Greatest Movie Themes Films

Greatest Movie Themes

azzy_roth azzy_roth Power
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3,226 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. 12
    Up 28
    Down 12
  3. 3
    Up 47
    Down 7

    James Bond

    1999
  4. 37
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1960
  5. 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.
  6. 17
    Up 18
    Down 9
    1963
  7. 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.
  8. 51
    Up 5
    Down 7
    1987
  9. 40
    Up 1
    Down 0
    1992
    added by: jackklugman
  10. 19
    Up 16
    Down 9
    2001
  11. 54
    Up 1
    Down 6
    1993
  12. 13
    Up 23
    Down 10
    1972
  13. 33
    Up 7
    Down 5
    1994
  14. 20
    Up 19
    Down 13
    Despite being way overused in the last movie, this is still great adventure movie theme song.
  15. 26
    Up 11
    Down 7
    1981
  16. 16
    Up 18
    Down 9
    1984
    So, who ya gonna call?
  17. 22
    Up 10
    Down 5
    2009
  18. 10
    Up 26
    Down 10
    1991
  19. 25
    Up 14
    Down 10
    1984
  20. 47
    Up 10
    Down 12
    1997
    added by: Jabapac
  21. 55
    Up 5
    Down 11
    1996
    added by: Jabapac
  22. 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.
  23. 45
    Up 6
    Down 7
    1981
    added by: DelawareGoodGuy
  24. 15
    Up 17
    Down 8
    1978
  25. 6
    Up 31
    Down 10
    1976
    It is an iconic movie song even if it is a little dated.
  26. 32
    Up 9
    Down 7
    1990
  27. 43
    Up 7
    Down 8
    1982
  28. 44
    Up 6
    Down 7
    1963
  29. 31
    Up 9
    Down 7
    1960
  30. 28
    Up 12
    Down 10
    1991
    No matter what you think of the movie, the music is great.
  31. 52
    Up 3
    Down 8

    The Amazing Spider-Man

    2012
    This song does what a theme song should do; it sets up the theme and feeling of the movie. It's kind of all over the place as a patch work of sound just like the movie is all over the place and is a patch work of Spider-man stories. But unlike the movie, the song ends up somewhere and works well.
  32. 30
    Up 10
    Down 8
    1995
  33. 39
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1992
  34. 34
    Up 9
    Down 8
    1982
  35. 49
    Up 6
    Down 8
    1987
  36. 36
    Up 8
    Down 7
    1995
    Another movie where the theme song is better then the movie it's in.
  37. 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?
  38. 56
    Up 2
    Down 8
    1979
  39. 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.
  40. 23
    Up 16
    Down 11
    2000
    Are you not entertained?
  41. 11
    Up 27
    Down 11
    1985
  42. 53
    Up 2
    Down 7
    1996
  43. 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.
  44. 46
    Up 5
    Down 6
    1965
  45. 4
    Up 28
    Down 3
    1966
  46. 38
    Up 7
    Down 6
    1964
  47. 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.
  48. 41
    Up 9
    Down 9
    1982
  49. 7
    Up 28
    Down 8
    1975
  50. 5
    Up 36
    Down 9
    1993
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