Top Ten Tuesday: John Williams’ Best Scores

Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.

No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?

We are just ten days away from the latest Steven Spielberg/John Williams collaboration, Disclosure Day, so what better time to celebrate the legendary film composer, whose 54 Oscar nominations rank second all-time behind only Walt Disney?

A five-time Oscar winner, Williams received his first nomination in 1967 for Valley of the Dolls and earned his first win four years later for Fiddler on the Roof. At 94 years old, his ability to craft unforgettable music remains astonishing. Disclosure Day marks his 30th collaboration with Spielberg, a partnership that began with The Sugarland Express and has now spanned more than half a century. Together, they have created some of the most iconic films and scores in cinema history.

Though Williams has hinted at retirement for years, he continues to return to the art form he has arguably mastered more than anyone else. Generations of moviegoers have memories shaped by his music, and film history simply would not sound the same without him. I mean, imagine composing the themes for Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the same year. Or Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List in the same year. It’s almost impossible to process.

Personally, I’m not sure there is anyone whose contributions to cinema have meant more to me.

To celebrate the greatest film composer of all time, here are John Williams’ 10 best scores, along with the three essential tracks from each.

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – (Hedwig’s Theme, Harry’s Wondrous World, The Quidditch Match)

9. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – (The Conversation, The Mothership, Main Title / When You Wish Upon a Star)

8. Superman (1978) – (Superman March, The Planet Krypton, The Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind?)

7. Jurassic Park (1993) – (Theme from Jurassic Park, Journey to the Island, Welcome to Jurassic Park)

6. Schindler’s List (1993) – (Theme from Schindler’s List, Remembrances, Immolation (With Our Lives, We Give Life)

5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – (Raiders March, The Map Room: Dawn, Marion’s Theme)

4. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – (The Imperial March, Yoda’s Theme, Han Solo and the Princess)

3. E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial (1982) – (Flying Theme, Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye, E.T. and Me)

2. Jaws (1975) – (Main Theme, End Title, One Barrell Chase)

1. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) – (Main Title, Leia’s Theme, Cantina Band)

What do you agree/disagree with? What is John Williams’ greatest film score?