Highlights
- Iconic superhero themes, like John Williams’ Superman theme, capture characters’ essence and evoke emotions.
- Themes from X-Men, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther reflect their unique styles and cultures.
- Powerful and memorable superhero themes, such as Danny Elfman’s Batman and Spider-Man themes, stand the test of time.
There are a few factors that make a superhero iconic. First and foremost, is the costume, as a hero has to look good when fighting. Yet, perhaps the second, is a theme song. Every superhero needs some iconic piece of music that will have fans humming in their head whenever they look at the beloved hero.
Over the decades, fans have been treated to some truly iconic pieces of music that build hype surrounding the most famous superheroes of all time. The majority of these superhero theme songs will focus on the triumphant depictions of Marvel and DC in no particular order, rather than the wonderful and campy.
10 Prelude and Main Title March
John Williams’ Superman Theme
- Featured in: Superman: The Movie (1978)
- Composed by: John Williams
It’s utterly impossible to think of Superman without hearing that triumphant fanfare that establishes what kind of character Superman is. John Williams is the master, and he shows that perfectly with his rendition of Christopher Reeve’s Superman and beyond, allowing for the most memorable theme of any superhero ever, and most long-lasting. John Williams’ Superman theme establishes the character as powerful and triumphant, but remarkably friendly and loving to all.
9 X-Men: The Animated Series Theme
Ron Wasserman’s X-Men: The Animated Series Theme
- Featured in: X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997)
- Composed by: Ron Wasserman
The driving force for the X-Men, the theme song presented in 1992’s X-Men: The Animated Series would carry the iconic Marvel mutants to new heights. To this day, it remains the most solid piece of music composed for the team and has even been featured twice in the MCU. There is a good reason for that, as the synth-driven theme provides the energy and uniqueness that a team like the X-Men needs. The theme is so iconic, that obtaining the rights to it was a deciding factor on whether or not for the X-Men ’97 revival.
8 The Batman
Michael Giacchino’s Batman Theme
- Featured in: The Batman (2022)
- Composed by: Michael Giacchino
Another reboot for Batman, The Batman focused on Gotham City as something out of pulp noir, with the Batman being more of a detective than a Caped Crusader. As such, it made sense for a new theme to encapsulate the personal struggles of Bruce Wayne. Michael Giacchino’s theme creates a new motif for Batman, providing elements that work. From somberness to triumphant heroism, Michael Giacchino’s Batman theme does a great job of encapsulating the emotions of Bruce Wayne, in and out of the cowl.
7 The Master of the Mystic End Credits
Michael Giacchino’s Doctor Strange Theme
- Featured in: Doctor Strange (2016)
- Composed by: Michael Giacchino
Doctor Strange is often associated with trippy visuals, so the music would need to reflect that. This is something that Michael Giacchino does with wonderous artistic flair, as he blends Doctor Strange with Pink Floyd into an experiment of grandiose design, injecting an electric sitar and harpsichord to create some truly psychedelic sounds that are pleasing to the ear and help to create visuals of triumph and magic that can only be accomplished by the Master of the Mystic, Doctor Strange himself.
6 The Batman Theme
Danny Elfman’s Batman Theme
- Featured in: Batman (1989)
- Composed by: Danny Elfman
Doing away with the camp of the ‘60s, there was immense pressure to make Batman a serious character that audiences wouldn’t think Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na…Batman whenever they saw the pointy ears. Luckily, Danny Elfman is up for the task, and the twinkle of notes that are reminiscent of a glittering moonlight come into play before a powerful bombardment of notes makes a surprise appearance to showcase the resilience and power that Batman has over the criminals of Gotham City. Danny Elfman’s theme has been iconic for decades, used across various films, LEGO games, and animated shows for a reason.
5 Main Title
Danny Elfman’s Spider-Man Theme
- Featured in: Spider-Man (2002)
- Composed by: Danny Elfman
Whilst many will be familiar with the 1967 Spider-Man song, it was Danny Elfman who propelled the character into something serious with his theme for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movie. Danny Elfman’s Spider-Man theme beautifully encapsulates what makes Spider-Man who he is. From the tragic nature of his responsibility to the triumphant power that he upholds, it’s all present in the instrumentals that define the character beyond if he can swing from a thread.
4 Is She With You?
Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman Theme
- Featured in: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Composed by: Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL
For Wonder Woman’s first outing on the silver screen, she needed a theme that would resonate with her character’s core. So what better way to introduce Wonder Woman than with the rage and feminism of an electric cello? Wonder Woman’s theme has easily become iconic and synonymous with her character due to the fact that it breaks the rules. It’s not triumphant and regal, and it’s instead heavy and powerful, fitting of a warrior who has come to show that this isn’t just man’s world.
3 Wakanda Forever
Ludwig Goransson’s Black Panther Theme
- Featured in: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- Composed by: Ludwig Goransson
Hiring the talent behind The Mandalorian’s music to make the iconic theme for Black Panther was a genius idea, as Ludwig Goransson certainly provides the memorable sound that is needed for a movie like Black Panther. Ludwig Goransson encapsulates the defining sounds of Wakanda in the theme, providing Black Panther with a distinct motif that works wonderfully for the hero, the people, and their culture.
2 The Avengers
Alan Silvestri’s Avengers Theme
- Featured in: The Avengers (2012)
- Composed by: Alan Silvestri
When combining Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into a team, a theme song was needed to ensure relevance and triumphant impact for their potential. Alan Silvestri delivered something that might not have been as iconic at the time, but with further developing Avengers movies, the theme has become bombastic and heroic for every entry, remaining memorable and evoking strong emotions in grand scenes across the MCU. The Avengers theme encapsulates everything that works about these triumphant superhero team-ups, even if it’s one of the few Marvel Studios themes worth remembering.
1 A Dark Knight
Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s Batman Theme
- Featured in: The Dark Knight (2008)
- Composed by: Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
Christopher Nolan wanted to tackle Batman, ushering in a new modern age for the superhero where he would be grounded and real. As such, it was the task of James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer to create a theme that reflected that, and they did so with great acclaim. The thundering horns and drums that usher in a watchful guardian of Gotham City, mixed beautifully with the melodic and tragic piano notes, showcase the power and vulnerability of this version of Batman, and how his scars influence him to fight for Gotham and the parents that he lost.
