"The 'Lord of the Rings' soundtrack has been crowned as the nation's preferred film score in our Movie Music Hall of Fame poll"
In an exciting revelation, the results of the 2025 Movie Music Hall of Fame countdown have been unveiled, with Howard Shore's score for The Lord of the Rings trilogy taking the top spot. This marks the third consecutive year that Shore's epic music has been voted the nation's most popular film score.
The countdown, conducted by our website in partnership with Radio Times, saw more than 10,000 votes cast. John Williams, the legendary composer behind seminal themes such as those for Schindler's List and Star Wars, shared first place as the nation's favourite film music composer, with 11 entries each in the countdown. Hans Zimmer, another titan of film music, also had two entries in the Top 10, with Interstellar up seven places to number nine.
Jurassic Park made a strong showing at number five in the chart, while its latest instalment, Jurassic World: Rebirth, which was released last month, paid homage to Williams' original theme. The film's score, composed by Michael Giacchino, was not included in the countdown.
Acclaimed composers John Barry (Dances with Wolves, Out of Africa) and Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) also made appearances in the Top 10. Barry's score for Out of Africa climbed 18 places to number seven, while Morricone's iconic score for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly remained steadfast at number eight.
Howard Shore expressed his gratitude for the honour and appreciation for the listeners who voted. He said, "I am deeply moved by this recognition and am grateful to the fans who have supported my work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It has been an incredible journey, and I am proud to have been a part of such a beloved series."
Other notable entries in the chart include Stephen Schwartz's Wicked, which entered at number 55, fresh from its major-screen adaptation. Our website's Composer in Residence Debbie Wiseman re-entered the Top 10 with her music to Wilde.
The launch of Hans Zimmer's new orchestral tour The World of Hans Zimmer - A New Dimension next month is testament to the growing popularity of his music. The tour promises to be a spectacular event, showcasing some of Zimmer's most iconic film scores.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which has enjoyed phenomenal worldwide success since its release in 2001, has become one of the highest grossing film series ever and has won the hearts of Middle-earth fans across the world. Its music, with its sweeping orchestral arrangements and haunting melodies, has undoubtedly played a significant role in its enduring popularity.
The countdown will be available for seven days via catch up on Global Player. Be sure to tune in and relive the magic of these iconic film scores.
