15 most underrated movie soundtracks that should be on your playlist

Movie soundtracks play a vital role in a movie. A movie can become a hit because of its soundtrack and can also get ruined because of it. Proper portrayal of a scene can be done by choosing the right soundtrack. Sometimes an OST becomes so popular that it acts as the identifying factor for a movie. Hans Zimmer and the Beatles are some of the top artists that have delivered award-winning soundtracks. In this article let’s delve into some of the soundtracks that are underrated but deserve to be on your playlist.

1) Apocalypto – James Horner

Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto has one of the most underrated soundtracks. Composed by James Horner this movie’s soundtrack captures the true essence of the film. With its tribal feel, the composer uses various instruments such as Ugandan Wildebeest Horns, Tromba Marina, and Swedish Bark Trumpets. The Pakistani singer Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has given his voice along with English Musician Terry Edwards. Mel Gibson has applauded Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's voice for its melodious dulcet.

2) Under the Skin – Mica Levi

Mica Levi of Micachu and The Shapes is a British composer known for her diverse genre. Though underrated this soundtrack produces the required atmosphere for the movie. The score provides an eerie feeling with its minimalistic approach as claimed by listeners. Levi herself comments on her work as intentionally made difficult and filled with profound life force. Adding that it is not going to sound nice all the time. This soundtrack is an underrated gem that listeners can add to their playlists.

3) The Ghost Writer – Alexandre Desplat

This Academy Award-nominated French composer is well known for his sentimental and melodious compositions. For this movie, however, Alexandre Desplat has resorted to a different approach which creates tension in its crescendo. This soundtrack constantly shifts with paranoia building throughout the movie. This in turn helps in creating a mysterious theme that further unravels into the movie. This soundtrack though underrated has received several accolades including awards for the Best Composer.

4) All About My Mother – Alberto Iglesias

Alberto Iglesias is known for his Academy Award-nominated soundtrack for movies like The Kite Runner and Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy. His score in this movie is known to evoke sadness and remarkably portray the true meaning of the movie. He collaborated with Pedro Almodóvar for several movies but this movie creates an atypical atmosphere with its soundtrack by mixing mute-trumpet phrases. Iglesias won Best Original Score at The Goya Awards for this soundtrack.

5) Secretary – Angelo Badalamenti

Angelo Badalamenti is known for creating soundtracks that produce a dark and minimalistic feeling to the movies. Especially for his movies with David Lynch. However, in this movie, Angelo Badalamenti shifts from a melancholic tone to a warmer and softer touch. The Secretary is in itself a tragic story with which Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack blends seamlessly. Angelo Badalementi has received several awards for his works including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

6) Blow Out – Pino Donaggio

This movie’s soundtrack is a combination of different genres. Pino Donaggio makes this soundtrack filled with thrill and power. The blend of infectious synthesizers led with rhythmic voices evoking a sad love theme. This soundtrack is underrated however deserves a place in your playlist for its gripping effects. The soundtrack blends well with the corresponding scenes of the movie and helps in envisioning throughout the movie.

7) Punch Drunk Love – Jon Brion

The score from this movie composed by Jon Brion captures every nuance and timbre of this film. Jon Brion captures the essence of old Hollywood in this soundtrack. With the blend of different instruments, Jon Brion wanted the sound effects to evoke melody. Though Jon Brion is underrated his musical score in this movie can be considered as one of his best works. Sad harmonium melodies play a vital role in this soundtrack.

8) Pee Wee’s Big Adventure – Danny Elfman

Denny Elfman took inspiration from Nino Rotta’s arrangement for Fellini’s movies for this Tim Burton movie. Throughout this soundtrack, Nino Rotta’s influence can be understood. However, this soundtrack is Danny Elfman’s debut as a composer and it has received much applause for its melody. Steve BartekDanny, Elfman’s bandmate, helped him with this soundtrack. Elfman’s contribution adds flavour to this movie bringing out its true essence.

9) Pranks – Christopher Young

Christopher Young is known to be one of the most underrated composers. He has done numerous works for movies like Bless The Child, The Core, Murder in the First. His work is heavily influenced by the work of Bernard Hermann. This 80’s movie has a shift from other movies in its soundtrack as Young has used a mix of percussions, piano, and a mix of harmonica to bring out the essence of the movie in a proper manner. His composition is an identifying factor for this movie.

10) Sideways – Rolfe Kent

The movie is based on the tension between two characters which Rolfe Kent has evoked through its soundtrack. As Alexander Payne wanted a jazzy approach to the movie unlike its Italian counterpart, Rolfe Kent took inspiration from artists like Piero Umiliani, Piero Piccioni, and Armando Trovajoli. The soundtrack is underrated and should have a place in your playlist as it elevates the feel of the whole movie. Rolfe Kent received the BMI Film Music Award for his composition in this movie.

11) The Thing – Ennio Morricone

John Carpenter requested Ennio Morricone to make this soundtrack. Ennio Morricone is an Italian legend and his work is well known. For this movie, Ennio created a subtle and minimalistic score which brought out the essence of the movie. This composition elevated the movie by Ennio Morricone’s pioneering use of synthesizers. He received a Razzie nomination for this score along with several other accolades.

12) Catch Me If You Can – John Williams

John Williams is known globally for his grand compositions for movies like Star Wars, Superman, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. However, his score for this movie, though underrated deserves acclamation. This score is not as rich as his other scores but holds the perfect blend of softness and melody required for the movie. This soundtrack has its influence from jazz music and deserves a place in your playlist.

13) The Ipcress File – John Barry

John Barry is a well-known name in the field of spy film music. His trademark sound in the Bond movie has brought him worldwide fame receiving numerous accolades. John Barry brings out jazz in this spy film based on Cold War which evokes the depth of the movie through the soundtrack. The soundtrack is dark and holds immense depth to it. He uses diverse musical instruments by switching arrangements and tones.

14) The Sound and The Fury – Alex North

Alex North went to work as an engineer during his early career but shifted to studying music. He is well-known for his soundtracks for the movies Spartacus and A Streetcar Named Desire. His composition for this movie is distinct and creates a perfect blend that the movie requires. The movie is loosely based on a novel of the same name. Alex North evokes romance and suspense through his score in this movie. The jazz in the soundtrack of this movie is worth appraising.

15) Fahrenheit 451 – Bernard Herrmann

Though the movie was not well received by the viewers, the soundtrack is often overlooked as well. The soundtrack for this movie can be considered as a masterpiece which includes Herrmann’s famous violin shrieks which adds tension to the movie. It has the rhythmic symphony required for the movie. He used strings, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and xylophone along with two harps which created a neurotic mood for the movie. He received several accolades for this soundtrack.