The 14 Best John Williams Film Scores

Galaxies far away, soaring adventurers, and spine-tingling menace; few composers shaped modern cinema's sound this completely. Which is the best?

1

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The 1981 adventure score featuring the beloved Indiana Jones march.

1000pts

2

Lincoln

The 2012 historical drama score that earned Williams an Oscar nomination for its stately, hymn-like themes.

999pts

3

Star Wars

The 1977 space opera score that introduced some of the most iconic musical themes in cinema history.

933pts

4

Schindler's List

The 1993 Holocaust drama score featuring a heartbreaking violin theme by Itzhak Perlman.

933pts

5

Jurassic Park

The 1993 adventure score blending wonder and terror as dinosaurs roam the earth again.

799pts

6

The Empire Strikes Back

The 1980 score that introduced the majestic Imperial March and deepened the Star Wars musical universe.

799pts

7

Superman

The 1978 superhero score whose march theme became the gold standard for cinematic heroism.

699pts

8

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The 1977 science fiction score featuring the five-note alien communication motif.

699pts

9

Jaws

The 1975 thriller score whose two-note motif is one of the most recognizable in film history.

349pts

10

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

The 1982 magical score with the soaring bicycle-flight theme that captures childlike wonder.

349pts

11

Harry Potter

The 2001 score for The Sorcerer's Stone featuring 'Hedwig's Theme', which defined an entire franchise.

349pts

12

Return of the Jedi

The 1983 score that rounded out the original Star Wars trilogy with Ewok adventures and the Emperor's theme.

349pts

13

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

The 2001 Kubrick/Spielberg collaboration scored with ethereal, melancholic precision.

349pts

14

Saving Private Ryan

The 1998 war drama score combining solemnity with triumphant patriotism for Spielberg masterpiece.

0pts