Top 20 Most Iconic Instrumental Movie Scores of All Time

[@WatchMojo]

Which of these film scores is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! For more movie music, check out our playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fai0aZx-jZiXr7c

[@mlggamer5296]

Star Wars, Pink panther, titanic, Superman and Batman

[@jcj268]

You forgot Jaws

[@TheWorldMemeDatabase]

How in the hell did you pin this comment a month ago?

[@woody4077]

none oit was an athelete in HS not a musican

[@scottsacala]

@@TheWorldMemeDatabase lol, the video was probably private for a month, and then they made it public just now. But made that comment when it first uploaded

[@sloanewalker42]

Fun fact: John Williams was at a bar one night with some other composers, and he said he was going to make a song so iconic, that people would be able to recognize it in two notes. The others said it would never happen. He then proceeded to write the theme for Jaws, which can be identified in two notes.

[@shayneletendre9451]

And Star Wars and Jurassic Park

[@nancygonzalezgarcia8701]

When you said two notes, I thought Star Wars

[@euugato12]

@@shayneletendre9451 Also harry potter

[@MrRobarino]

Bullshit, that's not a true story. Making stuff up yourself and calling it a "Fun fact" doesn't make it true at all. The story behind the Jaws theme song is well documented. Nowhere in any of the interviews or documentaries is there any story about being at a bar with other composers. You're just a liar who needed attention and a bunch of "thumbs up" from gullible people who are too stupid to check the facts. Idiots like you are why the world has to deal with anti-vaxxers. flat-earthers, climate deniers and other bullshit.

[@shayneletendre9451]

@@MrRobarino you good bro?

[@alexanders7569]

The Lord of the Rings score isn't just iconic. It's brilliance is in the way it can tell the whole story without the visuals.

[@omt4293]

Everything about the trilogy was brilliant

[@Jaime.Lannister]

🥱

[@nerd9347.]

Truth! J.R.R. Tolkien was a freaking genius.

[@Lukemar6]

Favorite movie score of all time for me

[@josedominguez726]

The goat

[@some_one2940]

This list truly demonstrates how talented John Williams truly is, Long may he live.

[@jeuryrabassa9534]

And Danny Elfman with his epic,exciting,heroic,intense,iconic and catchy theme songs.

[@swisherodocus314]

Hans Zimmer is decent too. JW is the best though

[@nancyomalley6286]

He's a fellow Long Islander!

[@richarddawson5836]

Not a fan of Schindlers list and Jurassic park scores but Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the lost ark, and Superman were epic. Hans Zimmer is up there too.

[@marionbaggins]

And Howard Shore!!!

[@u.g.3298]

Expected "Gladiator" to be in the list, but didn't even got an honorable mention. "Now we are free" is the most emotive piece in all the movie. Also, "Interstellar". "No time for caution" even became a huge meme, and is a wonderful piece full of tension. There is also the fact that the organ Zimmer used for that piece made shake the church, and you can even hear the building shaking if you lift up the volume or have a high quality audio setup. They teased us with "Chariots of fire" and "Jaws", but they didn't even made to honorable mentions.

[@franzburisch5280]

"Now we are free" cannot be in this list as it is not an pure instrumental soundtrack.

[@Curt_Randall]

Really, you couldn't find a place for Jaws in this list? It arguable started the boom of great film scores and was Williams' first award winning score.

[@yunbie]

At least they acknowledged it at the beginning, but still it should be on the list

[@tzanerman]

Agreed. Forest Gump but not Jaws? Laughable.

[@lord2.0works]

Back to the Future, the Raimi Spider Man theme, and the Avengers theme: they all too deserved honorable mentions at least

[@yunbie]

@@lord2.0works I was thinking of Raimi's Spider-Man and The Avengers theme

[@hellokittyx7]

I came here to say the same thing!

[@虎太郎-p8l]

RIP James Horner, you're gone but your music is still breathing into our hearts,, thank you for the music

[@jambler15]

He did such a great job with The Mask of Zorro score (1998).

[@shkee23]

John Williams is so good, he could be 1 through 20 on this list.

[@sub-zero710]

Lol... Right??? He has done so many classics, that it's easy to forget almost all of his work is damn near flawless, so some of it falls through the cracks over time. A lot of people forget how good the score he wrote for The Patriot was!

[@calvinfoo]

20 is too much. 10 is more realistic. Still super a lot.

[@lizardog]

Williams should split the list with Howard Shore.

[@steveschrack9827]

True but how could they leave jaws out?

[@jlyvren89]

Why not a Top 10 (or 20) John Williams scores for a list?! 🤔 *The man is a legend!!! 👏

[@tylermerritt6370]

Let’s just say thank you to John Williams, who provided the world with wonder and nostalgia

[@henri191]

He's a pirate is one of the best theme songs ever made

[@ezekieltheappeal]

Agree

[@CUTiger1989]

One of the best-fitting compositions for the movie genre. Hearing it always fires me up.

[@sophiecooper1824]

I actually prefer " What shall we die for " the most epic score I've ever heard

[@JenniferEvans-e5n]

One of the best kisses ever.

[@mmolenda8141]

Star Wars is one of the most iconic pieces ever in film history. John Williams is a musical score mastermind and genius . Every piece he has made has depth and meaning to it ...so beautiful

[@soumyajoypal9359]

The Binary sunset theme always gives goosebumps

[@lessismore8533]

Hans Zimmer is also a genius

[@Muffynz]

The Force Theme from Star Wars while Luke stares out over the desert at the binary suns. I'm not sure I believe in the concept of perfection, but that thirty seconds damn near comes close. John Williams is a legend.

[@zzz43344]

Yeah!

[@neptunemedia8746]

Amen

[@JennA-uf6lo]

That has always been my favorite musical moment from Star Wars. Second place is a short passage from the space fight scenes during the Battle of Endor, followed closely by the dark choral music during Luke and Vader’s final fight.

[@Imylover]

Best theme ever made! It's religious!

[@830rpn]

Single greatest cut of movie music of all time. Not as iconic as the opening music, but still the best every to me.

[@aaronpackard3508]

I feel like the Interstellar score would have made a great honorable mention under a sci-fi theme. With how well that score line up with the movie and the story it definitely deserves a mention.

[@arjunkorpal9973]

Couldn’t agree more, should’ve even been on this list

[@sebastianlaquerre2334]

Same, the Avengers theme as well

[@animefan0077]

Ennio Morricone's Scores From The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West and Fistful of Dynamite will always be Iconic.

[@mikereger1186]

He did The Mission as well, which is instantly recognisable when you hear it.

[@nathanleak3016]

It should be on the list, I'd personally take out 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Terminator 2, and Put in The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and Braveheart's Theme.

[@Andrew_trollino344]

@@nathanleak3016 And Titanic could have been relegated to some lower placing on this list. I mean, I get it that it's famous and well known, but it should not have been above Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark or even Schindler's List...

[@nathanleak3016]

I agree.

[@830rpn]

I do wish he was on the list somewhere. I LOVE some of the stuff Tarantino uses in his movies

[@OkieAllDay]

For my money LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring is hands down the best score of all time

[@marionbaggins]

That or LOTR: The Return of the King...I can't be picky!!!

[@omt4293]

Or Two Towers! All three were amazing.

[@marionbaggins]

@@omt4293 True That!!!

[@ogbee9690]

IMO best movie ever made hands down

[@maggie3915]

Howard Shore’s score for the lord of the rings trilogy will always be number one to me. That score is so iconic and just elevates the movies to such an unbelievable level while still evoking the core fantasy of the book series. I can literally here the score in my head when I think about certain scenes

[@lindildeev5721]

The best indeed.

[@nathanleak3016]

It is a masterful score, with many epic themes. In my opinion the best.

[@hopegorman2784]

Agreed!

[@katrinkroning1634]

I totally agree 💙

[@blue_dust9325]

Very agree

[@DisneyFan16672]

Huge miss for not including Alan Silvestri’s tremendous work on the “Back To The Future” films. Adventurous, uplifting, adrenaline pumping and perfectly fitting the setting for whichever film you pop in. Whether it’s the 50’s, a dark alternate 1985, or the Wild West of 1885, the moment the main theme kicks in, you just want to jump in a Delorean with Doc and Marty and head wherever (or whenever as the case may be) time takes you. :)

[@matthewschumann135]

They could have put this in instead of Terminator 2

[@micahcaraballo890]

Let's one honest: there will never ever EVER be a film composer more iconic and more influential than the great John Williams!!

[@IsmaelGarcia-qe6ub]

Damn right!

[@zzz43344]

True!

[@Chuuma]

I'd say he our generation's iteration of Ludwig Van Beethoven

[@AirbenderHawk]

Hell yes!!

[@nathanleak3016]

Yea, John Williams is the best, but Hans Zimmer is a distant second and Maby Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri or Ennio Morricone would be 3rd,4th and 5th.

[@jp3813]

Top 10 favorite film composers: 1. John Williams [Duh!] 2. Danny Elfman [Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands] 3. Hans Zimmer [Crimson Tide, The Rock (main theme), Pirates of the Caribbean] 4. James Horner [Titanic, Braveheart, Zorro] 5. Alan Silvestri [Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Predator] 6. David Arnold [Stargate, Independence Day, Tomorrow Never Dies] 7. Jerry Goldsmith [Star Trek, Gremlins, Air Force One] 8. Basil Poledouris [Conan, RoboCop, The Hunt for Red October] 9. Alan Menken [The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin] *even w/o the lyrics 10. Howard Shore [Middle-earth franchise] Honorable mentions: Ennio Morricone [The Good, the Bad and the Ugly], Bill Conti [Rocky], Randy Edelman [DragonHeart], Harold Faltermeyer [Top Gun], Vangelis [Chariots of Fire]

[@RaguORagla]

A list like this just proves how god is John Williams. And his Jurassic Park theme is godly made!

[@zzz43344]

Indeed!

[@Chuuma]

I saw this title and was like "I have a feeling John Williams is going to come up A LOT here...."

[@ronniesanders5906]

Jurassic Park has such an amazing score (which I've loved since my youth), that I am now considering unsubscribing from this channel for daring to place it any lower #1.

[@theindominuschannel1756]

John Williams is beyond a God in regards to composing music. I don't think there's even a name we can use.

[@Sturmantor]

@@ronniesanders5906 I'm sorry but star wars is definitely Number 1

[@antwanefort]

Alan Silvestri's Avengers theme should have gotten at least a HM. And Back to the Future , Home Alone and Jaws. But with that being said. I love this list Good job Watchmojo

[@charliep123]

Agreed! I am genuinely shocked that the Avengers (or any Marvel movie) wasn’t on this list. Avengers Theme from The Avengers as well as Portals or Main on End from Endgame are all strong contenders.

[@celticpoet21]

Great list, I just wish that Jaws, Back to the Future, The Avengers and at least Who framed Roger Rabbit could have made the list as well! There are so many awesome movie themes its hard to keep track!

[@mikereger1186]

The Avengers was Alan Silvestri, who also scored the original Predator movie.

[@cookscreativecorner]

@@mikereger1186 And Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, along with Forrest Gump.

[@Heavencloud19]

Jaws, Back to the Future or Avengers are much more iconic than Batman, and i love Batman

[@rainbowrunner1550]

Yeah, I was expecting Back to the Future to be on this list. With Alan Silvestri also doing Polar Express and Avengers to name a couple, he's probably my favorite composer that isn't John Williams.

[@clintdeangelis5082]

I get that. But the other issue is which scores get removed? But I wouldn't have a problem if they put one of these on and took certain ones off.

[@elkgrovedj]

Films of the 80s had the best composers! John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Danny Elfman, Michael Kamen, Howard Shore, and James Newton-Howard.

[@olaric9808]

I never get tired of Pirates of Caribbean 🙌🏼

[@lessismore8533]

It’s such a CLASSIC

[@mvelo6331]

No Mission: Impossible score. I'm genuinely surprised. My favourite would have to be Harry Potter and Rocky.

[@LwaziNene]

Danny Elfman did the first film of MI.

[@maxwellstupid5253]

"Mission:Impossible" is a TV show. It might be on it if they did a greatest TV show themes video. But then probably not. They NEVER get anything right.

[@chrisbartlett3139]

E. T., Schindler's List, The Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars are some of my favorite film scores of all time.

[@madelinegarber7860]

John Williams is a freaking legend! I grew up with the Rockie theme since I’m a Philly girl and Forest Gump is one of my favorite movies. That Jurasic Park music is also freaking iconic and perfect for capturing something as awe inspiring as a dinosaur in the flesh. But my favorite movie score hands down is Star Wars. Where do I even begin? So many iconic pieces and such a compelling story.

[@46angelgonzalez]

First time in a while a countdown I actually enjoyed. Takes me back to the old watchmojo when I was excited to subscribe.

[@henriliimatainen7727]

exactly, its been a long time since I have seen a watchmojo video, this good

[@slowodanx]

this is satire, right? the honorable mentions alone are better than everything from 1-5 This is disgrace of a list.

[@46angelgonzalez]

@@slowodanx no, it’s actually not. Trust me, I’m one to disagree with these list but I can’t complain with a lot of these picks. Probably the order they’re in. But a lot of these are just beautifully done.

[@hacantyapradipta1119]

This is just an expansion of their old video. They used to make top 10 lists. Now that they've run out of ideas, they expanded rhe list to 20.

[@juzoli]

Hearing just 10seconds from these, opens a portal in my mind, and immediately throws me into the movie.

[@henri191]

Indiana Jones is the perfect theme song for a adventure movie

[@disclaimer.imjokin]

Nope

[@scottty795]

@@disclaimer.imjokin This list literally proves you wrong

[@fadhilimatandala7629]

Indian jones Star Wars and Jurassic park 😂😂😆😆😆same guy

[@scottty795]

@@fadhilimatandala7629 Yeah???

[@superpuppetmaster8947]

How did the Avengers theme by Alan Silvestre not make it in this list, or the honorable mentions. It's instantly recognizable.

[@slowodanx]

because watchmojo doesnt care and their lists are awfully bad in the last years.

[@marcuspoosz2190]

@@slowodanx make one yourself then lmao

[@clintdeangelis5082]

Agreed.

[@soumyajoypal9359]

It should have been an honourable mention

[@r.c.c.10]

So are all in the list.

[@AirbenderHawk]

John Williams is the man!!!!! Without him, there wouldn’t be any iconic movie themes at all. For example, I love Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and other projects that he worked on. He’s our modern day Beethoven.

[@lessismore8533]

I don’t 100%. Hans Zimmer has also done iconic movie themes such as Pirates of the Carrbean. John is legendary but so is Hans Zimmer

[@cookscreativecorner]

John Williams is my all-time favorite composer, with Hans Zimmer in a close but distant second. They've never let me down, and the day John Williams passes will be the saddest day in all of music history. I was so happy that Williams had the perfect send-off from Star Wars with his score for The Rise of Skywalker. Can't wait to hear his next score!

[@twist58]

Whether it be John Williams, Danny Elfman, Henry Mancini, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Alan Silvestri (I can go on forever…) All their music scores helped shape our way of wonder, keep us engaged, or understand the notion the characters onscreen go through. They also help build the story at times too.

[@supaflyguy666]

The Superman theme always gets me. So much excitement, and tears. My god, what a score.

[@jonathanharshman7194]

So many of the John Williams scores I got to see performed live at movie concerts. Each one gave me a moment where I got really teared up and even cried. Except for Jaws, there was a scene that gave me goosebumps.

[@rodrigocaetano8141]

How is the score for Gladiator not even in the honorable mentions?! It’s an absolutely beautiful and powerful score

[@46angelgonzalez]

Danny elfmans Batman theme is fucken iconic, and with Batman coming out in the Flash movie, if I hear that theme song, I’m gonna go back in time in my and bring the little boy who fell in love with the caped crusader and cry out of happiness! Speaking of elfman, the same shit can happen with Spider-Man and hope we hear his iconic theme song when Tobey Magyars arrives in no way home!

[@henrybelman7424]

fun fact, Elfman also wrote a theme for the flash, which is also awesome.(look it up)

[@stonecold6521]

He also did The Simpsons theme!

[@yashrajgaikwad5629]

Well He Is Composing Dr Strange 2 So It Is Also Gonna Be Iconic

[@filmjusticewarrior]

And ten months later we can confirm that the theme was used when he arrived. One of the best moments in cinematic history!

[@olvialee7221]

622: I remember hearing the theme of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in The Lion King 1/2 when I was a kid. It’s the scene Timon and teenage Simba have a snail slurping challenge

[@TyBakker]

How could you not have Back to the Future on this list? It's a crime!!

[@geetadhumane5793]

John Williams film music will be remembered as long as people on this planet are watching films....Anyway Howard Shore's score for Lord of The Rings belongs in top 5, change my mind

[@McClintonforThree]

Belongs in the top 1 honestly.

[@marionbaggins]

@@McClintonforThree Bro, YEASH!!!

[@McClintonforThree]

@@marionbaggins Yeash? Have you even listened to it? Its the best by far.

[@marionbaggins]

@@McClintonforThree I have, I loved it!!!

[@McClintonforThree]

@@marionbaggins oh I thought you meant like Yeesh not yes. Haha

[@Aurorak-i6l]

Titanic score always gives me goosebumps. I consider that my favorite.

[@thomasbradley4505]

Dr Zhivago has a gorgeous score. Lara’s Theme is so majestic and romantic

[@rushpan93]

As is Lawrence of Arabia. Maurice Jarre's works deserve to be in every top 10 list.

[@TheWorldMemeDatabase]

So 7 out of 20 of these, or just over 1/3, are from John Williams... that sounds about right. If it was me, I'd have given Forrest Gump the boot and slipped Jaws in there. I have no idea how Forrest Gump is on this list but Jaws isn't. Forrest Gump isn't even Alan Silvestri's most iconic score, Back To The Future is.

[@bobthedopeman7327]

As soon as they said Forest Gump I was like what?? Who thinks of Forrest gump before jaws?

[@charltonium4083]

In recent years, Silvestri's theme for The Avengers has become super iconic, too. Certainly a simpler theme than Back to the Future.

[@u.g.3298]

Also, "Superman", "Rocky" and "The Pink Panther". Those can be changed for better ones.

[@b.w.8909]

@@u.g.3298 Def not Rocky. Rocky should have been top 10

[@b.w.8909]

@@u.g.3298 Def not Rocky. Rocky should have been top 10

[@GamingFanactic911]

E.T. is one of my all time favorite films. Childhood memories. John Williams is just incredible. I freaking love him. :D

[@lukion27]

Not sure how E.T. did not make #1 on this list. It is both beautiful and iconic, not just iconic like Star Wars. Not that Star Wars doesn't have beauty, just not as much beauty as E.T. And the E.T. soundtrack can always bring tears to my eyes, not so much with Star Wars.

[@GamingFanactic911]

@@lukion27 I agree. John Williams outdid himself with E.T. Just perfect every single time. 😊😊

[@cesarvictorino8624]

Top 10 Most Technologically Advanced Civilizations In Movies.

[@steveb0503]

#1 - the Krell

[@alexanders7569]

The Avengers deserved an honourable mention. It has those few bars that are instantly recognisable and whenever they show up in a Marvel film you can get excited

[@charliep123]

I KNOW RIGHT

[@carlolsmargom4962]

What about Sam Raimi's Spiderman score?

[@WhatSayCrochet]

Climax of End Game. When the entire Avenger’s army comes through the portals is a jaw dropping scene. I get goosebumps every single time.

[@46angelgonzalez]

Transformers Arrival to earth is freaken awesome! I can workout to that song anytime!!

[@Imylover]

Thanks for mentioning Steve Jablonski's excellent work on the Transformers films. The films may not be so good but all 5 of the scores are fantastic! Far better than the films deserve & we have theme after theme of brilliance. Arrival to earth is just one. Optimus is another. There are plenty more.

[@46angelgonzalez]

@@Imylover hell yeah, and you’re welcome. I think transformers 3 soundtrack if probably the best, along with one from 4 but I forget the name.

[@darkecofreak23]

In case you didn’t know, John Williams is legendary in moviemaking.

[@mikestomfoolery.]

Jaws, Hook, Back to the Future, Speed, and the first Bad Boys movie were also great scores.

[@shalafisama]

I do love that '89 Batman theme! The more modern Batman music is great, but Danny Elfman's music is fantastic.

[@scottsacala]

Danny Elfman’s Men In Black OST is one of his best too! And with John Williams all over this list, I’d like to throw in Home Alone as one of his best too!

[@stonecold6521]

Completely agree about Home Alone. Not just the movie 'theme' but the whole score.

[@jennc.3535]

Yes! Home Alone!

[@carlolsmargom4962]

And Spiderman score from the Sams Raimi trilogy

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

I love this list! Just like Star Wars (where the entire trilogy is cited), I would've bunched up all 3 scores from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as opposed to just the first film. The score from all three were Oscar nominated with the third movie winning for Original Score (just like the first one). In addition, the score for the second film has iconic African sounds that are very distinguishable. Thanks for this awesome compilation!

[@darthstarkiller1912]

"Ben-Hur" an honorable mention? It should've made the list. An epic score for an epic classic.

[@mikereger1186]

Likewise Lawrence of Arabia.

[@kylekemppainen391]

John Williams is the GOAT of musical composers. However, I also love the James Bond theme and Goanna Fly Now

[@lessismore8533]

Hans Zimmer vid our right after John

[@MavenCree]

"The closer to Judgement day we get, the more terrifying and hopeless the music becomes." Watch Mojo proceeds to play the one version of the theme in the film that has a HOPE in it.

[@ShriRamJi-bhakt]

Two greatest film music composers of all time:- -John Williams(Jurassic Park,Star Wars,Harry Potter,Indiana Jones,Jaws) -Bill Conti[Gonna Fly Now,Going the Distance,The Final Bell(Rocky 1 to 6)] Danny Elfman,Alan Silvestri,Brian Tyler,are also great.

[@lessismore8533]

I’d add Hans Zimmer you can’t leave him out🙂. He worked on Pirates of the Caribbean

[@McClintonforThree]

Crazy that none of the guys had the best score of all time. Howard Shore clears with Lord of the Rings.

[@savvy_pineapple2616]

Harry Potter deserved top 5 easily. Also Batman but no jaws? I don’t understand how ET got second place, it really seems out of place so high on the list. Not sure how some of these were decided…

[@oeao2841]

- Angels in the Outfield - Randy Edelman - Transformers - Steve Jablonsky - Rudy - Jerry Goldsmith - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Henry Jackman - Remember the Titans - Trevor Rabin

[@sloanewalker42]

If I don’t see Jaws on the list, I will flip out! How can it not be on here?!

[@KevyNova]

Right? You don’t get any more iconic than Jaws!

[@jcorbett9620]

I was truly surprised as well. Not only is it a tune instantly recognisable from the first 2 notes, it's the only reason the film is as good as it is, as the theme means the terrible robot shark that the film crew had so many issues with, didn't even have to appear for 95% of the movie - just the music alone was enough to create the terror.

[@musicisgoodforthesoul999]

I know!

[@musicisgoodforthesoul999]

@@slowodanx completely agree... What were they thinking?

[@maxwellstupid5253]

Still to this day does anybody go in the ocean without hearing that music in their head?

[@IndyV72]

I'm surprised that Back to the Future isn't on here! That one still sends me chills and goosebumps, plus amps me up!

[@rumar4u]

Dang… I would have squeezed Jaws theme somewhere… To me it’s more Iconic than Jurassic Park and from the same composer. Nothing gives you the chills more by just hearing the approach…

[@jonathanharshman7194]

The whole last 10 could have been Williams. But they already have a list for that. lol but I agree that Jaws should have gotten in there somewhere.

[@musicisgoodforthesoul999]

I agree!

[@rocket7316]

Why isn’t Avengers on this? I get goosebumps every time I hear it, especially in Endgame

[@xGaLoSx]

Avengers is garbage.

[@jwanie366]

These scores are indeed iconic. Some of them I just can't get out of my head lol

[@frankmoniz1467]

I love love love movie score lists! Superman and Titanic are my faves. Gladiator, Aliens, Jaws, Braveheart, Gravity, Thor, are all absolutely brilliant as well.

[@jadenhodges7917]

Good job putting Star Wars number one, but Halloween and Jaws has to be put on this list somewhere. Personally when I think of iconic scores these three are the first I think of no doubt

[@BacknMetro]

The Exorcist? Tubular bells. That stays in your mind once you hear it.

[@seanbigay1042]

IMHO it'd stay in your mind all the more because YOU'LL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN after seeing that movie ...

[@BacknMetro]

@@seanbigay1042 Facts. I first saw it when I was 12. It stays with me even now 20 some years later. And I saw it on TV where it was heavily edited and still... that movie.

[@DominickRuocco]

Time by Hans Zimmer is an absolute epic score. I get goosebumps whenever I hear it. Inception is such a masterpiece!

[@XenonArcher]

anything Hans Zimmer composes is a masterpiece. Interstellar's ost is by far the best sound track of any media ever made imo. so much emotion. you can listen to it and feel basically the same emotions as you do watching the film its self which speaks volumes on how important that soundtrack is to making that film what it is. Time is also very, very good mind you

[@kkm969]

John Williams has passed the baton of best sound direction undoubtedly to Hans Zimmer in this generation. Hans Zimmer is the best sound director of this time.

[@830rpn]

Agreed! Zimmer is for sure my second fav

[@xGaLoSx]

Ya, Hans is on top right now for sure!

[@boogeda1]

Not even an honorable mention for Lawrence of Arabia? That was an amazing score.

[@gwynwellliver4489]

DH andI love to listen it! His favorite film of all time.

[@rushpan93]

And Doctor Zhivago. They just forgot about movies older than SW, I guess.

[@aaronswink8554]

I'm glad to see Inception on the list, but I think you also had to include Interstellar. The backstory of how the iconic music was created and produced, to the insisting that it overpowers some of the dialogue to give it more punch, to the range of emotions it brings when the docking scene takes place - I understand people were moved to tears during the spinning docking scene due to the emotions and punch of the music. The visuals are stunning, but the music takes the movie to the next level.

[@rushpan93]

That may be, if I had to pick one, it would have to be Inception, by virtue of "Time" alone.

[@aaronswink8554]

@@rushpan93 It's tough picking the best music in a Nolan film! "Time" was the best score to close out Inception.

[@fernandoj.p.7761]

When I think about iconic music, i think of music that instantly takes me back to the movie. Some of the soundtracks in the list are amazing pieces of art, but I dont think all of then have this effect on me. Missed Back to The Future anyway.

[@XenonArcher]

thats what i thought and star wars, lord of the rings and interstellar came to mind right away. back to the future too

[@olvialee7221]

After watching Forrest Gump for the first time, I loved it!

[@s11domi82]

I think the Raimi Spider-Man Theme deserves a spot on the list.

[@gauravnayak7349]

Danny Elfman's 👍

[@saikatkar4452]

It's definitely one of the most iconic scores I have heard. So much so that I don't associate Spider-Man with anything else

[@MrYuleyule]

Definitely!

[@filmjusticewarrior]

My thoughts as well. I love that the other Spider-Man films have had some of the other greats as well including James Horner and Hans Zimmer.

[@MessedUpBrainspike]

I was looking for Chariots of Fire and that was the VERY FIRST ONE on the list, haha! Thank you!

[@DiegoCB9]

“Requiem for a Dream” soundtrack should have at least an honorable mention

[@beezig]

It's amazing when you just hear some of these themes how they transport you back to your childhood. My personal favourite is the Fellowship of the rings ost, just perfect.

[@Sturmantor]

So Awesome that John Williams has the top 3 😁

[@zzz43344]

Ikr!

[@Sturmantor]

@@slowodanx no offense but jaws and back to the future is only for one song. This list is for the whole score

[@kathleenhudson8429]

Thanks for mentioning Plaz Johnson, a good friend of my sister’s and a very good musician. Many people aren’t familiar with his name because he spent so much of his career as a studio musician as a member of The Wrecking Crew.

[@sithlorddevin7416]

Forgot about The Goonies, the score when they first discovered the treasure map is beautiful

[@KevyNova]

I listened to that soundtrack yesterday.

[@terrydionne1541]

The gurl's pronouncing of Je ne Regrète Rien in french had me listen to it over and over at least 10 times .. it sounded amazing and she nailed it! I was not expecting that! I'm in love!...

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

Munich (2005): sad music recalling the darkness behind '1972 Summer Olympics'!

[@jacklanista3690]

Leaving Gone with the Wind off the list is an unforgivable oversight.

[@rushpan93]

There's nothing on the list before SW. No Gone with the Wind, no Casablanca, no Lawrence of Arabia, no Doctor Zhivago.

[@96miffy]

I say Spiderman, avengers, and matrix is up there.

[@LordYeager_55]

Star Wars is and always will be my favorite. like many of us, I was introduced to it at a young age. ever since then, it has been my go-to franchise.

[@RayMcElroy50]

Predicting STAR WARS to be #1 Watchmojo I so predictable

[@Z-fighter126]

Like we didn’t see that coming.

[@LucasGnagy]

Well they aren’t wrong 😂

[@jonathanbarker1016]

Well should be The Empire Strikes Back score ,that should be No 1 on this list .

[@scottbrownp18]

Absolutely love the list, even some spots surprised me! However there's no Back to the Future, Spider-Man 1 & 2, The Shawshank Redemption or The Avengers mention? That's how complicated these music lists can be! There's too much to choose! 😂

[@Harri927]

Batman theme is my personal favorite and also Star Wars, Indiana Jones and many more.

[@markkuijpers3818]

As far as iconic and recognizable goes, I'd definitely have put Mission Impossible in there. Haven't even seen the movies, but can't argue with the score

[@matthewschumann135]

I agree, but maybe it got left off the list bc the theme came from TV.

[@mlggamer5296]

Pink panther is a classic I actually learned how to play that on the piano sort of it's been a while so I may not remember it perfectly

[@tyn5802]

When I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean curse of the black pearl with my mom in the cinema she told me it was easily the best musical score for a movie she ever heard in her life.

[@lessismore8533]

Yup! I remember playing the pirates song in high school orchestra 2006!

[@edenrahav]

My top 20 favorite movie scores of all time: 1- Star Wars Trilogy (1977-1983) 2- Spider-Man (2002) 3- Superman (1978) 4- The Avengers (2012) 5- Toy Story 2 (1998) 6- Disney's Dinosaur (2000) 7- Harry Potter 8- Jurassic Park (1993) 9- The Lion King (1994) 10- Jaws (1975) 11- E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982) 12- Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) 13- Back To The Future (1985) 14- Batman (1989) 15- Termination 2: Judgement Day 16- The Dark Knight (2008) 17- Dr. No 18- Raiders of The Lost Arc 19- Schindler's List (1993) 20- Treasure Planet

[@mekhijw15]

I get that it is a recent score but there’s no way the Avengers theme didn’t even get an honorable mention.

[@AngelaMHerrick]

There really should have been more Danny Elfman and some Michael Giachinno this list. The fact that you left off Edward Scissorhands and the Incredibles is a crime! In fact, Danny deserves his own list.

[@matthewschumann135]

Michael Giacchino = The Incredibles & Up (Secretly awesome = John Carter)

[@questocd174]

At World's End soundtrack is probably even better than Curse of the Black Pearl's

[@cousinmose3193]

Curse of the Black Penis

[@matthewschumann135]

Yes!! They put the first Star Wars Trilogy together as one vote. Should have done the same with POTC.

[@TW-us2pj]

Danny Elfman and Howard Shore are two of the least talked about yet most beautiful composers out there. Danny Elfman brings life, beauty and peace to build up epic soundtracks. He does this with Spider-Man, Batman and in my opinion his most efficient way of using this method The Hulk. And then there is Howard Shore... Wow. The Lord of The Rings soundtracks from all 3 movies tells a story by itself. You could literally substitute the words for just the music and it would still tell the same, legendary story. From the comfort of the Shire, to the rise of the orcs. From the fascinating story of the ring, to the Higness of the Elves. From the hope of the eagle, to the honour of Aragon and Boromir. From Barad-Dûr and Mordor, to fond farewells. It’s so amazing what music can do, Howard Shore really put all of his heart into this.

[@MirrorsMercury]

IMO, some of these scores are great but aren't necessarily iconic. I love Schindler's List and the score is amazing, but it is not even close to being as iconic as Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[@levarsmith8373]

Agreed, an I have that album. Jaws should have been in it's place. E.T. is also probably more generational in it's iconic status so as much as I love it I might pull it and put Avengers: Endgame somewhere. There is a difference between brilliance and iconic, you can be both but one doesn't equal the other.

[@xGaLoSx]

I have no idea why that was on the list.

[@wendymcdowell2341]

John Williams wrote the music for a TV Movie in 1970 , Jane Eyre, with George C. Scott and Susannah York. That music has stuck in my head for the past 5 decades Williams has been my favorite composer since then.

[@missusdr]

I was hoping the score from How to Train Your Dragon would’ve at least made the honorable mentions…I always thought it was so wonderfully done (John Powell). There are so many though…maybe they need to do a Part 2..? 🙂

[@XenonArcher]

oh yeah, definitely. my fave animated film! loved the ost. Interstellar should also be mentioned just for how perfect that soundtrack is

[@tbracelin0016]

John Williams is a goddamn legend who will never be matched in our lifetime. A true artistic genius.