All-time pic scores of all time, according to the Oscars

The relevance of instrumental music to cinema is incommunicable to overstate. Information technology could be said that music in picture predates actual sound in film since alive organists or phonograph recordings would ofttimes play alongside silent movies. With the emergence of talkies, instrumental film music achieved new levels of significance and dimension. No longer was the music simply driving the action or filling in for lack of audio—it was now a permanent fixture within the motion-picture show itself. Thus began the gold age of film scoring.

Using the university'southward database every bit a source, Stacker compiled all wins for Best Original Score at the Oscars chronologically from 1934 to 2019. Where the award was expanded into 2 unlike categories (Best Original Score and Best Scoring, or Best Original Dramatic Score and All-time Original Musical or Comedy Score), Stacker went with the all-time original score and best original dramatic score winners.

When composer Max Steiner—aka the "begetter of motion-picture show music"—scored original music for the 1932 RKO flick "Symphony of Six Million," it was widely considered the birth of pic scores. Steiner's score was among the get-go to be used non-diegetically, driving the mood and narrative from off-screen. The following yr, Steiner provided the thrilling score for "King Kong," and picture music was never quite the same. Information technology paved the way for a tradition of iconic scores and classical composers alike, including the late great Ennio Morricone, who scored more 500 films before dying in 2020 at 91 years old.

Starting in 1935, the academy handed out an Oscar for all-time scoring. It was a category that comprised both original movie scores and adaptations of pre-existing material. At first, the music department head of the winning studio would ever receive the honor in addition to any credited composer. However, everything changed when the 1937 flick "One Hundred Men and a Girl" won the Oscar for all-time scoring, despite having no credited composer. After that, the award was divided into ii categories: Best Music Score of a Dramatic Motion-picture show and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture show. It marked the first time that the university tinkered with moving-picture show music categories, but certainly not the last.

Meanwhile, one might wonder: What's the departure betwixt a movie soundtrack and a movie score? The answer is that a movie score is purely instrumental, while a film soundtrack can include both songs and instrumental music. With something like "Star Wars: Episode Four - A New Hope"—which substantially features no songs—the soundtrack and score are the same affair. For Disney musicals or Martin Scorsese films, the soundtrack incorporates both timeless songs and instrumental music. This shouldn't be confused with the soundtrack anthology, which can characteristic just instrumental music or just songs or a mixture of the 2.

Continue reading to detect the best movie scores of all fourth dimension, according to the Oscars.

Y'all may likewise like:From 'Metropolis' to 'Parasite': 100 all-time international movies of all time

1 / 85

1934: I Night of Love

- Composers: Louis Silvers, Victor Schertzinger, Gus Kahn
- Director: Victor Schertzinger
- IMDb user rating: 5.7
- Metascore: information not bachelor
- Runtime: 84 min

The get-go Oscar for all-time scoring went to this opera-themed drama, which was a box office hit in its day. Released during the early on days of the sound era, it made innovative use of vertical cut recording. Director Victor Schertzinger equanimous the title song with lyrics by Gus Kahn.

two / 85

1935: The Informer

- Composer: Max Steiner
- Director: John Ford
- IMDb user rating: seven.5
- Metascore: information not available
- Runtime: 91 min

Austrian-born composer Max Steiner was a child prodigy who equanimous his first operetta by the age of xiv, eventually making his style to Hollywood. His start Academy Award came for this 1935 drama from director John Ford, virtually a immature Irish rebel who betrays his former comrade. Steiner composed over 300 scores throughout his career, earning 24 Oscar nominations and taking dwelling house the bays 3 times.

iii / 85

1936: Anthony Adverse

- Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold
- Directors: Mervyn LeRoy, Michael Curtiz
- IMDb user rating: vi.3
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 141 min

Like composer Max Steiner, Erich Wolfgang Korngold was also born in Austria and besides a kid prodigy. Drawing crowds equally early as the age of xi, he later moved to Hollywood every bit the Nazis rose to power in Germany. When scoring this laurels-winning historical romance, Korngold cultivated an "operatic" template without arias.

four / 85

1937: Ane Hundred Men and a Girl

- Composer: Charles Previn
- Manager: Henry Koster
- IMDb user rating: half-dozen.seven
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 84 min

Starring conductor Leopold Stokowski himself, this 1937 dramedy uses a score of pre-existing classical music and doesn't credit an bodily composer. Its University Award for best scoring went to Universal Studios Music Department head Charles Previn and sparked controversy. As a directly result, the academy created two separate awards for best music score of a dramatic moving-picture show and best scoring of a musical picture.

5 / 85

1938: The Adventures of Robin Hood

- Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold
- Directors: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Metascore: 97
- Runtime: 102 min

Erich Korngold only composed the music for xvi Hollywood films making his two University Awards fifty-fifty more impressive. His romantic and sweeping score for this 1938 take a chance helped turn it into a critical and commercial smash. Korngold'southward uniquely symphonic way on this flick and others is considered a clear predecessor to the work of future composers such equally John Williams.

You may likewise like: The best streaming services in 2021

6 / 85

1939: The Wizard of Oz

- Composer: Herbert Stothart
- Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, Male monarch Vidor
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Metascore: 100
- Runtime: 102 min

This iconic fantasy pic simply wouldn't be the same without its signature songs and musical score. MGM composer Herbert Stothart handled the not-song contributions, winning his sole Academy Award for best music score. Songwriters Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg took home best original song for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

7 / 85

Walt Disney Animation Studios

1940: Pinocchio

- Composers: Leigh Harline, Paul J. Smith, Ned Washington
- Directors: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Ben Sharpsteen
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Metascore: 99
- Runtime: 88 min

Pulling double duty, composer Leigh Harline co-wrote the original score and also wrote the song melodies for Disney'southward 2nd animated characteristic. Squaring off against no less than xvi competitors, Harline and his collaborators took home the Oscar aureate. The movie also won best original song for "When You Wish Upon a Star."

8 / 85

William Dieterle Productions

1941: The Devil and Daniel Webster

- Composer: Bernard Herrmann
- Director: William Dieterle
- IMDb user rating: seven.7
- Metascore: information not available
- Runtime: 107 min

Despite his well-earned legacy as a vivid and unique composer, Bernard Herrmann won just a single University Award. Information technology was for this classic film well-nigh a deal with the devil which was originally released under the name of "All That Coin Can Buy." Having also been nominated for his piece of work on "Citizen Kane," Herrmann competed confronting himself in the newly minted category of best music score of a dramatic or comedy picture.

9 / 85

1942: Now, Voyager

- Composer: Max Steiner
- Director: Irving Rapper
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 117 min

Screen legend Bette Davis was at the height of her career when she starred in this acclaimed melodrama, set mostly aboard a prowl send. Bringing the film's romantic themes to life is Max Steiner's rapturous score, which ebbs and flows like the waves. Information technology earned the achieved composer his 2nd Academy Accolade.

10 / 85

1943: The Song of Bernadette

- Composer: Alfred Newman
- Manager: Henry King
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 156 min

Along with Max Steiner and Dimitri Tiomkin, Alfred Newman is widely considered one of the "godfathers of film music." His 9 Academy Awards and whopping 45 nominations put him in the upper echelons of Oscar history. Newman'due south work on this 1943 drama earned him his third Academy Award, having previously won twice in the (post-1938) category of best scoring.

You may also like: Movie trivia for the top 100 films of all fourth dimension

eleven / 85

Selznick International Pictures

1944: Since You Went Away

- Composer: Max Steiner
- Directors: John Cromwell, Edward F. Cline, Tay Garnett, David O. Selznick
- IMDb user rating: vii.five
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 177 min

Max Steiner's original score for this state of war drama competed confronting 19 others at the University Awards, including one by Steiner himself. It won the film its only Oscar out of an impressive nine total nominations. He would receive multiple nominations, but this remained his third and final Oscar win.

12 / 85

Selznick International Pictures

1945: Spellbound

- Composer: Miklos Rozsa
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 111 min

Manager Alfred Hitchcock and composer Miklós Rózsa make for a perfect pairing with this gripping psychological drama. As the story alternates betwixt romance and paranoia, the classical score follows suit. Ironically, Rózsa later wrote in his autobiography that the ii men met only twice during the entire production.

13 / 85

1946: The Best Years of Our Lives

- Composer: Hugo Friedhofer
- Managing director: William Wyler
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: 92
- Runtime: 170 min

In 1947, the academy narrowed down the playing field for best music score of a dramatic or comedy picture to simply v nominees. Prolific composer Hugo Friedhofer defeated the contest with this dramatic score, which drives dwelling a full spectrum of emotions. Information technology was one of the moving-picture show's seven Oscars, including best picture.

xiv / 85

1947: A Double Life

- Composer: Miklos Rozsa
- Director: George Cukor
- IMDb user rating: seven
- Metascore: data not bachelor
- Runtime: 104 min

Having previously tackled themes of identity and psychology at the behest of Hitchcock, Miklós Rózsa covered similar terrain for this acclaimed movie noir. Information technology earned the Hungarian-American composer his second University Award in simply iii years. Tipping his lid to both this moving-picture show and its score, he after named his autobiography "A Double Life."

fifteen / 85

1948: The Cherry-red Shoes

- Composer: Brian Easdale
- Directors: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- IMDb user rating: viii.2
- Metascore: data not bachelor
- Runtime: 135 min

Chronicling the exploits of a ballet visitor, "The Red Shoes" is filled to the brim with infrequent music and stunning choreography. Culling from his all-encompassing background in opera and theatre, Brian Easdale became the outset British composer to win an Academy Award for best music score. This was ane of the numerous collaborations between Easdale and the filmmaking squad of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

You may also like: How are women portrayed in summit-grossing movies?

16 / 85

1949: The Heiress

- Composer: Aaron Copland
- Director: William Wyler
- IMDb user rating: 8.two
- Metascore: data not bachelor
- Runtime: 115 min

At that place were just three nominees for all-time music score in 1950, with Aaron Copland taking home the Oscar gilt. Information technology followed diverse nominations and honors for the composer, including a Pulitzer Prize for the ballet "Appalachian Spring." I of the 20th century's about celebrated and respected talents, Copland was known as the "Dean of American Composers."

17 / 85

1950: Sunset Boulevard

- Composer: Franz Waxman
- Managing director: Billy Wilder
- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 110 min

As early as the opening credits sequence, Franz Waxman's pulse-pounding music sets the stage for this classic film noir. It earned him the first of ii consecutive Oscars and a Golden Globe too. He also composed the score for classic thrillers such as "Rear Window," "Bride of Frankenstein," and "Rebecca."

18 / 85

1951: A Place in the Dominicus

- Composer: Franz Waxman
- Manager: George Stevens
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Metascore: 76
- Runtime: 122 min

A year later winning his beginning Oscar, Franz Waxman took home the laurels over again for his work on this hit drama. For over xl years, he was the only film composer to have won dorsum-to-back Oscars for best original score. The film itself won six Academy Awards including all-time director and best writing (screenplay).

19 / 85

Stanley Kramer Productions

1952: Loftier Noon

- Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
- Director: Fred Zinnemann
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Metascore: 89
- Runtime: 85 min

Historian Arthur R. Jarvis Jr. credits composer Dimitri Tiomkin with saving this iconic Western, which reportedly tested poorly before the music went in. Along with best original score, Tiomkin won best original song for composing the movie'southward theme song. Performed by Tex Ritter, "Exercise Non Abdicate Me" climbed upwardly the Land-Western charts and gear up an early on precedent for independently marketing movie theme songs.

20 / 85

1953: Lili

- Composer: Bronislau Kaper
- Director: Charles Walters
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 81 min

Polish composer Bronislau Kaper was all-time known for his jazz standards and Marx Brothers collaborations by the time he won an Oscar for this musical drama. Forth with the movie's score, Kaper composed the signature song "Hi-Lili, How-do-you-do-Lo" with lyrics by Helen Deutsch. He would afterwards work on films such as 1962'southward "Mutiny on the Bounty" and the long-running Telly series "The F.B.I."

You may also similar: Can you answer these real Jeopardy! questions well-nigh music?

21 / 85

Wayne-Fellows Productions

1954: The Loftier and the Mighty

- Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
- Director: William A. Wellman
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Metascore: information not available
- Runtime: 147 min

Presently after winning two Oscars in a single year, Dimitri Tiomkin took home another one for his work on this 1954 disaster picture. Having re-teamed with lyricist Ned Washington for the title vocal, he was once over again nominated in the category of best original song. Information technology was defeated by the championship song from the romantic drama "Three Coins In The Fountain."

22 / 85

1955: Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing

- Composer: Alfred Newman
- Directors: Henry King, Otto Lang
- IMDb user rating: 6.5
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 102 min

Composer Alfred Newman incorporated Chinese musical tropes when crafting parts of the score for this romantic drama, which takes place in Hong Kong. Every bit the music managing director at Fox Studios, Newman tasked Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster with writing the movie's title theme. When that theme became a song, information technology soared up the charts and won its ain Academy Award.

23 / 85

1956: Around the World in lxxx Days

- Composer: Victor Young
- Directors: Michael Anderson, John Farrow
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Metascore: data not bachelor
- Runtime: 175 min

Subsequently a string of Academy Award nominations, composer Victor Immature received a posthumous Oscar for his score to this popular fantasy drama. He was likewise nominated for all-time vocal from another film the very same yr. During his lifetime, Young was both an achieved TV and film composer and also the musical manager for a number of Bing Crosby recordings.

24 / 85

1957: The Span on the River Kwai

- Composer: Malcolm Arnold
- Director: David Lean
- IMDb user rating: 8.i
- Metascore: 87
- Runtime: 161 min

Later meeting musical hero Louis Armstrong on a family trip, Malcolm Arnold took upward the trumpet at 12 and won a scholarship soon after. Information technology paved the way for a truly prolific career, during which the British composer wrote many concertos and over 100 motion picture scores. Arnold's third collaboration with director David Lean resulted in his 1 and but Academy Award.

25 / 85

Leland Hayward Productions

1958: The Old Man and the Sea

- Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
- Directors: John Sturges, Fred Zinnemann
- IMDb user rating: 7
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 86 min

Inspired by the fishing trips he used to take with director Frank Capra, Dimitri Tiomkin crafted the lush score for this Hemingway accommodation. It earned him the last of his four Academy Awards, though he would receive several subsequent nominations. Famously independent in music and concern alike, Tiomkin was amongst the most prominent free agents of the studio system era.

You lot may also similar: 25 of the most expensive Television serial of all fourth dimension

26 / 85

1959: Ben-Hur

- Composer: Miklos Rozsa
- Director: William Wyler
- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Metascore: xc
- Runtime: 212 min

An epic motion-picture show deserves epic music, and seasoned composer Miklós Rózsa was upwardly to the job. While this seminal blockbuster earned Rózsa the last of his iii Academy Awards, he would continue to score several popular films for major directors. His last film score was for 1982's "Expressionless Men Don't Clothing Plaid," a black-and-white detective parody starring Steve Martin.

27 / 85

1960: Exodus

- Composer: Ernest Gold
- Director: Otto Preminger
- IMDb user rating: half dozen.7
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 208 min

Kid prodigy Ernest Gold fled Vienna with his family in 1938, only equally the Nazis took control of Austria. He spent time in Israel when writing the award-winning score for this 1960 historical epic, about that nation's founding. The motion picture'southward main theme was a popular hit in its ain right, which has since been covered or sampled past many artists.

28 / 85

1961: Breakfast at Tiffany's

- Composer: Henry Mancini
- Director: Blake Edwards
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Metascore: 76
- Runtime: 115 min

Considered one of the best composers in film and TV history, Henry Mancini'south work on this dramedy won him Oscars for best original score and best original song. Not simply did his striking composition "Moon River" too earn three Grammy Awards, merely information technology's since been covered by a swath of artists and bands. Mancini's enduring partnership with director Blake Edwards also yielded iconic music for the "Pink Panther" films and the TV testify "Peter Gunn."

29 / 85

1962: Lawrence of Arabia

30 / 85

Woodfall Film Productions

1963: Tom Jones

- Composer: John Addison
- Managing director: Tony Richardson
- IMDb user rating: 6.v
- Metascore: 77
- Runtime: 129 min

British composer John Addison won both an Academy Award and a Grammy Honour for his score to this acclaimed comedy. Throughout his prolific career, Addison composed the music for films such as 1977'southward "A Bridge besides Far" and Hitchcock's 1966 political thriller "Torn Mantle." No stranger to the small screen, he too took dwelling an Emmy Honour for writing the theme music to "Murder, She Wrote."

Y'all may besides like: 30 stars who hit their stride late in life

31 / 85

1964: Mary Poppins

- Composers: Richard 1000. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
- Director: Robert Stevenson
- IMDb user rating: vii.8
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 139 min

When Walt Disney Studios needed a hitting tune in the 1960s and beyond, it went to the Sherman Brothers. The pair wrote both the score for this blockbuster musical and its timeless songs, including the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." They also composed a little ditty called "It's a Small World (After All)" that same year, which is allegedly the nigh played vocal in music history.

32 / 85

1965: Doctor Zhivago

- Composer: Maurice Jarre
- Director: David Lean
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: 69
- Runtime: 197 min

Collaborating with director David Lean once again, Maurice Jarre infused even so another historical epic with his lush sensibilities. Included in the score is a lyricless tune known as "Lara's Theme," which functions as a recurring motif. Soon after the movie's release, "Lara's Theme" was repurposed as a chart-topping and Grammy-winning song chosen "Somewhere, My Dear."

33 / 85

1966: Born Free

- Composer: John Barry
- Directors: James Hill, Tom McGowan
- IMDb user rating: seven.ii
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 95 min

The story of a married couple and their pet lion cub gets the sweeping score (and Oscar-winning song) it deserves, courtesy of British composer John Barry. Modern audiences might recognize Barry equally the man who wrote or bundled music for 11 James Bail movies between 1963 and 1987. He claimed to take composed nearly all the iconic "James Bond Theme," which is legally credited to Monty Norman.

34 / 85

1967: Thoroughly Modern Millie

- Composer: Elmer Bernstein
- Director: George Roy Hill
- IMDb user rating: 6.nine
- Metascore: information not bachelor
- Runtime: 138 min

A conductor and composer of infrequent regard, Elmer Bernstein wrote some of the most memorable themes in Hollywood history. Despite several Academy Award nominations, he won just once for his work on this 1967 musical romantic one-act. Some of his best-known scores are for films such as "The 10 Commandments," "The Cracking Escape," "Heavy Metallic," and 1984's "Ghostbusters."

35 / 85

1968: The Lion in Winter

- Composer: John Barry
- Director: Anthony Harvey
- IMDb user rating: seven.nine
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 134 min

While even so churning out signature strings and contumely for the James Bond franchise, John Barry scored this historical biopic to Oscar-winning effect. Almost critics deemed both the movie and its music to be a resounding success. Critic Pauline Kael felt otherwise, saying, "John Barry'southward score manages to fuse fake grandeur and sense of humor successfully, but nothing else in the picture show does."

Y'all may also like: 100 best dramas of all time

36 / 85

1969: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child

- Composer: Burt Bacharach
- Director: George Roy Hill
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Metascore: 66
- Runtime: 110 min

Music legend Burt Bacharach won three University Awards during his career, ii of which were for this seminal action dramedy. The score also won a Golden Globe and a Grammy Accolade, while the Oscar-winning vocal "Raindrops Continue Fallin' on My Head" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in a row. Bacharach won his 3rd Academy Award and second Gilt Globe for co-writing "Arthur'south Theme (Best That You Can Practice)" for the 1981 flick "Arthur."

37 / 85

1970: Honey Story

- Composer: Francis Lai
- Director: Arthur Hiller
- IMDb user rating: six.9
- Metascore: 84
- Runtime: 100 min

Dispensing with tender instrumentals, French composer Francis Lai sets the mood for this romantic drama. The film's principal theme earned Lai both an University Award and a Gilt Globe, propelling the flick's soundtrack to #2 on the Billboard nautical chart. Various artists successfully released their own version of the master theme, which went by the proper name "(Where Do I Begin?) Love Story" subsequently lyrics were added.

38 / 85

1971: Summertime of '42

- Composer: Michel Legrand
- Director: Robert Mulligan
- IMDb user rating: vii.3
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 104 min

An international sensation by the age of 22, Michel Legrand collaborated with jazz artists such as Miles Davis and Stan Getz early on in his career. After working on assorted French New Wave films, he won his first Oscar for the song "The Windmills of Your Listen" from 1968's "The Thomas Crown Affair." His merely Academy Award for best original score comes through this romantic drama, about a immature mean solar day-dreamer and his crush.

39 / 85

Charles Chaplin Productions

1972: Limelight

- Composers: Charles Chaplin, Raymond Rasch, Larry Russell
- Director: Charles Chaplin
- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Metascore: data non available
- Runtime: 137 min

A virtuosic talent, if there ever was one, Charles (aka Charlie) Chaplin wrote, produced, directed, starred in, and scored this melancholic drama. It was originally released in 1952, only to be heavily boycotted after Chaplin was accused of being united nations-American. Upon existence re-released in 1972, it earned the legendary talent his sole University Award.

40 / 85

1973: The Style We Were

- Composer: Marvin Hamlisch
- Director: Sydney Pollack
- IMDb user rating: 7.one
- Metascore: 61
- Runtime: 118 min

As the composer of numerous hit songs and scores, Marvin Hamlisch has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, as well as the Pulitzer Prize. He's also just one of 10 people to win three University Awards in a unmarried night. Two of those awards were for his original work on this romantic drama, while the third was for his adaptation of Scott Joplin's ragtime music for "The Sting."

Y'all may as well similar: Lyrics to fifty famously misunderstood songs, explained

41 / 85

1974: The Godfather: Part Ii

- Composers: Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola
- Manager: Francis Ford Coppola
- IMDb user rating: 9
- Metascore: ninety
- Runtime: 202 min

When information technology was discovered that Nino Rota had plagiarized himself when writing the iconic theme to 1972's "The Godfather," his Academy Award for that film was revoked. The second time around, he and collaborator Crimson Coppola were allowed to proceed their Oscar statues. Rota composed over 150 film scores throughout his career, frequently working with Italian managing director Federico Fellini.

42 / 85

1975: Jaws

- Composer: John Williams
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: 87
- Runtime: 124 min

Possibly the virtually famous picture composer of all time, John Williams, kicked off his career by performing with legends such every bit Henry Mancini and Alfred Newman. Subsequently writing or adapting a cord of successful scores, he worked on this flick and churned out one of history'due south most recognizable riffs. With 51 Academy Honor nominations, Williams is the second-most-nominated individual in Oscar history.

43 / 85

1976: The Omen

- Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
- Director: Richard Donner
- IMDb user rating: 7.five
- Metascore: 62
- Runtime: 111 min

By the time Jerry Goldsmith won his first and only Academy Honour, the award seemed long overdue. Having previously scored everything from "Planet of the Apes" to "Chinatown" to "Star Trek: The Movement Pic," Goldsmith was firmly established every bit ane of the manufacture's foremost musical talents. In addition to numerous scores, he too wrote the Universal Studios opening logo music in 1997.

44 / 85

1977: Star Wars: Episode Four - A New Hope

- Composer: John Williams
- Manager: George Lucas
- IMDb user rating: eight.6
- Metascore: 90
- Runtime: 121 min

What'south there to say about "Star Wars" music that hasn't already been said? Taking inspiration from old swashbuckler films and their symphonic suites, Williams turned in what'due south arguably the nigh unforgettable movie score of all time. To appointment, he's received Oscar nominations for every soundtrack in the franchise.

45 / 85

1978: Midnight Express

- Composer: Giorgio Moroder
- Director: Alan Parker
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Metascore: 59
- Runtime: 121 min

The debut moving picture score from synth sorcerer Giorgio Moroder featured the international hit track "Chase" and its propulsive disco sound. Moroder otherwise took a largely atmospheric approach, occasionally veering into ambient territory. It paved the mode for a string of popular soundtracks and scores from the artist for movies like "Scarface," "American Gigolo," "The Neverending Story," and "Cat People."

You may as well like: All-time Robert De Niro movies

46 / 85

1979: A Little Romance

47 / 85

1980: Fame

- Composer: Michael Gore
- Manager: Alan Parker
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Metascore: 58
- Runtime: 134 min

Winner of two University Awards for this 1980 musical, composer Michael Gore is the younger brother of 1960s pop star Lesley Gore. He scored music for classic films such as "Terms of Endearment" and "Pretty in Pink." Gore also wrote the score for a disastrous play chosen "Carrie: The Musical," based on Stephen King's acknowledged novel.

48 / 85

1981: Chariots of Fire

- Composer: Vangelis
- Manager: Hugh Hudson
- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- Metascore: 78
- Runtime: 125 min

Greek musician Vangelis was already a well-established rock and electronic artist past the time he began churning out seminal movie scores. His main theme for this 1981 sports drama sits right next to music from "Jaws" and "Star Wars" in terms of its sheer timelessness. As the theme music of the 2012 Olympics, it was played during every medal awards anniversary.

49 / 85

1982: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

- Composer: John Williams
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Metascore: 91
- Runtime: 115 min

Another collaboration betwixt John Williams and Steven Spielberg resulted in however another iconic score, this time for a dearest family unit movie. The movie'due south uplifting theme is reprised during a signature scene when Elliott and E.T. fly into the sky on a bike. Not counting upcoming releases (like "Indiana Jones 5"), Williams has written the score for 28 Spielberg films to date.

50 / 85

1983: The Right Stuff

51 / 85

1984: A Passage to India

- Composer: Maurice Jarre
- Managing director: David Lean
- IMDb user rating: 7.three
- Metascore: information non bachelor
- Runtime: 164 min

Working with Sir David Lean once again, Maurice Jarre turned in his third Oscar-winning score. Hoping to capture the story's steamy subtext during primal scenes, Lean asked Jarre to "write music that evokes awakening sexuality." E'er the efficient composer, Jarre completed 45 minutes of music in but two-and-a-half weeks.

52 / 85

1985: Out of Africa

- Composer: John Barry
- Manager: Sydney Pollack
- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- Metascore: 69
- Runtime: 161 min

Sydney Pollack'south romantic drama won a whopping seven University Awards, including one for John Barry'due south original score. Besides featured in the motion picture are established classical pieces and traditional African songs. On AFI's list of The 25 Greatest Film Scores Of All Time, this ane sits at #15.

53 / 85

1986: Circular Midnight

- Composer: Herbie Hancock
- Director: Bertrand Tavernier
- IMDb user rating: seven.4
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 133 min

Inspired by the story of musicians Lester Young and Bud Powell, this fictionalized biopic captures the 1950s Paris jazz scene. Jazz legend Herbie Hancock not only brings the film to life with his award-winning score. The flick features boosted cameos or performances from big-proper noun jazz artists and filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

54 / 85

1987: The Concluding Emperor

- Composers: Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, Cong Su
- Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Metascore: 76
- Runtime: 163 min

This historical epic won all nine Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including best original score. Collaborating on the music was David Byrne of the Talking Heads and Ryuichi Sakamoto of synth-pop outfit Xanthous Magic Orchestra. Chinese composer Cong Su, who's as well a well-known professor and lecturer on music theory, joined them.

55 / 85

1988: The Milagro Beanfield War

- Composer: Dave Grusin
- Director: Robert Redford
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Metascore: data not available
- Runtime: 117 min

Throughout his career, musician Dave Grusin achieved success equally both a Hollywood composer and a traditional studio artist. As well his work on this social dramedy, he wrote instrumental music for hitting films such as "The Graduate" and "The Goonies." In 1978, Grusin co-founded the successful jazz label GRP Records.

Y'all may as well like: 100 best movies of all fourth dimension

56 / 85

1989: The Trivial Mermaid

- Composer: Alan Menken
- Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
- IMDb user rating: 7.six
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 83 min

In 1989, Disney kicked off a music streak so hot that the academy eventually adopted new categories just to adapt it. The action started with this animated classic, well-nigh a immature mermaid who dreams of beingness human. Broadway veteran Alan Menken wrote the original score and the song music as well, winning his first two University Awards.

57 / 85

1990: Dances With Wolves

- Composer: John Barry
- Manager: Kevin Costner
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: 72
- Runtime: 181 min

Having previously scored several historical epics, John Barry knew but what to bring to Kevin Costner'due south magnum opus. His sweeping score helped the film get a veritable blockbuster, winning no less than 7 Academy Awards. This was the composer's 5th and final Oscar win, though he'd be nominated once over again for 1992's "Chaplin."

58 / 85

1991: Beauty and the Fauna

- Composer: Alan Menken
- Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
- IMDb user rating: viii
- Metascore: 95
- Runtime: 84 min

Along with lyricist Howard Ashman, composer Alan Menken was credited with bringing Broadway to cartoons. That tendency began with "The Piddling Mermaid" and continued with this blockbuster follow-upwardly, featuring many hit tunes. In one case again, Menken won ii Academy Awards for his respective work on the score and the songs.

59 / 85

1992: Aladdin

- Composer: Alan Menken
- Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
- IMDb user rating: viii
- Metascore: 86
- Runtime: ninety min

The Disney hit machine was back and so was Alan Menken, who snagged another 2 Academy Awards. Collaborator Howard Ashman passed away in 1991, and then Tim Rice stepped in to complete the lyrics. It was a whole new world for Disney Studios, which had struggled through the 1970s and 1980s.

60 / 85

1993: Schindler'due south Listing

- Composer: John Williams
- Manager: Steven Spielberg
- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Metascore: 94
- Runtime: 195 min

Upon viewing early on footage of this Holocaust drama, John Williams told Steven Spielberg that the director needed a amend composer. Spielberg famously replied: "I know. But they're all expressionless!" The rest is Oscar history.

You may also like: Acknowledged book series of all fourth dimension

61 / 85

1994: The Lion Male monarch

- Composer: Hans Zimmer
- Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 88 min

One of the hottest flick composers of the modern era, Hans Zimmer, has worked with anybody from Ridley Scott to Christopher Nolan. After incorporating African influences for 1988's "A Globe Apart" and 1992's "The Ability of I," he was approached by Disney to score this animated classic. Music icon Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice handled the songwriting, winning best vocal for "Circle of Life."

62 / 85

1995: The Postman

- Composer: Luis Enriquez Bacalov
- Directors: Michael Radford, Massimo Troisi
- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Metascore: 81
- Runtime: 108 min

Responding to Disney dominance, the university divided best original score into the categories of original dramatic score and original musical or one-act score. That yielded victories for "The Postman" and "Pocahontas," respectively. In an ironic twist of fate, Disney wouldn't win another Academy Honor for best original score until long after the rules were inverse dorsum.

63 / 85

1996: The English language Patient

- Composer: Gabriel Yared
- Managing director: Anthony Minghella
- IMDb user rating: vii.4
- Metascore: 87
- Runtime: 162 min

When director Anthony Minghella needed music for his sprawling dramas, he nigh always called upon composer Gabriel Yared. Their partnership began with this award-winning romantic war moving picture, in which a burn down victim recounts his story of love and intrigue. Yared later on equanimous an early score for the flick "Troy," writing an open alphabetic character on his website afterward the studio rejected his work.

64 / 85

1997: Titanic

- Composer: James Horner
- Managing director: James Cameron
- IMDb user rating: vii.8
- Metascore: 75
- Runtime: 194 min

Before his untimely passing in a plane crash, James Horner was the go-to composer for many major Hollywood directors. Subsequently teaming up with James Cameron on "Aliens," the pair reunited for this record-breaking blockbuster. Horner'due south signature main theme provided the foundation for "My Heart Will Go On," which became a smash striking of its own.

65 / 85

1998: Life Is Beautiful

- Composer: Nicola Piovani
- Managing director: Roberto Benigni
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Metascore: 59
- Runtime: 116 min

Composer Nicola Piovani has provided the score for over 130 films, simply this remains his best-known work past a long shot. In addition to winning the Oscar for best original dramatic score, it was nominated for a Grammy Award. In the all-time original musical or one-act score category, composer Stephen Warbeck won the Oscar for "Shakespeare in Beloved."

Y'all may besides similar: 30 celebrities yous might not know are LGBTQ

66 / 85

1999: The Cherry-red Violin

- Composer: John Corigliano
- Director: François Girard
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Metascore: 57
- Runtime: 130 min

With Disney's musical hot streak cooling off, the academy returned best original score to 1 streamlined category. Composer John Corigliano won that very twelvemonth, drawing upon the classical chaconne genre for this music-themed drama. American violinist Joshua Bong performed all of the movie'south solos.

67 / 85

Asia Union Picture show & Entertainment Ltd.

2000: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

- Composer: Tan Dun
- Director: Ang Lee
- IMDb user rating: seven.8
- Metascore: 93
- Runtime: 120 min

Culling from Eastern and Western influences alike, Chinese composer Tan Dun beginning accomplished success every bit the creator of avant-garde operas. His honor-winning score for this martial arts masterpiece earned him international attention, paving the manner for more film work. Dun is also well-known for crafting sound and tune out of organic materials, including h2o bowls and paper.

68 / 85

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

- Composer: Howard Shore
- Director: Peter Jackson
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Metascore: 92
- Runtime: 178 min

A truly versatile talent, Howard Shore was composing scores for David Cronenberg films while serving every bit music director for "Saturday Nighttime Live" in the late 1970s. His piece of work on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and subsequent prequels proved that he was only every bit adept as ballsy adventures as he was comedies and thrillers. For much of this massive undertaking, Shore enlisted the prestigious London Philharmonic Orchestra.

69 / 85

2002: Frida

- Composer: Elliot Goldenthal
- Director: Julie Taymor
- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- Metascore: 61
- Runtime: 123 min

Composer Elliot Goldenthal worked with longtime partner and collaborator Julie Taymor when scoring this acclaimed biopic. A former educatee of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, Goldenthal is known for blending various musical styles in new and clever ways. He as well composed the score to Taymor's 2010 adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," as well as popular movies like "Heat" and "Interview with the Vampire."

lxx / 85

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Male monarch

71 / 85

2004: Finding Neverland

- Composer: Jan A. P. Kaczmarek
- Manager: Marc Forster
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Metascore: 67
- Runtime: 106 min

Smooth composer January A. P. Kaczmarek won an Academy Award and a National Board of Review Award for his work on Marc Forster's fantasy biopic. Truthful to the moving picture'southward tone, Kaczmarek's score retains a whimsical and kid-similar edge as information technology migrates through various classical parts. It was besides nominated for a Golden Globe and a British University Movie Award.

72 / 85

2005: Brokeback Mountain

- Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla
- Managing director: Ang Lee
- IMDb user rating: 7.vii
- Metascore: 87
- Runtime: 134 min

Born in Argentina, Gustavo Santaolalla was function of a seminal rock band before breaking out as a solo artist. Upon transitioning into film scores, he began collaborating with directors such as Michael Mann and Alejandro González Iñárritu. Besides winning best original score for this acclaimed drama, he won a second Oscar and a Gilt Globe for the song "A Beloved That Will Never Grow One-time."

73 / 85

2006: Boom-boom

- Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla
- Director: Alejandro Thou. Iñárritu
- IMDb user rating: seven.4
- Metascore: 69
- Runtime: 143 min

After collaborating with Alejandro González Iñárritu on 2003's "21 Grams," Gustavo Santaolalla and the director re-teamed for this multi-layered drama. The two talents would reunite once again for Iñárritu'due south 2010 endeavour "Biutiful." Well-nigh recently, Santaolalla has worked on video games and the popular Netflix documentary "Making a Murderer."

74 / 85

2007: Atonement

- Composer: Dario Marianelli
- Director: Joe Wright
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Metascore: 85
- Runtime: 123 min

Italian composer Dario Marianelli and managing director Joe Wright have worked together on several films, including this one from 2007. Its comprehensive and dynamic score won both an University Award and a Golden Globe. In full, Marianelli and Wright take collaborated on five films.

75 / 85

2008: Slumdog Millionaire

- Composer: A.R. Rahman
- Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Metascore: 86
- Runtime: 120 min

With his all-encompassing knowledge of various styles and genres, Indian composer A. R. Rahman was the perfect friction match for this thrilling drama. He won two Academy Awards for his work on the film, including best song for "Jai Ho." He and manager Danny Boyle teamed up again two years later for the film "127 Hours."

You may also like: 50 ways music has changed in the concluding fifty years

76 / 85

2009: Up

- Composer: Michael Giacchino
- Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
- IMDb user rating: eight.ii
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 96 min

Pixar won its first Oscar for all-time original score with help from composer Michael Giacchino, who'd previously worked on "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille." Oft called upon for blockbuster fare, Giacchino also writes music for pop video games and Disney theme park attractions. He almost recently completed the theme music for "The Batman," which is slated for release in 2021.

77 / 85

2010: The Social Network

- Composers: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
- Director: David Fincher
- IMDb user rating: seven.7
- Metascore: 95
- Runtime: 120 min

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have made such a proper noun for themselves in moving-picture show and TV that information technology threatens to outshine a little project called 9 Inch Nails. Infusing minimalist melodies with ominous undertones, their score for this honour-winning drama reaped near-universal acclaim. The duo collaborated with managing director David Fincher on 2 more films, including 2014'due south "Gone Girl."

78 / 85

2011: The Artist

- Composer: Ludovic Bource
- Director: Michel Hazanavicius
- IMDb user rating: vii.9
- Metascore: 89
- Runtime: 100 min

With its silent movie template, this Oscar-winning drama needed a virtually countless score to get its bulletin across. Up to the task was French composer Ludovic Bource, who won both an Academy Award and a Golden World for the effort. The film as well features previously recorded work from other composers such as Alberto Ginastera and Bernard Herrmann.

79 / 85

2012: Life of Pi

- Composer: Mychael Danna
- Director: Ang Lee
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Metascore: 79
- Runtime: 127 min

When Mychael Danna won an Oscar and a Golden World for his work on this picture show, information technology came preceded past over 2 decade's worth of steady output. Throughout his career, Danna has composed many scores for directors Ang Lee and Atom Egoyan. He occasionally teams upwards with his blood brother Jeff, as he did for the recent CGI version of "The Addams Family."

80 / 85

2013: Gravity

- Composer: Steven Cost
- Director: Alfonso Cuarón
- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Metascore: 96
- Runtime: 91 min

Composer Steven Price cut his teeth in the music section on films similar "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and "Batman Begins" before breaking out on his own. His big debut arrived in 2011 when he composed the score to the sci-fi comedy horror film "Assail the Block." But two years after, he took home an Oscar for his work on this 3D blockbuster from Alfonso Cuarón.

You may also like: The nigh famous extra built-in the same year as you lot

81 / 85

2014: The Thou Budapest Hotel

- Composer: Alexandre Desplat
- Director: Wes Anderson
- IMDb user rating: 8.ane
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 99 min

A veteran of French movie house, composer Alexandre Desplat has also worked on several British and American films. For this Wes Anderson dramedy, he delivered a predictably quirky blend of styles and sounds. The pair take collaborated on 5 films, including the upcoming 2020 release "The French Dispatch."

82 / 85

2015: The Hateful Eight

- Composer: Ennio Morricone
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- IMDb user rating: vii.viii
- Metascore: 68
- Runtime: 168 min

After composing some of the most iconic scores in flick history, Ennio Morricone won his first competitive Oscar for this Tarantino Western. He was previously nominated v times for his piece of work on classic movies such as "Days of Heaven" and "The Untouchables." He's too one of just 3 composers with an Academy Honorary Award, which he received in 2007.

83 / 85

2016: La La Land

- Composer: Justin Hurwitz
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- IMDb user rating: eight
- Metascore: 93
- Runtime: 128 min

American composer Justin Hurwitz has written the score for every one of Damien Chazelle's efforts, including short films. For his work on this smash-striking musical, Hurwitz won both best original score and best original vocal ("City of Stars"). He'south as well a talented one-act writer whose credits include "The Simpsons" and "Adjourn Your Enthusiasm."

84 / 85

2017: The Shape of Water

- Composer: Alexandre Desplat
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- IMDb user rating: vii.3
- Metascore: 87
- Runtime: 123 min

At Guillermo del Toro's behest, Alexandre Desplat drew inspiration from composer Georges Delerue when crafting the musical palette for this fantasy drama. He as well aimed to capture the audio and the feeling of sinking into warm water, which he likens to falling in beloved. Besides winning all-time original score, the film took dwelling house Oscars for best flick, best director, and all-time production design.

85 / 85

2018: Black Panther

- Composer: Ludwig Goransson
- Managing director: Ryan Coogler
- IMDb user rating: seven.iii
- Metascore: 88
- Runtime: 134 min

Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson is one of the hottest names in the game, who continues to work beyond a full spectrum of mediums. He and manager Ryan Coogler teamed upward for the tertiary fourth dimension on this Curiosity blockbuster, which welcomes viewers to Wakanda. While performing research for the music, Göransson spent a calendar month in Senegal and even toured with the local musician Baaba Maal.

You may too like: Most influential celebrities on social media

Trending Now