The 9 Greatest Film Scores Of The 21st Century

TV & Film

Aug 26

Music has always been integral to a film, breathing life into the most action-packed or deeply emotional scenes. 21st-century films have beautiful musical scores you can listen to and appreciate, and here are nine of the best ones.

9. 'Interstellar'

Interstellar has one of the most iconic and recognizable film scores, capturing the excitement yet eeriness of going into space. The main theme enhances the heart-gripping scenes too. Just think of the docking sequence or the videos where Cooper’s children age.

The film was initially released in 2014, though it returned to the big screens last year for its 10th anniversary. During its rerelease, it made about $203.2 million domestically, which means many new generations were able to experience the film scoring in all its glory in theaters.

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8. 'La La Land'

Emma Stone's early musical theater background contributed to La La Land’s film scoring. Plus, if you happened to watch Barbie, you know Ryan Gosling has his own set of pipes. However, or as acclaimed as “City of Stars” became, the show-stealer on the soundtrack is “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme.”

The heartbroken melody behind this song captures the essence of knowing that the relationship will end, but feeling bittersweet about it anyway. Accompanied by the movie's visuals, it’s challenging not to tear up.

7. 'Up'

Speaking of sobbing, Disney’s Up has one of the most memorable soundtracks. “Married Life” was the background music for the sequence that showcased the ups and downs of Carl and Ellie’s love life prior to his old age.

The waltz sound was utterly compelling, painting the dance between the couple throughout their journey. Even without dialogue, you can feel how tear-jerking it is, especially when it drops to a slower harmony.

6. 'The Hateful Eight'

Ennio Morricone’s score for The Hateful Eight is a masterclass in tension-building. Morricone, known for his iconic work in spaghetti westerns, returned to the genre with a chilling composition that elevates the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere and won him his first competitive Oscar.

The score is paired with the traditional folk ballad “Jim Jones at Botany Bay,” adding a layer of historical and emotional depth, and its use is unfortunately notable due to the shocking destruction of a priceless 150-year-old Martin Guitar during the scene. According to C.F. Martin, the guitar was a parlor-style antique, distinguished by its unique shape and historical importance. Due to a miscommunication on set, the guitar used was not a replica but an actual museum-quality instrument, making the moment genuinely gut-wrenching for both viewers and historians.

5. 'The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford'

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a slow, meditative western with intentional writing and deeply introspective characters. The soundtrack, composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, is filled with subtle, melancholic pieces that add to the film’s overall mood.

“Song for Bob” is one of the best-known tracks — a melancholic masterpiece that reflects the emotional push and pull between Robert Ford and Jesse James. At times, it’s full of hope and adoration, but there’s also an underlying melody of mourning that echoes throughout the entire score.

4. 'The Batman'

Not to be confused with Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight franchise, The Batman (2022) was quite a treat. Michael Giacchino’s score, especially the recurring theme and “Sonata in Darkness,” was a masterful composition that played throughout the film and into the credits, sparking deep contemplation about the story.

Whether you’re a DC fan or not, the score undeniably captures the complexities and moral dilemmas that the superhero has to face. Although the sequel has been delayed until 2026, the extra time will hopefully lead to an even more heartfelt soundtrack.

3. 'Gladiator'

Hans Zimmer, who also created the music for Interstellar, worked on the original Gladiator film score alongside Lisa Gerrard. “Now We Are Free” is one of the most renowned pieces in his discography, and rightfully so — the melody is both warm and powerful.

Many found comfort in the song, dubbing it their battle anthem when facing challenges in life. While Zimmer unfortunately didn’t return for Gladiator 2, he notes that the soundtrack is still in good hands with fellow composer and friend Harry Gregson-Williams.

2. 'How To Train Your Dragon'

How to Train Your Dragon has an unforgettable musical score by John Powell. The songs were all orchestrated to depict the adventure of breaking free from the constraints of expectations and exploring something new.

“Test Drive” is one of the best-known tracks, remembered for the first flight scene between Hiccup and Toothless. It continues in the franchise as a recurring motif. The score is also thankfully present in the live-action remake in the same part of the story.

1. 'Spirited Away'

Studio Ghibli has some of the most beautiful animated films with breathtaking musical scoring. Joe Hisaishi has been responsible for 11 film scores for them, and he’s also the mastermind behind Spirited Away’s “Always With Me.”

The song replicates the beautiful sadness behind loss and moving on, which resonates with anyone who has had to part ways with other people. It was the perfect accompaniment for a coming-of-age film that teaches you to welcome change.

Appreciate Film Score Greatness

There’s an abundance of amazing film scores that can tug at your heartstrings in the best of ways. Whether you’re just a casual movie watcher or an aspiring music composer, create your playlist of 21st-century greats and get blown away.

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