100 Essential Film Scores of the 20th Century 
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This is a list of memorable scores from films released
between the 1930s and 1990s.
between the 1930s and 1990s.
No musicals or movie songs are included on this list.
They are listed here
They are listed here
Recommended DVDs
If you enjoy music from older films, this DVD is highly recommended. It is hosted with great candor by John Mauceri and includes music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Alfred Newman, David Raksin, Max Steiner, Dimitri Tiomkin, and Franz Waxman, and all the film scores mentioned are on the
Essential Film Scores list.
Essential Film Scores list.
This DVD is well worth adding
to your collection:
to your collection:
This DVD is also highly recommended about the distinguished career of the greatest of all past film composers:
100 Essential Film Scores of the 20th Century 
Preparing any survey of film scores presents a problem. Which ones to choose and which ones to leave out?
This is not meant to be the definitive film score list. I don't believe that is possible. Tastes change over time.
This survey is meant to be representative of 100 essential scores
from films in English. No foreign language films are included.
from films in English. No foreign language films are included.
It covers the years from 1933 to 1993.
More than 50% of the titles are in the so-called Golden Age (1930s-1950s). Many believe that the most respected and beloved films were made during those three decades. Of course there have been significant films made in other decades as well, only not as many.
Naturally some people may not agree with my choices. It is not possible to please everyone. There are fans of individual composers who would probably pick just about every film score by one composer.
There are three composers of the mid to late 20th century which have been given more titles because they provided the most memorable film scores: Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams.
This doesn't mean that other film composers are unworthy and more of them would be on a longer list.
This doesn't mean that other film composers are unworthy and more of them would be on a longer list.
It was a very difficult task to place one great film score ahead of another great one. The numbering is meant to establish some order for the 100 film scores and is obviously a matter of opinion -- mine. It is NOT based on any fan polls or other online surveys.
Each film score was chosen as representative of significant originality more than their popularity with audiences over the years.
The only series to make this list were for STAR WARS, with two films listed.
The only series to make this list were for STAR WARS, with two films listed.
All the numbers have film title, date, and the film composer's name.
Click on the underlined links for CD reviews.
This list was first posted June 2006 and has been revised every year.
The latest revision was made August 2017.
The latest revision was made August 2017.
100 Essential Film Scores
100. HOWARD'S END (1990) -- Richard Robbins
99. BATMAN (1989) -- Danny Elfman
98. FIELD OF DREAMS (1989) - James Horner
97. THE QUIET MAN (1952) -- Victor Young
96. AVALON (1990) -- Randy Newman
95. THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) -- Franz Waxman
94. THE NATURAL (1984) -- Randy Newman
93.+THE PINK PANTHER (1964) -- Henry Mancini
99. BATMAN (1989) -- Danny Elfman
98. FIELD OF DREAMS (1989) - James Horner
97. THE QUIET MAN (1952) -- Victor Young
96. AVALON (1990) -- Randy Newman
95. THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) -- Franz Waxman
94. THE NATURAL (1984) -- Randy Newman
93.+THE PINK PANTHER (1964) -- Henry Mancini
92. THE SAND PEBBLES (1966) -- Jerry Goldsmith
91. RAINTREE COUNTY (1957) -- Johnny Green
90. THE ROBE (1953) -- Alfred Newman
89. THE UNINVITED (1944) -- Victor Young
88. KINGS ROW (1942) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
91. RAINTREE COUNTY (1957) -- Johnny Green
90. THE ROBE (1953) -- Alfred Newman
89. THE UNINVITED (1944) -- Victor Young
88. KINGS ROW (1942) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
87. THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965) -- Alfred Newman
86. TRUE GRIT (1969) -- Elmer Bernstein
85. THE OMEN (1976) -- Jerry Goldsmith
84. +OUT OF AFRICA (1985) -- John Barry
86. TRUE GRIT (1969) -- Elmer Bernstein
85. THE OMEN (1976) -- Jerry Goldsmith
84. +OUT OF AFRICA (1985) -- John Barry
83. OUR TOWN (1940) -- Aaron Copland
82. FOREVER AMBER (1947)- David Raksin
81. GOLDFINGER (1964) -- John Barry
80. LUST FOR LIFE (1959) -- Miklos Rozsa
79. HAWAII (1966) -- Elmer Bernstein
78. AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS (1956) -- Victor Young
77. THE SEA HAWK (1941) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
76. PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952) -- Miklos Rozsa
75. THE CARDINAL (1963) -- Jerome Moross
82. FOREVER AMBER (1947)- David Raksin
81. GOLDFINGER (1964) -- John Barry
80. LUST FOR LIFE (1959) -- Miklos Rozsa
79. HAWAII (1966) -- Elmer Bernstein
78. AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS (1956) -- Victor Young
77. THE SEA HAWK (1941) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
76. PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952) -- Miklos Rozsa
75. THE CARDINAL (1963) -- Jerome Moross
74. DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1962) -- Henry Mancini
73. HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1940) -- Alfred Newman
72. HATARI (1960) -- Henry Mancini
71. THE HURRICANE (1937) -- Alfred Newman
70. SUMMER AND SMOKE (1961) -- Elmer Bernstein
69. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (1944) -- Max Steiner
68. THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (1962) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
67. QUO VADIS (1951) -- Miklos Rozsa
66. CASABLANA (1942) -- Max Steiner
73. HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1940) -- Alfred Newman
72. HATARI (1960) -- Henry Mancini
71. THE HURRICANE (1937) -- Alfred Newman
70. SUMMER AND SMOKE (1961) -- Elmer Bernstein
69. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (1944) -- Max Steiner
68. THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (1962) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
67. QUO VADIS (1951) -- Miklos Rozsa
66. CASABLANA (1942) -- Max Steiner
65. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939) -- Alfred Newman
64. NOW VOYAGER (1942) -- Max Steiner
64. NOW VOYAGER (1942) -- Max Steiner
63. CLEOPATRA (1963) -- Alex North
62. THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (1954) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
61. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948) -- Max Steiner
60. +A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) -- Alex North
59. RIO BRAVO (1959) -- Dimitri Tiomkin .
58. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) -- Elmer Bernstein
57. IVANHOE (1952) -- Miklos Rozsa
56. THE INFORMER (1935) -- Max Steiner
55. THE LOST WEEEKEND (1945) -- Miklos Rozsa
62. THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (1954) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
61. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948) -- Max Steiner
60. +A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) -- Alex North
59. RIO BRAVO (1959) -- Dimitri Tiomkin .
58. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) -- Elmer Bernstein
57. IVANHOE (1952) -- Miklos Rozsa
56. THE INFORMER (1935) -- Max Steiner
55. THE LOST WEEEKEND (1945) -- Miklos Rozsa
52.IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
51. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (1955) -- Elmer Bernstein
51. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (1955) -- Elmer Bernstein
50. OBSESSION (1975) -- Bernard Herrmann
49. SHANE (1953) -- Victor Young
48. MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961) -- Bernard Herrmann
47. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) -- John Barry
46. THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952) -- David Raksin
45. FAHRENHEIT 451 (1966) -- Bernard Herrmann
44. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961) -- Henry Mancini
43. KING OF KINGS (1961) -- Miklos Rozsa
42. +SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) -- Franz Waxman
41. +PLANET OF THE APES (1968) -- Jerry Goldsmith
40. THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943) -- Alfred Newman
49. SHANE (1953) -- Victor Young
48. MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961) -- Bernard Herrmann
47. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) -- John Barry
46. THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952) -- David Raksin
45. FAHRENHEIT 451 (1966) -- Bernard Herrmann
44. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961) -- Henry Mancini
43. KING OF KINGS (1961) -- Miklos Rozsa
42. +SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) -- Franz Waxman
41. +PLANET OF THE APES (1968) -- Jerry Goldsmith
40. THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943) -- Alfred Newman
39. +JAWS (1975) -- John Williams
38. ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (1976) -- Jerry Goldsmith
37. THE ALAMO (1960) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
36. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951) -- Franz Waxman
35. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951) -- Bernard Herrmann
34.THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940) -- Miklos Rozsa
33. THE SEARCHERS (1956) -- Max Steiner
32. SUPERMAN (1978) -- John Williams
31.THE RUSSIA HOUSE (1990) -- Jerry Goldsmith
30. EL CID (1961) -- Miklos Rozsa
29. +HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1963) -- Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
28. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR (1946) -- Bernard Herrmann
27. +LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) -- Maurice Jarre
26. +E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) -- John Williams
38. ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (1976) -- Jerry Goldsmith
37. THE ALAMO (1960) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
36. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951) -- Franz Waxman
35. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951) -- Bernard Herrmann
34.THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940) -- Miklos Rozsa
33. THE SEARCHERS (1956) -- Max Steiner
32. SUPERMAN (1978) -- John Williams
31.THE RUSSIA HOUSE (1990) -- Jerry Goldsmith
30. EL CID (1961) -- Miklos Rozsa
29. +HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1963) -- Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
28. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR (1946) -- Bernard Herrmann
27. +LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) -- Maurice Jarre
26. +E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) -- John Williams
21. PATTON (1970) -- Jerry Goldsmith
20. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER
(originally titled: ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY, 1941) -- Bernard Herrmann
19. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) -- John Williams
20. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER
(originally titled: ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY, 1941) -- Bernard Herrmann
19. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) -- John Williams
18. +CHINATOWN (1974) -- Jerry Goldsmith
15. +THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960) -- Elmer Bernstein
14. STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) -- John Williams
13. +LAURA (1944) -- David Raksin
12 . +GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) -- Max Steiner
14. STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) -- John Williams
13. +LAURA (1944) -- David Raksin
12 . +GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) -- Max Steiner
11. +PSYCHO (1960) -- Bernard Herrmann
10. +THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
10. +THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) -- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
9. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) -- John Williams
8. SPARTACUS (1960) -- Alex North
7. +HIGH NOON (1952) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
6. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) -- Hugo Friedhofer
5. +KING KONG (1933) -- Max Steiner
4. +TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) -- Elmer Bernstein
3. +VERTIGO (1958) -- Bernard Herrmann
2. + BEN-HUR (1950) -- Miklos Rozsa
8. SPARTACUS (1960) -- Alex North
7. +HIGH NOON (1952) -- Dimitri Tiomkin
6. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) -- Hugo Friedhofer
5. +KING KONG (1933) -- Max Steiner
4. +TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) -- Elmer Bernstein
3. +VERTIGO (1958) -- Bernard Herrmann
2. + BEN-HUR (1950) -- Miklos Rozsa
+ = American Film Institute's "100 Years of Film Scores" = 22
And the top film score is from what is generally regarded as the greatest American film...
By Decade:
1930s = 7
1940s = 22
1950s = 24
1960s = 25
1970s = 10
1980s = 8
1990s = 4
1930s = 7
1940s = 22
1950s = 24
1960s = 25
1970s = 10
1980s = 8
1990s = 4
Film composers with 3 or more scores on the Essential Film Scores list:
Bernard Herrmann = 10
Miklos Rozsa = 9
Max Steiner = 8
Miklos Rozsa = 9
Max Steiner = 8
Dimitri Tiomkin = 8
Elmer Bernstein = 7
Elmer Bernstein = 7
Jerry Goldsmith = 7
Alfred Newman = 7
John Williams = 7
Henry Mancini = 4
Victor Young = 4
Franz Waxman = 3
Franz Waxman = 3
John Barry = 3
Erich Wolfgang Korngold = 3
Alex North = 3
David Raksin = 3
Most of these composers are mentioned or discussed in this book available on a multimedia DVD with bonus audio and video features:
Most of these composers are mentioned or discussed in this book available on a multimedia DVD with bonus audio and video features:
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Film Music Web Poll
See the film scores and movie songs selected at this link:
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