Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema

LuminanceHara Marihiko feat. Iguchi Satoru

Luminance

This is the theme song that closes the film “Kokuhō” (National Treasure), starring Ryo Yoshizawa and co-starring Ryusei Yokohama.

The music is by composer Marihiko Hara, who explores “strength within stillness,” and the vocals are by Satoru Iguchi of King Gnu.

The piece is a minimal, elegant ballad woven from piano and electronic sounds, with Iguchi’s breath-like singing creating a mystical atmosphere.

Its poetic worldview—depicting the protagonist’s life, its radiance, and the cleansing of the soul—may move you to tears when you listen after watching the film.

It’s the perfect track for lingering in the afterglow of an epic story and experiencing a sense of emotional purification.

The Terminator (1984) ThemeBrad Fiedel

The Terminator Theme (1984) Live Cover

The Terminator is a 1984 co-produced film from the United States and the United Kingdom.

It was directed by James Cameron, known for Titanic and Avatar.

The film portrays a battle against the Terminator, a murderous android sent from the future.

Star Wars Main ThemeJohn Williams

Star Wars Main Theme (Full)

The main theme from Star Wars, a towering landmark of science fiction cinema that has continued as a series for a remarkable forty years.

This is another famous piece everyone has heard.

Its grand, brass-driven orchestration alone fills you with excitement.

In the film’s opening, the moment of perfect silence when the words “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” appear, followed immediately by this music—the surge of exhilaration is irresistible.

Take A Look AroundLimp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit – (Mission Impossible 2)

The blockbuster Mission: Impossible series.

This is the theme song for its second installment.

Limp Bizkit arranged the theme from the first film in their signature nu-metal style.

By fusing heavy metal and hip-hop, they deliver a cool result that heightens the movie’s world without compromising the familiar melody of the original track.

Plein SoleilNino Rota

Plein Soleil – Purple Noon – Nino Rota

This is the theme song from the suspense film Purple Noon, starring Alain Delon, the very symbol of a handsome leading man.

It is also widely known as a masterpiece of film music.

Nino Rota, who composed it, worked on numerous film scores, but it is said that he really wanted to live in the world of classical music.

Hail Holy QueenSister Act

Sister Act – Hail Holy Queen (Hi Def)

It’s a comedy film about a club singer on the run from a gang who whips a rundown choir into stardom.

It also became Whoopi Goldberg’s breakout role.

In the movie, they swap some of the hymn’s lyrics into Latin and give it a Motown-style arrangement, delivering an exhilarating performance.

These days, this gospel version is sung around the world even more than the original.

It’s an uplifting song that makes you want to clap along naturally.

The Phantom of the Opera OvertureAndrew Lloyd Webber

Phantom of the Opera Overture

The Phantom of the Opera is a work, based on Gaston Leroux’s original novel, that beautifully depicts the tragic love between the Phantom who dwells deep beneath the opera house and the soprano Christine.

This piece is used in the opening scene, making the transition from black-and-white to color even more striking.