Greatest Movie Themes Films

Greatest Movie Themes

azzy_roth azzy_roth Power
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3,209 views 56 items 116 voters
There are lists for "The Greatest Film Scores of All Time” and a list of “The Greatest Movie Soundtracks” but I couldn't find one solely for movie theme songs - the song usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits and often repeated with variation throughout the movie score. For most movies or movie franchises, this is the most iconic song from the soundtrack or score and is often the most recognizable music on these albums. I'd bet that the majority of up votes on those other two list come solely from the popularity or iconic value of the opening/closing theme song.

List Criteria: We're looking at individual songs. One song per movie please. Some franchises may have more.

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Rank     Name
  1. 1
    Up 52
    Down 6
    Even without the Fox fanfare, this song is iconic.
  2. 2
    Up 45
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    1981
  3. 3
    Up 47
    Down 7

    James Bond

    1999
  4. 4
    Up 28
    Down 3
    1966
  5. 5
    Up 36
    Down 9
    1993
  6. 6
    Up 31
    Down 10
    1976
    It is an iconic movie song even if it is a little dated.
  7. 7
    Up 28
    Down 8
    1975
  8. 8
    Up 34
    Down 13
    1978
    This song so fits the superhero genre and Superman in particular. That's why it is one of the greatest themes ever. It has the perfect blend of cheesy and dramatic to fit and the worlds most iconic superhero. Can anyone listen to this song and not want to puff out your chest and take a Superman pose?
  9. 9
    Up 27
    Down 10
    1989
  10. 10
    Up 26
    Down 10
    1991
  11. 11
    Up 27
    Down 11
    1985
  12. 12
    Up 28
    Down 12
  13. 13
    Up 23
    Down 10
    1972
  14. 14
    Up 26
    Down 13
    1996
    Technically, this song shouldn't be on the list as it was the theme song for a TV show first, but it's just so good as a theme song. In fact, it's probably the best part of the movie franchies.
  15. 15
    Up 17
    Down 8
    1978
  16. 16
    Up 18
    Down 9
    1984
    So, who ya gonna call?
  17. 17
    Up 18
    Down 9
    1963
  18. 18
    Up 19
    Down 11
    1968
    Woooo!!!
    What wrong use of the theme song. It doesn't matter how or who uses it this song it just cool.
  19. 19
    Up 16
    Down 9
    2001
  20. 20
    Up 19
    Down 13
    Despite being way overused in the last movie, this is still great adventure movie theme song.
  21. 21
    Up 9
    Down 4

    20th Century Fox Fanfare

  22. 22
    Up 10
    Down 5
    2009
  23. 23
    Up 16
    Down 11
    2000
    Are you not entertained?
  24. 24
    Up 17
    Down 13
    2004
    There's a reason why this is considered the greatest musical of all times. Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of the Le Fantôme de l'Opéra is not only a great story, but the music is unforgetable and moving.
  25. 25
    Up 14
    Down 10
    1984
  26. 26
    Up 11
    Down 7
    1981
  27. 27
    Up 3
    Down 0
    1982
    added by: MarcoSalih
  28. 28
    Up 12
    Down 10
    1991
    No matter what you think of the movie, the music is great.
  29. 29
    Up 11
    Down 9
    1997
    This is the instrumental opening title theme bu Danny Elfman, but Will Smith's theme son isn't bad either.
  30. 30
    Up 10
    Down 8
    1995
  31. 31
    Up 9
    Down 7
    1960
  32. 32
    Up 9
    Down 7
    1990
  33. 33
    Up 7
    Down 5
    1994
  34. 34
    Up 9
    Down 8
    1982
  35. 35
    Up 9
    Down 8
    2002
    Sam Raimi's Spider-Man was not only a better movie then the UnAmazing Spider-Man, the theme song's better too.
  36. 36
    Up 8
    Down 7
    1995
    Another movie where the theme song is better then the movie it's in.
  37. 37
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1960
  38. 38
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1964
  39. 39
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1992
  40. 40
    Up 1
    Down 0
    1992
    added by: jackklugman
  41. 41
    Up 9
    Down 9
    1982
  42. 42
    Up 8
    Down 9
    1973
  43. 43
    Up 7
    Down 8
    1982
  44. 44
    Up 6
    Down 7
    1963
  45. 45
    Up 6
    Down 7
    1981
    added by: DelawareGoodGuy
  46. 46
    Up 5
    Down 6
    1965
  47. 47
    Up 10
    Down 12
    1997
    added by: Jabapac
  48. 48
    Up 7
    Down 9
    1986
  49. 49
    Up 6
    Down 8
    1987
  50. 50
    Up 6
    Down 8
    1982
    One of the few electronic synthesizer themes that doesn't scream 1980's. It's a good sounding song that fits with the theme of the move. An orchestra just wouldn't have fit with the move, this song is a good mix of organic feel with inorganic sounds.
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