If you plan on submitting a short horror screenplay for the Killer Shorts Contest and you’ve reached a roadblock in your writing and need a little push, or if you just want some background music to hype you up and send chills down your spine as you type, we’ve made a list of some of the best horror soundtracks to listen to as you write. We’ve also included a link to a Spotify Playlist that you can follow which compiles everything on this list.
The Conjuring & The Conjuring 2
(2013 & 2016)
Music by Joseph Bishara
The music from The Conjuring movies are perfect to play in the background if you’re planning on writing a supernatural, ghost/demon horror screenplay. Both of these chilling soundtracks will keep you looking over your shoulder every few minutes, but they will certainly get your creative horror juices flowing and onto the page.
It Follows
(2015)
Music by Disasterpeace
Rich Vreeland, a.k.a. Disasterpeace, is mainly credited for video game scores, but It Follows marks his feature film debut, and he absolutely kills it. The score is synth-heavy and truly mysterious and dark in tone. It’s comparable to the Stranger Things soundtracks and will immediately take you somewhere creative as soon as you hit play.
The Thing
(1982)
Music by Ennio Morricone
Full of orchestral drones, The Thing soundtrack, by the late Italian composer, Ennio Morricone, is still one of the best horror scores to this day. This soundtrack is great to play in the background while writing a monster screenplay, or anything ambiguous/mysterious.
Halloween
(1978)
Music by John Carpenter
Arguably the most well-known horror score to date. The recognizable, repetitive piano theme is a classic horror sound and will still send chills down your spine. If you plan on writing a slasher screenplay of sorts, Halloween is a great soundtrack to give you some inspiration.
Alien
(1979)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Another classic soundtrack of the horror genre, loved by so many and acted as the main inspiration for countless other horror scores. Jerry Goldsmith’s music for Alien guarantees a fast heart rate and is perfect ambiance for writing a monster screenplay.
Midsommar
(2019)
Music by Bobby Krlic
A more recent soundtrack, but one that certainly does not fail in disturbing the listener. Midsommar‘s music was one of the best things about it as it perfectly complements the chilling, creepy nature of the film. The score will leave your hair raised after only two songs, but it will most definitely get your creativity flowing.
Hellraiser
(1987)
Music by Christopher Young
Christopher Young’s work on Hellraiser is fantastic yet horrifying, and once again, perfect for exercising the horror mind . The atmospheric score is filled with sinister sounding strings, dreadful bass, and echoing piano, as it descends from a romantic mood to a dreary nightmare.
Hereditary
(2018)
Music by Colin Stetson
Another more recent soundtrack, but one that will make you want to keep your lights on. Filled with action and unique, tension-building swells, this score will keep your adrenaline up, your heart racing, and your mind working a mile a minute.
Psycho
(1960)
Music by Bernard Herrmann
Last on the list but certainly not least, another classic and beloved score, perfect for writing a dark mystery. Bernard Herrmann’s famous Psycho score leaves you feeling unsettled with its mysterious and intense tone. The screeching strings from the shower scene alone have made this one of the best horror scores to date.
Of course, there are plenty more horror soundtracks that will kick those horror ideas into gear, but these listed here are a solid 10 to get you started. So if you’re writing a short screenplay for the Killer Shorts Contest, or if you just want to exercise your writing muscles, then grab a pen, paper, or a computer, follow the Spotify Playlist (jam-packed with 10 soundtracks and 8 hours of music), and start writing!
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