It’s one of the most recognizable movie themes of all time and also one of the scariest. It’s heard everywhere from the recent “The Simpsons” Halloween episode to greeting cards to commercials. The theme song from John Carpenter’s Halloween is iconic and arguably the most memorable horror theme music ever made.
Although the basic pattern remained the same in the movie’s sequels, each put its own spin on Carpenter’s terrifying composition. It’s pretty hard to rank different versions of the same song, but I’m in the Halloween spirit so I’ll definitely try.
8) Halloween 5
This one is just kind of weird. It’s almost like a sped-up and distorted version of Alan Howarth’s theme for Halloween 4. It opens with those slashing sound effects that went with the slashing visuals from the opening credits of this movie, which were equally as awkward. The slashing sound effects and other random stingers continue throughout and just take away from the creepiness.
7) Halloween H20
I’m a bit torn on this one, as it is one of the most different and unique takes on the original theme. John Ottman uses an orchestra on this version, and the flute gives it a very haunting feel. Unfortunately, around the 1:40 mark, it goes a bit too far out there and sounds like something written for a different movie. This was the hardest version for me to rank.
6) Halloween 6
Alan Howarth took the reins on the score for his last Halloween film, but the results are a bit mixed. He dispensed with the weird slashing effects and stingers and went back to basics, but this version sounds a bit too 90’s for me. It almost has more of an action movie vibe to it. It just sounds a little too “electronic.”
5) Halloween Resurrection
The movie was absolutely horrible, but the theme was actually very faithful to the original. It’s more piano-based rather than synthesizer, like many of the other sequels, and the low notes hit really hard, which makes this one of the more threatening-sounding versions. I think it’s too similar to the original, but it puts its own little spin on it without going too far. Too bad it was in one of the worst sequels.
4) Halloween 4
More Alan Howarth. He was basically the Harry Manfredini of this franchise. This version was very faithful to the original but added more intensity, with some drum beats and more of a synthesizer twist to it. It didn’t do anything too special, but sometimes it’s best not to mess with perfection.
3) Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007)/ Halloween II (2009)
These were essentially the same so I’m listing them together. I actually like Tyler Bates’ take on the original theme. It starts out very similar to the original but becomes distorted and slightly faster, which works perfectly with Rob Zombie’s more dark and twisted version of Michael Myers. This one picks up in intensity really well. I like it.
2) Halloween
What can you say about this one that hasn’t already been said? Along with Bernard Herrman’s score for Psycho, it’s quite possibly the most recognizable theme song in horror history, and possibly in film history itself. How could I possibly not rank it the best in the series? Let me explain…
1) Halloween II
This is kind of blasphemy and I’ll admit I’m probably trying a bit too hard with this ranking but I actually really do love this version of the theme and in some ways it is actually scarier to me than the original. This one starts off so menacing and Gothic, with its slowed-down version of the theme. The use of a synthesizer rather than a piano allowed for this version to add so much sound, you really notice the lows, and the whole thing builds and builds. Just like the sequel upped the gore, its theme also upped the intensity. Maybe I’m crazy, maybe I’m hopped up on Halloween candy, but right now this is my favorite version of the classic Halloween theme.