I have always loved listening to movie music. In fact, my Spotify Wrapped is always overtaken by artists like Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Lorne Balfe and Ludwig Goronsson. After watching a new movie, I'm in the habit of logging onto Spotify and adding my favourite tracks. I've even been to see a couple of live orchestra performances of my favourites, which were amazing experiences.
I thought it might be fun to collate a roughly ranked list of 100 of my favourite scores as of January 2023. A couple of disclaimers: This won't be according to 'most iconic' because I'm sure dozens of those lists already exist, so if you're wondering why Psycho, The Godfather or Jaws isn't on here, it's not because I don't love those soundtracks (I do), it's just that I don't listen to them much outside of the films. This is very much a list of the music I personally love to listen to. I have also limited it to 1 track per movie, television show or video game.
With that said, here is Part 2 of 5 of my list. I'll link each Youtube track but you can also find my full Spotify playlist including many, many more tracks here!
80) Heptapod B - Arrival (2016)
by Jóhann Jóhannsson
Jóhann Jóhannsson's score for Arrival is unlike any other soundtrack on this list. The other-worldly style of the music feels completely embedded in the world of the film, and its odd tempo is a perfect way of capturing the unfamiliarity of a language we can't quite understand.
79) We Know What You Whisper - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
by Ludwig Göransson
It didn't seem possible to step up from his work in the first Black Panther, but Ludwig Goransson found a way. 'We Know What You Whisper' uses the theme he established in the first film for the Dora Milaje, a group of highly-skilled female warriors. Aside from being incredibly soulful and emotional, the music for Black Panther and its sequel is often just so damn cool.
Honourable mentions: Wakanda Forever, Vengeance Has Consumed Us, Sirens, Namor, T'Challa
78) Soldiers - Stranger Things (2016-)
by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
It's synth, it's '80s, it's mysterious: Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein's music for Stranger Things is undoubtedly iconic. 'Soldiers' feels quintessentially Stranger Things and makes me want to gear up to fight a Demogorgon.
Honourable mentions: Main Theme, Eleven, Aftermath
77) Main Theme - Daredevil (2015-2018)
by John Paesano
Speaking of iconic Netflix opening titles, Daredevil's is up there with the ones that are illegal to skip (don't fact check that). If Disney+ don't bring this theme back for the series' upcoming revival, they will have failed at the first hurdle.
Honourable mentions: Battlin' Jack Murdock, Daredevil, Not Another Hallway,
76) Making Water - The Martian (2015)
by Harry Gregson-Williams
The Martian is an incredibly rewatchable movie, based on Andy Weir's novel of the same name. It follows the familiar narrative of a rescue mission, but the story's - and score's- focus on science, discovery and collaboration makes the movie refreshingly thoughtful. The music's balance between serenity, optimism and solitude is wonderful.
Honourable mentions: Mars, Sprouting Potatoes, Crossing Mars, See You In A Few
75) The Final Game - The Queen's Gambit (2020)
by Carlos Rafael Rivera
Classical style music is, of course, a perfect fit for this period story about a chess prodigy, but my favourite thing about Rivera's score is how Beth's motif is repeated throughout the show. In her earlier matches, her theme is gentle and quietly confident. 'The Final Game' which, unsurprisingly, plays during Beth's final chess match against grandmaster Borgov is absolutely euphoric and makes an epic out of a single chess match.
Honourable mentions: Beth's Story, Training With Mr. Schaibel, Ceiling Games, Playing Beltik
74) Epilogue - The Theory of Everything (2014)
by Jóhann Jóhannsson
Jóhann Jóhannsson's score for The Theory of Everything was one of the first I remember listening to, so while it does remind me of studying for exams, I have a lot of nostalgia for the music from this Oscar-winning biopic. 'Epilogue' is still one of the most beautiful scores to come out of a recent drama.
73) Shoulder Touch - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
by Daniel Pemberton
Daniel Pemberton makes another appearance on this list with his energetic, madcap and heartfelt score for Into the Spider-Verse. A particular highlight in the movie is how Miles' theme blends with the song 'What's Up Danger',' but 'Shoulder Touch' which plays during Kingpin's defeat, is a brilliant culmination of Miles' arc and a satisfying finale. Pemberton's ability to layer electronic and orchestra components is just genius.
Honourable mentions: Into the Spider-Verse, Only One Spider-Man, Visions Brooklyn 1,2,3, Are You Ready to Swing, The Prowler, Miles Morales Returns, Spider-Man Loves You
72) The Veil of Time - Outlander Season 1 (2014)
by Bear McCreary
McCreary might not be Scottish, but it's clear how much research and dedication has been done to honour Scottish music in the creation of the original soundtrack for Outlander. Of course, that means bagpipes, but he also captures the mythic quality of this historical show, an intangible feeling of fate and love and timelessness.
71) Oogway Ascends - Kung Fu Panda (2008)
by Hans Zimmer & John Powell
Who would have thought that Kung Fu Panda of all movies would give us such a beautiful piece? Playing during Master Oogway's death, 'Oogway Ascends' is a spiritual track that makes this scene peaceful rather than sad.
70) Crossing Into Darkness - Agents of SHIELD Season 3 (2016)
by Bear McCreary
Consider this part of my ongoing plea for ABC to release the original soundtrack albums for Agents of SHIELD seasons 2-7 on Spotify. Just like the show, McCreary's score rewards long time viewers, continually evolving the main theme along with the narrative until it reaches a glorious and bittersweet crescendo. Daisy Johnson's Quake theme is a particular highlight but it's the track 'Crossing Into Darkness' which is a perfect encapsulation of the way Bear blends sincerity with superhero flourish. This piece never fails to evoke a love for the characters and their journey.
Honourable mentions: Daisy's Theme, A Spy's Goodbye, Ghost Rider Theme, The Heroism of LMD May
69) The Room of Requirements - Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix (2007)
by Nicholas Hooper
One of my favourite parts of the Harry Potter books and films is when both the students and teachers of Hogwarts band together in their hatred of Dolore Umbridge and try to subtly (and not so subtly) defy her. In the case of the main trio, this comes in the form of creating Dumbledore's Army. The score ‘The Room Of Requirements’ accompanies a fun montage where the DA train whilst evading Filch's attention.
Honourable mentions: Fireworks, Professor Umbridge, Possession. Dumbledore's Army, Umbridge Spoils a Beautiful Morning, A Journey to Hogwarts, Ministry of Magic
68) Waking Up - Oblivion (2013)
by M83
Oblivion is one of the most visually stunning sci-fi's of the last decade. M83's epic score enhances every shot of sweeping vistas, ravaged architecture and exhilarating action sequences. A great soundtrack (and film) for pure vibes.
Honourable mentions: Jack's Dream, Fearful Odds, Undimmed By Time Unbound By Death
67) God of War - God of War (2018)
by Bear McCreary
Bear McCreary is killing it on this list! If anyone asked me to point them in the direction of an epic soundtrack, this is what I would point towards. Just listen to the piece above - the choir, the horns, all of it! God of War's music is bombastic, tragic, mythical, brutal, strong and vulnerable all at once. This is a video game with brutal violence and plenty of dark themes, but it's also a father/son story about a family grieving a terrible loss. McCreary's score is able to enhance the most epic set pieces of the game, but also complement the more understated interactions during Kratos and Atreus' journey to understand each other.
Honourable mentions: Memories of Mother, Witch of the Woods, Ashes,
66) Now We Are Free - Gladiator (2000)
by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
'Now We Are Free' is one of the most beautiful scores of all time (and Tina Guo's rendition on her electric cello is possibly better). It's brilliant that Hans Zimmer composed such an emotional score for a movie about Roman gladiators and the music makes the entire movie feel just as grand and sweeping as classics like Ben-Hur. The decision to center this track around Lisa Gerrard's stunning vocals gives the theme a simultaneously angelic and haunting quality.
65) Idyll's End - The Last Samurai (2003)
by Hans Zimmer
The Last Samurai is an underrated movie starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe and based on the eradication of the Japanase Samurai in the 1870s. 'Idyll's End' perfectly encompasses the tranquility of Japanese customs, but also the fierceness of the Samurai warriors.
64) Past/Present Suite - Andor (2022-)
by Nicholas Britell
Perhaps putting this so high is recency bias, but I haven't stopped thinking about Andor since it aired late last year. Though the show's strongest elements are its sharp script and memorable performances, the human moments at the center of everything are what makes it sing. 'Past/Present Suite' plays over a montage that beautifully cuts back and forth between adult Cassian fleeing Ferrix and young Cassian being rescued by his adoptive mother, Marva. It's the moment I knew I was hooked on the show.
Honourable mentions: My Name is Kino Loy, Eulogy, Niamos!, Pilgrim
63) Stairs and Rooftops - Mission: Impossible Fallout (2018)
by Lorne Balfe
Mission: Impossible Fallout is undoubtedly one of the best action movies ever made. It's an absolute thrill-ride from start to finish and Lorne Balfe's score, which builds off of the original iconic theme, is a huge reason why the film has so much momentum. 'Stairs and Rooftops' is a great one to listen to for motivation (perhaps while running like Tom Cruise).
Honourable mentions: A Storm is Coming, Cutting On One, Free Fall, Escape Through Paris, The Exchange
62) No Man's Land - Wonder Woman (2017)
by Rupert Gregson-Williams
You may think it was simple for Rupert-Gregson Williams to write a score for 2017's Wonder Woman when Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL laid the foundations with such an instantly iconic, badass theme for the hero back in 2016. However, what I appreciate the most about Williams' work is that he refrains from using the full theme until the peak of the movie, when Diana runs across No Man's Land and saves a town. The build-up during her run is so powerful, and hearing the full theme for the first time afterwards is incredibly effective.
61) Field Trip - Finding Nemo (2003)
by Thomas Newman
Finding Nemo may be a movie from 2003 but it holds up almost perfectly. Nemo's first school trip is a stunning showcase of the beauty of Pixar's animation and the music makes every colourful coral reef, sea creature and ray of light through the water so magical.
I also just wanted to give a shout-out to a few soundtracks that didn't quite fit into the scope of the list. Swiss Army Man's utterly unique acapella is probably more of a musical than a score, Whiplash's Caravan and Big Little Lies' September Song were not originally written for their respective movies and the same for 'Arrival of the Birds' from The Theory of Everything.
I do not own any of the images used in this post.