"In our Movie Music Hall of Fame, 'The Lord of the Rings' movie soundtrack was chosen as the audience's favorite"

John Williams and Hans Zimmer Tie for Top Spot in the Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025

In a thrilling turn of events, legendary composers John Williams and Hans Zimmer have shared the coveted first place in this year's Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025, organised by our website in partnership with Radio Times.

The countdown, unveiled on Monday, 25 August, saw more than 10,000 votes cast to determine the nation's favourite film music. Williams and Zimmer each claimed 11 spots in the top 100, with Williams taking second and third places with his seminal themes for Schindler's List and Star Wars respectively. Zimmer, on the other hand, has two entries in the top 10 - Interstellar at number 9 and Inception at number 10.

The first-time entry in the Hall of Fame this year was Mission: Impossible, boosted by the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. The film, which ranked 13th in 2025 after previously dropping 27 places, is noted for its visually striking but criticized soundtrack, which included contributions from diverse pop music genres.

Howard Shore's score to The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been voted the nation's most popular film music, claiming the number one spot. This is the third consecutive year that Shore's score has been voted the nation's favourite. Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is in the top 10, while Vangelis' Chariots of Fire is in the top 12.

Stephen Schwartz's Wicked entered the chart at number 55. Debbie Wiseman reenters the Top 10 with her music to Wilde. John Williams' score for the film Jaws has jumped 27 places to number 13.

The countdown will be available for seven days via catch up on Global Player. The number one was revealed by Jonathan Ross just before 7pm. Howard Shore expressed his gratitude for the honor and appreciation for the listeners who voted.

Since its release in 2001, The Lord of the Rings trilogy has enjoyed phenomenal worldwide success. The movie's captivating score, composed by Howard Shore, has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring popularity.

In an exciting twist, Williams has three entries in the top 10 alone, with Interstellar up seven places to number 9, showcasing the timeless appeal of his compositions. The Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025, a countdown of the nation's 100 favourite film scores, is a testament to the power of music in cinema.

Jurassic Park is at number five in the countdown, adding another iconic film score to the list of favourites. The Movie Music Hall of Fame 2025 serves as a celebration of the art of film scoring and the impact it has on audiences worldwide.