John Williams Popular Song Rankings [2025]

Christmas at HogwartsJohn Williams22rank/position

Christmas at Hogwarts

Christmas is a major winter event for people all over the world—and it’s the same in the magical world.

This piece, used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, plays during the scenes set at Hogwarts as the Christmas season arrives.

Harry had never experienced a happy Christmas before.

The sound arrangement, which seems to overflow with his joy at “receiving so many presents,” is particularly memorable.

Its atmosphere makes us smile along with him.

Diagon Alley The Gringotts VaultJohn Williams23rank/position

Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault

Here is the theme song of Diagon Alley that appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

It’s the place where the items needed for wizarding school are sold, and where Harry and Hagrid walked.

The piece is crafted with dynamic expression, perfectly suited to a mysterious town.

Dobby the House ElfJohn Williams24rank/position

Dobby the House Elf

This is the theme song for Dobby, a popular character who appears in the second installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Dobby has a rather quirky personality, and the music carries a uniquely whimsical mood to match.

If you listen knowing what he’s like, you can easily picture him darting around with those wide, darting eyes.

The Harry Potter series features many mysterious creatures and races, and even just the music alone sparks curiosity—making you wonder what they look like and what they do.

E.T.John Williams25rank/position

E.T. : RTÉ Concert Orchestra

A masterpiece by film music maestro John Williams.

It brilliantly captures the heart of a moving story about the friendship between a lonely boy and a gentle extraterrestrial.

It won the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, the Grammy, and the BAFTA.

Williams is the only person to have received all of these awards multiple times with the same score.

This piece symbolizes universal themes of friendship, adventure, and cross-cultural exchange, expressing the film’s magical world through music.

Born from Williams’s long-standing collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, it is a gem that conveys the profound bond between cinema and music.

E.T. movie themeJohn Williams26rank/position

E.T. movie theme – full -HQ

This is the main theme from Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi fantasy E.

T.

The music was composed by the legendary film composer John Williams.

It’s grand, full of dreams and kindness.

It’s also familiar from USJ TV commercials.

When I listen to it, I picture E.

T.

whispering “Elliott” and reaching out his finger.

Entry into the Great Hall and the BanquetJohn Williams27rank/position

Entry into the Great Hall and the Banquet

This is the background music used in the scene where Harry and the other first-years enter the Great Hall—often featured in the film series—for the first time.

The melody conveys Harry’s fluttering excitement at discovering the wizarding world as well as a hint of nervousness about what kind of school life awaits him.

And “Banquet” means “feast.” If you’ve seen the movie, as you listen you can’t help but have the image come back to you of everyone seated in rows at the long tables, eating together.

Fawkes the PhoenixJohn Williams28rank/position

Fawkes the Phoenix

This is the piece that plays during Fawkes the phoenix’s appearance in the second installment, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

It begins with an intro that evokes the graceful figure that even made Dumbledore declare, “A truly beautiful creature,” then moves into a mystical melody representing the scene where he bursts into flames and is reborn from the ashes.

Finally, it reaches its conclusion as he seems to soar through the sky, spreading his crimson wings and trailing his golden tail.