Top 10 Movie Soundtracks That Give Us Chills

While this dystopian political thriller uses some notable existing music, most prominently the “1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky, it also has some exceptional original tracks. Composed by Dario Marianelli, the soundtrack perfectly accompanies the growing revolution in this fascist version of the UK. The moody darkness that pervades much of the early parts of the film gradually gives way to the bombastic horns as the people rise up against injustice. The soundtrack arguably reaches its transcendent peak during moments like Evey’s rebirth, or the climactic revolution scenes, which never fail to give us the tingles. We “know of no reason” why this soundtrack “should ever be forgot”!

Everything about this superhero/thriller film is iconic, and that includes its soundtrack! Jointly composed by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, it is perhaps best characterized by the thundering drums and horns of its action sequences. Another standout track is the Joker’s theme, appropriately titled “Why So Serious?” It heavily uses strings and alternates between two notes, even utilizing razor blades to achieve the eerie, unnerving sound the piece is known for. But whether its music is warm, resonant, or sets our teeth on edge, “The Dark Knight” soundtrack gives us “serious” chills!

Composer Dennis McCarthy worked on four different “Star Trek” shows, but he also brought his talents to the big screen. As something of a crossover event between different eras of “Trek,” the soundtrack blends styles together wonderfully. Tracks blend the choral music favored in “TOS” with the orchestral style favored in “Next Generation.” Meanwhile, Kirk’s theme in the film is brassy, and features snare drums. The music is especially effective in the action sequences, where it punctuates everything from fisticuffs to space battles. This soundtrack is every bit as epic as this crossover deserves, and “boldly goes” to some incredible heights.

Given that it’s a musical, “The Prince of Egypt” naturally has a great soundtrack. The historical epic’s music was crafted by Stephen Schwartz and Hans Zimmer. Tracks range from inspired gospel, to hauntingly beautiful atmospheric pieces, to fast-paced, energetic tunes. Both the songs with words and the background score lend the film a weight and majesty that’s rarely been equaled by other animated projects. Many live-action ones have trouble keeping up too, for that matter! Even if the music doesn’t get you to believe, it will still stir plenty of souls and send shivers down your spine.

Hans Zimmer strikes again! This time, the composer collaborated with Lisa Gerrard for this historical action epic. Maximus’s journey of revenge would probably only be about half as spectacular without this phenomenal score! The standout is naturally the battle music, which never fails to get us pumped up. However, plenty of other numbers get all our littlest hairs standing on end. Commodus’s theme is eerie and unnerving. Meanwhile, the sweeping strings and grandiose drums lend every shot of ancient Rome a sense of scope and history. The crown jewel though is perhaps the finale, which is sung by Gerrard, and invokes chills and tears in equal measure!

Hans Zimmer really has the market cornered on epic movie soundtracks. However, not only do the “Dune” films not sound like Zimmer’s other work, they don’t sound like anything else, period! At once primal and completely alien, their soundtracks are a spectacle of sound. The immersive numbers use everything from electric guitar to soaring strings to choral voices to achieve a wholly unique feeling. We’ve certainly rarely heard something like the Sardaukar’s throat singing! As a whole, the “Dune” music has a transportive effect that hits like a dose of the Spice.

Come on, you didn’t think we’d forgotten John Williams, did you? The seasoned composer has many fantastic films to his name (many in collaboration with Steven Spielberg). But we’d argue that his most stirring is “Jurassic Park.” The many scenes of dinosaurs running amok during the disaster at the park send our spines a’shivering. Where the soundtrack truly excels though, is in conveying the moments of amazement and wonder. “Journey to the Island” and the “Theme from Jurassic Park” notably possess incredible splendor, giving us chills all over. This is pure auditory magic.

It’s a Christopher Nolan movie - do we need to tell you who scored it? It’s Hans Zimmer. It’s Hans Zimmer again. “Inception” is well-known for the blaring brass fanfare that pervades many of its most intense moments. It’s certainly perfect for the larger-than-life feeling of being inside a dream. However, the heavily electronic score is more than just loud noises that give us a thrill. Its themes, particularly the famous track “Time,” are filled with regret, tragedy, and longing. Much like “Inception” itself, this soundtrack is a long dream that we are always reluctant to wake up from.

To call composer Howard Shore’s soundtracks for these epic fantasy films “masterpieces” would somehow be an understatement! “The Lord of the Rings” movies have some of the most acclaimed and celebrated scores in cinema, and for good reason. The sheer range involved is incredibly impressive. There’s the light-hearted Shire music giving way to the epic fanfare of the Fellowship, and dark, foreboding tracks like “The Bridge of Khazad-dûm.” Scenes like the Last March of the Ents or the Ride of the Rohirrim have our bodies covered in chills thanks to Shore’s unparalleled score. The sweeping orchestral music paired with plaintive vocals, often sung in Elvish, creates a timeless, ethereal sound that simply can’t be beat!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Man of Steel” (2013)
Like Kal-El, This Soundtrack Achieves Incredible Heights

“The Matrix” franchise (1999-)
In a Word - “Whoa!”

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)
Wonder Distilled

“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Melancholic, Hopeful, & as Perfect as the Rest of the Film

“Spider-Man” (2002)
Gets Our Spidey Senses Tingling Every Time!

There is no denying that “The Lion King” soundtrack slaps! The songs are utterly unforgettable and certainly goosebump inducing. There’s the sinister grandiosity of “Be Prepared.” There’s the perfect romance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” And if something doesn’t stir deep inside when you hear “Circle of Life”? Check your pulse! The score is also fantastic and it’s composed by, you guessed it, Hans Zimmer. African and orchestral elements lead to “The Lion King” soundtrack having “more to hear than can ever be heard.” We never tire of trying to experience it all.

Is there a spine-tingling movie soundtrack you’re feeling chilly towards us for forgetting? Don’t give us the cold shoulder - rain down your favorites in the comments!