Top 10 Scores Turning 30 in 2024

Back to our musical score time machine! For this edition, we're looking way back to 1994!  Here's a look back at the scores of the year with my list of the 10 Best Scores Turning 30!

Let's start the ranking!

10. Speed (Mark Mancina)

This fun 90s action flick helped put Mancina on the map.  The main theme and anthems sound like so much from that time period, with electronics and non-stop action beats taking much of the score. 

9. Little Women (Thomas Newman)

A very traditional orchestral score by Newman, the highlight is the main theme that has a few variations through the score.  Another playful theme appears a handful of times.  Unfortunately, many of the most tender and lovely cues on the soundtrack end as quickly as they started.  

8. Iron Will (Joel McNeely)

McNeely brought the spirit of adventure to this dog race film.  The orchestra shines in the playfulness and heroic fanfares used in between statements of his strong soaring theme.  The score works even better on Intrada's expanded album. 

7. Stargate (David Arnold)

Arnold caught listener's ears with this rousing sci-fi score.  The score is anchored by the great main theme and love theme using every bit of the orchestra and featured choir that feels like a throwback to other thrilling epics.  

6. Black Beauty (Danny Elfman)

A beautiful score that really doesn't have the hallmarks of a Danny Elfman score.  Past the lovely main titles are emotional cues that feature violin and piano alongside the lilting dance-like style.  Like the previous year's Sommersby, it showed Elfman's depth as a composer.  

5. Wyatt Earp (James Newton Howard)

Even in the 1980s-90s resurgence of western epics - Howard's score stands out.  With sweeping melodies and western instrumentation, the action and drama is serious.  Many of his grand gestures would continue in 1995's Waterworld.  

4. Forrest Gump (Alan Silvestri)

Besides the decades worth of popular songs, Silvestri's score is both intimate and expansive in its usage of several main themes.  The main "feather" theme became the film's standout.  I do love the touching theme for Jenny and Forrest and the rousing running theme. 

3. The Shawshank Redemption (Thomas Newman)

Newman's beautiful orchestral score defines much of the film.  It elevates the scenes without getting in the way, gently using themes that add to the emotions later in the film.  By the time you reach So Was Red/End Title, you feel like you've gone on a journey that's worth relistening to.  

2. Legends of the Fall (James Horner)

Horner's extremely lush score matches the sweeping vistas of the Montana landscape.  He gives it a vintage feel with fiddle and piano solos and memorable Appalachian-style themes.  Later the brooding brass, percussion and shakuhachi play a large part in the epic score.

1. The Lion King (Hans Zimmer)

The Disney renaissance featured some of the best songs in the company's long history, and this film has plenty to choose from.  It also took a detour from Alan Menken's underscoring style to the dramatic work of Zimmer and team.  Zimmer's thrilling score mainly stands apart, even if it does have a bit of song melodies interspersed.  The iconic sounds of the film also have much to thank from the South African rhythms and chants by Lebo M. 

Honorable Mentions:
Clear and Present Danger (James Horner), Interview with the Vampire (Elliot Goldenthal), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Patrick Doyle), The Shadow (Jerry Goldsmith)

Any personal favorites of yours from 1994 that I didn't include?