Can You Score 20/20? Name These Horror Movies From Their Soundtrack Clues Trivia Quiz!

Answers Below – No Peeking!

Are you a true horror aficionado with an ear for the eerie? This quiz challenges you to identify 20 horror movies based on their unforgettable soundtrack clues, from spine-chilling themes to memorable songs. Ranging from easy classics to tougher ones, grab a pen and see if you can ace it!

20 Trivia Questions on Horror Movies From Their Soundtrack Clues

Question 1: Which 1973 horror film famously uses Mike Oldfield’s "Tubular Bells" during the demonic possession sequence?

A. Poltergeist
B. The Amityville Horror
C. The Exorcist
D. The Conjuring

Question 2: John Carpenter’s haunting 5-note synthesizer piano riff is the signature theme of which 1978 slasher classic?

A. Halloween
B. The Fog
C. Assault on Precinct 13
D. Christine

Question 3: Jerry Goldsmith’s choral "Ave Satani" serves as the chilling main theme for which 1976 Antichrist film?

A. The Exorcist
B. Rosemary’s Baby
C. The Omen
D. Damien: Omen II

Question 4: Bernard Herrmann’s screeching violin stabs underscore the infamous shower murder in which Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece?

A. Psycho
B. The Birds
C. Vertigo
D. Rear Window

Question 5: John Williams’ relentless two-note ostinato motif signals approaching danger in which 1975 blockbuster?

A. The Exorcist
B. Jaws
C. Close Encounters
D. E.T.

Question 6: Goblin’s hypnotic, psychedelic main theme "Suspiria" scores which Dario Argento witchcraft horror?

A. Inferno
B. Deep Red
C. Suspiria
D. Tenebrae

Question 7: The progressive rock soundtrack including "L’Alba dei morti viventi" by Goblin is featured in which 1978 George A. Romero zombie film?

A. Night of the Living Dead
B. Dawn of the Dead
C. Day of the Dead
D. Land of the Dead

Question 8: The eerie "Lullaby" sung by Mia Farrow is central to the soundtrack of which 1968 Roman Polanski satanic pregnancy horror?

A. Rosemary’s Baby
B. The Tenant
C. Repulsion
D. Cul-de-sac

Question 9: The ghostly ballroom scene plays the 1930s song "Midnight, the Stars and You" in which 1980 Stanley Kubrick adaptation of Stephen King?

A. Doctor Sleep
B. The Shining
C. Misery
D. The Stand

Question 10: The screeching metallic guitar and Freddy Krueger laugh introduce the theme of which 1984 Wes Craven dream slasher?

A. The Hills Have Eyes
B. Deadly Friend
C. A Nightmare on Elm Street
D. Swamp Thing

Question 11: The killer’s approach is heralded by the whispered sound effect "ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma" in which 1980 slasher franchise starter?

A. Friday the 13th
B. Halloween
C. Prom Night
D. My Bloody Valentine

Question 12: Ennio Morricone’s minimalist score with eerie whistling is heard in which 1982 John Carpenter Antarctic creature feature?

A. The Fog
B. Escape from New York
C. The Thing
D. Starman

Question 13: Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-nominated score with ethereal choir elements underscores which 1982 haunted house poltergeist film?

A. The Shining
B. Ghost Story
C. Poltergeist
D. The Entity

Question 14: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Bad Moon Rising" plays prominently during transformation scenes in which 1981 John Landis werewolf comedy-horror?

A. An American Werewolf in London
B. The Howling
C. Wolfen
D. Full Moon High

Question 15: Gerard McMann’s "Cry Little Sister" is the end-credits theme for which 1987 vampire film starring the Coreys?

A. Fright Night
B. The Lost Boys
C. Near Dark
D. Vamp

Question 16: Blue Öyster Cult’s "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" plays when the killer first appears in which 1996 Wes Craven meta-slasher?

A. New Nightmare
B. Scream
C. The People Under the Stairs
D. Shocker

Question 17: The Ramones’ punk track "Pet Sematary" headlines the soundtrack of which 1989 Stephen King zombie cat adaptation?

A. Children of the Corn
B. Pet Sematary
C. Thinner
D. Silver Bullet

Question 18: Harry Belafonte’s "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" features in a surreal dinner scene in which 1988 Tim Burton ghost comedy-horror?

A. Edward Scissorhands
B. Beetlejuice
C. Corpse Bride
D. Frankenweenie

Question 19: Q Lazzarus’ "Goodbye Horses" accompanies a disturbing dance scene in which 1991 Oscar-winning serial killer thriller?

A. Se7en
B. The Silence of the Lambs
C. Manhunter
D. Copycat

Question 20: John Murphy’s intense orchestral piece "In the House – In a Heartbeat" drives the action in which 2002 rage virus zombie film?

A. Shaun of the Dead
B. 28 Weeks Later
C. 28 Days Later
D. World War Z

Answers

  1. C. The Exorcist – Mike Oldfield’s prog-rock instrumental "Tubular Bells" plays as Regan spins her head; the others have supernatural themes but different scores (e.g., Poltergeist’s Goldsmith).
  2. A. Halloween – Carpenter composed and performed the minimalist 5/4 synth riff himself; the others are also Carpenter films but with distinct themes.
  3. C. The Omen – Goldsmith won an Oscar for the Latin choral piece evoking Satanic ritual; others are possession/demonic films with different music.
  4. A. Psycho – Herrmann’s all-strings score with rapid violin glissandos defines the 1960 shower scene; Hitchcock’s other films use varied composers.
  5. B. Jaws – Williams’ simple E-F semitone motif builds tension for the shark; others are Williams sci-fi scores, not horror.
  6. C. Suspiria – Goblin’s 1977 synth-rock track matches the film’s colourful nightmare aesthetic; Argento’s other films have different Goblin or bands.
  7. B. Dawn of the Dead – Romero commissioned Goblin for the Euro-horror zombie mall epic; other Romero films use stock or original music.
  8. A. Rosemary’s Baby – Komeda’s composition is sung by Farrow over credits; Polanski’s other horrors have dissimilar jazz-influenced scores.
  9. B. The Shining – The song plays as Jack enters the 1921-filled Gold Room; other King films lack this specific 1935 recording.
  10. C. A Nightmare on Elm Street – Charles Bernstein’s boiler-room guitar theme debuted Freddy’s sound in Craven’s original; sequels expanded songs.
  11. A. Friday the 13th – Manfredini’s sound design mimics a machete on flesh for Jason; other slashers have unique audio cues.
  12. C. The Thing – Morricone’s sparse synth and whistling evoke isolation; Carpenter’s non-Thing horrors use his own synth scores.
  13. C. Poltergeist – Goldsmith’s fanfare-like theme with voices was nominated for Best Score; similar hauntings like The Entity use Joseph Stefano.
  14. A. An American Werewolf in London – CCR’s swamp-rock hit plays pre-bite; The Howling uses Pino Donaggio score instead.
  15. B. The Lost Boys – The gothic rock ballad became synonymous with vampire lore; Fright Night uses Chris Young score.
  16. B. Scream – The 1976 rock classic underscores Ghostface’s phone call; Craven’s other slashers have Beltrami originals.
  17. B. Pet Sematary – The Ramones wrote/performed it for Mary Lambert’s film; other King 80s adaptations use varied rock.
  18. B. Beetlejuice – The calypso tune animates the possessed dinner guests; Burton’s later works use Danny Elfman originals.
  19. B. The Silence of the Lambs – It plays during Buffalo Bill’s lotion scene; Manhunter (same story) lacks it.
  20. C. 28 Days Later – Murphy’s track from his prior works powers Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic chases; later sequels remix it.

How did you do? Share your score in the comments and challenge your horror-loving friends to beat it!