Can You Score 20/20? Identify Horror Films from Their Soundtrack Clues – Ultimate Trivia Quiz!

Answers Below – No Peeking!

Do you have an ear for horror? Test your knowledge by identifying these 20 horror films based on clues from their iconic soundtracks, scores, and songs. Questions range from slasher staples to supernatural shocks – no cheating with YouTube!

20 Trivia Questions on Horror Films from Their Soundtrack Clues

Question 1: Which horror film famously opens with Mike Oldfield’s progressive rock track “Tubular Bells”?

A. Poltergeist (1982)
B. The Amityville Horror (1979)
C. The Exorcist (1973)
D. The Sentinel (1977)

Question 2: John Carpenter’s haunting, repetitive piano theme is the signature sound of which 1978 slasher classic?

A. Halloween (1978)
B. The Fog (1980)
C. Christine (1983)
D. They Live (1988)

Question 3: Bernard Herrmann’s screeching violin stabs during the infamous shower murder are from which 1960 Hitchcock horror?

A. The Birds (1963)
B. Rear Window (1954)
C. Psycho (1960)
D. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Question 4: The relentless “dun-dun” two-note motif signalling approaching danger is from which 1975 aquatic nightmare?

A. Orca (1977)
B. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
C. Jaws (1975)
D. The Meg (2018)

Question 5: Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-winning choral piece “Ave Satani” headlines the score for which 1976 Antichrist tale?

A. Damien: Omen II (1978)
B. The Final Conflict (1981)
C. The Omen (1976)
D. Prophecy (1979)

Question 6: Goblin’s hypnotic, prog-rock soundtrack defines Dario Argento’s 1977 witches’ coven horror?

A. Deep Red (1975)
B. Inferno (1980)
C. Suspiria (1977)
D. Opera (1987)

Question 7: The eerie “ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma” vocal effect mimicking machete and a mother’s call is iconic to which 1980 franchise starter?

A. Sleepaway Camp (1983)
B. The Burning (1981)
C. Friday the 13th (1980)
D. Mother’s Day (1980)

Question 8: Charles Bernstein’s dreamy, foreboding synth melody accompanies Freddy Krueger’s dream invasions in which 1984 film?

A. Shocker (1989)
B. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
C. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
D. Freddy’s Dead (1991)

Question 9: Ray Noble’s “Midnight, the Stars and You” plays in the spectral Gold Room ballroom of which 1980 Kubrick film?

A. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
B. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
C. The Shining (1980)
D. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Question 10: The goofy “The Gonk” track by Herbert Chappell scores the zombies’ mall escapades in which 1978 Romero sequel?

A. Day of the Dead (1985)
B. Land of the Dead (2005)
C. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
D. Survival of the Dead (2009)

Question 11: Ennio Morricone’s isolated, synth-heavy score evokes paranoia in John Carpenter’s 1982 shape-shifting remake?

A. The Fog (1980)
B. Prince of Darkness (1987)
C. The Thing (1982)
D. The Ward (2010)

Question 12: The haunting “Lullaby” (la-la-la) sung by Mia Farrow lulls the demonic infant in which 1968 Polanski classic?

A. Repulsion (1965)
B. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
C. The Tenant (1976)
D. Frantic (1988)

Question 13: Joseph LoDuca’s guttural, demonic groans and chainsaw-like riffs score the cabin horrors of which 1981 cult film?

A. Re-Animator (1985)
B. The Evil Dead (1981)
C. Basket Case (1982)
D. Society (1989)

Question 14: The tinkling music box rendition of a twisted lullaby introduces the Good Guy doll in which 1988 slasher origin?

A. Puppet Master (1989)
B. Dolly Dearest (1991)
C. Child’s Play (1988)
D. Demonic Toys (1992)

Question 15: John Murphy’s pulsing “In the House – In a Heartbeat” drives the frantic opening bike escape in which 2002 rage virus film?

A. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
B. 28 Days Later (2002)
C. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
D. World War Z (2013)

Question 16: Charlie Clouser’s mechanical, industrial “Hello Zepp” serves as the end-credits theme for which 2004 Jigsaw debut?

A. Hostel (2005)
B. Wrong Turn (2003)
C. Saw (2004)
D. The Strangers (2008)

Question 17: Q Lazzarus’s “Goodbye Horses” underscores Buffalo Bill’s mirror dance in which 1991 Lecter thriller?

A. Manhunter (1986)
B. Red Dragon (2002)
C. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
D. Hannibal (2001)

Question 18: Tobe Hooper and Wayne Bell’s raw, industrial score with “The Chain Jig” accompanies Leatherface’s rampage in which 1974 indie shocker?

A. Last House on the Left (1972)
B. I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
C. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
D. The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

Question 19: Philip Glass’s repetitive, minimalist strings amplify the hook-handed legend in which 1992 New Line horror?

A. The People Under the Stairs (1991)
B. Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
C. Candyman (1992)
D. The Faculty (1998)

Question 20: Jerry Goldsmith’s soaring five-note motif heralds “They’re here!” in which 1982 Spielberg-produced haunted suburb tale?

A. The Amityville Horror (1979)
B. Poltergeist (1982)
C. Burnt Offerings (1976)
D. The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Answers

  1. C. The Exorcist (1973) – “Tubular Bells” kicks off the possession montage; others have supernatural themes but different signature tracks like Goldsmith for Poltergeist.
  2. A. Halloween (1978) – Carpenter’s DIY piano riff is inseparable from Michael Myers; later Carpenter films like The Fog have distinct synth styles.
  3. C. Psycho (1960) – Herrmann’s all-strings score defines the shower scene; The Birds uses electronics and bird sounds instead.
  4. C. Jaws (1975) – Williams’ motif ramps with shark proximity; Orca mimics it but lacks the cultural impact.
  5. C. The Omen (1976) – “Ave Satani” celebrates the devil child and won Best Score Oscar; sequels recycle but don’t originate it.
  6. C. Suspiria (1977) – Goblin’s prog fury matches the ballet gore; Deep Red has jazzier vibes by the same band.
  7. C. Friday the 13th (1980) – Manfredini’s rasp evokes Jason’s kills; Sleepaway Camp has folkier cues.
  8. B. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Bernstein’s boiler room synth is Freddy’s calling card; Shocker uses rockier guitars.
  9. C. The Shining (1980) – The 1930s song haunts Jack’s visions; Kubrick’s other works lack this diegetic jazz hit.
  10. C. Dawn of the Dead (1978) – “The Gonk” ironically scores zombie consumerism; later Romero films use grittier originals.
  11. C. The Thing (1982) – Morricone’s desolate synths mirror isolation; Prince of Darkness has Carpenter’s echoes.
  12. B. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Komeda’s score features Farrow’s eerie la-la; Polanski’s Repulsion is more dissonant.
  13. B. The Evil Dead (1981) – LoDuca’s lo-fi horror sounds define the Necronomicon; Re-Animator has campier Stuart Gordon cues.
  14. C. Child’s Play (1988) – The doll’s tune signals Chucky’s chaos; Puppet Master uses generic synths.
  15. B. 28 Days Later (2002) – Murphy’s track fuels the rage outbreak; Shaun mixes comedy with rock.
  16. C. Saw (2004) – “Hello Zepp” traps recur across sequels; Hostel favours metal.
  17. C. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Song fits Buffalo Bill’s ritual; Manhunter has 80s synth-pop.
  18. C. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – Hooper/Bell’s gritty folk suits rural terror; Hills has more percussion.
  19. C. Candyman (1992) – Glass’s motifs build urban dread; People Under the Stairs uses funkier Wes Craven beats.
  20. B. Poltergeist (1982) – Goldsmith’s fanfare announces spirits; Amityville relies on Lalo Schifrin’s ominous organ.

How many did you get right? Share your score in the comments and challenge friends to beat it – true horror fans only!