13 Scariest Horror Soundtracks

The mid-’70’s through the mid-’80’s saw scores for horror films reach a pinnacle of brilliantly chilling extravagance Sasha and I have chosen 12 composers who gave us goosebumps in 13 films. Which frightening music of the night have we forgotten?

1. Psycho (1960) — Bernard Herrmann
2. Jaws (1975) — John Williams
3. Halloween (1978) — John Carpenter
4. The Exorcist (1973) — Steve Boeddeker & Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells)
5. The Shining (1980) — Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind
6. The Thing (1982) — Ennio Morricone
7. Poltergeist (1976) — Jerry Goldsmith
8. Carrie (1976) — Pino Donaggio
9. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) — Krzysztof Komeda
10. Cat People (1982) — Giorgio Moroder & David Bowie
11. Suspira (1977) — Goblin
12. Aliens (1986) — James Horner
13. The Omen (1976) — Jerry Goldsmith

Have a listen after the cut.

Psycho

Jaws

Halloween

The Exorcist

The Shining

The Thing

Poltergeist

Rosemary’s Baby

Carrie

Cat People

Suspira

Aliens

The Omen

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Not among our Top 13, but two lovely scores for two versions of the same story.

Let The Right One In (Johan Söderqvist)

Let Me In (Michael Giacchino)