The 20 best TV show musical scores

The White Lotus has become one of the hottest properties on TV, and it follows the exploits of various guests at the chain resort in a different country each season. When people talk about how great the show is, they often talk about its disorientating and eerie music. It is deliberately loud and violent, mixing flutes, heavy percussion, and animalistic sounds to create a sense of anxiety. The music is more than just background noise, and is almost its own character.

Succession has cemented itself as one of the best shows in recent memory. It follows the Roy family, who own and control the biggest media corporation in the world. Succession has an equally brilliant score, which extends from the show’s opening titles to some of its most memorable scenes. It mixes classical and hip-hop sounds, accompanied by piano and a whole array of strings, which perfectly captures the on-screen grandeur and chaos as the characters fight for power. 

Overtaking the popularity of Ted Lasso, workplace thriller Severance recently became Apple TV+’s most-watched show. It follows the employees of a mysterious company called Lumon, who have all undertaken a surgical procedure that divides their personal and work lives. The plot is built on conspiracy and unease, which is elevated by its haunting and tense use of music. A combination of soft piano and heightened strings creates suspense and an off-beat feel.  

Stranger Things is known for having a nostalgic and hit-filled ‘80s soundtrack to match its setting. These needle-drops include "Every Breath You Take," "Running Up That Hill," and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" However, the main titles and score also adeptly fit the show’s retro vibe, as well as its sci-fi themes. By combining the iconic ‘80s synthesizer with deep bass, its music immediately transports viewers to the mysterious American town of Hawkins.

Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as three unlikely friends who share a true crime obsession. When a murder occurs in their building, they start a podcast and try to solve what happened. The score is just as playful as the show's tone, which is light-hearted and comedic with darker undertones. It features a piano and string-centric melody written and composed by Siddhartha Kholsa, who was inspired by Indian classical music. 

The music for a show like Game of Thrones needs to be as grand and epic as the series itself, and definitely delivered in dramatically enhancing some of television’s most vivid and shocking moments. As the battle for the Iron Throne rages on in the land of Westeros, multilayered instrumental pieces become essential to the show’s development. Specific characters and houses have their own themes, evoking fantasy, royalty, power, and more.

The Crown is one of the biggest shows Netflix has ever produced, and everything is large in scale, from the budget and costumes to the production and, of course, the music. The series follows Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over many years, and takes viewers directly inside the walls of the British monarchy. Hans Zimmer wrote the show’s main theme, which echoes throughout the entire series and other compositions. Swelling with grandeur and emotion, it’s a score fit for royalty.

David Lynch’s Twin Peaks has become a cult classic over the years, and arguably the director’s most acclaimed work. The series follows a police detective who is sent to the titular town to solve the murder of a seventeen-year-old girl. Lynch’s series is wonderfully weird and surreal, and so is the music. It features dreamlike and ghostly melodies that are beautiful and nightmarish at the same time, immersing viewers into Lynch’s eccentric odyssey. 

Shōgun was the breakout show of 2024. The historical series is set in feudal Japan in 1600, when samurai held power. It swept awards season that year, winning several Emmys, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards. One of the show’s most memorable elements is its intense and absorbing score. It utilizes authentic Japanese instruments and combines them with modern sounds and technology, making it unique compared to other shows but just as effective.

Mr. Robot , starring Rami Malek, is a tech-driven thriller about a computer hacker who suffers from mental illness. It features a mix of orchestral and electronic pieces that ground the viewer in protagonist Elliot’s dark and mysterious world. These numbers are carefully paced and inserted into scenes to create a sense of paranoia and play directly in line with the show’s techno themes. The show wouldn’t be nearly as tense or moody without these pushing the story forward.

Michael Giacchino is one of the most prominent composers in Hollywood today, responsible for films like Up, The Batman, and The Incredibles. However, some of his most cinematic work can be found in the TV series Lost. It follows a group of plane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island. Giacchino’s music is highly evocative and perfectly accompanies the show’s emotional and action-packed moments. The score is up there as one of his very best.

This Is Us is a heartwarming and moving family saga that spans multiple generations. Siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall go through their own unique personal struggles, which are interrupted with flashbacks of their childhood with loving parents Jack and Rebecca. A soft and gentle score accompanies the series, which also has the power to swell up with emotion in dramatic moments. Largely acoustic-based, it perfectly fits the warmth and heart of the show.

The Leftovers is a supernatural drama that is grounded in reality thanks to its somber tone. After the disappearance of two percent of the global population, New York residents struggle to continue with their daily lives thanks to the unexplained tragedy. The score, from acclaimed composer Max Richter, is simple, yet highly effective and dramatic. It brings real weight, depth, and humanity to the show and its characters, despite the far-fetched supernatural elements. 

A prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor tells the story of Cassian, who becomes a key figure in the Rebellion against the evil Empire. It is the most mature Star Wars project to date, both in terms of tone and plot. Its score also matches this intensity and seriousness. You won’t find the epic fanfare of John Williams in this series, but rather more subdued and atmospheric pieces that tie in with key themes of the show, such as politics and war, and its slow-burn approach. 

Westworld is the acclaimed HBO sci-fi series set in a Western-themed amusement park where visitors can interact with the robots and live out their fantasies. However, the robots end up going rogue. With its combination of period and futuristic settings, the score also bounces between the two, offering both classical orchestration and electronic music. It also features instrumental covers of well-known pop songs, such as "Back to Black" and "No Surprises."

Bridgerton is the hit period romance series that took the world by storm after its release. Each season focuses on a different couple, and while the music sounds like something from the Regency era in London, it definitely wouldn’t be heard there. Like Westworld, Bridgerton features instrumental covers of some of the biggest pop songs of all time, like "Bad Guy," "Material Girl," and "Wrecking Ball." It perfectly fits with the show’s modern twist and historical liberties taken. 

The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal and the internet’s favourite little cutie, Baby Yoda, as they traverse through the galaxy. The titular bounty hunter and his sidekick go on many adventures in the wake of the defeat of the Empire. While set in the Star Wars universe, the series still manages to have its unique music separate from the movies. Academy Award-winner Ludwig Göransson combines heavy bass and recorder to create a thrilling soundscape. 

Cobra Kai never dies, which is certainly true after six hit seasons of the series on Netflix. Set decades after The Karate Kid, former enemies Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence reunite and form an unexpected alliance. The show is full of explosive karate battles and fights, and the music set against them makes them even more epic to watch. It's a loud and blasting score combining guitar and drums while featuring orchestral music emulating heroism and glory. 

The Flight Attendant is a dark comedy series starring Kaley Cuoco. It sees alcoholic flight attendant Cassie embroiled in a world of murder, espionage, and intrigue. While the show only lasted two seasons, its fast-paced score is hard to forget. As the mystery unravels on screen, jazz-infused piano compositions heighten the stakes, anxiety, and the show’s dark humor. It evokes a hectic and disorientating feel that perfectly echoes Cassie’s state of mind. 

Downton Abbey is the hit period drama that follows the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family. Across five seasons, they deal with love, tragedy, war, and scandal in all different forms. The score is nothing short of mesmerizing, matching the lavish and elegant lives that the Crawleys lead. However, it maintains a simplicity that keeps the focus on the characters and action on screen. It doesn’t overpower, but instead adds to the visual elements.