Hum the opening notes of Star Wars. Go ahead—we’ll wait. Most people can belt out John Williams’ iconic fanfare without missing a beat. Now try humming the theme from Avengers: Endgame. Struggling? You’re not alone.

This simple exercise reveals a fascinating shift in how film music works. While audiences could easily whistle themes from Jaws, E.T., or Superman decades after their release, modern blockbusters prioritize atmosphere over memorable melodies. The question isn’t whether contemporary composers lack talent—they’re creating some of the most sophisticated and intriguing soundscapes in cinema history. Rather, the entire philosophy of film scoring has evolved.

Two compelling video essays have sparked a lively debate about this transformation: “The Marvel Symphonic Universe” by Every Frame a Painting and Dan Golding’s response exploring the nuanced reasons behind modern scoring techniques. Their analyses, which you can join in and contribute to, reveal how technological advances, changing audience expectations, and new storytelling approaches have reshaped the musical landscape of cinema.

But does this evolution represent progress or loss? Are we witnessing the natural maturation of film music as an art form, or have we traded memorable themes for forgettable textures? The answer lies in understanding how film scores have transformed—and why both approaches serve essential purposes in their respective eras. By delving into this understanding, you can become more informed and knowledgeable about the art of film scoring.

The Golden Age of Memorable Themes

The late 1970s and 1980s marked what many consider the golden age of film music. John Williams dominated this era with themes that became cultural phenomena. His approach drew heavily from classical romantic traditions, crafting melodies that could stand alone as concert pieces while serving the narrative.

Williams understood something fundamental about human psychology: memorable melodies create emotional anchors. When audiences heard the Star Wars theme, they didn’t just remember a movie—they remembered how that movie made them feel. The music became inseparable from the experience, creating a powerful psychological connection that lasted decades.

Other composers of this era followed similar principles. Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting Alien theme, Ennio Morricone’s whistling motifs in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Bernard Herrmann’s shrieking strings in Psycho all shared one quality: they were instantly recognisable and emotionally evocative.

This approach reflected the filmmaking philosophy of the time. Movies were designed as complete experiences, with every element—including music—contributing to a cohesive artistic vision. Directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas viewed music as equal to cinematography or editing, not merely supportive background noise.

The recording technology of the era also influenced this approach. Before digital audio workstations and sophisticated sound design, orchestral scores needed to carry more emotional weight. Music-filled sonic spaces that modern films pack with layered sound effects and ambient audio.

The Modern Shift to Textural Scoring

Contemporary film scoring has embraced what musicologists call “textural” or “atmospheric” scoring. Instead of memorable themes, composers create sonic environments that enhance mood without drawing attention to themselves. This approach prioritises subtlety and integration over memorability.

Hans Zimmer pioneered much of this transformation. His work on Inception demonstrates the textural approach perfectly. Rather than a traditional melody, the score uses manipulated orchestral sounds, synthesisers, and even the song “Non, je ne regrette rien” slowed down dramatically to create an otherworldly atmosphere. The music serves the film’s dream-within-a-dream concept by creating sonic uncertainty.

Marvel Cinematic Universe scores exemplify this modern approach. Alan Silvestri, Tyler Bates, and other Marvel composers create competent, professional scores that enhance action sequences and emotional moments without establishing memorable themes. The music supports the rapid-fire pacing and complex sound design that characterises modern blockbusters.

This shift reflects several practical considerations. Modern films feature dense soundscapes with multiple audio layers. A prominent melody might compete with dialogue, sound effects, and ambient noise. Textural scoring allows music to occupy sonic spaces without overwhelming other audio elements.

Digital technology has also enabled this evolution. Composers can now layer dozens of instrumental and electronic elements, creating rich textures impossible with traditional orchestral recording. This technological capability has opened new creative possibilities while changing audience expectations about what film music should accomplish.

Technology’s Role in the Evolution

The transition from analog to digital production has fundamentally altered film scoring. Early film composers worked within technological constraints that actually enhanced creativity. Limited tracks and recording sessions forced composers to craft efficient, memorable themes that could be performed and recorded in single sessions.

Modern composers have virtually unlimited technological resources. Digital Audio Workstations allow infinite layering, real-time manipulation, and seamless integration with sound design. Synthesisers can create sounds that no acoustic instrument could produce. Sample libraries provide access to virtually any orchestral sound without hiring musicians.

These advances have democratized film scoring while changing its nature. Composers can now create complex soundscapes in home studios that would have required full orchestras and expensive recording facilities decades ago. However, this accessibility has also led to homogenization. Many modern scores sound similar because composers use the same digital tools and sample libraries.

The integration of music and sound design has become seamless in the digital age. Composers and sound designers now collaborate closely, creating hybrid audio that blurs the line between music and environmental sound. This integration serves modern storytelling by enhancing the immersive experience for the audience, but it also makes music less distinct and memorable, as it becomes part of the overall audio landscape of the film.

Temp music—temporary music used during editing before the final score is composed—has also influenced this evolution. Directors often fall in love with temporary tracks during post-production, asking composers to create “something like that.” This practice has led to increasingly similar-sounding scores as composers reference the same popular films.

Audience Psychology and Memory

The shift from melodic to textural scoring reflects changing audience psychology. Modern viewers consume media differently from previous generations. They multitask while watching, stream content on various devices, and expect immediate gratification. This context affects how they process and remember music.

Memorable themes require focused attention to become embedded in memory. Classic film themes succeeded because audiences watched movies in theatres without distractions, allowing musical themes to make lasting impressions. Modern viewing habits, dominated by home streaming and divided attention, make this deep musical absorption less likely.

However, textural scoring actually serves modern audiences better in many contexts. Background music that doesn’t demand attention allows viewers to focus on complex dialogue and rapid visual information. Marvel films, for instance, pack enormous amounts of plot and character development into limited screen time. Intrusive musical themes might hinder rather than help audience comprehension.

Neuroscience research supports this evolution. Studies show that human brains process familiar melodies differently from unfamiliar ones. Classic film themes benefit from repeated exposure—audiences hear them multiple times across franchises and marketing campaigns. Modern blockbusters often feature single-use themes that audiences encounter only once, making memorability more challenging.

The nostalgia factor also affects perception. Audiences remember classic themes not just for their inherent quality but for their association with formative experiences. Star Wars themes are memorable partly because they accompanied childhood wonder for multiple generations. Modern themes lack this temporal advantage.

Cultural and Artistic Context

Film scoring evolution reflects broader cultural changes. Clear cultural narratives and shared experiences characterised the late 20th century. Movies like Star Wars and E.T. captured collective hopes and fears, making their musical themes cultural touchstones.

Contemporary culture is more fragmented and individualised. Audiences have access to unlimited entertainment options and can create personalised media experiences. This fragmentation makes creating universally memorable cultural artifacts more challenging. Film music reflects this reality by serving specific narrative moments rather than attempting broad cultural resonance.

The rise of franchise filmmaking has also influenced scoring approaches. Classic themes worked well for standalone films or trilogies with clear narrative arcs. Modern franchises span decades and include dozens of interconnected films. Creating memorable themes for every character and plot thread would create cacophonous results.

Modern composers face different artistic challenges than their predecessors. They must create music that works across multiple films, serves complex narratives, and integrates with sophisticated sound design. These requirements often conflict with the simplicity needed for memorable themes.

The democratisation of music criticism through social media and YouTube has also changed how film music is evaluated. Audiences can now analyse and compare scores instantly, creating pressure for originality while paradoxically leading to homogenization as composers avoid risks that might generate negative attention.

The Case for Both Approaches

Rather than viewing this evolution as a decline, we might consider it an adaptation. Different storytelling approaches require different musical strategies. Classic adventure films benefited from memorable themes that enhanced mythic storytelling. Modern blockbusters often prioritise realism and complexity over mythology, making atmospheric scoring more appropriate.

The best contemporary composers understand when each approach serves the story. Christopher Nolan’s frequent collaborator, Hans Zimmer, creates textural atmospheres for complex narratives like Interstellar but crafts memorable themes when stories demand them, as in The Dark Knight trilogy.

Some modern composers successfully blend both approaches. Ludwig Göransson’s work on Black Panther features memorable African-influenced themes while maintaining the textural sophistication expected in contemporary scoring. His success demonstrates that melodic memorability and modern production techniques can coexist.

The streaming age has also created new opportunities for memorable themes. Television composers like Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones) and Kyle Bobby Dunn (Stranger Things) create themes that audiences hear repeatedly across multiple episodes, allowing for the repetition necessary for memorability.

Video game music provides another model for successful modern themes. Composers like Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) and Jesper Kyd (Assassin’s Creed) create memorable melodies within complex interactive soundscapes. Their success suggests that memorable themes remain viable when given appropriate context and repetition.

Looking Forward: The Future of Film Music

The future of film scoring likely involves synthesis rather than replacement. Advanced AI tools are already helping composers generate both melodic themes and textural atmospheres more efficiently. These technologies might enable more personalised scoring approaches, creating different musical experiences for different audience segments.

Virtual and augmented reality technologies will demand new scoring approaches that combine the best of both traditions. VR experiences need memorable musical landmarks to help users navigate virtual spaces, while also requiring subtle atmospheric cues that respond to user actions.

The growing importance of global markets will also influence film music evolution. Composers must create scores that resonate across cultural boundaries, potentially favouring universal musical languages over culturally specific melodic traditions.

Sustainability concerns may also shape future scoring. The environmental cost of recording large orchestras has led some composers to embrace digital alternatives. However, the distinct sound of acoustic instruments remains irreplaceable for certain emotional effects.

The Magic Continues, Just Differently

Film music hasn’t lost its magic—it has adapted to serve new storytelling needs and technological realities. While we might miss the instant memorability of classic themes, modern textural scoring achieves different but equally valuable artistic goals.

The most successful contemporary composers understand that both approaches have merit. They create atmospheric landscapes when stories demand subtlety and memorable themes when narratives need emotional anchors. This flexibility represents artistic maturation rather than decline.

The real magic lies not in choosing between melodic and textural approaches, but in understanding how each serves different aspects of human experience. Classic themes connect us to shared cultural memories, while modern atmospheric scores help us navigate complex contemporary narratives.

The next time you struggle to hum a modern film theme, remember that its purpose might not be memorability. Instead, that score might be working invisibly to enhance your emotional experience, guide your attention, or create psychological states that serve the story in ways previous generations of film music never attempted.

Film music continues evolving, just as cinema itself evolves. The magic remains—we’re just learning to recognise it in new forms.