The Top 10 Halloween Movies

This is an opinion piece on the top ten Halloween movies of all time, and the Halloween music that made them great.

Halloween

When discussing Halloween movies and the music that shaped them, none other comes to mind than Halloween. Part of what makes this movie so frightening besides the slow stalking presence of Michael Meyers is the score. A simple piano piece that still has the power to bring chills to one's spine. Don't Fear the Reaper, by Blue Oyster Cult seems difficult to accomplish when you have a murderer on the loose.

Jaws

Da dun, da dun, da dun, dadun, dadundadundadun. The bright blasts of brass keep your nerves on edge, while the music crescendos into a slow and threatening finale when the Great White Shark inevitably eats someone. This movie kept me from letting any of my limbs over the edge of my bed for the longest time. An ode to Moby Dick, this Man vs. Nature film still keeps people afraid of the water.

The Shining

Dies Irae, the Day of Wrath, introduces this film Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson made unforgettable. Jeremy Barham credits the music editor, Gordon Stainforth, with his "Precise synchronization without excessive splicing". I must agree that the music in this film truly drives the descent into madness of Jack Torrance, and is eventual end in the labyrinth of his own mind, and the physical labyrinth of the hotel's immensity and the physical labyrinth outside of the hotel.

Psycho

Though Alfred Hitchcock wanted his murders to be accomplished in silence, Wikipedia writes, Bernard Herrmann's "The Murder" convinced him otherwise. This film, like The Shining, shows how music can be used to tug on the emotions as much as what is actually appearing on the screen. The opening theme keeps your blood racing and your heart pounding.

The Exorcist

This is one of the finest horror movies ever made, but it could have been more terrifying if they kept Lalo Schifrin's initial score which, according to Wikipedia, made audiences "too" scared. Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield took the place as the theme of this horror masterpiece. This almost comforting song can keep audiences jumping with the interspersed Sforzando bursts sound.

The Omen

Gregorian Chant can be scary. The Religious/Spiritual overtones of this film are highlighted by the Latin chanting. Wikipedia shows how truly horrifying this score is, with some translations of many of the phrases in the song. Tolle Corpus Satani: "Elevate the Body of Satan", Ave Versus Christi: "Hail Anti Christ", and Ave Satani: "Hail Satan!" Truly terrifying.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rocky Horror Picture Show is not a movie many would call 'scary', but it is definitely a movie that is appropriate for Halloween. The score will never terrify anyone, but it is as integral to the movie (some would call musical) as any of the aforementioned thrillers.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This Disney movie is anything but that. Gone are the cheery birds flitting around Cinderella's new dress, and gone are the fairy princesses who fall in love with Prince Charming. Instead we have Jack Skellington who intends to have Halloween Town take over Christmas Town. True to any Disney movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas is filled with music that was eventually covered by such names as Marilyn Manson, and Fallout Boy.

Rosemary's Baby

Who would think that a little girl wistful tune could be so chilling at parts. Satanism, Witchcraft, and getting raped by a demon all come into this theme, but who would guess that the opening music turns out to be rocking Rosemary's son, the child of Satan. It is so calming, except for the devious music being played beneath it, kind of like the movie itself.

Friday the 13^th

Chi, chi, chi, ha, ha, ha. Whereas Rosemary's Baby's theme will lull someone to sleep, the chaotic and deadly theme of Friday the 13^th is meant to terrify from the beginning. That shows the difference between the two genres, I suppose. The recurring 'breathing' throughout the film keeps it as one of Horror's most recognizable themes.