To mark its 60th anniversary, Dolby has unveiled the results of a major survey devoted to the soundtracks and film sounds that have left a lasting impression on French audiences. Conducted among 2,000 movie lovers, this study confirms what home theater enthusiasts already suspected: audio immersion is at the heart of the cinematic experience.
Music, a driving force of emotion in cinema
According to the study, 86% of movie buffs believe that a soundtrack significantly enhances their enjoyment of a film, and over 74% believe that memorable music helps to make a film a timeless classic. The ranking of favorite soundtracks in France puts Titanic at the top, followed by The Lion King, The Chorus, The Bodyguard and Top Gun. The Godfather, Bohemian Rhapsody, Harry Potter, Rocky and The Intouchables also feature in the top 10.
The top 10 film soundtracks in France:
- Titanic
- The Lion King
- The Chorus
- The Bodyguard
- Top Gun
- The Godfather
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Harry Potter
- Rocky
- The Untouchables
Sounds that resonate beyond images
In addition to music, certain iconic sounds have become characters in their own right. The haunting whistle of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the anxiety-inducing theme of Jaws, the hum of the lightsaber from Star Wars and the crack of Indiana Jones’ whip are among the most memorable. They demonstrate the extent to which sound can shape the collective imagination and increase the impact of the picture.
The top 10 iconic film sounds in France:
- The haunting whistles of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- The Jaws theme
- The hum of Star Wars lightsabers
- The crack of Indiana Jones’ whip
- The shower scene scream in Psycho
- The sound of the DeLorean in Back to the Future
- The roar of the T. rex in Jurassic Park
- The sound of the house phone in the film E.T.
- The “shush” in The Godfather
- King Kong‘s roar in the 1933 film
Popular composers
Unsurprisingly, the great masters of film music dominate the ranking of France’s favorite composers: Ennio Morricone tops the list, followed by Hans Zimmer, James Horner, John Williams and Alan Silvestri. These sound signatures are inseparable from cinema’s greatest emotions.
Top 5 film composers in France:
- Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Cinema Paradiso, The Hateful Eight)
- Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Gladiator)
- James Horner (Titanic, Braveheart, Avatar)
- John Williams (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone)
- Alan Silvestri (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, The Avengers)
Read: Top 10 Hans Zimmer soundtracks to test your audio system
A tribute that goes beyond cinema
From the appearance of Dolby Stereo in the 70s to the advent of Dolby Atmos today, the brand has consistently pushed the boundaries of sonic realism. For Nick Watson, Technical Director of Content Relations at Dolby, “sound is the invisible thread that ties together the emotion, tension and excitement of a film”. It’s a conviction shared by many home theater enthusiasts, who look for ever greater immersion in their personal movie theaters. But the study also reveals that soundtracks are a part of everyday life: 30% of French people say they listen to them at home to relax, 18% listen to them while driving and 17% while doing housework. Proof that the world of cinema sound transcends the silver screen.
With this list, Dolby reminds us just how essential the audio experience is in cinema, and even more so in the world of home theater, where every spectator can relive these iconic moments in their own living room thanks to immersive Dolby Atmos sound. What is your ranking of the best soundtracks and composers?
