Top 50 Favorite Movie Soundtracks (20-11)

Getting near the end now and this next ten will probably make a few people go, "what, really?!"  Even as I put this post together I second guessed myself a few times, but I did not change the order from what I originally had(for today at least).  I will be giving a one sentence praise for each too, since they are in the top 20 and all.

20. To Kill A Mockingbird: Elmer Bernstein

The main theme to this movie makes me think of a exhale of relief, followed by a smile.
Listen to This: Main Titles, Boo Who?, End Title

19. Field of Dreams: James Horner

I don't think I can get through the last scene of this movie without crying, and the music does not help me hold in the tears.  
Listen to This: The Cornfield, The Drive Home, The Place Where Dreams Come True

18. Naqoyqatsi: Philip Glass, featuring Yo-Yo Ma

Philip Glass always delivers and this soundtrack is one of his best with songs that I have trouble not finishing.
Listen to This: Naqoyqatsi, Primacy of Number, Intensive Time

17. The Silence of the Lambs: Howard Shore

 This music makes my spine tingle and it is one of the first soundtracks I became obsessed with back in middle school.  
Listen to This: Main Title, Lambs Screaming, Finale

16. Batman/Batman Returns: Danny Elfman

I prefer this soundtrack to The Dark Knight Trilogy, and I may prefer the first Batman to The Dark Knight...
Listen to This: The Batman Theme, Descent Into Mystery, Selina Transforms

15. Donnie Darko: Michael Andrews

Most people don't come away from Donnie Darko thinking that it has a great soundtrack, but I'm not really like most people.
Listen to This: Carpathian Ridge, Liquid Spear Waltz, Time Travel

14. Moon: Clint Mansell

When I heard the first few piano notes to the soundtrack I knew this movie was going to be great.  
Listen to This: Welcome to Lunar Industries, Memories (Someone we'll never know), Sacrifice

13. The Shawshank Redemption: Thomas Newman

Thomas Newman has received ten academy award nominations for best score and has not won any, even for his masterpiece, The Shawshank Redemption.
Listen to This: Shawshank Redemption (Stoic Theme), Zihuatanejo, Shawshank Redemption

12. Once Upon a Time in the West: Ennio Morricone

Ennio Morricone's best score, to Sergio Leone's best film, which is also the greatest western, ever.
Listen to This: Once upon a time in the West, Man With A Harmonica, A Dimly Lit Room

11. Braveheart: James Horner

Gift Of a Thistle is relaxing, Sons Of Scotland is inspiring and 'Freedom' / The Execution Bannockburn gets my heart pumping.  Greatness.
Listen to This: A Gift Of A Thistle, 'Sons Of Scotland', 'Freedom' / The Execution Bannockburn

Top 50 Favorite Movie Soundtracks (30-21)

In case it was not clear earlier, I count one entry for a movie series that has the same composer and I find the series, as a whole, has a great soundtrack.  With this new entry to the list things start to get interesting because there are two soundtracks listed that I would bet most people don't think of when the phrase, "great soundtrack," comes up.  But that is why it is a list of my FAVORITES.

30. The Godfather(s): Nino Rota

 Listen to This: Main Title (The Godfather Waltz), A New Carpet, The Godfather Finale

29. Hoosiers: Jerry Goldsmith

Listen to This: Best Shot, The Finals

28. The Untouchables: Ennio Morricone

Listen to This: The Strength Of The Righteous (Main Title), The Untouchables, On The Rooftops

27. The Last Samurai: Hans Zimmer

 Listen to This: A Way of Life, A Hard Teacher, Red Warrior

26. The Lion King: Hans Zimmer

Listen to This: To Die For, Under the Stars, King of Pride Rock

25. Road to Perdition: Thomas Newman

Listen to This: Road to Chicago, Cathedral, Road to Perdition

24. The Dark Knight Trilogy: Hans Zimmer

Listen to This: Molossus, Introduce a Little Anarchy, Gotham's Reckoning

23. Equilibrium: Klaus Badelt

Listen to This: Encounter, More Reprimand, End Credits

22. Once Upon a Time in America: Ennio Morricone

 Listen to This: Poverty, Deborah's Theme, Childhood Memories

21. Gods and Monsters: Carter Burwell

 Listen to This: Return to the Trenches, Frankenwhale, Friend? 

Top 50 Favorite Movie Soundtracks (40-31)

So here is part two of my list of 50 favorite movie scores.  The soundtracks that are ranked higher are the ones that not only feature music I love listening to, but also when I listen to it I am taken back to the state I was in while watching the actual movie.  

40. The Fountain: Clint Mansell

Listen to this: The Last Man, Death is the Road to Awe, Together We Will Live Forever

39. Godzilla Series: Multiple Composers

Listen to this: Main Theme, Godzilla's Rampage, Requiem

38. Fargo: Carter Burwell

Listen to this: Fargo, North Dakota, End Credits

37. Suspiria: Goblin

Listen to this: Suspiria, Sighs, Markos

36. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Listen to this: An Itch, Under the Midnight Sun, What If We Could?

35. Saving Private Ryan: John Williams

Listen to this: Hymn to the Fallen, Omaha Beach, Wade's Death

34. The Bourne Trilogy: John Powell

Listen to this: Main Titles, Escape From Embassy, Berlin Foot Chase

33. Robocop: Basil Poledouris

 Listen to this: Van Chase, Home, Showdown

32. The Last of the Mohicans: Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman

Listen to this: Main Title, Elk Hunt, The Kiss

31. American Beauty: Thomas Newman

Listen to this: Dead Already, Angela Undress, Any Other Name

Top 50 Favorite Movie Soundtracks (50-41)

Here is the first part of my eventual five-part list of favorite soundtracks.  At first, I was only going to make it a top 10 list, but as I was making my top 10 I just kept on adding and adding scores until I decided to go with a top 50 list.  The soundtracks have to be original scores, not licensed soundtracks, and I need to have seen the movie in order for it to be on the list.  After that, it is just personal preference.  Instead of a meaningless explanation as to why I like each soundtrack, I included some songs from the scores linked after the poster. 


50. Indiana Jones Trilogy: John Williams

Listen to this: Raiders March, Slave Children's Crusade, Finale & End Credits 

49. James Bond Series: Multiple Composers 

Listen to this: James Bond Theme, Alpine Drive

48. Wall-E: Thomas Newman

Listen to this: Eve, Directive A-113, Mutiny!

47. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Ennio Morricone

Listen to this: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly,  The Ecstasy of Gold

46. Edward Scissorhands: Danny Elfman

Listen to this: Introduction (Main Titles), Ice Dance, The Grand Finale

45. Superman: John Williams

Listen to this: Main Theme, The Planet Krypton, Love Theme

44. Gamera Trilogy: Kow Otani

 Listen to this: Main Title, Air Battle, Gyaos Flies Over

43. The Grand Duel: Luis Bacalov

Listen to this: Parte Prima

42. Finding Nemo: Thomas Newman

Listen to this: Nemo Egg (Main Title), Filter Attempt, Swim Down

41.Terminator 2: Judgement Day: Brad Fiedel

Listen to this: Main Titles, I'll Be Back, Terminator Impaled