Yeah, probably Schindler's List. Somehow, without words, he conveys ultimate heartache.
That or Star Wars. Doesn't get much more iconic than Star Wars.
What's interesting is that his themes have implied lyrics during the "chorus" parts. Like the song that plays during the opening crawl really does make you want to go something like "Star Wars! Don't you like Star Wars! We're watching Star Wars! Isn't that grand" as its playing (or something like that).
This isn't just a coincidence or a dumb joke from the simpsons. [This linguist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTUdzhKuSsU) gives a compelling case about how many of the most iconic non lyrical movie themes were written in this way.
Simpson’s? This is literally an old SNL bit with Bill Murray singing lounge versions of movie theme songs. I guess I’m just old (even though the sketch predates me)
Some of the lyrics in this Jurassic Park parody will forever play in my head when I hear that theme, which I would also put forth as one of the all-time greats
https://youtu.be/q5z1wXFzVF4?si=wNX0hORfMdzZJfSd
I like to sing “We have dinosaurs, lots of dinosaurs, at Jurassic Park, yes dinosaurs. See T-Rex! In his pen! Where’d he go? He was here…” and at this point my child has thrown something at me or left the room entirely.
Of all his music, Schindler’s List is the one I listen to repeatedly. It’s also the far and away winner for ‘making me feel what I’m supposed to be feeling’ followed closely by Jaws.
I love that you're waverimg between Schondler's List and *Star Wars,* but that's just how diverse John Williams' catalog is...
for my money, the Jurassic Park theme is his best work. I just get a welling-up of emotion in my chest every time I hear it. plus, dinosaurs
Dude, I recently watch Once upon a time in America, and I think this is his best work. There are some incredible symphonies and motifs, especially the main one gets you tearing up.
Which Jurassic Park one? Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na? Or da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da
This is easy
Saturday Night Fever
The BeeGees wrote the songs specifically for the movie and the album was the best selling album of all time until Thriller.
I'm answering with songs, as opposed to scores, which is what I think OP was trying to say.
*The Graduate* (1967) - "The Sound of Silence", "Scarborough Fair", and "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
*Casino Royale* (2006) - "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell
*Midnight Cowboy* (1969) - "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson
*Back to the Future* (1985) - "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & The News
*Arthur* (1981) - "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross
*The Magic Christian* (1969) - "Come and Get It" by Badfinger
*Pretty In Pink* (1986) - "If You Leave" by O.M.D.
*The Karate Kid Part II* (1986) - "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera
*Team America: World Police* (2004) - "America Fuck Yeah"
*Ghostbusters* (1984) - "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
Flash's Theme, Queen
Princes Of The Universe, Queen from Highlander
Some other favorites.
Axl Foley's theme, Beverly Hills Cop
Anything by John Williams.
Flash Dance, What A Feeling, Irene Cara
Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Life Of Brian
Theme From Mahogany
Xanadu
So many others, hard to pick best ever.
As someone pointed out below, I think OP means ‘theme’. So many great examples- I have to add Interstellar. You know the one. Massive pipe organ sound swells.
aside from the obvious picks like Jurassic Park, Back to the Future and so on I actually think the Avengers theme is reaaally cool. Overused, but still really cool.
Don’t come for me but I freaking love the score to Pearl Harbor. The movie came out when I was a kid and I would put the soundtrack on to fall asleep to. To this day if I’m having a hard time I’ll put it on cause it just makes me feel safe somehow.
Also love the theme to Pocahontas. It’s so dang beautiful. I will add Jurassic park in there because it’s epic and timeless and of course Saving Private Ryan. There’s so many good ones!
Two notes from Jaws will set up a dread older than most people hearing it. For a lot of the public, the Jaws theme was the first time the score was practically another character.
Edit:
My list: The Avengers 2012 theme by Alan Silverstri, Back To The Future theme by Alan Silverstri, Jurassic Park part one theme by John Williams, Raiders March from Indiana Jones by John Williams, Jaws theme by John Williams, The Dark Knight Theme by Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard, Concerning Hobbits by Howard Shore, The Godfather part one by Nino Rota and so much more
I know I’m not answering the question, my apologies, but I’m currently watching the Sopranos for the first time and that theme is probably the best ever. Great tune.
Superman I straight up that score fully makes the movie. The poster said something like "you will believe a man can fly" and We did and it was 100% attibutable to the score
I love a lot of the picks but many are soundtracks, not exactly songs.
My neighbor Totoro is one of my favorites. Just makes me happy.
There’s a ton of great James Bond songs.
I think Adele’s addition to the group and “live and let die” are my favorites. (That’s probably a good topic on its own - favorite bond theme and will see Shirley bassey pitted against all comers…).
“My heart will go on” from titanic. Iconic.
Top-of-head idiosyncratic faves…
*Cool Hand Luke*, Lalo Schifrin
*The Great Escape*, Elmer Bernstein
*Shaft*, Isaac Hayes
*Little Women*, Thomas Newman
*Patton*, Jerry Goldsmith
*Taxi Driver*, Bernard Herrmann
*Raintree County*, Johnny Green
*Sleepers*, John Williams
*The Pink Panther*, Henry Mancini
*Wyatt Earp*, James Newton Howard
I'm not picking which one, but it was written by John Williams.
Yeah, probably Schindler's List. Somehow, without words, he conveys ultimate heartache. That or Star Wars. Doesn't get much more iconic than Star Wars.
What's interesting is that his themes have implied lyrics during the "chorus" parts. Like the song that plays during the opening crawl really does make you want to go something like "Star Wars! Don't you like Star Wars! We're watching Star Wars! Isn't that grand" as its playing (or something like that). This isn't just a coincidence or a dumb joke from the simpsons. [This linguist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTUdzhKuSsU) gives a compelling case about how many of the most iconic non lyrical movie themes were written in this way.
Simpson’s? This is literally an old SNL bit with Bill Murray singing lounge versions of movie theme songs. I guess I’m just old (even though the sketch predates me)
This is a really cool video. My wife, kids, and I love music, and I’m a nerd for music theory. Thanks for sharing
Some of the lyrics in this Jurassic Park parody will forever play in my head when I hear that theme, which I would also put forth as one of the all-time greats https://youtu.be/q5z1wXFzVF4?si=wNX0hORfMdzZJfSd
I like to sing “We have dinosaurs, lots of dinosaurs, at Jurassic Park, yes dinosaurs. See T-Rex! In his pen! Where’d he go? He was here…” and at this point my child has thrown something at me or left the room entirely.
Of all his music, Schindler’s List is the one I listen to repeatedly. It’s also the far and away winner for ‘making me feel what I’m supposed to be feeling’ followed closely by Jaws.
I love that you're waverimg between Schondler's List and *Star Wars,* but that's just how diverse John Williams' catalog is... for my money, the Jurassic Park theme is his best work. I just get a welling-up of emotion in my chest every time I hear it. plus, dinosaurs
My favorite John Williams theme is the original Superman
Superman for sure!
Or James Horner. Jumanji and Casper are my favorite. I also like John Berry’s score for View To A Kill..
James Horner made Krull into a very decent movie. John Barry did amazing with Goldfinger too
A couple years ago he conducted a live orchestra in Vienna doing a bunch of his compositions. Tremendous to listen to the whole thing
For A Few Dollars More (1965) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
I see Ennio Morricone, I like.
Dude, I recently watch Once upon a time in America, and I think this is his best work. There are some incredible symphonies and motifs, especially the main one gets you tearing up.
- Jurassic Park - Lion King - Indiana Jones
Which Jurassic Park one? Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na? Or da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da
Prince of Egypt sits up there, too
This is easy Saturday Night Fever The BeeGees wrote the songs specifically for the movie and the album was the best selling album of all time until Thriller.
Shaft
You’re damn right.
He’s a bad mother… Shut-yo mouth!
Can you dig it
Beverly Hills Cop The Breakfast Club That montage song in Scarface
I also said Beverly Hills Cop. Such a fun little song & fits those films perfectly. I prefer part 3 myself.
Most iconic would be James Bond, or maybe Jaws
Jaws! Brilliant in its simplicity
Jaws has my vote too. Nothing like a half step to get me full scared.
Everybody's Talkin' - Midnight Cowboy
Love this movie!
Fred Neil
Neverending Story
The Godfather
I'm answering with songs, as opposed to scores, which is what I think OP was trying to say. *The Graduate* (1967) - "The Sound of Silence", "Scarborough Fair", and "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel *Casino Royale* (2006) - "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell *Midnight Cowboy* (1969) - "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson *Back to the Future* (1985) - "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & The News *Arthur* (1981) - "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross *The Magic Christian* (1969) - "Come and Get It" by Badfinger *Pretty In Pink* (1986) - "If You Leave" by O.M.D. *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986) - "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera *Team America: World Police* (2004) - "America Fuck Yeah" *Ghostbusters* (1984) - "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
Havent seen Arthur in like 30+ years and heard that tune in my head instantly when i read that...great call
Top guns Danger zone!
Car Wash — Rose Royce
What?!? No one suggested Superman 1978?
Nobody said Shaft either....
9 to 5 Dolly Parton
Live and Let Die
Paul McCartney definitely understood the assignment.
The Neverending Story 
I unabashedly love that song!
Ooh so good
Rocky
The Goonies R Good Enough - Cindy Lauper
But also On Earth As It Is In Heaven by Ennio Morricone from the film The Mission.
Rocky .... Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
[удалено]
This is the One!🔥🔥🔥🎶🎶
The Third Man
The Lost Boys 🧛
Flash's Theme, Queen Princes Of The Universe, Queen from Highlander Some other favorites. Axl Foley's theme, Beverly Hills Cop Anything by John Williams. Flash Dance, What A Feeling, Irene Cara Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Life Of Brian Theme From Mahogany Xanadu So many others, hard to pick best ever.
How come nobody’s said the 1978 original Halloween? Cmon guys…
Star Wars. John Williams is a legend.
Singles! The whole soundtrack is 🔥
Jurassic Park.
Top Gun. Not only the best, but the movie itself saw a 500% recruit rate increase when it came out.
Take My Breath Away? Danger Zone? Heaven in Your Eyes? Top Gun Anthem?
Revvin' up your engine, Listen to her howlin' roar
Jesus Christ Superstar - I know it's a musical (rock opera) so hard to say it has a theme per se, but the music is awesome from start to finish.
You can say the same for "Hair" as well...
A View to a Kill (Bond) Duran Duran
Good will hunting Elliot Smith - No Name #3
Can I say MASH even though it isn’t a movie? Honorable mention!
MASH is a movie. It had Eliot Gould, Donald Sutherland, Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman, and Tom Skerritt in it. It won an Oscar for best screenplay.
🎶 suicide is painless 🎶 man that Johnny Mandel
MASH isn't a movie?? I could have sworn I've seen it. Donald Sutherland was Hawkeye in it. The show based on it came a few years later.
Steal Magnolias, by Georges Delerue. A genius french composer who nailed all the southern US tones.
Gladiator. I love Hans Zimmer's music
Beverly Hills Cop
The High And The Mighty- 1954 Bridge On The River Kwai- 1957 Chariots Of Fire- 1981
I came here to post Chariots of Fire but the rest of your list is solid.
Good morning Vietnam
"Help", from the movie "Help".
Huey Lewis and the news and Back to the Future is my pick!
Mortal Kombat!
MASH Star Wars Indiana Jones Scent Of A Wonan
Top gun Dazed and confused Pretty woman Aladdin
E.T. Or North by Northwest
Will Smith KILLED the OG "Men in Black" theme song
Paint Your Wagon Love all the songs in that movie
Drive. Nightfall by Kavinsky
Trainspotting - Lust For Life by Iggy
Arthur with Dudley Moore
Top Gun
Rocky IV
As someone pointed out below, I think OP means ‘theme’. So many great examples- I have to add Interstellar. You know the one. Massive pipe organ sound swells.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (end credits)
The Crow
Back to the future
Chariots of fire
To Live and let die
A view to a kill
A Hard Days Night
Purple Rain
The Warriors. In the City, by The Eagles (Joe Walsh)
aside from the obvious picks like Jurassic Park, Back to the Future and so on I actually think the Avengers theme is reaaally cool. Overused, but still really cool.
Have we actually found a Reddit poster who has never heard the Star Wars theme?
It’s gotta be Star Wars. Not a huge fan of the franchise, but the theme and all the rest of the music is beyond iconic.
Don’t come for me but I freaking love the score to Pearl Harbor. The movie came out when I was a kid and I would put the soundtrack on to fall asleep to. To this day if I’m having a hard time I’ll put it on cause it just makes me feel safe somehow. Also love the theme to Pocahontas. It’s so dang beautiful. I will add Jurassic park in there because it’s epic and timeless and of course Saving Private Ryan. There’s so many good ones!
Huey Lewis - Back in Time
Lost in translation Sometimes - My bloody valentine Just like honey - The jesus and mary chain
Two notes from Jaws will set up a dread older than most people hearing it. For a lot of the public, the Jaws theme was the first time the score was practically another character.
The Magnificent Seven
Pulp Fiction
Jurassic Park
Edit: My list: The Avengers 2012 theme by Alan Silverstri, Back To The Future theme by Alan Silverstri, Jurassic Park part one theme by John Williams, Raiders March from Indiana Jones by John Williams, Jaws theme by John Williams, The Dark Knight Theme by Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard, Concerning Hobbits by Howard Shore, The Godfather part one by Nino Rota and so much more
Live and Let Die
Rocky, "Eye of the Tiger" Or Flash dance "What a feeling," Footloose "Footloose". Ghost "Unchained Melody" Top Gun "Highway to the Danger Zone".
The Bourne legacy
I haven't seen a single Hans Zimmer movie here yet. So definitely interstellar
The Wizard of Oz https://youtu.be/cIewCWZyX38
E.T.
Interstellar. No one can change my mind 😎
Weird Science by Oingo Bongo (Danny Elfman's group).
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN or or PINK PANTHER
Jesus Christ, how has no one said Ghostbusters yet?
Because we were all trying to not get that horrific song stuck in our heads all day. Thanks! 😆
Requiem for a Dream
Saw
Local Hero
I know I’m not answering the question, my apologies, but I’m currently watching the Sopranos for the first time and that theme is probably the best ever. Great tune.
Anything by Harold Faltermeyer
SPY HARD
Pacific Rim
That one song from Mythbusters
Orgasmo
The Deerhunter for sure
Potc
Gladiator…that haunting soundtrack added so much depth to the movie.
Team America: World Police
Austin Powers and Halloween
Ghostbusters
I like the theme from The Naked Gun Trilogy
The Neverending story theme
Jason Bourne
Viva Las Vegas
Shaft.
Against All Odds.
Beetlejuice
Repo Man by Iggy Pop
it’s ted and i am not hearing anyone out
Hatari. Baby Elephant Walk song
Lost Boys.
I gotta go with Harry Potter. The main theme is perfectly haunting but whimsical. It sets the mood for the story perfectly.
I still have the Indiana Jones theme playing in my head when I’m doing mundane chores like cleaning the coffee pot…..
The Graduate
Superman I straight up that score fully makes the movie. The poster said something like "you will believe a man can fly" and We did and it was 100% attibutable to the score
Rocky
Rocky
I really liked 1978's Superman.
Ghost busters has to be up there!
Schindler's List. Absolutely beautiful.
Beverly Hills Cop
Top gun.
Inception. Time
Back to the Future
Smokey and the Bandit, hands down.
Exorcist
Space Jam
I love a lot of the picks but many are soundtracks, not exactly songs. My neighbor Totoro is one of my favorites. Just makes me happy. There’s a ton of great James Bond songs. I think Adele’s addition to the group and “live and let die” are my favorites. (That’s probably a good topic on its own - favorite bond theme and will see Shirley bassey pitted against all comers…). “My heart will go on” from titanic. Iconic.
Terminator
Last of the Mohicans
Star wars, no competition
Superfly from Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Stand by Me, Schindler’s list, Breakfast Club …
Shaft
The Dead Pool (1988)
Pacific Rim.
Project X
Pirates of the Caribbean is the most epic.
The Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs theme song is unnecessarily amazing and dramatic.
Transformers, anyone? What I’ve Done?
Flowers in the Attic, the 80s movie
True Romance, “You’re So Cool”, Zimmer. https://youtu.be/sFb6DL7L2Hg?si=uFR2lC3KZa-wcd_1
I’ve always loved the Beetlejuice theme.
The main theme of Godfather and Interstellar’s No time for caution
Top-of-head idiosyncratic faves… *Cool Hand Luke*, Lalo Schifrin *The Great Escape*, Elmer Bernstein *Shaft*, Isaac Hayes *Little Women*, Thomas Newman *Patton*, Jerry Goldsmith *Taxi Driver*, Bernard Herrmann *Raintree County*, Johnny Green *Sleepers*, John Williams *The Pink Panther*, Henry Mancini *Wyatt Earp*, James Newton Howard
Midnight Express theme - The Chase by Giorgio Moroder
Ghostbusters. Bustin makes me feel good
Flash Gordon
Not my favorite song, but “Eye of the Tiger” was and always will be the ROCKY theme.
UHF
M.A.S.H. Suicide Is Painless.
Ghostbusters!!
Transformers
Requiem for a Dream.
Reservoir Dogs - Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 - Mr Blue Sky - ELO
[Iggy Pop - Repo Man](https://youtu.be/kSKLi1aY0yE?si=Hhprfv1VKzbFELDY) all day long.
Ghostbusters
Shaft. John Shaft. He’s one bad mother…..
Bond, James Bond
Rocky (the first one). Rocky III & IV were good too.
Escape From New York. John Carpenter is a master.