The 14 Most Legendary Film Composers and Their Most Unforgettable Scores

With the gradual passing of opening movie credits, we also lost a vital element that distinguishes many so-called “classic” movies: the original music score, including a heroic, memorable opening theme.

What’s the last film you remember that had a score you could hum while walking home from the theater — a piece of music you knew you’d always remember and associate with the film?

Obviously today’s movies still use music to fill in lulls or drive the plot; they are still referred to as scores. But I’d argue they lack the power and distinctiveness of outstanding examples from yesteryear.

Hopefully, the following list — containing 28 of the finest movie scores ever, along with the brilliant artists that produced them — will bear out my argument.

1) Charlie Chaplin — Modern Times ’36 (“Smile”)