The Top Ten Greatest Movie Themes

No, this isn't a review. It's one of those "Top Ten" lists.

I guess i'll start with number ten.

10. HALLOWEEN Theme by John Carpenter

This theme, first heard at the very beginning during the opening title sequence, sets the tone and suspense of the movie in a suprisingly persistant way. It's survived the test of time, being used unaltered in Rob Zombie's remake to great effect.



9. SUPERMAN Theme by John Williams

Oddly enough, I don't like the Superman series much, nor do I like the character, but the theme set the atmosphere for the more heroic scenes of the movie, and has been imitated (Though not exactly duplicated) over the years by other composers.

8. BATMAN Theme by Danny Elfman

You may be noticing a pattern here, but it's not because of a superhero fetish or something: John Williams and Danny Elfman tend to do the scores for super hero movies often, and both are amazing composers. This one is fairly dark, which is perfect for a post-Frank Miller Batman movie, and a much needed departure from the annoying, happy-go-lucky, BIFF-BAM-POW theme on the old TV show.

7. Army of Darkness Theme by Danny Elfman

While Danny only did the main theme, entitled "March of the Dead" for the score (The rest was made by Joe Doluca, who also did the scores for the first two Evil Dead films), it still deserves a mentioning. Although you do hear some of it during the title sequence of the film, the time you really appreciate it is when the Deadites (or the Army of Darkness, if you prefer to call them that) are attacking the castle. It always makes me laugh when the flute and bass drums are played onscreen by the approaching puppet skeletons, and that sort of interweaving with the movie adds a certain appeal that really adds to the theme.
Musicallly, it is very effective, giving the mental image that the title suggests.

6. Jurassic Park Theme by John Williams

I used to find myself humming this one back when I was in 1st grade. Yes, I watched it that far back. Anyway, this one was immitated in many mediums, from immitation films to Roller Coaster Tycoon II's "Jurassic Jungle" ride music, it's influence can be seen in every movie about dinosaurs, or even movies like the American "Godzilla" .(Which I hate quite a lot, since I am a huge fan of the original Japanese Toho series)

5. Spider-Man Theme by Danny Elfman

Danny and director Sam Raimi have a long history together, dating back to 1992's Darkman, Sam's first superhero film. Danny has provided a score or at least a theme for Raimi's most well-known movies, and this is the second Danny-made theme for a Sam Raimi film on this list.
This has a style that is very recognizable as a Danny Elfman score, and it even reminds me of the Batman theme with soms of the reused pieces. It has a similar heroic style as that of Batman, but is more sweeping. Hearing it during a web-swinging sequence brings tears to my eyes.

4. Harry Potter Theme by John Williams

Yes, another John Williams score.
I remember a long time ago, must have been 2001, and I was talking to my friends after school in the gymnasium, and one of my friends had seen Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone the night before.
"DUDE! That music was so cool! It goes 'Duh.. duhduh duh.. duh duuuuuuh duh. Duh.. duhduh duh.. duh duuuuh...'"
Well, I got to see the movie, and I loved it. I was young, but I still recognized the atmosphere from the books.

3. Pirates of the Carriben and the Curse of the Black Pearl Theme by Klaus Badelt

The movie has many themes, but I will pretend that "He's a Pirate" is the main one.

This theme sports a style similar to older pirate movies, but on a much grander scale. It is very effective at providing the adventurous feeling that the movie protrays so well, and actually with very little electronic editing. I love this one so much that I have it on my MP3 player. In fact, I also have a remix done by Tiesto on my computer, which I listen to regularly.

2. Requiem for a Dream Theme by Clint Mansell

A very haunting and creepy piece, this was named for the movie for which it was made. It worked so well that almost every movie critic in existance has at least mentioned it. It is so incredibly good that it has been used in thousands of movies and trailers. In fact, my school even played it at the last Pep assembly, and a local radio station has played it numerous times recently.

1. Star Wars Theme by John Williams

Tell me that you are suprised.
The opening text crawl is by far the most recognized and well-known theme, but Luke's theme is the one that really gets me. When Luke was staring out at the two suns of Tatooine, daydreaming of a pilot's life amoung the stars, the first audience of the film must have had a few teary eyes. I know that Moby's remix has done that to me.


In the end, John Williams is statistically my favorite composer, but really, I'd say that Danny Elfman is. John does have the greatest themes to his name, for sure, but I just like Danny's overall style more, even if it is a bit unprogressive.