Often times, what makes a movie iconic is the whole package: the actors, the script, the set, but also – what goes behind the scenes. We’re talking of course, about movie theme songs. Here are some movie theme songs that almost topped the movies themselves.
Ghostbusters, 1984
American fantasy comedy film, Ghostbusters, achieved cult status, mostly thanks to Bill Murray’s unforgettable performance. But the film score continued to live on long after the series wrapped up. It was composed by Elmer Bernstein, who won an Oscar for his score to Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and was nominated for 14 Oscars in total. So who you gonna call? Elmer Bernstein.
Back to the Future, 1985
Released on July 3, 1985 Back to the Future grossed over $381 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985. Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the movie was an instant classic, spending 11 weeks at the number one spot. But the soundtrack was just as epic. Heres a fun fact: Alan Silvestri actually began recording the score two weeks before the film’s first preview.
The Original Star Wars Trilogy (1977-1983)
It doesn’t get more epic than the Star Wars trilogy. Written and directed by George Lucas, it included an iconic soundtrack. Perhaps the most recognizable theme, present throughout the franchise, is the “Imperial March,” also known as Darth Vader’s theme. Composed by John Williams for The Empire Strikes Back, it’s considered one of the best known symphonic movie themes.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)
Sergio Leoni’s, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, is considered an all-time favorite when it comes to Westerns. Its catchy theme song was written by Italian composer Ennio Morricone. The acclaimed composer, orchestrator, and conductor has composed over 500 scores for cinema and television, as well as over 100 classical works.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Children’s all-time favorite nanny, Mary Poppins, could do no wrong. The musical film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney featured numerable hits written and composed by the Sherman Brothers. One of its most iconic songs was “A Spoonful of Sugar.”
