The Timeless Magic of My Favorite Movie Scores
- scarejonathan98
- Oct 5, 2025
- 7 min read
As evident by this blog, it is obvious that I love movies, but I wanted to write a post that combined another one of my interests, music. I love performing in concert bands, and film scores are one of my favorite types of music. So, for the beginning of October, I thought it would be fun to do a few posts about different aspects of movies in music, with the first post being my favorite movie scores. I have been listening to film scores for as long as I can remember. While other kids were listening to pop hits of the day, I was listening to Star Wars music. A lot of movies have great scores, but here are 12 of my favorites.
12. Halloween
The Halloween score is a bit different than the other films on this list, as it was not an orchestra score but maintains its excellence through simplicity. The score was written and performed by the director John Carpenter using just a piano and synthesizers. Of course, the main theme is one of the more iconic horror themes with its unique 10/8 time signature. However, I think some of the best parts of the score are the use of a small number of notes for a recurring motif. One example is the three-note synth rip that is used whenever Michael Myers appears and disappears. Another example is the single piano note that is hit over and over when Michael is chasing Laurie. Of course, there is Laurie's theme that starts as a two-note melody and slowly builds to become more sinister. All of these elements are so simple yet still perfectly convey the tension of the scenes.
Here are the links to some of the themes I was talking about.
11. Jaws
Jaws is another example of a score that exudes excellence through simplicity. The Jaws score was written by the great John Williams and features the iconic two-note theme that everybody will forever associate with Jaws. The movie uses this simple theme to "show" the shark without actually showing it. Every time you hear those two notes and things begin to build, you know something is about to go down. Aside from the main theme, John Williams creates themes for all of the various settings, from the town of Amity Island to Quint's boat. My opinion is that the score helps elevate this movie from being good to being great.
Here are the links to some of the themes.
10. Superman
The Superman score is one of my favorites because it is so heroic. John Williams’s score helped contribute to the idea that a man could fly. The main theme is just so heroic, with strong, triumphant brass themes that play when Superman is saving the day. The film also brings a nice love theme with Can You Read My Mind that plays when Lois and Superman have a romantic moment together. The movie also does a good job with the villain theme, with a tuba-heavy theme for Lex Luthor to help reinforce that he is up to no good. Each of these themes is so different yet greatly adds to the movie in its own way.
Here are the links to the themes.
9. Back to the Future
The Back to the Future score is a bit different, as there is only one main theme in the movie, but what makes the score so great is that the theme is interwoven throughout the film, adding excitement to every scene it is in. It makes the chase with Biff and his friends just as exciting as the ticking clock race at the end of the film. It is also used in a more subdued version when George McFly gets his big moments towards the end of the movie. I don’t think any of the scenes would work nearly as well without the exciting theme added to them.
Here is a link to the main theme.
8. Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3
The first three Pirates of the Caribbean films definitely have some of my favorite Hans Zimmerman music. I think the scores behind these movies are forever associated with pirates, even outside of the franchise. The main theme has such a great swashbuckling feel to it. But beyond that, there are some great themes for various characters, such as Davy Jones’s theme, Jack Sparrow’s theme, and the Kracken theme. The theme for Davy Jones is particularly good as it packs so much emotion and sadness to it.
Here are the links to the themes.
7. E.T
E.T. has another great score from John Williams. John Williams’s score helps bring a sense of innocence to the story and helps it feel like the movie is being told from a kid's perspective. The main flying theme brings a sense of adventure to the story and really helps convey the awe of flying through the air. I also really enjoy the end scene music of the movie. It helps bring a nice farewell while also ending in a big emotional finish that gives me chills every time. When making the score, John Williams was struggling with the timing of the ending, so Steven Spielberg actually edited the ending of the movie to match how John Williams ended the song. That is how you know you have a great score.
6. Batman 89
The Batman score is probably my favorite superhero movie score. This Danny Elfman score brings a lot of darker tones and really matches the vibe and aesthetic Tim Burton created in the movie. The main Batman theme perfectly encapsulates the vibe of Batman in the film and was so popular that it was reused for the animated show and several video games. The Joker dance theme and the Batcave theme are both also perfect for their respective scenes and are both reused in several other media.
Here are the links to the themes.
5. Harry Potter 1-3
The first three Harry Potter scores by John Williams provide the perfect embodiment of magic through music. Especially in the first film, the awe you get from seeing the castle or even Diagon Alley is perfectly conveyed with the music. Even in the second film, the Chamber of Secrets theme has a great deal of mystery and epicness to the movie. The music brings the perfect level of spookiness to the story that would otherwise be lacking. I also like how each of these three movies manages to have a final moment that feels so satisfying, and that is solely due to the music John Williams puts together.
Here are some links to the themes.
4. Jurassic Park
The Jurassic Park score does a great job of encapsulating the awe and wonder of seeing Dinosaurs alive. This is one of John Williams’s finest as he manages to weave together a string-heavy, quiet theme with a brass-heavy, triumphant one, and both work so well together. The score also does a great job of elevating the awe the characters have when they see the dinosaurs for the first time. I find the timing very impressive as John Williams times the big drum pound at the same time the brachiosaurus slams on the ground. The same goes for the Trex rescue scene. Everything in the music is timed to perfection.
Here are the links to the themes.
3. The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings core is probably the favorite Howard Shore score and does a great job of matching the epicness shown on screen. I love how each location had its own theme, such as for Hobbiton, Rohan, and Gondor. Each theme is so different, both pacing-wise and tonally, and gives each setting a unique vibe. The score also helps make so many epic moments even better. The battle of Pelanor films is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time, and half of that is because of the score. It brings me chills every time I listen to it. That scene is my favorite, but there are several others with music that is just as good.
Here are some links to the themes.
2. Indiana Jones 1-3
The Indiana Jones scores are yet another amazing score from the great John Williams. Of course, the main theme will be forever associated with the famous adventurer, but I just love how each movie has its own unique themes to match its character. There is Marion’s theme, Short Round's theme, and the Last Crusade theme that create unique tones for each film. Aside from each film having main themes, many scenes feature incredible music that adds to the excitement, such as the chasing the ark theme or the freeing the slaves theme. The Indiana Jones scores are probably the most consistently memorable for me out of any on this list.
Here are the links to the themes.
1. Star Wars The Original Trilogy
The original Star Wars trilogy has my favorite film scores. These are the movies that began my love for film music. The music is some of the most iconic of all time. Everyone knows the main theme, and it is instantly recognizable. I also love how every different setting or event has its own unique theme, so when listening, you know who is coming or what is happening. Of course, the Imperial March tells you instantly when Darth Vader is around, but aside from that, there are themes like the Cantina song, Yoda’s theme, and the Endor theme that are immediately associated with a person or character.
Here are song links to the themes.
To further enjoy this music, here is a Spotify playlist featuring all of the movies mentioned on this post.
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