The 20 best John Williams scores, ranked

If the American blockbuster had a signature sound, odds are it would come from the mind of John Williams, the composer behind iconic melodies such as Jaws (1975), E.T. The Extra‑Terrestrial (1982), Home Alone (1990), Jurassic Park (1993), the first three Harry Potter films and every entry in the Star Wars saga — a legacy that makes him arguably the most impactful film composer in history — [ew.com](https://ew.com/person/john-williams/).

Williams’ Record‑Breaking Career

Working steadily since the mid‑1960s, Williams has amassed a staggering 54 Oscar nominations, second only to Walt Disney, and has won five Oscars — a testament to his enduring influence on Hollywood — [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Williams). His score for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) made him the oldest Oscar nominee at 91 — [ew.com](https://ew.com/movies/john-williams-not-retiring-after-indiana-jones-5/).

Although he once hinted at retirement after his fifth Indiana Jones film, Williams declared in 2023 that “I’ll stick around for a while. I can’t retire from music. A day without music is a mistake,” and has since composed the score for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Disclosure Day, set for release on June 12 2026 — [ew.com](https://ew.com/movies/john-williams-not-retiring-after-indiana-jones-5/).

Did You Know? John Williams holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any living person, with 54 nods spanning seven decades of film scoring — [biography.com](https://www.biography.com/musicians/john-williams).

Expert Insight: Williams’ ability to blend traditional orchestration with culturally specific instrumentation—evident in scores like Memoirs of a Geisha—demonstrates why his music not only defines individual films but also shapes the broader soundscape of modern cinema, reinforcing his status as a pivotal figure in both artistic and commercial realms.

EW’s Ranking of the 20 Best Scores

Entertainment Weekly recently ranked twenty of Williams’ most memorable scores, highlighting his versatility from the delicate Japanese motifs of Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) to the rousing adventure themes of Far and Away (1992), and the festive sleight‑of‑hand in Home Alone (1990) — [ew.com](https://ew.com/best-john-williams-scores-ranked-11904578).

20. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) – Williams blends propulsive melodies with traditional Japanese instruments, creating a score that oscillates between gentle, meditative themes and heart‑pounding selections — [ew.com](https://ew.com/memoirs-of-a-geisha/).
19. Far and Away (1992) – The opening theme fuses energetic fiddles and harps, evoking the pioneering spirit of Irish immigrants in America — [ew.com](https://ew.com/far-and-away/).
18. Home Alone (1990) – A playful blend of hijinks‑filled orchestration and sleigh bells adds yuletide cheer to the classic holiday film — [ew.com](https://ew.com/home-alone-fun-facts-netflix-the-movies-that-made-us/).
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) – The “Duel of the Fates” piece showcases Williams’ capacity to match the visual spectacle with soaring, dramatic music — [ew.com](https://ew.com/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/).
16. Fiddler on the Roof (1971) – Williams earned his first Oscar by adapting the Broadway musical’s themes for the big screen, respecting its cultural roots — [ew.com](https://ew.com/fiddler-on-the-roof/).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of John Williams’ most iconic film scores?

Williams is renowned for scores such as Jaws, E.T. The Extra‑Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, the first three Harry Potter films, and all nine Star Wars movies — [ew.com](https://ew.com/best-john-williams-scores-ranked-11904578).

How many Oscar nominations has John Williams received?

He has earned 54 Oscar nominations, the second‑most for any artist behind Walt Disney, and has won five Oscars — [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Williams).

What recent project did John Williams work on after Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?

Williams composed the score for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Disclosure Day, slated for release on June 12 2026 — [ew.com](https://ew.com/movies/john-williams-not-retiring-after-indiana-jones-5/).

Which of Williams’ scores resonates most with you, and why?