A memorable movie theme song is an underrated crucial element that helps turn a great movie into an iconic one. At its core, a movie score is supposed to capture the mood and set the tone of what's going on in a particular scene. But the theme song if done right, can be as iconic as the film itself. Many film score composers set out to write a theme that fully encapsulates what a film is going for, but only a handful have become the greatest.
Perhaps the most famous film composer is John Williams, who is well represented on this list. Williams is the musical mind behind some of the greatest movie themes like Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Superman, Jaws and the Star Wars movies. These film scores are as memorable and iconic as the films.
Great movie themes are often instrumentals that when played, can be easily recognized. Themes from Rocky, Batman, The Godfather franchise, 2001: A Space Odyssey, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Psycho are among the most recognizable songs and have long since established their place in pop culture. You can hear these songs on commercials and often times at sporting events as well.
The key element to remember as you vote on your favorite theme song is that we are only voting on the theme, not the entire score or soundtrack. This is the Ultimate List specifically for theme songs, so vote on what you think is the greatest movie them of all time. If you think a movie theme is missing, feel free to add it.
To vote on the movies with the best "mix tape" style soundtracks, not scores, check out Movies with the Best Soundtracks. For best all-around sound, vote on The Greatest Soundtracks in Film History.
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1,441262Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks, Sally FieldReleased: 1994
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic romantic-comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the... more
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1,214772The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Clint Eastwood, Eli WallachReleased: 1966
Directed by: Sergio Leone
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian epic Spaghetti Western film directed by... more3
981623The Godfather
Al Pacino, Marlon BrandoReleased: 1972
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the... more![The Pink Panther]()
41,008624The Pink Panther
Peter Sellers, Claudia CardinaleReleased: 1963
Directed by: Blake Edwards
The Pink Panther is a 1963 Technicolor American comedy film filmed in 70mm Super Technirama... more![Mission: Impossible]()
5980575Mission: Impossible
Tom Cruise, Jon VoightReleased: 1996
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Mission: Impossible is a 1996 American action spy film directed by Brian De Palma, based on... more6
598420Chariots of Fire
Stephen Fry, Kenneth BranaghReleased: 1981
Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British historical drama film. It tells the fact-based story of two... more![Back to the Future]()
71,029634Back to the Future
Michael J. Fox, Christopher LloydReleased: 1985
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis. Marty... more8
1,4801,049James Bond Franchise
Daniel Craig, Pierce BrosnanReleased: 1962 - Present
Directed by: Terence Young, Guy Hamilton, Lewis Gilbert, Sam Mendes, Peter R. Hunt
The James Bond film series is a British series of spy films based on the fictional character... more9
2,7511,840Star Wars
Harrison Ford, Carrie FisherReleased: 1977
Directed by: George Lucas
Star Wars is a 1977 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. The... more10
1,6951,079Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford, Alfred MolinaReleased: 1981
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The... more11
21874The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Vidal Parker-CalderaReleased: 2015
Directed by: Cal Evans
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11529The Lion King
Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy IronsReleased: 1994
Directed by: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical epic film produced by Walt Disney Feature... more![Singin' in the Rain]()
13223104Singin' in the Rain
Debbie Reynolds, Gene KellyReleased: 1952
Directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American musical comedy film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley... more![Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl]()
14578229Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp, Keira KnightleyReleased: 2003
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a 2003 American fantasy swashbuckler... more![Ghostbusters]()
15995633Ghostbusters
Bill Murray, Sigourney WeaverReleased: 1984
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American sci-fi-fantasy comedy film, directed and produced by Ivan... more![Pinocchio]()
1617289Pinocchio
Mel Blanc, Cliff EdwardsReleased: 1940
Directed by: Wilfred Jackson, T. Hee, Bill Roberts, Hamilton Luske, Ben Sharpsteen
Pinocchio is a 1940 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions... more17
926525Superman
Marlon Brando, Gene HackmanReleased: 1978
Directed by: Richard Donner
Superman is a 1978 superhero film directed by Richard Donner. It is based on the DC Comics... more18
927501Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Emma Watson, Daniel RadcliffeReleased: 2001
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States, India and Pakistan as... more19
468288The Sound of Music
Julie Andrews, Christopher PlummerReleased: 1965
Directed by: Robert Wise
The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise... more20
1,5901,028Jurassic Park
Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff GoldblumReleased: 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg.... more21
1,5501,182Rocky
Sylvester Stallone, Joe FrazierReleased: 1976
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. A small-time boxer... more22
732546Titanic
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate WinsletReleased: 1997
Directed by: James Cameron
Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed by James Cameron. A... more23
478195The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellenReleased: 2001
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 epic fantasy film directed by... more24
1,128731Jaws
Steven Spielberg, Richard DreyfussReleased: 1975
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter... more25
11223The Little Mermaid
Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel BarnesReleased: 1989
Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney... more
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