Movie theme songs can be almost as important as any other part of making a film. The theme can be remembered far more and longer than any acted out scene or special effect.
In our list of iconic movie theme songs, we think about which songs have impacted us personally and the movie theme songs that will stand the test of time. Some songs from movies people know, just can equate it to a movie. That is the impact of these songs.
Of course, we will miss your favorite. With all the movies made over time, it would be hard to list all movie theme songs. Here is our list.
HALLOWEEN (1978)
The song is known as “Halloween Theme – Main Title” and was scored by the man, the myth, the legend John Carpenter himself. Carpenter is also responsible for writing and directing the 1978 horror film.
Halloween theme is one of the movie theme songs that a lot of people know and equate to the movie, but others just know the theme and understand it is from some cult classic. Even non-horror fans know this theme.
Star Wars (1977)
“Star Wars – Main Title” was composed and conducted by John Williams and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. The 1977 recording peaked at number ten on Billboard Hot 100.
Of all the movie theme songs, Star Wars might be at the top of the list. Additionally, this Williams’ composed piece is one of many songs on this movie theme songs list.
The song has been used in many different Star Wars projects over the years.
Jurassic Park (1993)
The second John Williams composed and conducted piece of music on this list of movie theme songs is “Theme from Jurassic Park.” The score received critical acclaim and is often considered to be one of the most iconic and beloved scores of Williams’ career.
Theme from Jurassic Park is so amazing that my wife and I used the Vitamin String Quartet version of this song to walk down the isle at our wedding in 2020.
Over the years, the Jurassic Park theme song has been used in many different Jurassic projects.
Indiana Jones (1981)
Known as “The Raiders March” or “Indiana Jones Theme” this is again one of the iconic movie theme songs in history and again composed and conducted by John Williams. This song was also recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra as was Star Wars. It first appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but has been used in many Indiana Jones projects.
The soundtrack received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score, but lost to Chariots of Fire.
I am sure we will hear plenty of this song when the fifth Indiana Jones hits theaters!
Back To The Future (1985)
Another classic 1980’s film with another iconic theme. Alan Silvestri‘s “Back To The Future Theme” gets you amped to see what Doc Brown and Marty McFly are up to in the feature films, but also just is great music.
One of the best movie theme songs was used in all three Back to the Future films.
Ghostbusters (1984)
The appropriately named “Ghostbusters” is the outstanding theme song for the 1984 film with the same name. Written by Ray Parker Jr. the song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks.
This is one of the only movie theme songs on this list with actual lyrics.
Jaws (1975)
Jaws, the first ever summer blockbuster film, has a theme song that most connect with something bad about to happen. “Main Title (Theme From ‘Jaws’)” was composed and conducted by John Williams. His fourth song on this list of movie theme songs.
Steven Spielberg later said that without Williams’s score the film would have been only half as successful, and according to Williams it jumpstarted his career.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
The oldest film on our list of iconic movie theme songs is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The aptly named “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (main title)” was composed by Ennio Morricone.
The main title is what a lot of people relate to a western film.
Superman (1978)
“Superman March” or “Superman Main Theme” is the song most associate with the DC Comics superhero. Another song composed and conducted by the great John Williams. Also, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
In the 2017 film, Justice League, Danny Elfman reused Williams’ Superman theme. It was also amazingly used in an “The Race” episode of Seinfeld in 1994.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Let’s just say it…John Williams makes the greatest movie theme songs ever. He now made the list six times with “Flying” from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This song is uplifting and reminds me personally of the movie, but also the old ride at Universal Studios in Florida.
