Every Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Soundtrack, Ranked from Worst to Best
1. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011)
Topping our list is this evocative and icy score that beautifully captures the essence of both chilling landscapes and complex characters – an absolute masterpiece that showcases Trent Reznor’s and Atticus Ross’ ability to elevate a film through music.
2. “Soul” (2020)
Surprising fans by venturing into animation, they added profound emotional layers to Pixar’s exploration of life’s purpose with jazzy elements complementing Jon Batiste’s original songs expertly.
3. “The Social Network” (2010)
Dark and driving, their score for “The Social Network” earned Reznor and Ross an Academy Award, signaling their dominant arrival in film composing with a mix of electronic grooves and haunting themes.
4. “Watchmen” (2019)
Spanning three volumes of music, Reznor and Ross created a diverse and rich sonic tapestry that superbly matched this complex superhero narrative.
5. “Gone Girl” (2014)
With its pulsating rhythms and unsettling melodies, the “Gone Girl” score expertly mirrors the psychological twists of the film’s storyline.
6. “Bird Box” (2018)
Creating an oppressive audio landscape that perfectly painted the tension and dread necessary for this post-apocalyptic narrative, “Bird Box” is a solid entry in their filmography.
7. “Waves” (2019)
A blend of soul-piercing drama and ethereal tracks make this score hard to ignore, but it doesn’t quite reach the highest echelons of their collaborative efforts.
8. “Mid90s” (2018)
Contributing a set of previously unreleased instrumental tracks, Reznor and Ross’ work blends well with the film’s gritty aesthetic but isn’t as memorable as their feature-length scores.
9. “The Vietnam War” (2017)
The duo’s work on this Ken Burns documentary series is haunting and reflective, but overshadowed by the historical weight of the visuals it accompanies.
10. “Patriots Day” (2016)
This score for the Boston Marathon bombing film captures tension effectively but doesn’t stand out as much in their discography for its relatively conventional approach.
11. “Before the Flood” (2016)
Starting our list is the environmental documentary soundtrack that, while featuring some intriguing textures, feels more like ambient background music compared to their other work.
With their atmospheric and moody approach to film scoring, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have certainly left an indelible mark on the world of cinematic music. Here is a comprehensive ranking of their soundtracks, from the less impactful to the masterpieces that secured their place in film history.