Iconic Movie Themes Trivia Quiz: Can You Score 20/20?

Answers at the bottom — no peeking!

Think you’re a true cinephile with an ear for unforgettable scores? Dive into this expert-level 20-question quiz on the most iconic movie themes in cinema history. From chilling stabs to soaring fanfares, test your knowledge across classics and cult favourites.

Questions

Question 1: Which 1975 blockbuster features John Williams’ iconic two-note “shark” theme?

A. Open Water (2003)
B. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
C. Jaws (1975)
D. The Shallows (2016)

Question 2: In which film did John Williams’ “Imperial March” first appear?

A. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
B. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
C. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
D. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Question 3: John Carpenter’s haunting piano riff is the theme for which 1978 horror film?

A. Friday the 13th (1980)
B. Halloween (1978)
C. Prom Night (1980)
D. My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Question 4: Ennio Morricone’s famous whistling theme is from which 1966 Sergio Leone film?

A. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
B. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
C. For a Few Dollars More (1965)
D. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Question 5: Bernard Herrmann’s shrieking string stabs during the shower scene are from which 1960 Hitchcock classic?

A. Vertigo (1958)
B. Psycho (1960)
C. The Birds (1963)
D. North by Northwest (1959)

Question 6: The heroic “Raiders March” is the main theme of which Indiana Jones film?

A. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
B. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
C. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
D. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Question 7: Vangelis’ electronic theme evoking slow-motion running is from which 1981 Oscar-winning film?

A. Chariots of Fire (1981)
B. Reds (1981)
C. On Golden Pond (1981)
D. Ordinary People (1980)

Question 8: Lalo Schifrin’s distinctive 5/4 time signature theme is iconic for which franchise’s films?

A. Mission: Impossible (1996)
B. The Bourne Identity (2002)
C. James Bond series
D. 24 Hour Party People (2002)

Question 9: Henry Mancini’s playful theme featuring a saxophone and clarinet is from which 1963 film?

A. The Pink Panther (1963)
B. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
C. Charade (1963)
D. What a Way to Go! (1964)

Question 10: Which Rocky film features Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” as its theme song?

A. Rocky (1976)
B. Rocky II (1979)
C. Rocky III (1982)
D. Rocky IV (1985)

Question 11: John Williams’ majestic fanfare is the theme for which 1978 Christopher Reeve film?

A. Superman (1978)
B. Superman II (1980)
C. Superman Returns (2006)
D. Man of Steel (2013)

Question 12: Harold Faltermeyer’s synth hit “Axel F” is from which 1984 Eddie Murphy film?

A. Trading Places (1983)
B. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
C. 48 Hrs. (1982)
D. Another 48 Hrs. (1990)

Question 13: Bill Conti’s triumphant “Gonna Fly Now” is the main theme of which film?

A. Rocky (1976)
B. Rocky Balboa (2006)
C. Creed (2015)
D. Southpaw (2015)

Question 14: The guitar-driven James Bond theme was first heard in which 1962 film?

A. Dr. No (1962)
B. From Russia with Love (1963)
C. Goldfinger (1964)
D. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Question 15: John Williams’ soaring “Flying Theme” is from which 1982 family sci-fi film?

A. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
B. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
C. War of the Worlds (2005)
D. Super 8 (2011)

Question 16: Nino Rota’s melancholic “Love Theme” is from which 1972 Francis Ford Coppola masterpiece?

A. Apocalypse Now (1979)
B. The Godfather (1972)
C. The Conversation (1974)
D. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Question 17: The opening of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” is famously featured in which 1973 horror film?

A. The Exorcist (1973)
B. The Omen (1976)
C. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
D. Damien: Omen II (1978)

Question 18: Clint Mansell’s “Lux Aeterna” is the main theme from which 2000 Darren Aronofsky film?

A. π (1998)
B. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
C. The Wrestler (2008)
D. Black Swan (2010)

Question 19: Which 1972 thriller features the famous “Dueling Banjos” bluegrass theme?

A. The Exorcist (1973)
B. Deliverance (1972)
C. Straw Dogs (1971)
D. Chinatown (1974)

Question 20: Goblin’s hypnotic prog-rock theme scores which 1977 Dario Argento horror film?

A. Deep Red (1975)
B. Tenebrae (1982)
C. Inferno (1980)
D. Suspiria (1977)

Answers

  1. C. Jaws (1975) — John Williams’ E-F ostinato motif builds dread for the approaching shark.
  2. B. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) — The march debuts as Darth Vader’s leitmotif.
  3. B. Halloween (1978) — Carpenter’s 5/4 piano riff with synthesised pulses defines the slasher.
  4. B. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) — Morricone’s coyote howl and whistle are unique to this film.
  5. B. Psycho (1960) — Herrmann’s all-strings 7/8 stabs amplify the iconic shower murder.
  6. A. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) — Williams’ march introduces Indy.
  7. A. Chariots of Fire (1981) — Vangelis’ synth arpeggios won the Oscar for the Olympic runners.
  8. A. Mission: Impossible (1996) — Schifrin’s TV theme from 1966 is adapted for the films.
  9. A. The Pink Panther (1963) — Mancini’s “clumsy” clarinet and sax mimic Inspector Clouseau.
  10. C. Rocky III (1982) — Survivor wrote it specifically for Rocky’s fight with Clubber Lang.
  11. A. Superman (1978) — Williams’ brass fanfare heralds the Man of Steel.
  12. B. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) — The 8-bit synth riff scores Axel’s antics.
  13. A. Rocky (1976) — Conti’s fanfare plays during training montages.
  14. A. Dr. No (1962) — Norman’s riff introduces Bond on film.
  15. A. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — The theme accompanies bike flight scenes.
  16. B. The Godfather (1972) — Rota’s trumpet waltz underscores family tragedy.
  17. A. The Exorcist (1973) — Oldfield’s prog intro plays over the MacNeil home.
  18. B. Requiem for a Dream (2000) — Mansell’s strings and percussion drive the addiction spiral.
  19. B. Deliverance (1972) — Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell’s banjo duel signals danger.
  20. D. Suspiria (1977) — Goblin’s avant-garde rock with whispers scores the dance academy.

Well done if you aced it — these were tough! Share your score in the comments and challenge friends to this expert movie themes quiz.