What Music Genre is Best for Horror Movies?

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Does the music a director chooses really have an impact on your viewing experience? Surely, if the visuals are strong enough, the sounds don't matter? There's some merit in these assumptions, given that cinematic classics such as Nosferatu are completely silent. However, movies have come a long way since the 1920s. Today, the right music can elevate a scene and make it more than the sum of its visuals. 

This is true across the entertainment industry. TV shows are closely related to movies, but it’s not the only medium through which music is used to heighten the effects of something. Gaming, in all its forms, makes use of music. 

Music Takes Things to New Heights

For example, online games have specific features that make them entertaining, including their soundtracks. These soundtracks complement the game's overarching theme to create a multi-layered, multi-sensory experience.

That’s what movie directors are aiming for when they add music to their creations. They find tracks that guide viewers in a certain direction. What's important to note here is that the music doesn’t have to be obviously ominous. A jaunty tune can be just as effective as a heavy rock riff.

“Hip to Be Square” from American Psycho is a great example of this. The 80s classic from Huey Lewis and the News is not eerie, scary, or ominous in any way at all. However, it fits perfectly with the scene where Patrick Bateman murders Paul Allen. The pop music contrasts with the gruesome act, thus emphasizing Bateman’s psychotic nature.

Which Musical Genres Jam with Horror Movies?

So, if an 80s pop classic can make a horror scene more memorable, it raises the question as to which genre couldn’t be used. More specifically, which musical genres are best for horror movies? Let’s run through some options before delving deeper into the psychology of music:

Rock

Heavy guitar riffs and drum fills are perfect for dramatic scenes. Take something from Slipknot like “Duality,” or, if you want something even more frightening, try the disturbing “Eyes of Abomination” by Malodorous.

Pop

The vastness of this genre means you can take something light and skippy or deep and emotional. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” are, perhaps, too obvious. “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush is a great option for any aspiring horror movie director.

Jazz

The skipping nature of jazz music, combined with subconsciously unsettling off beats, makes songs from this genre great for creepy horror scenes. A great example of this is “Halloween Spooks” by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.

Hip-hop

There’s aggression to hip-hop that works well with horror scenes. Indeed, if you need a lead character to completely lose their mind ahead of a heinous act, then some fast-flowing lines from someone like DMX or Big Pun may do the trick.

Folk

There’s something haunting to acoustic guitar riffs overlaid with heartfelt lyrics. This makes folk music ideal for directors who want to evoke a sense of loss or empathy. Have a listen to “Scratches on the Door” and see what you think.

It’s clear that music from almost every genre can be used to enhance the emotional punch of horror scenes. Countless studies support the notion that music has an impact on our psychology. As noted in a study by Schäfer et al., respondents use music to “regulate arousal and mood.” We see this time and time again in movies. More specifically, we see directors exploit this tendency.

Of course, you can’t guarantee that audiences will respond in the desired way, but that’s what makes movies interesting. Everyone will respond slightly differently. However, there are styles of music that call up certain emotions. When these emotions complement things happening on screen, the result is extremely powerful. So, in conclusion, there isn’t a “best” musical genre for horror movies. Anything can work if it’s used in the right way.

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