Many components are used to determine the quality of a film; the screenplay tells the story, the cinematography paints the picture and the editing ties everything together. However, what elevates the film is the musical score. The musical score provides film with an essence, allowing the movie to tell its story in its own unique way.

There have been countless memorable film scores across the decades. Many argue the absolute best film scores lie in the 20th century with films like “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” or “Back to the Future.” While these films gave us truly memorable music, there have plenty of films in the 21st century whose scores can stand toe to toe with three giants.

“Requiem for a Dream”- Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet

“Requiem for a Dream” put director Darren Aronofsky on the map through its visceral roller coaster of emotion. One of the best movies about drug addiction, having an addicting musical score to go with it is only fitting. This isn’t a score that instantly blows you away; it seeps into your mind with each repeated listening. One of the score’s final songs, “Lux Aeterna,” became a cultural phenomenon after the film’s release, becoming commonplace in movie trailers and dramatic videos for years.

“The Dark Knight” – Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard

Zimmer and Howard struck gold with their memorable score in “Batman Begins,” but they upped the ante even further with the sequel. The very first song, “Why So Serious?” perfectly captures the essence of the Joker: it’s unnerving, unpredictable and absolutely terrifying.

Despite Zimmer and Howard having very different styles in the songs they separately composed, they still complement each other perfectly. Zimmer captures the darker tone of the film and characters while Howard creates tenderness and serenity that celebrates the film’s lighter moments.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”- Howard Shore

Arguably one of the best film trilogies ever made, “The Lord of the Rings” score by Howard Shore is a perfect package. The composition is peaceful, dark, heroic and intense all at the same time.

Shore incorporates vocals frequently and to great effect; the choir features a fantastic range from the dark and powerful chanting of “The Bridge of Khazad Dum” to the elegant and hypnotic chants of “Lothlorien.” The languages created by Tolkien are brought to life in a way no one could have imagined prior to the films. Shore created an instant classic which constructs an experience like no other for the audience.