8. Harry Potter
When J. K. Rowling’s fantasy sensation was adapted for the big screen, it needed some big names to push it forward. In front of the camera, it starred greats like Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Richard Harris. But behind the camera? The biggest name was John Williams.
Williams helmed musical composition for the first three movies, setting the tone—literally—for those who came after him. The Harry Potter theme (“Hedwig’s Theme”) is instantly recognizable and evokes a sense of magical youth and mystery.
Related:The most iconic movie theme songs
7. Schindler’s List
Schindler’s Listsaw John Williams working in a different light due to the tone and devastating premise of Steven Spielberg’s film. As a result, the score feels more restrained—and more pained.
For most of his other projects, John Williams employs a style of music that feels bold and adventurous. But inSchindler’s List, the music is there to match the overall somber feeling of events and never quite attaches itself to any particular character.
John Williams deservedly walked away with an Academy Award for his work onSchindler’s List’smusic.
Related:Emotionally heavy and heartbreaking movies
6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
The first time we watchedE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, we all wanted to be Elliot—the child who befriends an alien in his shed.
Who could forget that sequence where the children are riding their bikes away from government forces, only to look up and see more. Then, E.T. lifts Elliot and his friends' bikes into the air, accompanied by a swell of music—a moment to remember for the rest of our lives.
Spielberg’sE.T. the Extra-Terrestrialis a phenomenal motion picture that’s made all the more lovable by John Williams' wondrous score. It made us believe that we could fly, and you can’t put a price on that.
5. Jaws
Everybody knows the theme of Jaws. Simple. Iconic. Terrifying. Perfectly fitting for the original summer blockbuster movie that changed cinema forever when it hit theaters in 1975.
Steven Spielberg’s film about a giant shark that terrorized Amity Island by eating several of its residents was his first big project. It was a nightmare to shoot—the mechanical shark didn’t like water—and the budget ballooned up along with the extended shoot.
However, John Williams' work on the film could not have been better. The film’s score is a big part of its notoriety, and all these years later, you still don’t want to hear that music near a body of water.
4. Superman
The triumphant overture. The red, white and blue imagery. And then, it kicks in: “Superman March” by John Williams. His iconic theme for The Man of Steel is one of cinema’s most recognizable pieces.
To see Christopher Reeve flying through the air on his way to save some unfortunate victim from an accident or evil, paired with the most famous superhero theme music, is still magical all these years later.
Richard Donner’s first film showed everybody that special effects could be good and that Superman could work on the big screen. What John Williams did with his score is make sure that Superman had a legendary anthem for all time.
Related:The best Superman movies (animated and live-action)
3. Jurassic Park
Jurassic Parkis still as watchable today as it was when it came out in 1993. But one major aspect of the film that led to its enduring legacy—on top of the wonder, the excitement, the horror, the T-Rex and Velociraptors—is the musical score.
John Williams' work onJurassic Parkencapsulated all the emotions of the characters in one swift move. It’s full of disbelief, power, corruption, and the edge of something more sinister in play. John Williams and Steven Spielberg. Does it get any better?
Related:The most rewatchable movies of all time
2. Star Wars
As a singular scene in a motion picture, there may not be a better merging of music and imagery than that of a young Luke Skywalker looking out over the twin sunset of Tatooine.
From that point, Williams' work took on a life of its own. All of the work he has done for theStar Warssaga since 1977 has captured the emotions of the audience perfectly, and there isn’t a more well-known theme in all of cinema than “Binary Sunset.”
For the Skywalker saga, John Williams has been as important as any of the directors, the writers, or the actors—because it’s much down to his musical score thatStar Warshas become what it is today. Without his music, it wouldn’t be nearly as memorable or affecting.
1. Indiana Jones
Indiana Jonesis where John Williams put in his best work, resulting in the most adventurous feelings that music can give. Everybody knows the theme toIndiana Jones—it goes hand-in-hand with Harrison Ford as one of the most integral elements of the film.
Looking at his musical scores for theIndiana Jonesmovies, Williams constantly captured the essence of adventure and danger. From the cart escape inTemple of Doomto the tank crash inThe Last Crusade, each scene is knitted together by John Williams and his orchestra.
In the end, it’s Williams' scores and soundtrack for theIndiana Jonesmovies that feels the most complete—which says a lot about a man who perfects most of the scores he does.
Read next:The best Steven Spielberg movies
