Feeling the unexpected blues and stuggling to find the motivation to get through the day? We all have our own ways of going through the motions of life but one thing’s for certain, music has always been a great way to lift your spirits and boost your energy.
From listening to our favorite artists over and over again or discovering new songs as part of your daily commute, nothing beats listening to something hopeful to at least minimize the heavy weight of everyday life. But maybe set aside your usual and find inspiration and motivation through the magic of film scores. Taking a leap from films that never fail to capture the magic of make-believe, these film score themes have it all to inspire and make your day a bit of a cinematic affair.
Think of it as a main character moment — whether you’re thrust into battle alongside the Avengers with a theme composed by Alan Silvestri, or marching toward victory to the iconic score by Vangelis in Chariots of Fire — Billboard Philippines lists some of the most inspiring film scores to lift your spirits as you get through your day, week, month, or even half the year.
“The Avengers” – Marvel’s The Avengers
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had its fair share of iconic moments since bursting onto the big screen in 2008. But nothing tops the first time Earth’s Mightiest Heroes assembled on screen, accompanied by the now-iconic theme composed by Alan Silvestri. Over the years, various renditions have followed, including a remix version by Son Lux for Thunderbolts*, which, spoiler alert if you haven’t seen it yet, features the titular team assembling to become “The New Avengers,” with a theme reminiscent of Silvestri’s original.
Whether you’re a devoted superhero fan or just a casual viewer, this theme radiates hope and makes for a perfect opening track as you head out for school or work, no assembly required.
“Arrival to Earth” – Transformers
Say what you will about Michael Bay’s Transformers films, from the overcomplicated designs to the heavy focus on human characters. But the first three shaped the childhoods of many. 2007’s Transformers successfully brought the beloved cartoon and toy line to the big screen, turning young viewers around the world into instant fans.
Who wouldn’t be in awe as a kid, seeing giant robots, massive explosions, and epic music all in one movie? Bay clearly understood what it felt like to play with action figures as a child and he brought that same imaginative energy to the big screen. One standout moment is the scene where Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots (minus Bumblebee) arrive on Earth, set to Steve Jablonsky’s score that still lives up to this day as a powerful, cinematic moment.
“Dead Reckoning Opening Titles” – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Apart from the death-defying stunts performed by franchise star, Tom Cruise, the Mission: Impossible films wouldn’t be complete without a rendition of the iconic theme originally composed by Lalo Schifrin for the 1960s television series. With a theme that captures the pulsating rhythm and driving drumbeat of the action set to unfold after the opening credits, the version by Lorne Balfe in Dead Reckoning is a certified adrenaline booster, one that might just make you want to beat traffic by running like Ethan Hunt on the way to the save the world.
“Married Life” – Up
Up is regarded as one of Disney-Pixar’s best films, if not the best. From the emotional journey of a man striving to fulfill his and his greatest love’s biggest dream to an existential crisis of sorts that makes us cherish the life we’ve had and the people we surround ourselves with, the film is an animated masterpiece perfect for both kids and adults to cry to, there’s no shame in that. The beloved montage sequence, set to Michael Giacchino’s score, may leave a bittersweet feeling for many, but the other side of the tunnel reminds us that no matter what happens in the future, we still get to live the present and honor the past.
“Time” – Inception
Another film that explores the concept of time in a different sense, Inception is one of Christopher Nolan’s finest contributions to cinema. With an already stacked cast, a gripping story, and the powerful score by maestro Hans Zimmer, everything comes together beautifully to create a timeless piece of filmmaking. “Time,” the score, plays a crucial role in the film’s most pivotal moments, offering, in a sense, a feeling of hope for the future.
“Duel of the Fates” – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
When the prequel trilogy ruled the world, it shaped a new generation of Star Wars fans. Beginning with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, whether you’re in the camp of “loving it because I grew up with it” or “despising it for its CGI and Jar Jar,” we can all agree it gave us the incredible lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul.
It wouldn’t be nearly as epic without the iconic “Duel of the Fates” score by John Williams, still one of the most powerful pieces of Star Wars music to this day. Whether you’re racing to catch a bus or train, or just trying to conquer your Monday food cravings, a Williams score never fails.
“A Town with an Ocean View” – Kiki’s Delivery Service
Life can truly feel like a Studio Ghibli film when we begin to appreciate the little things and see the magic in the mundane. Kiki’s Delivery Service, a top-five Ghibli offering, masterfully captures whimsical energy, youthful optimism, and the journey of independence. A coming-of-age story wouldn’t be complete without a hopeful tune that anchors the character’s growth.
With Joe Hisaishi’s score, the orchestra perfectly captures the feeling of turning simple moments into an adventure — perhaps even the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Whether you’re on your morning stroll or rushing to hit those 10,000 steps before the day ends, why not blast the film’s score, or any Ghibli score, while you’re at it?
“Flight” – Man of Steel
Paving the way for a new generation of Superman film scores following John Williams’ legendary theme, Hans Zimmer once again delivered, bringing the grandeur and mythos of the Last Son of Krypton into the 2010s. His score for Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, is both powerful and emotionally resonant.
While the film’s reception was mixed, there’s no denying that the music, especially the track “Flight,” perfectly captures the essence of Superman’s strength and hope in a more sci-fi-leaning reboot. With a new Superman on the horizon, there’s still room to appreciate what came before, particularly Zimmer’s contribution in redefining the sound of the Man of Steel.
“Last Dance (score)” – Aftersun
Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut, Aftersun, is a poignant and deeply personal film, exploring the intimacy between a father and daughter on what seems to be just an ordinary vacation. The film’s emotional climax arrives during the “Last Dance” scene, featuring “Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Queen, but it is elevated by Oliver Coates’ affecting score, which carries the film into its final moments of reflection, understanding, and closure with the past.
The track itself is both haunting and grand in its gestures. Though it plays during one of the most powerful scenes in the film, it acts as a melodic embodiment of acceptance towards what had already happened.
“At the Speed of Force” – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
A masterful four-hour epic, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the definitive way to bring a pantheon of god-like heroes to the big screen, embracing the flexibility of the streaming era with its extensive runtime. As we collectively forget the mess of the 2017 Justice League, this 2021 director’s cut fires on all cylinders.
Featuring a powerful score by Junkie XL, the film leans heavily on music to emphasize the scale of its world-ending stakes, with distinct themes crafted for each member of the League. “At the Speed of Force,” written for The Flash, plays during a pivotal moment in the film’s climax, one that carries world-altering implications and emotional weight, perfect for even the smallest moments in our daily life feel monumental.
“Test Drive” – How to Train Your Dragon
One of the best animated films of the 2010s, How to Train Your Dragon and the “Test Drive” scene represent the classic “trying things out” moment typical in a young hero’s journey. It may not be groundbreaking or overly flashy, but with the help of John Powell’s stirring score, we find ourselves cheering on Hiccup as he struggles to balance tension and wonder while flying his first dragon, Toothless, through breathtaking flight sequences.
Blasting this music turns an ordinary moment into something epic, perhaps a moment where you get to learn something new and realizing that it’s okay to not be great at it at first.
“Cornfield Chase” – Interstellar
Interstellar is known for its mind-bending plot, which may feel a bit heavy for a Saturday morning watch. But having Zimmer on the soundtrack list is always a win. In the “Cornfield Chase” scene, Zimmer brings a deep sense of humanity as we get to know more about Cooper’s family on Earth before he embarks on his space voyage. Despite being mostly a sci-fi spectacle, the film still reminds us of the beauty of human connections, serving as the heart of its story.
“Chariots of Fire (Titles)” – Chariots of Fire
The iconic theme from Chariots of Fire, composed by Greek composer Vangelis, is one of the most celebrated pieces in film music. As it builds on hope, determination, and triumph, the main title of the film defines a story about Olympic athletes overcoming life’s challenges. It becomes an anthem that tests our limits, challenging us to achieve the unthinkable and exceed expectations, even our own.
It may not be as grandiose or complex as some orchestral scores, but its simplicity and emotional power are enough to inspire us to march toward our dreams.