s the raucous “Can’t Stop Me Now” and “You’re My Best Friend” from Queen, “White Lines” from Melle Mel which is used in a hilarious context, there’s a great remix of “The Gonk” from “Dawn of the Dead” featured in the closing credits, “Panic” from The Smiths, and of course “Ghost Town” from The Specials, which opens the film. It’s just such a great list of pop and hip hop that becomes its own character by the end of the film.
What are some of your favorite horror movie soundtracks?