Top 10 Movie Character Musical Themes

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)
The signature theme of the world’s greatest cinematic superhero group, the Avengers theme is instantly recognizable. Composed by Alan Silvestri, who also created the music for “Back to the Future”, it uses strings to evoke a sense of action and movement, while drums build tension until triumphant horns blare - usually accompanied onscreen by the heroes coming together and/or doing something awesome. The Avengers’ theme has featured prominently in all the “Avengers” films thus far and its stirring melody is one that always manages to get us hyped for whatever the Marvel heroes are up to.

“Shaft” Series (1971-)
An Academy Award winning soul and funk song, the “Theme From Shaft” is the anthem of smooth detective John Shaft, the star of the blaxploitation film and TV series that share his name. Written and recorded by Isaac Hayes, it features a racing hi-hat ride pattern and unforgettable wah-wah guitar lines that ooze 1970s style and coolness - just like Shaft himself. While its lyrics are sparse, and come fairly late into the song, they’re incredibly memorable and help make the “Theme from Shaft” a bad “mother” of a song that anyone can dig.

“Halloween” Franchise (1978-)
The eerie anthem for the “Halloween” films, as well as their creepy antagonist Michael Myers, is a deceptively simple song. Director John Carpenter composed the movie’s score himself, taking inspiration from the movies “Suspiria” and “The Exorcist”. It consists of high, repetitive piano notes, and synth strings that fade in and out, building tension. The piano gives viewers a sense of Myer’s relentless pursuit, while the strings conjure up the chilling terror of his victims. All in all, the theme is a perfect one for the masked slasher killer and the series that follows his story.

“Indiana Jones” Franchise (1981-)
A full orchestral theme composed by the inimitable John Williams, the theme for the “Indiana Jones” films and its titular hero is as triumphant as it is iconic. The trumpets capture Indiana Jones’ adventurous spirit, while the militaristic rhythm is reminiscent of a marching song, matching the hero’s dogged pursuit of his goals. Its middle section, on the other hand, is more melancholy and romantic, layering on added tones that perfectly sum up its roguish hero. It’s no wonder that Williams’ scores for the first three movies in the franchise were all nominated for Academy Awards.

“The Pink Panther” Franchise (1963-2006)
This may be a somewhat controversial pick, since the Pink Panther is the name of a diamond, rather than a character, in “The Pink Panther” films. But since the movies’ mascot is a cartoon panther accompanied by this theme song in the opening credits, it still counts in our books. Written by Academy-Award winning composer Henry Mancini, the theme has a languid, jazzy feel, that gradually gives way to more expressive and chaotic notes, and features memorable solos on both saxophone and flute. The music and the movie mascot’s actions were designed around one another in a back-and-forth process between Mancini and the animators. So they were quite literally made for each other!

“Rocky” Franchise (1976-)
While many associate Rocky with Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”, his actual theme song perfectly embodies his struggles and triumphs. Composed by Bill Conti, who also scored “Karate Kid”, “Gonna Fly Now” uses horns to form its upbeat and memorable melody, while its lyrics focus on flying higher, illustrating Rocky’s desire for self-improvement. The fact that the song is usually played over a montage of Rocky training or exercising has helped make the song a staple for many people’s workout playlists and is sure to get anyone who listens to it pumped up.

“Superman” Franchise (1978-87, 2006)
Another John Williams composition, the Superman theme is a heroic and stirring song as inspiring as the last son of Krypton himself. A fanfare of trumpets and horns builds excitement, with rumbling percussion and swelling strings upping the tension, before the theme breaks out into a triumphant march. The music then movies into a mellower, more romantic mode, before soaring back to heroic heights. The result is a song that not only captures the Man of Steel’s heroic ideals, but also reflects his softer, more human side. It does a perfect job of imparting Superman’s personality, AND sensation of flying; making it a truly “uplifting” track.

“Star Wars” Franchise (1977-)
The “Star Wars” movies have several themes associated with its cast of characters. But we’d argue that none are quite as memorable as the “Imperial March,” the symphonic theme associated with Darth Vader. Another theme composed by John Williams, it was first introduced in “The Empire Strikes Back”. With its bombastic horns, played against a background of frenetic strings, “Imperial March” instantly communicates militaristic might. At the same time, a slightly unnerving dissonance in the melody lends the character an even greater sense of menace. Overall, it’s a powerful and memorable anthem for arguably the most iconic character in the “Star Wars” franchise.

“Jaws” Franchise (1975-87)
Okay, we’re starting to sense a pattern here . . . has John Williams composed all the best character themes in movies? The score for “Jaws” won Williams an Academy Award, and it’s easy to see why. The shark theme is so iconic and memorable, it’s become synonymous with not only the franchise’s antagonists, but also with an entire class of fish! The low, alternating notes evoke a sense of relentless pursuit, while the frantic strings make it clear that the predator is closing in and about to attack. For everyone who went swimming right after watching “Jaws”, that theme music was there in the back of our heads, ruining everything!

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“The Medallion Calls”
“Pirates of the Caribbean” Franchise (2003-)

“The Batman Theme”
“Batman” franchise (1989-97)

“Ghostbusters”
“Ghostbusters” Franchise (1984-1989, 2016)

“James Bond” Franchise (1962-)
It’s only fitting that the theme for one of the longest running film franchises, and its title character, made our top pick. James Bond is the ultimate secret agent, whose theme music reflects his suave attitude and daring. While its instrumentation has varied depending on the decade, it always manages to illustrate 007’s coolness, whether through the jazzy 1960’s original, the funk and disco versions of the ‘70s, or the more orchestral arrangements today. James Bond’s theme is as emblematic of the character as anything else about him and it always leaves us stirred, not shaken.