The Lion King has roared to victory as the ultimate movie soundtrack, surpassing the beats of Saturday Night Fever and Titanic for top honours. With the 1994 Disney megahit seizing the throne, The Greatest Showman and The Sound of Music also claimed their spots in the top five in a survey of 2,000 Brits.
Iconic tunes from blockbusters like Top Gun, the Star Wars series, The Bodyguard, Pulp Fiction, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy have also scored highly amongst fans. Cinephiles tipped their hats to enchanting Harry Potter melodies, the nostalgic Guardians of the Galaxy tracks, and the edgy sounds of Trainspotting in their ratings.
Dolby Laboratories commissioned this research for its diamond jubilee celebration, spotlighting how music is critical to cinematic joy—with 79% believing soundtracks substantially boost the film-watching experience.
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Furthermore, three-quarters of respondents concur that memorable music can elevate a movie into the realm of classics. According to the poll, the essence of an iconic soundtrack is a captivating melody (41%), catchy chorus (26%), and vibrant rhythm (24%).While some uphold the significance of familiarity with songs (19%), others are swayed by a dramatic climax (12%).
Dolby's Nick Watson, technical director for content relations, expressed: "Sound has always been the invisible thread that binds a film's emotion, tension, and excitement. Some sounds and soundtracks are just as iconic as the visuals - they're instantly recognisable and deeply emotional."
"We've spent the past 60 years pushing the boundaries of audio, so audiences don't just watch a movie - they really feel it. We often say we 'watch' a film, but in reality, we listen just as much. A great soundtrack can elevate even the most modest production, drawing the audience in and heightening every emotion. On the other hand, poor sound can distract and diminish even the most visually stunning scenes."
Movie soundtracks continue to strike a chord with audiences long after the credits roll, with a quarter of people saying they unwind at home with them on repeat. Meanwhile, 19% get their groove on to film scores while driving, and 16% make household chores more cinematic by tuning in.
A sound discovery for four in 10 has been finding a fresh artist or group thanks to movie magic, and one in five have rocked out live to a film score at a concert. The study also highlighted that three-quarters think surround-sound experiences are crucial to film-watching, whether they're sinking into the sofa or munching popcorn at the movies.
Over a third (36%) say it cranks up a scene's suspense and tension, while 35% believe that faithful audio is key to making the fantasy world real. For some, thrilling action scenes (33%), a more dynamic film experience (31%), and dialling up the emotional stakes of the story (32%) all hinge on top-notch sound.
Cinephiles have spoken, and the iconic "dun-dun, dun-dun" from Jaws has been crowned as leaving the most indelible mark on their ears, with 38% voting it the top film sound. Not far behind is the eerie whistle from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly at 20%. Star Wars' lightsaber buzz and Psycho's chilling shower scream also snagged spots amongst cinema's most lasting echoes.
Nick Watson, Dolby’s technical director of content relations, remarked: "The most unforgettable moments in film are often tied to sound – whether it's a simple musical motif or a carefully crafted effect." He further observed, "The best sounds spark the viewers' imagination, giving the freedom of interpretation."
Watson hailed the suspenseful 'dun-dun' of Jaws as quintessential, adding, "Many sounds become part of the story, like the crack of Indiana Jones' whip, or the hum of a lightsabre. They're cues, characters, and emotional anchors all in one. That's the power of sound and it's what drives everything we do."
TOP 20 MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS:
TOP 10 CINEMATIC SOUNDS.
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