In our opinion, the movie soundtracks we are going to discuss in this blog are underrated. This list may vary according to your preferences.
Imagine sitting in a dimly lit theater, completely immersed in a film. Suddenly, a powerful melody sweeps through the air, sending chills down your spine.
That’s the magic of a great movie soundtrack. But what about those musical gems that often go unnoticed?
Today, we’re gonna go on a journey to uncover 20 underappreciated film scores that truly deserve the spotlight.
The Heart Of Cinema: Why Soundtracks Matter
However, Before diving into our list, let’s explore why soundtracks are vital.
They’re far more than just background noise – they’re the soul of a film. A well-crafted soundtrack sets the mood, amplifies emotions, and breathes life into the story. It’s like an invisible character guiding you through the movie’s emotional landscape.
List Of 20 Underrated Soundtracks
Now, let’s shine a light on these musical masterpieces. From pulse-pounding adventures to heart-wrenching dramas, we’ve got a diverse mix that caters to every taste.
1. “All About My Mother” by Alberto Iglesias (1999)
Iglesias crafts a deeply emotional score for this Spanish drama. His delicate piano melodies and stirring string arrangements perfectly capture the film’s themes of loss, identity, and resilience. The track “Soy Manuela” is particularly poignant, its gentle notes echoing the characters’ inner turmoil.
Notable Tracks: “Soy Manuela,” “Tras el Corazón Mi Hijo,” and “Huma Rojo”
2. “Apocalypto” by James Horner (2006)
Horner transports us to the ancient Mayan world with his primal, intense score. He cleverly uses exotic instruments and tribal chants to create an immersive soundscape. The track “From the Forest” is a standout, its pulsating rhythms and eerie vocalizations building a sense of impending danger.
Notable Tracks: “From the Forest,” “Captives,” and “Entering the City with a Future Foretold”.
3. “Under the Skin” by Mica Levi (2013)
Levi’s avant-garde score is as alien as the film’s protagonist. She uses distorted strings and unsettling electronic sounds to create an atmosphere of otherworldly unease. The track “Love” is particularly haunting, its discordant tones mirroring the character’s detachment from humanity.
Notable Tracks: “Love,” “Lipstick to Void,” and “Andrew Void.”
4. “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” by Danny Elfman (1985)
Elfman’s whimsical score perfectly captures Pee Wee’s childlike wonder and mischievous spirit. The playful melodies and quirky instrumentation in tracks like “Breakfast Machine” bring the character’s zany world to life with infectious energy.
Notable Tracks: “Breakfast Machine,” “Large Marge,” and “The Drive-In”.
5. “Pranks” by Christopher Young (1982)
Young’s chilling score elevates this B-movie horror flick. His use of dissonant strings and eerie piano creates a sense of creeping dread. The main title theme sets the tone with its unsettling melody, making even the most mundane scenes feel ominous.
Notable Tracks: “Main Title,” “Someone’s In The Kitchen,” and “The Sacrifice”
6. “Sideways” by Rolfe Kent (2004)
Kent’s jazzy, laid-back score mirrors the film’s bittersweet tone. Tracks like “Asphalt Groovin'” blend smooth jazz with classical elements, perfectly capturing the characters’ midlife crisis and their journey through California wine country.
Notable Tracks: “Asphalt Groovin’,” “Constantine Snaps His Fingers,” and “Abandoning the Wedding”.
7. “The Fountain” by Clint Mansell (2006)
Mansell’s score is a transcendent musical journey spanning across time and space. The track “Death is the Road to Awe” is a masterpiece, starting with a simple piano motif and building to a powerful, emotional crescendo that mirrors the film’s themes of love, passing away, and rebirth.
Notable Tracks: “The Last Man,” “Together We Will Live Forever,” and “Death Is the Road to Awe”.
8. “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis (2007)
Cave and Ellis create a hauntingly beautiful score that captures the loneliness of the Old West. The melancholic violin in “Song for Jesse” perfectly evokes the legendary outlaw’s tragic fate, while “What Must Be Done” builds tension with its ominous, repetitive motif.
Notable Tracks: “Song for Jesse,” “Rather Lovely Thing,” and “What Must Be Done”.
9. “The Village” by James Newton Howard (2004)
Howard’s score masterfully builds suspense and mystery. The track “The Gravel Road” is particularly memorable, its gentle violin melody gradually intensifying to mirror the growing tension in the isolated community.
Notable Tracks: “The Gravel Road,” “Noah Visits,” and “The Vote”.
10. “Sunshine” by John Murphy (2007)
Murphy’s intense, electronic-infused score matches the urgency of the film’s space mission. The track “Adagio in D Minor” is a standout, its building orchestral arrangement creating a sense of awe and impending doom.
Notable Tracks: “Adagio in D Minor,” “Surface of the Sun,” and “Kaneda’s Death Pt. 2 (Adagio in D Minor)”.
11. “The Last of the Mohicans” by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman (1992)
This powerful score brings the epic historical drama to life. The track “Promentory” is iconic, its driving percussion and soaring strings capturing the film’s themes of love, war, and survival against all odds.
Notable Tracks: “Promentory,” “The Kiss,” and “Main Title”.
12 “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by Theodore Shapiro (2013)
Shapiro’s music is like a passport to adventure. Tracks like “Step Out” blend uplifting orchestral arrangements with indie rock elements, perfectly capturing Walter’s journey of self-discovery.
Notable Tracks: “Walter Time,” “Building Rescue,” and “Stay Alive”.
13. “Moon” by Clint Mansell (2009)
Mansell’s minimalist score echoes the isolation of the lunar setting. The track “Welcome to Lunar Industries” sets the tone with its simple, repeating piano motif, creating a sense of loneliness and unease.
Notable Tracks: “Welcome to Lunar Industries,” “Memories (Someone We’ll Never Know),” and “The Nursery”.
14. “The Painted Veil” by Alexandre Desplat (2006)
Desplat’s lush, romantic score enhances the film’s dramatic elements. The “River Waltz” is particularly beautiful, its delicate piano and sweeping strings capturing the complex emotions of the main characters.
Notable Tracks: “The Painted Veil,” “River Waltz,” and “The End of Love”.
15. “The Fall” by Krishna Levy (2006)
Levy’s whimsical score matches the film’s vivid imagination. Tracks like “The Blue City” blend exotic instruments with playful melodies, enhancing the story’s fantastical elements.
Notable Tracks: “The Blue City,” “The Indian,” and “The Butterfly”.
16. “The Illusionist” by Philip Glass (2006)
Glass’s hypnotic score adds an extra layer of mystery to this romantic thriller. His signature minimalist style, evident in tracks like “The Orange Tree,” creates an atmosphere of intrigue and wonder.
Notable Tracks: “The Illusionist,” “Do You Know Me?” and “The Orange Tree”.
17. “The Ghost Writer” by Alexandre Desplat (2010)
Desplat’s tense, atmospheric score keeps listeners on edge. The main title theme sets the tone with its driving rhythm and mysterious melody, perfectly capturing the film’s political intrigue.
Notable Tracks: “The Ghost Writer,” “Lang’s Memoirs,” and “The Truth About Ruth”.
18. “The Book Thief” by John Williams (2013)
Williams proves his mastery once again with this emotional score. The main theme is particularly moving, its gentle piano and swelling strings capturing the bittersweet nature of the story.
Notable Tracks: “The Book Thief,” “Learning to Read,” and “The Visitor at Himmel Street”.
19. “The Hours” by Philip Glass (2002)
Glass’s minimalist style shines in this haunting score. The repeating patterns in tracks like “The Poet Acts” create a sense of time passing and lives intertwining, mirroring the film’s structure.
Notable Tracks: “The Poet Acts,” “Morning Passages,” and “An Unwelcome Friend”.
20. “The Thin Red Line” by Hans Zimmer (1998)
Zimmer’s powerful score brings the horrors and beauty of war to life. The track “Journey to the Line” is a standout, its building intensity capturing the chaos and emotion of battle.
Notable Tracks: “Journey to the Line,” “Light,” and “The Village”.
These underrated soundtracks prove that sometimes, the best musical treasures are hidden in plain sight.
They push boundaries, take risks, and create unforgettable auditory experiences.
So next time you watch a movie, pay close attention to the music. You might just discover a new favorite piece that moves you long after the credits roll. Happy listening!
