Film Scores of 2025

There were times years past that I had an entire post for my favorite film scores of the year. I’m not really sure what happened, as I don’t really have a list of film scores. I’ve watched a decent amount of movies, but maybe just not, you know, NEW ones. I’ve only bought a small handful of film scores this year that pertained to new movies.

I think part of this is that I was pretty much obsessed with Mondo and Death Waltz Recording Co for several years and would pretty much grab whatever they were putting out as the quality, packaging, and album art were always top notch. It was exciting to see what they were releasing, and there was this sense that you were getting something special and limited.

The creative team behind Mondo’s vinyl releases parted ways with the company and started their own company called Made By Mutant. They’ve picked up where Mondo left off and are putting out stunning work. Their Infinity Pool and Longlegs releases are some of the best film score vinyl I have.

All of this to say that I don’t have much in ways of a film score best of list, but there were a couple standouts. To me. So….here they are.

Sinners S/T by Ludwig Göransson

You’ve truly missed out if you haven’t watched Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. It’s like 5 genre films in one, and they all come together in an absolutely stunning, beautiful way. If you took Walter Hill’s Last Man Standing and Crossroads and mixed them with Tarantino’s and Rodriguez’ From Dusk Till Dawn, Carpenter’s Vampires, and then threw in a little Cotton Club for good measure you’d have something somewhat resembling the stunning Sinners. But there’s far more heart and art in Sinners than any of those. Stunning cast, cinematography, and of course a world-class, mind-blowing score by the genius Ludwig Göransson. Dusty delta blues put through the looking glass and given a modern feel. It’s like cosmic Ry Cooder.

Jimmy & Stiggs S/T by Steve Moore

Steve Moore and DIY film auteur Joe Begos have made quite the collaborative relationship over the past decade or so, with Moore scoring all of Begos’ films since 2015s The Mind’s Eye. Moore’s woozy synths and penchant for Carpenter-esque flourishes are the perfect sonic touch to Bego’s over-the-top gore, cinematography, and dialogue. Jimmy & Stiggs might be Begos’ most audacious work, a single-room shot DIY splatterfest that gives new meaning to the term indulgent. But it’s indulgent in all the best ways, and Steve Moore lifts the overall vibe even more.

Tron : Ares S/T by Nine Inch Nails

Yes, this ended up on my electronic albums list, but it is also a soundtrack. I haven’t seen the movie, but the soundtrack is amazing. So there’s that.

A few other movies I saw in 2025 that I really enjoyed the scores to:

Eddington S/T by Daniel Pemberton and Bobby Krlic

Weapons S/T by Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay, Zach Cregger

The Phoenician Scheme S/T by Alexandre Desplat

Train Dreams S/T by Bryce Dessner

There’s one other soundtrack coming in 2025 I haven’t heard yet but I already know it’s going to be one of my favorites this year, and that’s Marty Supreme by Daniel Lopatin. Lopatin, aka Oneohtrix Point Never, is one of my absolute favorite musicians/musical projects/film composers. His work with The Safdie Brothers has been 10/10 every time, and I know Marty Supreme will be no different. The movie opens on 12/25, and if it is playing at my local theater I will be there. I already have a preorder in for the score as well.

Very hyped.

Okay, I know this post is a little weak but I did want to talk about movie scores of 2025. So I did. Now you can have a good weekend. And go check these movies/scores out if you haven’t seen them yet.