The power of a great film score can’t be overstated. Sometimes it’s right up at the forefront, impossible to miss. Other times it’s more a piece of a whole, maybe tough to pinpoint in the moment but surely vital to the overall effect of the film. And while movie scores have changed significantly throughout the history of cinema, the rise of the digital age in the 21st century has resulted in massive evolution and, as a result, a more diverse sonic range than ever before. There’s still a place for the classicism ofJohn Williams, but there’s also room for something more experimental fromMica Levi, something more technical fromTrent ReznorandAtticus Ross, or something somewhere in between the two from someone likeDaniel Pemberton.
Film scores have arguably never been more exciting, and while no doubt more great stuff is on the way, it felt prudent to take a beat and look back on what we’ve been given over the past two decades. So below I’ve culled together a list of the best of the best. Behold, the best movie scores of the 21st century so far.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Howard Shore
Every iconic franchise has a signature soundscape, and this was certainly true ofPeter Jackson’s ambitiousThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy. ComposerHoward Shore’s phenomenal original score is inseparable from the iconic film series, and he kicked things off in a big way with his work onThe Fellowship of the Ring. From his warm, delightful Hobbit themes to the ethereal music for the elves to downright terrifying tones for the orcs and Uruk-hai,Fellowship’s soundscape is positively epic and it set the stage for what was to come. The diversity of this single score alone solidifies its place in cinema history, but the fact that it’s endured for nearly two decades is a testament to Shore’s work.
Up – Michael Giacchino
Michael Giacchinois another composer whose prolific nature makes it hard to pin down just one or two standouts, but aside from his work onThe IncrediblesandWar for the Planet of the Apes, it’s Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score for the Pixar tearjerkerUpthat probably stands the tallest. Full of whimsy and heartache, Giachino’s work onUpperfectly reflects the adventurous odd couple at the center of the film, but never forsakes the heartbreak resting inside Carl Fredricksen. Indeed, Giacchino’s work is a major reason the opening 10 minutes ofUpare so emotionally devastating.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – John Williams
John Williamshas crafted more iconic pieces of film music than any other composer in history, and he appears twice on this list for two very different movies. Williams is no stranger to creating foundational franchise music (see:Star Wars,Indiana Jones), but his work on theHarry Potterseries is truly magical. Honestly hisSorcerer’s Stonescore could easily have landed on this list for providing the foundation for what was to come, but it’s the dynamic combination of those initial themes with other more playful and ambitious tones that solidifies hisPrisoner of Azkabanscore as the best of the best. It’s impossible to hear any single track from this score and not instantly be transported to the wizarding world, andthat’sthe power of a truly great film score.
The Social Network – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
The 21st century saw film music evolving in really exciting ways that made some traditionalists feel uncomfortable. When we look back on the way film music grew throughout this period,Trent ReznorandAtticus Ross’ Oscar-winning score forThe Social Networkwill undoubtedly be a touchstone. Recording artists making the move to film scoring isn’t a groundbreaking notion, but theNine Inch Nailsartists brought a wholly unique sound toDavid Fincher’s masterful chronicle of Facebook’s origins. The score vacillates from thrilling to haunting to downright devastating, capturing the emotion at the heart of what’s ultimately a story about power (and subsequent betrayal) in the hands of the young.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
2007’sThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Fordis one of the great underrated films of our time, but not only isAndrew Dominik’s revisionist Western a wholly unique sort of drama, the score byNick CaveandWarren Ellisis hands down one of the best scores in recent memory. The film’s gorgeousRoger Deakinscinematography is crafted as if to reveal a blurred memory of sorts, and Cave and Ellis’ haunting, achingly beautiful score feels appropriately distant. The music also underlines the romanticism of the Jesse James story in a really gorgeous way.
Her – Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett
Spike Jonzetook a massive leap of faith when he decided to craft a love story between a lonely man and his operating system inHer, but the filmmaker absolutely pulled it off, due in no small part to an achingly melancholic score byArcade FireandOwen Pallett. The piano-driven score is sad and heartbreaking, but at the same time dizzying and romantic. It underlines the complicated relationship at the heart of the movie, anchored by a pair of phenomenal performances byJoaquin PhoenixandScarlett Johansson.
Catch Me If You Can – John Williams
ComposerJohn Williams’ second appearance on this list comes in the form of one of his many collaborations withSteven Spielberg. ButCatch Me If You Cansticks out in a great way among the legion of Spielberg films Williams has scored. Its jazz-infused soundtrack is a breath of fresh air and a break from Williams' more traditional work, breezing over the film with the same ease with whichLeonardo DiCaprio’s Frank Abagnale appears to weave in and out of various professions and relationships. It’s undoubtedly one of Williams’ best scores, full-stop.
How to Train Your Dragon – John Powell
Animated films can sometimes provide boundless opportunity for composers, or force them to highlight every single emotional beat of a story to keep young viewers engaged. In the case ofHow to Train Your Dragon, composerJohn Powellwas not only afforded the opportunity to spread his artistic wings, but the compassion with which this DreamWorks Animation story was told provided the perfect vessel for one of the greatest film music cues of the century so far. Powell would continue to hone and expand theDragonsoundscape through the film’s sequel, but his work on the first film remains jaw-dropping in scope and devastating in its emotional impact.
Sicario – Jóhann Jóhannsson
The lateJóhann Jóhannssonwas truly on the cusp of an exciting new arena of film music at the time of his premature passing, but the work we did get to hear from the Icelandic composer remains some of the most exciting and innovative film music of the century so far. His work onSicariois absolutely terrifying, blurring the lines between score and sound design in fascinating, frightening ways. The severity of the violence at hand is made tactile by Jóhansson’s unique sound, and his subsequent work onArrivalsignaled he was in the midst of carving out a tremendous signature style.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Alexandre Desplat
Alexandre Desplatnearly made this list fortwoWes Andersonscores, but truly his work onThe Grand Budapest Hotelis a cut above. Anderson’s somewhat epic tale of the goings on at the titular hotel is hilarious, stylish, and surprisingly moving, and it’s no coincidence that the film marks some of the best work of both Anderson and Desplat’s long, accomplished careers. Desplat’s sometimes quiet and understated but always effective score is positively charming, varying in tone and style but never impact.
