Top 200 Most Memorable Soundtracks
In this list I ranked the 200 most unforgettable movie (and some TV show) soundtracks based on their knowledge by the large public, their popularity, the general greatness of the score or the songs and their impact on cinema or the Television. Please leave comments and corrections. Enjoy !
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- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.An obvious pick for the most recognizable and popular score of all time, particularly for the ''Theme'' and the ''Throne Room'' and still, in general this movie soundtrack is a real master piece by John Williams.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA secretary on the run for embezzlement takes refuge at a secluded California motel owned by a repressed man and his overbearing mother.Who cannot reconnize ''The Murder'' scene soundtrack, as well as almost all mystery movie by Alfred Hitchcock this score brings the thriller movie to the next level thanks to Bernard Herrmann contribution.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.Reused in so many circonstances ''The Opening'' and ''Blue Omune'' has been popularised by this movie and became true classics. The score between and surrounding those orchestral pieces are perfectly placed and plays an enormous part in this amazing journey.
- DirectorHugh HudsonStarsBen CrossIan CharlesonNicholas FarrellTwo British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.Academy Award winner for Best Original Score, Chariots of Fire and especially the ''Vangelis'' cannot be forgotten, I mean come on the piano is just awsome.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.Don't tell me you didn't once in your life, been to the gym or did youre jogging and put Going the Distance, that's impossible. Gonna Fly Now and Going the Distance are probably the most inspiring scores of history of cinema. Let's be real, we all did airboxing on those songs after leaving the cinema.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Western classic, The good, the bad and the ugly theme by Ennio Moriccone comes to our head everytime we see a too quiet scene of two man (or more) facing eachother. What about Excasy of Gold, this song is so baddast Metallica use it everywhere.
- DirectorTerence YoungStarsSean ConneryUrsula AndressBernard LeeA resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program.This one is little special, its actually a mention of the Original Music presented in all James Bond movies and the Theme Song in most individual movies. The Original Music has now survived almost 6 decades and stayed one of the most reconnazible theme song ever. Born with the Bonds franchise, some theme songs did really well on the charts and became true classics. Here are few examples:
''Goldfinger'', "Thunderball", ''Live and let Die'', "Nobody Does it Better", "A View to a Kill", ''Die Another Day'', ''You Know My Name'' and "Skyfall" - DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsEllen BurstynJared LetoJennifer ConnellyThe drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep..Ok when I said that Rocky's Going the Distance was the most inspiring song, this one is certainly on of those that went close. When you'll see this movie you'll realize how far this song is well used in so many ways. Those moments make use really feel the mood and the rising to the crisis of this film.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.Once again the theme plays a big role, but in general this movie soundtrack is another big one by John Williams.
- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRod SerlingRobert McCordJay OverholtsOrdinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.Thrilling from the beginning to the end, sometimes funny the support that brings the soundtrack to this fabulous ealry 60s Series is perfect. Since then, everytime something disapear in my house this theme song goes to my head.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.You all know why it's there.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.An epic journey need an epic soundtrack and Maurice Jarre give it to us. Don't you think every movie that has a scene in the desert since this one sounds a little familiar ?
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushOrlando BloomBlacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter and his love, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.Hans Zimmer was allready knowed for giving us great scores but this is probably his most popular, successfull and recognizable one (Go listen to the title: He's a Pirate again). The work he did on this film is undiably creative (titles like: Fog Bound).
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.Tear falling score by John Williams
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.I know Star Wars : Episode IV is already in the list, but, I mean once again John Williams composed another master piece of work for this sequel and add new unforgettable things like the ''Imperial March''.
- CreatorBruce GellerStarsPeter GravesBarbara BainGreg MorrisAn elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture.Cheesy but memorable
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsDavid NivenPeter SellersRobert WagnerThe bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as "The Pink Panther".One word: Saxophone
- DirectorRoger AllersRob MinkoffStarsMatthew BroderickJeremy IronsJames Earl JonesLion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.What happen when you put togheter Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Tim Rice... 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globes and 2 Grammys. Oh it went 10 times Platinum Album too. Pure Greatness.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonAn orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.Here I mean all the Harry Potter's scores and the ''Hedwig's Theme'' by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexandre Desplat who has offered us a great contiunity in the soundtrack of all those movies.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.In a trilogy that won over 240 awards and has more then 450 nominations in almost all notable movie awards that exist in this world it's not surprising that the soundtrack has played an important role in those movies. Taking my 20th spot in this list it's the Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack that has one of the most memorable movie soundtrack ever.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.You falled in love with this couple as we all did but i'm pretty sure Celine Dion helped a lot in the process
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.Songs over songs that sure stick in our heads
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.Don't think about it or it will be in your head for the rest of your day for sure
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.Another great contribution by the Coppolas in the cinema history, this epic Vietnam War movie score brough us titles like "Rides of the Valkyries" or scenes like the "Do Lung Bridge" and will always be remembered has one of the great score in cinema.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayDan AykroydSigourney WeaverThree parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.When there's something strange in your neighborhood who you gonna call ?