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John Williams - The American composer is the recipient of five Academy Awards, among other accolades. His film music ranks among some of the most well-known and critically acclaimed in cinema history.

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John Williams - He's responsible for scoring the 'Star Wars' film series, the 'Indiana Jones' series, 'Schindler's List,' and the unforgettable theme to 'Jaws,' among many more blockbuster movies.

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Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) -

One of the most versatile, experimental, and prolific composers in cinema history, the Italian maestro started working in 1946. He passed away in 2020.

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Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) - 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' is regarded as one of the most influential soundtracks in film history. 

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John Barry (1933–2011) - Another five-time Academy Award winner, the English composer's haunting and beautifully melodic musical style took dozens of films to new aesthetic heights.

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John Barry (1933–2011) -

Barry. John Barry. He's known for composing the scores for 11 of the 'James Bond' films. But he was also celebrated for writing the soundtracks to 'Born Free,' 'Dances with Wolves,' 'Out of Africa,' and 'The Ipcress File,' among a host of other acclaimed movies.

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Jerry Goldsmith (1929–2004) -

Over the course of his 50-year career, the Los Angeles-born composer collaborated with some of movie history's most celebrated directors.

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Jerry Goldsmith (1929–2004) - His music for 'Alien' was described by Ridley Scott as "dark, seriously threatening, but beautiful." Other notable scores include 'Patton,' 'Planet of the Apes,' Papillon,' and the Oscar-winning 'The Omen.'

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Hans Zimmer - The German composer is highly regarded for integrating electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements.

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Hans Zimmer - His notable soundtracks include 'Gladiator,' 'Inception,' 'The Last Samurai,' and the Oscar-winning 'The Lion King.'

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Maurice Jarre (1924–2009) - One of the film industry's most revered figures, the French composer scored some of the most memorable themes of the 1960s.

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Maurice Jarre (1924–2009) - 'Lawrence of Arabia,' 'Doctor Zhivago,' and 'Ryan's Daughter,' are standout soundtracks. Later works include 'A Passage to India' and 'Dead Poets Society.'

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Bernard Herrmann (1911–1975) - A legendary figure who composed the music to some of Hollywood's greatest films, Herrmann was especially gifted in writing themes for the thriller genre.

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Bernard Herrmann (1911–1975) -

The screeching violin track accompanying the shower scene in 'Psycho' is one of the most effective pieces of music in cinema history. The soundtracks to 'Cape Fear' and 'Taxi Driver' are no less somber and menacing.

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Lalo Schifrin -

The Argentinian composer honed his craft in Paris where he became interested in the jazz music genre, a style he would later introduce into his most memorable compositions. 

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Lalo Schifrin - The many pieces of music that define his work include the famous theme to 'Mission: Impossible,' 'Bullit,' 'Dirty Harry,' 'Enter the Dragon,' and 'Cool Hand Luke.'

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Elmer Bernstein (1922–2004) - A name synonymous with some of moviedom's most recognized themes, the native New Yorker was gravitating towards music before he was a teenager.

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Elmer Bernstein (1922–2004) - His memorable and catchy signature themes include 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'The Great Escape.' He won an Oscar for his score to 'Thoroughly Modern Millie.'

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James Horner (1953–2015) -

Two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and nominated for three BAFTA awards... Horner was at the top of his game when he was tragically killed in a plane crash.

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James Horner (1953–2015) - Having composed 'Lady in Red' and 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,' among other soundtracks, he scored big with 'Titanic,' winning an Oscar and sharing another for Best Original Song. 'Titanic' remains the best-selling orchestral film soundtrack of all time.

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Nino Rota (1911–1979) - Born in Italy, Rota worked with the likes of Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Franco Zeffirelli—acknowledged masters of European cinema.

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Nino Rota (1911–1979) -

His work on Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather Part II' endeared him to international cinema audiences. 'The Godfather Love Theme' perfectly captures the dark but elegant mood of the picture.

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Henry Mancini (1924–1994) - A four-time Academy Award winner, the American composer of Italian descent joined the Universal Pictures music department in 1952. He met writer/producer/director Blake Edwards in 1958.

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Henry Mancini (1924–1994) - His scores for Edwards's films include 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'The Pink Panther,' the theme of which—all moody tenor saxophone—became his musical signature.

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Vangelis (1943-2022) -

By the 1960s the Greek musician was already working with several popular bands. Throughout the '70s he was scoring documentaries, which eventually channeled him into the film scoring mainstream. 

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Vangelis (1943-2022) - He won an Academy Award for 'Chariots of Fire' and was highly praised for 'Blade Runner.' Other notable soundtracks include 'Antarctica' and '1492: Conquest of Paradise.'

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Howard Shore -

The Canadian film composer has garnered three Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and four Grammy Awards for his music.

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Howard Shore -

His three Oscars were for his work on 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Other acclaimed music includes the soundtracks to 'The Aviator,' 'The Departed,' and 'Hugo.'

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Alexandre Desplat -

The French-Greek film composer is a two-time Academy Award winner. He was playing piano by age five and later, trumpet and flute. Eventually, he became a highly skilled performer and composer.

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Alexandre Desplat -

'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'The Shape of Water' are his two recent Best Original Music Score Oscar successes. Other notable soundtracks include 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The King's Speech.'

See also: The greatest movie soundtracks ever

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