History Main / RealityHasNoSoundtrack

* ''Series/{{MASH}}'' started out using musical scores throughout each episode, like most sitcoms of the era, but starting in the second season on it was gradually phased out, reserved for lengthy comedic sequences and before and after commercial breaks. By season eight, the background music was gone entirely. According to Burt Metcalf, it was removed to be "just like the actual UsefulNotes/KoreanWar". Likewise, the CannedLaughter forced by the network was scaled back as the series wore on, ultimately being absent in the finale.

* Besides the opening sequence, ''Film/DogDayAfternoon'' does not have any music.

* ''Film/TheChinaSyndrome'': Except for a song by Stephen Bishop ("Somewhere in Between") that plays on a car radio during the opening credits, there's no music in the film, which increases the tension.

* The ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' season 5 episode "The Body" has absolutely no music, apart from the theme tune during the opening and closing credits. However, the rest of the series has music like normal, making this episode really stand out.

* Despite having several orchestral scores listed in its soundtrack, ''VideoGame/BrothersInArms'' does not have any background music. All of these themes instead play during either the main menu or during title sequences, but never in the levels themselves.

* ''Film/Frankenstein1931'' has no music, except for the opening and end-credits and a brief sequence featuring the village band.

* For the most part, the real life sequences in ''Anime/NetoJuuNoSusume'' have no background music aside from joke scenes. This is in comparison with the lively MMO sequences and is used to show how lonely the protagonist's life is.

* For the most part, the real life sequences in ''Net-Juu No Susume'' have no background music aside from joke scenes. This is in comparison with the lively MMO sequences and is used to show how lonely the protagonist's life is.

* ''Film/PortraitOfALadyOnFire has almost no soundtrack to reflect how precious Héloïse finds music in a time period (the late 18th century) where recordings don't exist and concerts are typically a privilege only enjoyed by the rich. As such, the only three instances of music are entirely diegetic and very significant: the scene of Marianne playing a bit of "Summer" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons on the harpsichord for Héloïse, the women singing at the bonfire, and [[spoiler: the ending scene, in which Marianne witnesses Héloïse being moved to tears while listening to a full orchestra play "Summer."]]

* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonAWonderfulLife'', arguably the darkest but certainly the most realistic ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' title, lacks background music with a few exceptions, notably the record player in your house and occasional guitar music at the local bar. You can also sometimes hear music if you visit Lumina's house while she's playing the piano.

[[folder: Anime ]]

[[folder: Film ]]

* Creator/JanSvankmajer's ''Film/{{Alice}}'' lacks any background music, aside from a piece of music played over the end credits. If anything, the sound effects (such as Alice sucking her finger or scraping knives) are exaggerated and sound quite loud.