John Williams Popular Song Rankings [2025]

Gilderoy LockhartJohn Williams29rank/position

Gilderoy Lockhart

This is the theme song of Gilderoy Lockhart, a character from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Lockhart served as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He’s a confident man who has published numerous books recounting his own exploits.

As for what he’s really like… I’d be grateful if you could watch the film to see for yourself, but this piece perfectly captures his character.

Doesn’t it give off a vibe that there’s something a bit shady going on beneath the surface?

Harry’s Wondrous WorldJohn Williams30rank/position

Harry’s Wondrous World (Extended Version)

The string-led phrases make me imagine the beginning of a story.

It’s a main theme–type piece used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Its structure feels like a combination of several pieces of background music from the films, so you might picture different scenes as it plays.

True to the title, the sound conveys Harry’s excitement and sense of anticipation as he finds himself living in a mysterious world.

If you’re thinking of diving into the series’ music, this is the one to start with!

Hogwarts Forever! and The Moving StairsJohn Williams31rank/position

Hogwarts Forever! and the Moving Stairs

Hogwarts, the storied school of magic.

This piece pays tribute to its narrative richness and sense of wonder.

The horn section’s expansive tone feels great, doesn’t it? The “The Moving Stairs” in the latter half of the title refers to the moving staircases—stairs that change position on their own so you suddenly can’t reach places you could before, like capricious living creatures.

It’s such a uniquely magical-world concept, isn’t it? Makes you want to set foot in the magic school yourself.

Introducing ColinJohn Williams32rank/position

Introducing Colin

Colin Creevey, a new student who was sorted into the same Gryffindor house as Harry Potter.

Colin, who is Muggle-born, had been a huge fan of Harry even before coming to Hogwarts.

He must have liked Harry so much that, upon their very first meeting, he went straight to calling the upperclassman by his first name.

Colin’s theme song is “Introducing Colin.” It gives off a friendly, endearing vibe, doesn’t it?

Jaws theme!!John Williams33rank/position

Jaws theme!!

This is the theme from the movie Jaws.

Isn’t this ominous atmosphere pretty well-suited for magic? Build an eerie mood in sync with that crescendo as Jaws draws closer and closer.

Try incorporating your own ideas!

Knockturn AlleyJohn Williams34rank/position

Knockturn Alley

The protagonist, Harry, tries to go to Diagon Alley using Floo Powder.

Because his pronunciation of the destination is unclear, he ends up in Knockturn Alley, where only items related to the Dark Arts are sold.

Suspicious goods and frightening wizards.

Scary! From the opening, where you can almost hear his inner voice saying, “Where… am I?”, to the sense of relief when he luckily makes it back to his intended destination—this is a piece that feels as if it directly reflects Harry’s shifting emotions.

Love’s Vow ~ ArenaJohn Williams35rank/position

12. Love Pledge And the Arena – John Williams

It’s a masterpiece by John Williams that condenses both a grand vow of love and the tension of an arena foreshadowing a harsh fate into a single piece of music.

It was used in the iconic scene in the Geonosis arena from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

Just as the love theme seems to unfold, it suddenly shifts into dynamic, suspenseful orchestration, depicting Anakin and Padmé’s forbidden love and the ferocity of the battle awaiting them.

Listening while contemplating their future will surely draw you into an epic world of storytelling.

It’s perfect for when you want to feel the emotions of characters buffeted by destiny.