【コラム】 SF映画と音楽の関係性：未来を奏でるサウンドの歴史と手法

Column en Movie Soundtrack

19 Sep 2025

Relationship between science fiction movies and music: History and methods of sound that plays the future

Text: mmr｜Theme: About the inseparable relationship between science fiction movies and music

Explains the relationship between science fiction movies and music from historical background, musical methods, and representative works.From the fusion of synthesizers and orchestras to musical expression in the AI era

Relationship between science fiction movies and music

Music in science fiction movies is more than just a “background” that supports the story.It has become an essential element in expressing a sense of the future, a sense of another world, and the gap between technology and humanity.In this article, we will provide detailed explanations from four perspectives: historical background, musical methods, representative works and composers, and influence on modern times.

Historical background

Silent era ~ 1950s

1927 Metropolis: A silent film directed by Fritz Lang depicting a futuristic city.Orchestral accompaniment and contemporary musical techniques were used to embody the inorganic nature of the futuristic city through sound.
1950s science fiction film boom: War of the Worlds'' andForbidden Planet’’ introduced electronic musical instruments (such as the theremin) in earnest, giving audiences a sense of the unknown.

1970s-80s

1977 Star Wars: John Williams’ symphonic score gave the space opera an epic grandeur.
Blade Runner, 1982: Vangelis’s synthesizer music symbolized the urban neon lights and rain-soaked dystopia.

1990s-2000s

1995 Ghost in the Shell: Kenji Kawai’s fusion of folk music and electronic music embodies a ``post-human’’ world.
**2001 A.I.'' andMinority Report’’ **: John Williams once again brought classical structure to life, giving a humanistic lyricism to the city of the future.

Since 2010s

2014 Interstellar: Hans Zimmer combines pipe organ and synth to simultaneously depict the grandeur of the universe and the inner lives of humans.
2021 “DUNE/Dune”: A desert planet is expressed with folk music elements + electronic sound, creating an alien-like foreignness.

Musical method

The music used in science fiction movies has the following characteristic approaches.

Synthesizer/Electronic Sound

Symbolizes technology and a sense of the future.
Examples: “Blade Runner” and “TRON”.

Minimalism and Repetition

Expresses artificial and mechanical coldness.
Example: “Koyaanisqatsi” by Philip Glass.

Ambient/Noise

The silence of space and the presence of the unknown.
Example: Silent space + classical music from ``2001: A Space Odyssey.’’

Fusion of orchestra and electronic sound

Both grandeur and futuristic feel.
Examples: Star Wars'' andInterstellar.’’

Changes in film music by age

Age	Characteristics
1920s-50s	Silent films + electronic musical instrument experiments
1970s	Symphonic x Space Opera
1980s	Synthesizers and a dystopian feel
1990s	Fusion of anime and folk music
2000s	Hollywood blockbusters and classic return
2010s	Ambient x philosophical cosmology
2020s	Music generation and hybrid in the AI era

List of representative works and composers

Movie	Composer	Features	Musical Method	Official Link
2001: A Space Odyssey	Richard Strauss and others	Expressing the majesty of space through classical music	Comparison of existing songs and silence	YouTube
Star Wars	John Williams	Epic Space Opera	Symphonic Orchestra	Spotify
Blade Runner	Vangelis	Neon City and Humanity	Synthesizer Ambient	Amazon
Ghost in the Shell	Kenji Kawai	Post-human worldview	Ethnic music + electronic sound	YouTube
Interstellar	Hans Zimmer	Space and human drama	Pipe organ x electronic sound	Spotify
DUNE	Hans Zimmer	Religion on another world planet	Ethnic music x experimental sound	Amazon

Modern impact

Game music/VR experience: Follows the method of movie music such as “Mass Effect” and “Cyberpunk 2077”.
Spread into music genres: There are many genres derived from science fiction film music, such as synthwave, dark ambient, and electronica.
AI music generation: The vision of the future depicted in science fiction movies is becoming a reality as automatic music composition by AI and immersive experiences in VR space.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. Why are synthesizers often used in science fiction movies?

A1. The electronic tones are used to intuitively convey a sense of the future and unknown technology.

Q2. I would like to know the masterpieces of science fiction movie music.

A2. Representative examples include 2001: A Space Odyssey,''Star Wars,’’ Blade Runner,'' andInterstellar.’’

Q3. How is AI involved in science fiction film music?

A3. Currently, AI composition tools are being used to create sci-fi movie trailers and game sound production, which is a futuristic example of practice.

summary

Science fiction movies and music are inseparable because they create a sense of the future and another world.
It has been expressed in a variety of ways, including electronic sounds, synthesizers, orchestras, and ambient.
Throughout history, it can be said that the relationship between humans and technology has been visualized through sound.

Future science fiction film music will open up a new world through collaboration between AI and human composers.

[Column] Post-Rock/Ambient interaction with movies and architecture

[Column] Media history of film music: How did sound get from the screen to the speakers?

Explore more like this

Column en Movie Soundtrack