Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema
“I’ve heard it somewhere but can’t remember!” “I forgot the song title or the artist’s name!” A special feature of famous film music for those in exactly that situation!
From themes of blockbuster films to the latest buzzworthy hits.
We’ve carefully selected a wide range—from nostalgic classics to fairly recent works!
In the first half, we’ll focus mainly on relatively new pieces; in the second half, we’ll introduce popular tracks, including hall-of-fame classics.
We hope you find the one song you’ve been looking for!
Please enjoy!
- [Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies: those unforgettable classics and popular tunes
- [Western Films] Moving Movie Theme Songs: A Compilation of Tear-Jerking Theme Tracks
- Theme and insert songs from Japanese films. Masterpieces and popular tracks of Japanese movie music.
- 【2026】A Roundup of the Latest Masterpieces and Popular Tracks in Film Music
- [2026] Relive those iconic moments… Recommended theme songs and insert songs from Western films
- Most popular songs from the Pirates of the Caribbean series
- [90s Western Films] Theme Songs & Insert Songs: Nostalgic Classics
- A compilation of film music played on the piano / that I want to play on the piano
- Main Themes and Theme Songs Throughout the Harry Potter Series
- The theme song of a romantic film that gives you a heart-fluttering, moving feeling.
- Popular songs from the Fast & Furious series
- Star Wars Music: All-Time Theme Songs and Popular BGM [2026]
- Theme and insert songs from dramas and films that color the story
Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema (141–150)
Enter The DragonLalo Schifrin
This is the main theme from the Bruce Lee-starring kung fu film Enter the Dragon.
It’s a classic that’s frequently used in Japan, from commercials to TV shows as a sound effect.
The “Acho!” voice in the track is, of course, Bruce Lee.
It’s blood-pumping music—supposedly highly effective to play during martial arts training.
West Side Story TonightLeonard Bernstein
West Side Story is a Broadway musical with music by Leonard Bernstein, one of America’s leading conductors and composers.
It was adapted into a film in 1961.
Interweaving the social backdrop of New York at the time, it portrays two days of love and death between a young man and woman who fall victim to the rivalry between two different juvenile gangs—Polish American and Puerto Rican.
Take Me UnderMAN WITH A MISSION
In 2018, MAN WITH A MISSION’s new song was chosen as the theme for the much-anticipated film “Inuyashiki,” which was about to be released.
The film’s producers passionately insisted that no other band would do, leading to a specially written track.
Jean-Ken Johnny, who wrote the lyrics and music, reportedly said in Wolf-Speak that it became “a work with warmth, destructive yet glimpsing with hope.” Highly recommended!
Close your eyesHirai Ken
It’s the theme song from the film adaptation of the mega-bestseller “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” The Sekachu boom even became a social phenomenon.
I don’t think the craze would have been that big without this masterpiece.
Even now, when I hear it, the scene comes to mind of him holding his collapsed girlfriend and shouting, “Please help!”
It’s Tough Being a ManAtsumi Kiyoshi
This is the main theme song of the quintessential Japanese film series “It’s Tough Being a Man” (Otoko wa Tsurai yo).
It’s sung by Kiyoshi Atsumi, known as Tora-san the Vagabond.
The lyrics were written by the master lyricist Tetsurō Hoshino.
With its relaxed melody, slightly comical words, and Atsumi’s vocals, it’s a warm, human-hearted song.
FootlooseKenny Loggins
The theme song from the 1984 blockbuster film Footloose.
Its popularity in Japan was tremendous as well, topping the Oricon Western music singles chart for four consecutive weeks at the time.
It can be considered one of Kenny Loggins’s signature songs.
East of Eden Theme MusicLeonard Rosenman
In the 1950s, the heyday of American cinema, James Dean became synonymous with the quintessential leading man.
Because he died young in a car accident, he did not leave many starring roles behind.
East of Eden is a work that can be called the finest masterpiece, both in its music and its film.