What's heard, but never seen, while providing essential emotional nuances to movie scenes? Of course, the answer is film scores. After all, what would movie scenes feel like without the auditory experience of music to set the scene? Even the silent films of old utilized music to help drive the story.
Of course, certain movie scores have stuck with fans more than others, some becoming more popular than the movies from which they came. With scores having such a profound impact on the movie-watching experience, it's no wonder over 25,000 people took the time to vote for their favorite film score on Ranker.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen to name a few, The Lord of the Rings is a truly epic heroes journey.
Harrowing feats, mystical forests, and heart-tugging scenes were emphasized by brilliant composer, Howard Shore, with his score sweeping between the gentle flute-forward melodies of The Shire, the mythical strings and airy vocals of Rivendell, and the invigorating horns and driving drums of battle. A prolific composer, Howard Shore's work can be heard in other popular movies, including Gangs of New York, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Aviator.
The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King (1994) is a Disney cartoon classic directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers. It boasts a cast of talented voice actors, including James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rowan Atkinson. The story is part coming-of-age, part heroes journey, told using a host of colorful anthropomorphized animals, with a focus on the young lion, Simba, (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick).
Although The Lion King soundtrack is packed full of impressive vocal tracks by a variety of artists, including Elton John, Hans Zimmer is the composer responsible for the score. Zimmer uses a combination of classic orchestral instruments, choir voices, and a variety of flutes and percussive instruments from around the world. Hans Zimmer is a well-known composer, his work, including the scores for Dune (2021), Intersteller (2014), and The Prince of Egypt (1994).
The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Caine, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It is the second installment of The Dark Knight trilogy based on DC Comics hero, Batman. Arguably the darkest Batman movie thus far, The Dark Knight became famous for Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker, a version of the classic DC villain which many fans believe will never be topped.
The Dark Knight score, by composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, is a tension-building journey, interplaying creeping suspense and blood-pumping progressions (with an occasional sip of melancholy that's guaranteed to transport listeners into their inner Gotham). James Newton Howard's scores also include The Hunger Games (2012) and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) is the third movie of the franchise. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, this installment has the adventure-seeking archeologist teaming up with his father to fight Nazis and unearth the mystical Holy Grail.
The renowned composer, John Williams, was the creative force behind this score, utilizing a full string, wind, wind, and percussive ensemble to fully capture every nuance of drama, comedy, and adventure expected in any Indiana Jones movie. John Williams has a very recognizable style and has composed the music for some of the most popular action/adventure movies in existence, including all nine (primary story) Star Wars movies.
Indiana Jones And The Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), is the first installment of the Indiana Jones movie series, directed by Steven Spielberg, and starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. What happens when an adventurous archeologist full of sarcasm and swagger teams up with an old flame to find an ancient relic? Well, lots of action-filled shootouts against the Nazis, for one. And snakes. Don't forget the snakes.
John Williams composed the score for every Indiana Jones movie. Being the first movie of the series, Raiders of the Lost Ark is where John Williams first introduced "The Raider's March," which was destined recognized as the Indiana Jones theme.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams. The Empire Strikes Back is well regarded as the best of the Star Wars films.
John Williams composed the score for the film, his signature sound, sweeping from the exciting build-up of the "Star Wars (Main Theme)," the impending doom of "The Imperial March," to the romantic longing of "Han Solo and the Princess."
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) is the one that started it all. Directed by George Lucas, the first of many Star Wars movies to come. A New Hope introduced fans to a fantastic new world, filled with quirky robots, strange aliens, lightsabers, and a mysterious power called "the Force." Today, that world has expanded into an endless supply of movies and series.
Certainly, a contributor to the success of the franchise is composer John Williams, who created the score for A New Hope and each of the following eight primary storyline movies. The Star Wars theme is one of the most recognizable movie songs to ever grace the big screen and has the power to evoke nostalgia and excitement in generations of fans.
Jaws (1975)
Jaws (1975), is a classic thriller directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Roy Scheider, and Robert Shaw. This blockbuster may have been released in 1975, but it still holds up today as a suspense-building masterpiece, known for perfectly timed jump-scares and a plot that could make the most daring of beach-lovers a bit nervous about their next ocean dip.
Playing a big part in the film's suspense, is composer, John Williams. The creepy, driving "Main Title And First Victim" theme spikes with sudden pops of ferocity, keeping the audience suspended at the edge of their seat. The music perfectly encapsulates a shadowy, unseen threat beneath dark waters, suddenly striking, again and again, with unmatched savagery.
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1967)
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef. It's the third movie in a trilogy, the first two movies being A Fistful of Dollars (1967) and For a Few Dollars More (1967). As the movie title suggests, the plot follows three characters, one "good," one "bad," and one "ugly." All three are gunslingers and all three have the goal of getting their hands on a heap of gold.
Composer Ennio Morricone created the score, with the title theme "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly," becoming one of the most iconic and recognizable themes in movie history. The late, great Ennio Morricone produced film scores over several decades, including scores for The Thing (1982), The Untouchables (1987), and Kill Bill (2003).
Forrest Gump (1994)
Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Gary Sinise, and Mykelti Willamson.
Forrest Gump not only has a top-notch soundtrack, filled to the brim with classic tunes from renowned artists such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, it also has a stellar instrumental score by composer, Alan Silvestri. The score swings from lovely, bittersweet piano and strings to uplifting, adventurous horn-heavy pieces. Alan Silvestri's work can also be heard in Back to the Future (1985), Predator (1987), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
