Blockbuster Movies
John Williams composed the legendary, thrilling theme song for this 1975 film using just two simple, escalating piano notes to mimic a shark swimming closer
Jaws
This bouncy, upbeat 1985 underground chiptune is arguably the most famous video game theme song of all time, composed by Koji Kondo
Super Mario Bros.
A crash of dramatic organ chords introduces the title character of this long-running Broadway show as he haunts a French opera house
The Phantom of the Opera
"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" is the opening line yelled by a pirate captain to kick off this nautical cartoon theme song
SpongeBob SquarePants
This 90s sitcom theme song kicks off with Will Smith rapping about how his life got flipped-turned upside down in West Philadelphia
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
A triumphant horn fanfare kicks off the epic theme song for this space-faring franchise right before a yellow text crawl rolls up the screen
Star Wars
Players hear a catchy, fast-paced Russian folk song called "Korobeiniki" while frantically stacking falling blocks in this handheld classic
Tetris
A cheerful, red-headed orphan girl belts out the hopeful theme song "Tomorrow" to assure us that the sun will come out
Annie
This mega-hit anime theme song declares, "I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was!"
Pokémon
The catchy pop-rock theme song "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts is famous for featuring four quick handclaps during its intro
Friends
Ray Parker Jr. famously asks the musical question, "Who you gonna call?" in the high-energy theme song for this 1984 comedy classic
Ghostbusters
This iconic fantasy theme starts with a sweeping horn melody before bursting into a grand adventure march as a green-clad hero rescues a princess
The Legend of Zelda
Lin-Manuel Miranda raps the biographical opening theme song for this historical smash hit, introducing an American founding father
Hamilton
This animated theme consists of a single word repeated over and over, accompanied by a catchy bassline and a deep burp from the father character
The Simpsons
This sci-fi show uses a spooky, whistling theremin tune to introduce FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
The X-Files
A sweeping orchestral theme featuring swashbuckling strings introduces audiences to Captain Jack Sparrow in this Disney film franchise
Pirates of the Caribbean
A heavy metal guitar riff mixed with a techno beat screams the title of this brutal fighting game franchise in its legendary 90s theme song
Mortal Kombat
A powerful, sweeping orchestral track titled "Circle of Life" serves as the opening theme song for both the movie and the live Broadway version of this story
The Lion King
"Life is like a hurricane here in Duckburg" is the opening line to this gold-standard 1980s Disney Afternoon theme song
DuckTales
This popular mockumentary sitcom features a bouncy, upbeat piano and melodica instrumental theme song played over shots of Scranton, Pennsylvania
The Office
This British spy franchise always introduces its main character with a smooth, jazz-rock guitar riff while he aims a pistol at the camera
James Bond franchise (Accept: 007)
his sci-fi shooter theme begins with a haunting, Gregorian monk chant echoed in an empty room before heavy drums and electric guitars kick in
Halo
A lonely, aging theater cat named Grizabella sings the hauntingly beautiful theme song "Memory" in this classic Andrew Lloyd Webber show
Cats
This 90s superhero cartoon theme features no lyrics at all, just a legendary, high-energy electric guitar riff as heroes like Wolverine and Cyclops pose
X-Men: The Animated Series
This massive HBO fantasy epic features an instrumental theme full of dramatic cello movements while a clockwork map of Westeros builds itself
Game of Thrones