[Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies: those unforgettable classics and popular tunes
Putting aside silent films and the like, one of the elements essential to movies is, of course, music.
Many film fans would probably say that the brilliance of the scores that play during iconic scenes becomes part of their memories and stays with them.
So in this article, we’ve gathered a selection of great pieces centered on main themes from foreign films that have colored the history of cinema!
Rather than theme songs by singers or bands, we focus on main themes composed by the film’s score composers.
We’ve included many famous works across eras and genres, making this an article that both movie lovers and music fans can enjoy.
- [Western Films] Moving Movie Theme Songs: A Compilation of Tear-Jerking Theme Tracks
- [2026] Relive those iconic moments… Recommended theme songs and insert songs from Western films
- Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema
- [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
- [Timeless Masterpiece] Popular songs from The Sound of Music. Recommended tracks.
- The theme song of a romantic film that gives you a heart-fluttering, moving feeling.
- Popular songs and insert tracks from the Mission: Impossible series
- Theme and insert songs from Japanese films. Masterpieces and popular tracks of Japanese movie music.
- [A Soundtrack Full of Masterpieces] Theme Song and Insert Songs from the Film “Titanic”
- Most popular songs from the Pirates of the Caribbean series
- Popular songs from the Fast & Furious series
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
[Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies: those memorable classics and popular tracks (61–70)
Hand Covers BruiseTrent Reznor, Atticus Ross
The biographical film about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, The Social Network.
While songs by Radiohead and The Beatles are used during the film and in the ending, the theme that plays at the very beginning is Hand Covers Bruise, known for its beautiful piano tones.
The music was composed by Trent Reznor, leader of the American rock band Nine Inch Nails, and English composer Atticus Ross.
The sound—an ambient atmosphere layered with noise and piano timbres—is truly one of a kind.
Why So Serious?Hans Zimmer
The comic-book movie masterpiece The Dark Knight.
It’s also famous for Heath Ledger, who passed away in 2008, delivering an uncanny performance as the Joker.
True to its title, the film’s appeal lies in its dark worldview—so dark you can hardly believe it’s based on a comic.
That world is distilled into the track Why So Serious? This piece is used in scenes where the Joker appears.
The steady ticking of a clock throughout the track creates a sense of urgency and an eerie atmosphere.
The title, when translated into Japanese, means “Why are you making that face?” If you watch the film, you’ll surely notice the meaning packed into that title!
The Bridge of Khazad DumHoward Shore
The film The Lord of the Rings is a landmark fantasy movie in which battles and adventures unfold around the One Ring.
The main theme that plays repeatedly throughout is The Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
The piece was composed by Canadian composer Howard Shore, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for it.
In the third film of the series, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with the same piece.
Vertigo (theme)Bernard Herrmann
Vertigo is a 1958 film by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock.
The music was composed by American composer Bernard Herrmann, a frequent collaborator on Hitchcock’s films, and is notable for its eerie orchestral melodies and dissonant textures.
The theme masterfully manipulates the viewer’s emotions and draws them deeper into the film with high artistic impact.
Please watch the movie and experience it for yourself!
Betrayal (Sorcerer Theme)Tangerine Dream
Sorcerer is an American suspense film released in 1977, a remake of a 1953 French movie.
The theme song was created by Tangerine Dream, a German electronic music group.
The theme track, Betrayal, begins with a synthesizer-driven bass line, and its psychedelic sound is eerie—perfect for the film’s nerve-racking storyline.
Tangerine Dream went on to score nearly 30 soundtracks as a result of this project.
Around the World in 80 DaysVictor Young Orchestra (Vikutā Yangu)
The sound world woven by the grand orchestral melodies is filled with a charm that feels like an invitation to journey around the globe.
Under the masterful baton of Victor Young, this work—beautifully balancing adventure and romance—was composed as the main theme for a film released in 1956 and earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Its elegant, expansive melodic line musically portrays the cultures and landscapes of various countries, painting vivid scenes in the listener’s mind.
It’s a recommended track for a gentle change of pace—perfect for a refreshing break during work or as a relaxing companion to leisurely reading.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods（Main Title Theme）Christophe Beck
Shazam! is a superhero film based on an American comic book.
Its sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, was released in March 2023.
The film’s music was composed by Canadian composer Christophe Beck, who also scored major hits like Ant-Man and Frozen II.
In the main theme of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the powerful sound of the trombones evokes the righteous power of a superhero—it sounds really cool.
In conclusion
No matter which piece you listen to, they’re all scores worthy of film history, and just hearing them likely brought iconic scenes from those movies to mind for many of you. Even if you haven’t seen the films, you’ve probably heard most of these tracks. There are still plenty more famous movie themes out there, and we’ll keep adding them to this article over time—so stay tuned!