THE LION KING BEATS TITANIC AND SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER TO BE NAMED BEST MOVIE SOUNDTRACK

The Lion King has pounced to the top of the charts, being hailed as the ultimate movie soundtrack ever, leaving behind the likes of Saturday Night Fever and Titanic. Disney's 1994 hit The Lion King took the throne in a survey of 2,000 Brits, with The Greatest Showman and The Sound of Music also making it into the top five.

Other fan favourites that soared high on the list include the adrenaline-pumping Top Gun, the epic Star Wars saga, The Bodyguard, Pulp Fiction, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Cinephiles also tipped their hats to the enchanting tunes from the Harry Potter series, the throwback anthems of Guardians of the Galaxy, and the edgy beats from Trainspotting.

Commissioned by Dolby Laboratories to celebrate their 60th anniversary, the study showed how crucial music is to the film-watching experience, with a whopping 79% of folks saying soundtracks massively boost the enjoyment factor. Moreover, 76% reckon a flick is more likely to become an all-time great if it's got tunes that linger long after the end credits.

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When it comes to what makes a soundtrack iconic, a hummable tune tops the chart (41%), followed by a singalong chorus (26%) and toe-tapping rhythm (24%). Some punters think it's key for the tracks to be well-known (19%), while others are all about that dramatic final flourish (12%).

Nick Watson, technical director, content relations at Dolby, chimed in: "Sound has always been the invisible thread that binds a film's emotion, tension, and excitement. Some sounds and soundtracks are just as iconic as the visuals - they're instantly recognisable and deeply emotional."

"We've spent the past 60 years pushing the boundaries of audio, so audiences don't just watch a movie - they really feel it. We often say we 'watch' a film, but in reality, we listen just as much. A great soundtrack can elevate even the most modest production, drawing the audience in and heightening every emotion. On the other hand, poor sound can distract and diminish even the most visually stunning scenes."

It has been revealed that movie soundtracks have a lasting impact, with a cool 25% of folks enjoying them whilst chilling at home. Additionally, 19%t get their groove on to cinematic tunes while driving, and 16% blast them during domestic drudgery.

A hefty four in 10 have stumbled upon a new music act following a flick soundtrack cameo, and a fifth have rocked out at live gigs dedicated to film scores. The study also showed a whopping 75% reckon being surrounded by great sound is key when watching movies, whether kicking back at home or out at the cinema.

A solid 36% believe it ramps up the suspense and tension in a scene, and 35% reckon top-notch audio is vital to make the movie magic happen. Others chimed in saying it amps up action sequences (33%), makes the film more dynamic (31%), and boosts the emotional wallop of the story (32%).

When it comes to the film noises that stick in our minds the most, nothing beats the iconic "dun-dun, dun-dun" from Jaws, with a solid 38% of folks naming it top sound. Not far behind is the chilling whistle from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, nabbing 20% of votes. Star Wars' lightsaber hum scored 19% while Psycho's eerie screeching shower scene made its mark too.

Nick Watson, technical whizz from Dolby mentioned: "The most unforgettable moments in film are often tied to sound – whether it's a simple musical motif or a carefully crafted effect. The best sounds spark the viewers' imagination, giving the freedom of interpretation."

"The suspenseful 'dun-dun' in Jaws is the perfect example. Many sounds become part of the story, like the crack of Indiana Jones' whip, or the hum of a lightsabre. They're cues, characters, and emotional anchors all in one. That's the power of sound and it's what drives everything we do."

Cracking into the TOP 20 MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS are:

1. The Lion King.
2. Saturday Night Fever.
3. Titanic.
4. The Greatest Showman.
5. The Sound of Music.
6. Top Gun (any).
7. Star Wars (any).
8. The Bodyguard.
9. Pulp Fiction.
10. The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
11. Harry Potter (any).
12. Guardians of the Galaxy (any).
13. Trainspotting.
14. Gladiator.
15. Rocky (any).
16. Moana.
17. Indiana Jones (any).
18. Shrek (any).
19. A Star Is Born (2018).
20. Jurassic Park.

And for the TOP 10 CINEMATIC SOUNDS we've got:

1. Jaws theme.
2. Whistle from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
3. The humming of lightsabres from Star Wars.
4. The shower scream in Psycho.
5. The E.T. phone home sound.
6. The T. rex roar from Jurassic Park.
7. The Star Trek transporter sound.
8. The whip crack from Indiana Jones.
9. The proton pack firing from Ghost Buster.
10. The DeLorean time travel sound from Back to the Future.

2025-05-20T16:44:58Z