Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
We’re 25 years into the 21st century and halfway through this decade, so get ready for plenty of lists celebrating both the past quarter-century and the first half of the 2020s.
I’m a big fan of the film score – that original music created specifically for a movie. A powerful score heightens the emotional resonance of a film, shapes how we feel as viewers, and enhances the story itself. Musical themes can tie into specific characters, moments, or locations, adding layers to the narrative. Over the past five years, composers have really been pushing the envelope, blending styles, experimenting with new textures, and redefining what a film score can be, all of which continue to transform the way music functions within cinema.
Artists like Hans Zimmer, Ludwig Göransson, Michael Giacchino, Alexandre Desplat, and Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross have carried the legacy of legendary composers such as John Williams, Ennio Morricone, James Horner, and Jerry Goldsmith, who in turn followed in the footsteps of film scoring pioneers like Bernard Herrmann, Elmer Bernstein, Max Steiner, Miklós Rózsa, and Alex North. Each has made an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
As we look at the scores of the past five years, it’s clear that this tradition of innovation and emotional depth continues to thrive. So, let’s dive in and rank the best scores of the 2020s so far (2020-2024).
9. Avatar: The Way of Water by Simon Franglen
8. Challengers by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
7. Society of the Snow by Michael Giacchino
6. All Quiet on the Western Front by Volker Bertelmann
5. Dune by Hans Zimmer
4. Conclave by Volker Bertelmann
3. The Brutalist by Daniel Blumberg
2. The Batman by Michael Giacchino
1. Oppenheimer by Ludwig Göransson
