Main Themes and Theme Songs Throughout the Harry Potter Series
Riding on a broom and flying, controlling flames, opening any door with a key—magic really makes you dream, doesn’t it?
In this article, I’d like to introduce the main theme and insert songs from the globally popular film series Harry Potter.
Many of you probably remember the boom when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released.
A magical world right next to where we live… it’s so romantic, isn’t it?
Listen to the songs featured here, and you’ll surely feel like watching the movies again!
Main Theme Songs of the Harry Potter Series (1–10)
Hedwig’s ThemeJohn Williams
It might be the most famous piece in the Harry Potter series—a song that makes you want to say, “You’ll recognize it as soon as you hear it.” Named after Hedwig, Harry’s pet owl, this piece serves as the series’ main theme and was frequently used in commercials and other media.
Its charm lies in a melody that fills you with excitement, as if the magical world is drawing near.
Incidentally, it’s also used in the spin-off film series Fantastic Beasts.
Mr. Longbottom FliesJohn Williams
This is a piece named after one of the characters, Neville Longbottom.
It’s used in the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
In the scene where they’re learning to fly on broomsticks, Neville’s broom goes out of control and zooms around the air against his will.
In the early part of the series, Neville is a rather unreliable character, and the sense that he can’t quite handle his magical power comes through in the tumbling feel of the music.
If you’ve watched the whole series, you might find yourself thinking, “Ah, he had a phase like this, didn’t he?”
Double TroubleJohn Williams
What is this song that gives off nothing but ominous vibes…? This piece was also used in the trailer when the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in theaters.
The school choir sings it at the start of the new term, but with all the “Double, double, toil and trouble,” it’s like—where did the celebratory new-term mood go? I’ve heard the lyrics riff on the spell muttered by the three witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
No wonder it sounds so foreboding—keep that in mind as you listen.
The Hogwarts SongJ.K.Rowling
This is the school song of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which Harry and his friends attend.
It appears in a deleted scene from the second film in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
According to the lore, only the lyrics exist—there’s no set melody, length, or musical style.
That’s why the students can sing the school song however they like.
That extraordinarily free-spirited feel is so fantastical—and somehow really appealing.
By all means, try humming it yourself, in their fashion, just as the mood strikes you.
ObliviateAlexandre Desplat
“Obliviate” is a spell that erases memories.
It’s also the title of a track from the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
You can hear it in the scene where Hermione uses magic to erase herself from her parents’ memories.
As for why she does this—well, I’ll leave that to you to discover by watching the film—but one can only imagine the turmoil in Hermione’s heart that made it necessary.
At the same time, her resolve and determination come through, making this a piece of background music that truly stirs the emotions.
Entry into the Great Hall and the BanquetJohn Williams
This is the background music used in the scene where Harry and the other first-years enter the Great Hall—often featured in the film series—for the first time.
The melody conveys Harry’s fluttering excitement at discovering the wizarding world as well as a hint of nervousness about what kind of school life awaits him.
And “Banquet” means “feast.” If you’ve seen the movie, as you listen you can’t help but have the image come back to you of everyone seated in rows at the long tables, eating together.
The Patronus LightJohn Williams
You can’t help but be captivated by the majestic chorus, can you? This piece from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban plays during a scene that touches the heart of the story.
“Expecto Patronum” is probably one of the most famous spells in the Harry Potter series.
After that spell is cast, this track begins.
Thinking about everything that’s led up to that point, it brings a sense of accomplishment with a hint of bittersweetness…
You’ll understand what I mean when you watch the film.