Music is the soul of almost every movie; "If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it," as Shakespeare wrote. It transports us to far-off places and enables us to travel in time. Thanks to the work of composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer, the far reaches of space can feel just as hospitable as our hometown, and a cozy cul-de-sac could be as terrifying as Transylvania.
Before the world noticed Michael Giacchino and other modern film musicians, the 1990s saw the success of many composers. Even though some of them have stepped out of the limelight, their work is just as enjoyable to listen to now as it was the day their films were released. Here are the top 15 film scores from the '90s to brush up on your film score history.
Updated on September 16th, 2023, by Timothy Lindsey: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15 Black Beauty (1994)
Black Beauty aims to give viewers a glimpse into the mind of a horse. It can be hard for many people to relate to a character with four legs and a tail. But, the music helps audiences relate to the horse's perspective in a way that otherwise would not be possible.
It adds emotions that the naked eye can't recognize on a horse's face, from despair and heartbreak to determination and joy. Danny Elfman's music anthropomorphizes the horse in ways that create a beautiful sense of empathy beyond that of any visual.
14 The Mask of Zorro (1998)
James Horner takes us to the early 1800s with songs almost as legendary as the mask itself. Set in Southern California, the score to The Mask of Zorro is driven by a Spanish influence, with beautiful guitars bringing romance to the story while rapid castanets bring seductive suspense to the action scenes.
The fun score perfectly compliments the upbeat action-adventure, with musical accompaniment that is as equally romantic and luscious as Antonio Banderas' performance.
13 The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The Hunt for Red October relies on its music to immerse audiences in Jack Ryan's story and build suspense. Perhaps this is seen best in the film's opening scene where the score takes center stage. An intimidating Russian choir sings the Soviet National Anthem with a menacing power that accurately represents the fear flowing through the protagonists' minds.
This song, along with the subsequent score from Basil Poledouris (who has provided appropriately sweeping scores to several epic action films like RoboCop and Conan the Barbarian), sets the tone for the entire movie. Poledouris taps into the Soviet-themed work he did on Red Dawn and masters it in this tense classic.
12 The Fugitive (1993)
The Fugitive is a classic Harrison Ford film. It tells the story of a doctor (Ford) wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder. After escaping custody, he goes on a quest to prove his innocence and catch the real killer.
The mystery and suspense of the film might be the best aspect of it. However, the soundtrack, which was composed by James Newton Howard, brings that suspense and mystery to life. Janet Maslin of The New York Times described the soundtrack as "hugely effective". It helped make the film the third highest-grossing film of 1993 domestically.
11 Far and Away (1992)
This film about the Oklahoma Land Rush usually does not get a lot of attention. Like almost any John Williams score, audiences don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the music. However, those who watch Far and Away will also impressed by the stunning cinematography and performances from then-husband-and-wife Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
As the protagonists travel from Ireland to New York and eventually the Midwest, John Williams fantastically sets each scene, applying district themes to different settings and specific motifs to each character. Although the elements stand on their own, they come together to create a magnificent and inspiring soundtrack.
10 Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The premise and setting of Edward Scissorhands is so strange, that many struggle to initially immerse themselves in the movie. Thankfully, Danny Elfman's score does a lot to help bridge the gap.
The magical chimes and the sound of human voices harmonizing with violins create an atmosphere where anything seems possible, bringing a magical sense of whimsy to Tim Burton's equally fantastical film. The music makes the movie feel personal, even if Edward's predicament (having scissors for hands) is something ridiculously unrelatable (though metaphorical).
9 Father of the Bride (1991)
Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II were two of Steve Martin's best films. In this comedic and heartwarming series, Martin plays the role of a father struggling with the idea of his little girl (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) growing up, getting married, and moving away. Alan Silvestri was in charge of composing the soundtrack for both films.
Silvestri's soundtracks make fans feel plenty of different emotions, which is a credit to him and his work. Through the use of jazzy instruments and sounds that make fans feel like they are watching a Christmas movie, Silvestri demonstrates his ability to captivate families all over the place. Both films received a grade of "A-" from CinemaScore.
8 The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix takes place in a setting unlike any other movie, and therefore it requires a soundtrack just as unique. This film's score is so distinctive it took two composers, Don Davis and Graeme Revell, to pull it off.
More than any other score on this list, the music for The Matrix reflects the sounds of the decade it was written in. It contains unearthly, distorted sounds, heavy percussion and melodic layering, relying heavily on bass and synth to appropriately match the film's heavy usage of technology and digital advancements.
7 The Piano (1993)
Despite the title of this movie, the score for The Piano contains a full, sweeping ensemble, although most of the players allow the piano a chance to truly shine.
In The Piano's score, Michael Nyman strips away many complex layers in favor of allowing a single, intricate melody to hauntingly compliment the images. The solitary piano envelops audiences in its minimalistic but incredibly emotional sound. In this score, the great Nyman shows that less can be more, even in the music world.
6 The Phantom Menace (1999)
In what is known as the first episode of the Star Wars saga, The Phantom Menace was the first film of the prequel series. Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) would follow. This particular film tells the origin story of young Anakin Skywalker, who is discovered working as a slave on the planet Tatooine by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).
The group, along with the Queen of Naboo, must stop the invasion of Naboo by the evil Trade Federation. Composer John Williams, who has composed music for all 11 Star Wars films, was in charge of the soundtrack. With the help of the London Symphony Orchestra and the use of synthesizers to enhance the sound, the score for the film was exceptional. One of the greatest soundtrack pieces ever, "Duel of the Fates", is one of the most electrifying tracks of the Star Wars universe and the best track within this particular film.
5 Forrest Gump (1994)
Alan Silvestri's score mirrors the soft-spoken nature and quiet strength of the protagonist in this film. Forest Gump, the movie's namesake, is challenged with physical and mental disabilities. However, the movie highlights the man's inner power and the impact he has on other people.
The music often goes unnoticed in the background, but part of its strength is that it doesn't call attention to itself; like the titular character, it seems to appear in all sorts of unexpected places. The score's sweet melodies are full of little surprises and sentimental feelings that add a world of depth to the emotional value of the film.
4 Toy Story (1995)
One of the best composers of all time Randy Newman has composed music for all four Toy Story films. The first two films in the series, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were the only films to come out in the 1990s. The films tell the journey of a group of toys that are alive when humans are not around. Centered around the relationship of a boy named Andy's favorite toys in cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) and space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), the first film shows Woody and Buzz overcoming their differences after being taken by a mean neighbor. The second film portrays Buzz and some of Andy's other toys going to save Woody after he is taken by a toy dealer. This is arguably the best franchise that Pixar has to offer.
Going back to composer Randy Newman, his music in every movie in the franchise is quite catchy. His creation of "You've Got a Friend in Me" for the first film was and still is an absolute showstopper. There are plenty of reasons why the first two films combined to gross over $860 million. Randy Newman's soundtrack is one of those reasons. His music can be described using plenty of different adjectives. Adventurous, playful, dramatic, calm, mysterious, etc. That is the type of composer who knows how to inspire viewers everywhere.
3 Braveheart (1995)
20th Century Fox
James Horner transports us to Scotland, where Braveheart takes place, utilizing a variety of Celtic influences. The score of this film creates an intimate and personal connection to the land, regardless of the viewer's previous relationship with Scotland or feelings toward natural splendor in general.
The soothing flutes and bagpipes wash over the ears of listeners like wind sweeping over Scottish planes. Braveheart's soundtrack fosters feelings of inner peace, quite unlike other more bombastic or emotional scores from the decade.
2 Rudy (1993)
In one of the greatest sports films of all time, Rudy tells the story of a boy (Sean Austin) who has dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame. However, he isn't the best athlete, he doesn't have the best grades, and he comes from a poor area. The odds are stacked against him. Through perseverance and his ability to never give up on his dream, he gets into Notre Dame and gives everything he can to make the football team.
The late, great Jerry Goldsmith was the composer for the film. Simply put, his soundtrack was and still is absolutely powerful. It empowers fans and makes them want to go above and beyond. The specific track entitled "Tryouts" was arguably the best of the film and made fans feel determined.
1 Schindler's List (1993)
John Williams is the master of summarizing a movie's theme with just a few notes, and this score is no exception. For the score of Schindler's List, John Williams captures the struggle, heartbreak, perseverance, and endearing beauty of the Jewish people during WWII.
The movie's main theme starts soft but builds throughout Steven Spielberg's picture to a dramatic and tear-jerking climax. Listeners will put this soundtrack on repeat despite the sorrowful undertone that cuts to the core; it's that good. The music of the movie matches the maturity and dignity of the people who lived through the real events and survived to tell their stories.