Note Way Home: Top 10 Best Film Scores By Michael Giacchino

TV & Film

Sep 6

For the last 30 years, Michael Giacchino has made a tremendous impact on entertainment media with his vast musical talent. He’s composed scores for video games, television, and movies—there is no medium too big or too small for him. With his energetic action cues, memorable villain themes, and a knack for evoking emotion, Giacchino’s musical style knows no bounds. Additionally, his clever use of puns has inspired my own writing on this site, including the title of this article. Today, we will be exploring what I believe are his 10 best scores to date.

Before we begin, I would like to offer a small disclaimer. For the sake of consistency, we’ll only be focusing on Giacchino’s film work. While his work on the Medal of Honor series, Lost, and Werewolf by Night (which he also directed) are nothing short of phenomenal, focusing on just his film credits makes it more organized. With that out of the way, let the music begin!

Honorable Mentions:
Super 8 (Dir. J.J. Abrams)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (Dir. Jon Watts)
John Carter (Dir. Andrew Stanton)
Jojo Rabbit (Dir. Taika Waititi)
Inside Out (Dir. Pete Docter)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Dir. Matt Reeves)
Lightyear (Dir. Angus MacLane)
Tomorrowland (Dir. Brad Bird)
Jupiter Ascending (Dir. Lily Wachowski & Lana Wachowski)
Society of the Snow (Dir. J.A. Bayona)

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10. 'Doctor Strange' (Dir. Scott Derrickson)

When it was announced that a Doctor Strange movie was in the works, many fans speculated about what the musical score would sound like. While many thought that Christophe Young, a frequent collaborator of director Scott Derrickson, would compose the score, Michael Giacchino was chosen a few months before the film's release.

The score for Doctor Strange features classic heroic fanfares characteristic of the superhero genre, but it is Giacchino’s instrumental choices that make it unique and memorable. The incorporation of Indian influences, particularly the use of harpsichords and sitars, brings the world of Doctor Strange to life. The music is so otherworldly that even Paul McCartney compared one of the cues to The Beatles’ I Am the Walrus. Now that's a kind of magic you simply can't buy.

5 Best Tracks:
Strange Days Ahead
The Master of the Mystic End Credits
Post Op Paracosm
Sanctimonious Santcum Sacking
Smote and Mirrors

9. 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' (Dir. J.A. Bayona)

Stepping into John Williams' shoes isn’t easy, even for Michael Giacchino. After delivering an excellent score for Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, Giacchino raised the stakes for the sequel. The score for Fallen Kingdom feels less restrained, as if Giacchino allowed himself to fully explore the music rather than strictly adhering to tradition. While John Williams’ iconic main theme and the island fanfare are still present, and Giacchino reprises his own themes for the Jurassic World park, Owen Grady, and the Indominus Rex, it is the new material that truly stands out. The militaristic march for Ken Wheatley, the soft and lush theme for Maisie Lockwood, and the horrific, gothic theme for the Indoraptor are among some of the best Jurassic themes not composed by John Williams.

5 Best Tracks:
The Neo-Jurassic Age
At Jurassic World’s End/Suite
Thus Begins the Indo-Rapture
Go With the Pyroclastic Flow
March of the Wheatley Cavalcade

8. 'Ratatouille' (Dir. Brad Bird)

Michael Giacchino received his first Oscar nomination for the score of Ratatouille, which marked his second collaboration with director Brad Bird. This score allowed Giacchino to explore a wide range of musical styles, incorporating elements of traditional French music and the technique known as Mickey Mousing. The inspirational theme for Remy serves as the emotional centerpiece of the score, particularly memorable during the moment when Remy realizes he is in Paris. Additionally, the lively theme representing Remy's friendship with Linguini stands out as another significant highlight. It's no surprise that this score is featured in the France pavilion at Epcot.

5 Best Tracks:
Ratatouille Main Theme
End Creditouilles
Remy Drives a Linguini
Wall Rat
The Paper Chase

7. 'Star Trek' (Dir. J.J. Abrams)

Star Trek has featured many incredible composers, both in film and on television. Some of the best work from Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner was for Star Trek films, and Michael Giacchino is no exception. As a lifelong Trekkie, Giacchino brings his own unique sensibilities to traditional Star Trek music for J.J. Abrams’ acclaimed 2009 reboot. His main theme for the film is one of his most memorable creations. In my opinion, it stands on equal footing with Alexander Courage's iconic theme from the original series.

The End Credits suite cleverly combines Courage's original theme with Giacchino’s theme, which is a remarkable touch. Additionally, the poignant theme for Spock captures his struggle between being half-human and half-Vulcan, making it another standout moment in the score. While I consider this score to be Giacchino's best among his three (soon to be four?) Trek scores, his contributions to Into Darkness and Beyond, are also valuable additions to Star Trek's rich musical legacy.

For the best listening experience, I highly recommend the deluxe edition of the soundtrack.

5 Best Tracks:
Enterprising Young Men
End Credits
Frozen Dinner
Star Trek
Nero Death Experience

6. 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' (Dir. Gareth Edwards)

Michael Giacchino doesn’t fear time; rather, time fears him. After finishing the scores for films like Zootopia, Star Trek Beyond, and Doctor Strange, Giacchino received an offer he couldn’t refuse. Due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, Alexandre Desplat had to withdraw from scoring Rogue One, making Giacchino the next choice. The catch? He had to complete the score in just four weeks. Despite the tight deadline, he succeeded. Being the first composer to score a live-action Star Wars movie aside from John Williams is a significant challenge, but Giacchino rose to the occasion with exceptional skill.

The centerpiece of the score is Jyn’s Theme, a rich and uplifting melody that also carries hints of tragedy. Whenever this theme plays, it evokes strong emotions. Further highlights of Giacchino’s work include the themes for Director Krennic and the Guardians of the Whills. Additionally, Giacchino's incorporation of Williams’ material deserves special mention, particularly his masterful use of The Imperial March, which is regarded as one of the best in the franchise’s history. As Taika Waititi continues to work on his own Star Wars film, we can only hope he is Giacchino’s way in for a return to the franchise.

Like Star Trek, the best way to experience the score is with its expanded edition soundtrack.

5 Best Tracks:
Jyn Erso & Hope Suite
The Imperial Suite
Guardians of the Whills Suite
Your Father Would Be Proud
Hope

5. 'The Batman' (Dir. Matt Reeves)

In 2022, Michael Giacchino became part of an exclusive group that includes Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer: composers who have scored both a Batman movie and a Spider-Man movie. He was one of the first people hired for The Batman, marking his fifth collaboration with director Matt Reeves. We were introduced to his main theme during the reveal of the now-iconic costume test, showcasing Robert Pattinson as Batman for the first time. After a year of hearing those five chilling notes, Giacchino delivered one of the greatest DC film scores of all time, standing alongside the Batman compositions of Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, and James Newton Howard.

Giacchino's Batman theme is concise and impactful, while his theme for Bruce Wayne is deeply touching and heroic. His portrayal of The Riddler's theme is haunting, utilizing skillful combinations of soft choir voices and powerful horns. Additionally, he crafted the most remarkable Catwoman theme to date, perfectly capturing Matt Reeves’ film noir-inspired vision for the film.

While Giacchino has yet to be confirmed for The Batman: Part II, he will likely return to Gotham City in the near future.

5 Best Tracks:
The Bat’s True Calling
The Batman
Catwoman
The Riddler
A Bat in the Rafters, Pt. 2

4. 'Up' (Dir. Pete Docter)

Every composer has a signature score that is recognizable to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the film. John Williams is known for Star Wars, Ennio Morricone for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Hans Zimmer for Pirates of the Caribbean, and Howard Shore for The Lord of the Rings. For Michael Giacchino, that score is Up. This is his third Pixar film and his first collaboration with director Pete Docter. Giacchino's score for Up is arguably the most iconic score ever produced by the studio.

The most notable piece from the score, Married Life, accompanies a wordless sequence that beautifully narrates the love story of Carl Fredricksen and his wife, Ellie, in just four minutes. This sequence relies solely on stunning animation and a lively score to convey its message effectively. Giacchino also composes an energetic theme for the film’s main antagonist, Charles Muntz, reminiscent of classic film scores from cinema’s past.

While the Up score continues to be featured in charming animal videos on social media, Giacchino should take great pride in creating such a beloved score, which earned him a well-deserved Academy Award.

5 Best Tracks:
Married Life
The Nickel Tour
Seizing the Spirit of Adventure
The Ellie Badge
Up With End Credits

3. 'Coco' (Dir. Lee Unkrich)

In 2017, Michael Giacchino had a busy year, composing scores for several films including Matt Reeves’ War for the Planet of the Apes, Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Colin Trevorrow’s *The Book of Henry*. However, his standout work from that year was undoubtedly his score for Lee Unkrich’s Coco. While many praised the songs featured in the film, Giacchino’s score plays an equally vital role in bringing the world of Coco to life.

The soundtrack concludes with a five-minute suite that showcases a medley of the central themes of the score: a theme for the Land of the Dead, a theme for Miguel, a theme for Hector, and a theme for Mama Coco. These themes together comprise some of the most beautiful music Giacchino has ever created. Additionally, although they are not included in the suite, his themes for Dante and Lupita are significant highlights as well.

As Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina begin work on Coco 2, we can only hope that Giacchino will return to collaborate with them once again.

5 Best Tracks:
Coco - Día de Los Muertos Suite
Adiós Chicharrón
Fiesta con de la Cruz
Reunión Familiar de Rivera
The Show Must Go On

2. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' (Dir. Matt Shakman)

Call it recency bias, but I believe it's justified. Since 2015, I have been convinced that Michael Giacchino would be a perfect fit for a Fantastic Four film, should the team ever be incorporated into the MCU. While some fans pointed to his work on The Incredibles as a reason for his suitability, it was Giacchino’s compositions for Star Trek and Tomorrowland that truly made him an ideal candidate. And it paid off! Giacchino’s score for Matt Shakman’s excellent debut with Marvel’s First Family is nothing short of perfect.

The score embodies a sense of adventure, friendship, and optimism, making it one of the best in MCU history. The now-iconic main theme is pitch-perfect and stands alongside Alan Silvestri’s Avengers theme, Ludwig Göransson’s Black Panther theme, and Giacchino’s own Spider-Man theme as one of the finest in the MCU. His themes for Galactus and The Silver Surfer are equally beautiful and essential to the narrative of the titular team. With some of the best action cues of his career, Giacchino’s score for First Steps is nothing short of fantastic

5 Best Tracks:
The Light Speed of Your Life
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme Extended Version
The Other Sue Drops
Fantastic Four to Be Reckoned With
The Galactus/Silver Surfer Suite

1. 'The Incredibles' (Dir. Brad Bird)

Michael Giacchino's score for The Incredibles is widely regarded as a significant milestone in his career, establishing him as a prominent composer in the film industry. This score, which has maintained its status as one of Giacchino's best works for over 20 years, draws inspiration from John Barry’s compositions for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Giacchino approaches The Incredibles with a style reminiscent of a James Bond film, rather than that of a typical superhero movie. The score features strong jazz influences that elevate the energy throughout the film, even in quieter moments. The film's main theme, composed of just five memorable notes, is particularly impactful; its recognition often signifies that a thrilling moment is about to unfold. Giacchino also created engaging themes for characters such as Syndrome and the Omnidroid, adding depth to the film's musical landscape.

While this section focuses on the first Incredibles movie, it is important to acknowledge the memorable themes Giacchino introduced for characters like Elastigirl, Frozone, and Screenslaver in the sequel. Remarkably, The Incredibles was Giacchino's inaugural score for director Brad Bird, yet the seamless integration of the music into the film suggests an established collaborative history. As anticipation builds for the Parr Family’s third adventure, it is reasonable to expect that if Giacchino returns to compose the score, it will be nothing short of… incredible!

I regret nothing!

5 Best Tracks:
Life’s Incredible Again
Kronos Unveiled
The Incredits
100 Mile Dash
Bob vs. The Omnidroid

All 10 soundtracks included in this article are available wherever you listen to music.

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