Unforgettable Theme Songs: The Movie & TV Tunes We Can’t Live Without

Have you ever noticed how some tunes just instantly transport you? That’s the magic of theme songs. They’re more than just background music; they’re sonic signatures, emotional triggers, and mini-masterpieces that become as iconic as the movies and shows they represent.

Think about it – just a few notes, and suddenly you’re back in a galaxy far, far away, solving mysteries in a quirky town, or laughing with friends in a familiar coffee shop.

Theme songs set the stage, define the mood, and often stick with us long after the credits roll. This isn’t just a random playlist; it’s a curated journey through some of the most unforgettable theme songs ever created for film and television.

Get ready for a blast of nostalgia and some serious earworms!

Iconic Theme Songs You Can’t Get Out of Your Head

• “Star Wars Main Theme”
  • Song Title: Star Wars Main Theme (also known as Main Title or 20th Century Fox Fanfare)
  • Artist/Composer: John Williams
  • Movie/TV Show: Star Wars (Franchise, starting in 1977)
  • Year Released: 1977 (for A New Hope)
  • Why It’s Iconic: Instantly recognizable and universally epic, John Williams crafted a theme that perfectly encapsulates the grandeur, adventure, and timeless mythic quality of the Star Wars saga. The soaring brass, dramatic strings, and overall orchestral power are simply unmatched, setting the gold standard for movie scores and theme songs.
  • (Fun Fact): The opening fanfare is the 20th Century Fox Fanfare, composed by Alfred Newman in 1933, which Williams cleverly incorporated into his main theme, creating an even more powerful and recognizable opening.

• “Mission: Impossible Theme”
  • Song Title: Mission: Impossible Theme
  • Artist/Composer: Lalo Schifrin
  • Movie/TV Show: Mission: Impossible (TV Series, 1966-1973, and Film Franchise, 1996-Present)
  • Year Released: 1966 (for the TV series)
  • Why It’s Iconic: Pure suspense and cool. Lalo Schifrin’s theme is a masterclass in tension-building. The distinctive 5/4 time signature, the driving rhythm, and the use of brass and percussion create an atmosphere of intrigue, espionage, and high-stakes action that’s become synonymous with the Mission: Impossible franchise across television and film.
  • (Fun Fact): Schifrin originally wrote the theme in 4/4 time but then changed it to the more unusual 5/4 to make it stand out and create a sense of unease.

• “James Bond Theme”
  • Song Title: James Bond Theme
  • Artist/Composer: Monty Norman (Orchestral Arrangement by John Barry)
  • Movie/TV Show: James Bond Film Franchise (starting in 1962)
  • Year Released: 1962 (for Dr. No)
  • Why It’s Iconic: Sophistication, danger, and undeniable style. The twangy, surf-guitar-like riff, combined with the orchestral arrangement, instantly evokes the suave and lethal world of 007. It’s a theme that has been reinterpreted and reimagined across decades of Bond films, yet always retains its core identity of cool confidence and thrilling adventure.
  • (Fun Fact): While officially credited to Monty Norman, the iconic orchestral arrangement and guitar riff that we all know and love are largely attributed to John Barry, who worked on the early Bond films.

• “Friends Theme Song (I’ll Be There for You)”
  • Song Title: I’ll Be There for You
  • Artist/Composer: The Rembrandts (written by David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Michael Skloff, Allee Willis, Phil Solem, Danny Wilde)
  • Movie/TV Show: Friends (TV Series, 1994-2004)
  • Year Released: 1994
  • Why It’s Iconic: Pure 90s sitcom comfort and friendship vibes. The upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and relatable lyrics about sticking together through thick and thin perfectly captured the essence of Friends. It became a massive hit in its own right, instantly recognizable and forever linked to the show’s warm and comforting feel.
  • (Fun Fact): The full version of the song wasn’t originally intended to be longer than the short TV intro. Due to its massive popularity, The Rembrandts were pressured to record a full-length version for radio airplay, which became a chart-topping hit.

• “The Simpsons Theme”
  • Song Title: The Simpsons Theme
  • Artist/Composer: Danny Elfman
  • Movie/TV Show: The Simpsons (TV Series, 1989-Present)
  • Year Released: 1989
  • Why It’s Iconic: Quirky, playful, and instantly signals cartoon chaos. Danny Elfman’s distinctive orchestral style, with its slightly off-kilter rhythms and bright, slightly manic energy, perfectly sets the tone for the satirical and often absurd humor of The Simpsons. It’s a theme that’s both sophisticated and undeniably fun, mirroring the show’s unique blend.
  • (Fun Fact): Danny Elfman reportedly composed the theme in just two days! He aimed for a sound that was both orchestral and slightly “wrong,” reflecting the show’s unconventional humor.

• “Stranger Things Theme”
  • Song Title: Stranger Things Theme
  • Artist/Composer: Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (of Survive)
  • Movie/TV Show: Stranger Things (TV Series, 2016-Present)
  • Year Released: 2016
  • Why It’s Iconic: Synth-wave nostalgia and eerie mystery. Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein created a theme that perfectly captures the 80s setting and supernatural suspense of Stranger Things. The pulsing synthesizers, haunting melodies, and overall retro-futuristic vibe are instantly recognizable and deeply evocative of the show’s atmosphere.
  • (Fun Fact): The composers used vintage synthesizers from the 1980s to create the authentic sound of the theme, aiming to evoke the classic scores of John Carpenter and Tangerine Dream.

• “Rocky Theme (Gonna Fly Now)”
  • Song Title: Gonna Fly Now
  • Artist/Composer: Bill Conti
  • Movie/TV Show: Rocky (Film Franchise, starting in 1976)
  • Year Released: 1976 (for Rocky)
  • Why It’s Iconic: Triumph, motivation, and underdog spirit. Bill Conti’s powerful brass fanfare and uplifting melody have become the ultimate anthem of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. It’s instantly associated with Rocky‘s iconic training montages and the feeling of striving for greatness against all odds.
  • (Fun Fact): The song is mostly instrumental, with only a few simple vocal phrases (“Gonna fly now, flying high now”). This intentional lack of lyrics makes it universally relatable and focuses the emotional impact on the music itself.

• “Pulp Fiction – Misirlou”
  • Song Title: Misirlou (Surf Version)
  • Artist/Composer: Dick Dale (Traditional Greek Folk Song, Surf Rock Arrangement by Dick Dale)
  • Movie/TV Show: Pulp Fiction (1994)
  • Year Released: 1962 (Dick Dale’s surf rock version) / 1994 (prominently featured in Pulp Fiction)
  • Why It’s Iconic: Surf rock energy meets Tarantino cool. Dick Dale’s high-energy surf guitar rendition of the traditional song Misirlou is unexpectedly and brilliantly used as the opening theme for Pulp Fiction. It sets the film’s tone of quirky violence, retro style, and unexpected twists right from the opening credits, becoming instantly linked to Tarantino’s cinematic style.
  • (Fun Fact): Quentin Tarantino originally wanted to use the song “Jungle Boogie” for the opening, but changed his mind at the last minute after discovering Dick Dale’s Misirlou on a surf music compilation.

• “Game of Thrones Main Title”
  • Song Title: Game of Thrones Main Title
  • Artist/Composer: Ramin Djawadi
  • Movie/TV Show: Game of Thrones (TV Series, 2011-2019)
  • Year Released: 2011
  • Why It’s Iconic: Medieval grandeur and epic scope. Ramin Djawadi’s theme perfectly captures the vast world, political intrigue, and sense of impending drama in Game of Thrones. The cello melody, driving percussion, and evolving orchestration create a sense of ancient history and high stakes, instantly immersing viewers in Westeros.
  • (Fun Fact): Djawadi initially struggled to find the right sound and tempo but then decided to slow down the tempo significantly, which gave the theme its signature weighty and dramatic feel.

Theme Song Magic: More Than Just Music

These are just a few examples, and the world of iconic theme songs is incredibly rich and diverse. They prove that music in film and television isn’t just background noise – it’s a powerful storytelling tool, an emotional amplifier, and a cultural touchstone.

Keep exploring, keep listening, and let the magic of theme songs transport you!