My top 10 superhero themes

I’m an admittedly recent convert to the superhero genre, but for me the music in a superhero film (or any film) is vital. Associating a theme with a film and vice versa is a huge mark of success, and it’s an achievement that I think is more difficult in many cases for superhero films. 

My list is a personal choice, so don’t be shocked or offended at my selections (which do much to play up to my Marvel fanboy inclinations):

10) Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012): Hans Zimmer

The mob would have been after me had I not included this one. The darker tones of this theme perfectly reflect the Christopher Nolan style of the Dark Knight trilogy. I prefer Marvel over DC (don’t shoot), but there’s no denying the craft of Nolan’s vision across the whole trilogy, and Han Zimmer’s score is the icing on the cake.

9) Superman theme (1978-1987) John Williams

If this were a top 10 ‘iconic’ superhero themes, the Superman theme would be far higher. It’s right that Man of Steel and Batman versus Superman had a darker portrayal of Kal-El/Clark Kent, but it’s such a shame that the 21st century adaptations were so far away from the light-hearted nature of the original Christopher Reeve films (which this theme encapsulates well). Quite simply, John Williams is a genius, and this theme is one of a significant catalogue of classic themes that he’s composed.

8) Iron Man 3 theme (2013) Brian Tyler

A surprising addition to the list, I always think it’s difficult for a theme to stand out when it’s used only once in a series of films. Far more orchestral than the previous two Iron Man themes, this theme stuck with me when I first heard it: it’s more serious in tone to reflect Tony Stark’s struggle with PTSD, but nevertheless still has a triumphant nature to it, which is emphasised when all of Tony’s suits come to the rescue at the film’s denouement.

7) Iron Man theme (2008) Ramin Djawadi


When I finally gave the MCU a chance last year, my introduction was Iron Man. Fortunately, the experience was a good one. I love how the electric guitar takes precedence in this theme, fitting in well with Tony Stark’s rebellious, Black Sabbath-influenced nature. Some superhero films can be a bit too serious when they get to the ‘first suit-up/display of powers’ scene, but Iron Man gets it right when it shows you Stark’s joy at fly testing the Mark 2 suit for the first time, with this theme neatly sending up a playful emotion.




6) Captain America: Civil War theme (2016) Henry Jackman

Henry Jackman features regularly in this list, and with good reason. The airport battle scene is epic enough in this film, but Jackman’s score does a good gradual build up as ‘Team Iron Man’ and ‘Team Captain America’ run towards each other for a comic book smash up. When both teams do battle, the score is dramatic but not triumphant; the somewhat mournful tone reflects the fact that former friends are now fighting each other. The score isn’t all doom and gloom, however. The tone of the music is briefly lighter again whenever Ant Man features in the battle (got to love Paul Rudd).


5) Captain America: The Winter Soldier theme (2014) Henry Jackman

“Captain America: he’s cool now”, is how the humorous Honest Trailer Youtube series sums up The Winter Soldier. I feel that The First Avenger is still an underrated MCU film, but there’s no doubt that The Winter Soldier shifts it up a gear. The film feels more like a spy thriller at times than a superhero film, and bearing in mind that Steve Rogers is taking down HYDRA (a Nazi-death cult), it’s therefore appropriate that this theme is somewhat dramatic. The theme is very well placed just after the elevator breakout scene - it’s a massive break from the (arguably) more sidelined role of Steve Rogers in the first Avengers film.



4) Spiderman theme (2002-2007) Danny Elfman

Just as some superhero films are too serious, some are also too cartoony and childlike: the Tobey Maguire Spiderman trilogy gave us a memorable theme tune that is more sombre than many superhero iterations, which is an important aspect given the struggles that Peter Parker has to go through. Danny Elfman’s theme is still quickly paced, however - the webslinger needs to travel in a hurry.

The Amazing Spiderman’s two films (2012 and 2014), sadly, didn’t give us a memorable theme like this one.

3) Magneto’s theme/Frankenstein’s Monster (X Men: First Class 2011) Henry Jackman

Epic movie scenes inevitably include epic movie scores. Jackman’s score ramps up the tension perfectly when a young Magneto confronts two ex-Nazis in a bar. The theme is repeated on a regular basis throughout First Class, but it never gets dull or annoying; Jackman varies the use of instruments on each occasion. The X-Men film series has had quite a few different composers, so not many of the themes have been retained for more than one film: it’s a pity that ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’ has yet to be reused.

2) The Avengers theme (2012 & 2015) Alan Silvestri

You can’t beat a good old triumphant movie score. Alan Silvestri already has the Back to the Future theme under his belt, and I love The Avengers theme. Comic book stories and films can be dark (see DC), complex (see The X-Men) and even joyless (see Batman versus Superman), but a lot of the time they just need to be fun. The Avengers is a format based on a collection of comic book heroes at the end of the day - there’s no shame in playing up to the geeky nature of it!

Who doesn’t go full on fanboy/fangirl when this theme kicks in during 2012’s The Avengers?

Captain America: Dr Banner, now might be a good time for you to get angry

The Hulk: That’s my secret Captain: I’m always angry

[Cue epic shot, epic theme and group shot]

I was so pleased that this theme was reused in Age of Ultron (slightly modified), and with Silvestri’s return to the MCU there’s no doubt that it’ll feature again during Infinity War.


1) X Men theme (X2, DOFP and Apocalypse) John Ottman

I absolutely love this theme. The original X-Men trilogy (2000-2006) had a separate composer for each film, and had the franchise stopped in 2006 it would have missed a signature theme. Fortunately, John Ottman’s enduring collaboration with Bryan Singer meant that this brilliant theme made a comeback in Days of Future Past and Apocalypse. The other X-Men themes are by no means poor, but John Ottman’s score really stands out.


The adrenaline really kicks in when this scene goes in tandem with the familiar circular opening titles. How can a mood-setting monologue by Sir Patrick Stewart not lead into a memorable theme? There are slight variations in how Ottman plays the theme in each film, but each iteration captures the genre perfectly.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyright of these videos - all rights belong to the relevant composers/film companies/production companies/Youtube accounts. I am not making a profit out of this - it is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.