Top 20 Movies You Can Name by Hearing Just One Sound
What's the first sound that comes to mind when we say "Jaws"? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most identifiable sounds in film history.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most identifiable sounds in film history.
00:19Number 20, Thumper, Dune Franchise
00:22On the planet Arrakis, giant worms lurk beneath the sand.
00:32The local population, known as the Fremen, use these devices to call the creatures to a particular location.
00:38The rhythmic thumping works to ratchet up the tension masterfully.
00:42It's so subtle, and yet, we know that any time we hear it, something big is coming, and it's unstoppable.
00:55It's classic cinematic juxtaposition at its finest.
00:58In a sci-fi movie filled with ingenious technology, it's becoming that such a simple, sleek object is what allows the native people to rule the desert.
01:13Number 19, Tripods, War of the Worlds
01:17When humans discover that massive alien tripods are taking over, they encounter some never-before-seen technology that threatens all life on Earth.
01:24This includes the booming sound that radiates from the terrorizing beings.
01:28It's an Earth-shattering one that strikes fear into ordinary citizens.
01:40Turning people into dust, these extraterrestrials prove to be a formidable force against Earthlings.
01:45In the first dramatic reveal, their warning call is just one of many terrifying elements that shock the main heroes.
01:51It's possible that you could walk away from this movie forever scarred by the sound.
02:00Even in the final attack, it's still as effective as ever.
02:03Number 18, Claws, X-Men Franchise
02:12As a major standout of the superhero series, Wolverine needs to unleash his trademark claws from time to time.
02:18It's the super-satisfying unsheathing of metal, sometimes with the added breaking of leathery flesh.
02:27Logan makes the most of his superpower with these incredible attachments.
02:30We like to describe the sound as the slicing of chef's knives on steroids.
02:41The claws also have their fair share of memorable run-ins with enemies, which they easily rip through.
02:45You certainly wouldn't want to come up against Adamantium, no matter what defenses you had.
03:00Number 17, Happy's Drive, Happy Gilmore
03:03Here's a sound that adds a comical level of enchantment.
03:06Obviously, Happy Gilmore is an incredibly skilled golfer, but the blast-off effect following his swing and hit makes his ability seem supernatural.
03:20His drive may as well be comparable to a missile launcher.
03:23It's a fantastic way to signify Happy's sheer power, practically breaking the sound barrier.
03:34The fact that it's the same noise each time makes it even better, and we especially love when we get to see the golf ball's POV as it soars through the air and away from the player.
03:42We'll have to channel him next time we're at the tee box.
03:58Number 16, The Golden Snitch, Harry Potter franchise
04:02The Snitch is built up to be the most important element of any Quidditch game, since catching it always ends the game and almost always secures a win.
04:10As it's meant to be quick and nimble, the whir of the Snitch's rapidly beating wings was vital to bring it to life on the big screen.
04:22We also get a high-pitched zipping sound as the small golden sphere darts this way and that, always trying to be out of reach of each team's seeker.
04:37Our only complaint is that we didn't get to see more of the ball in action.
04:46Number 15, Cyber Scream, The Matrix
04:49After Neo takes the red pill and learns the truth about life, the protagonist has to be truly unplugged from the Matrix.
04:55This process involves a frightening surprise and unmistakable noise. It's a primal scream complemented by cyber connection.
05:08The filmmakers find a way to blend the sounds, digital and organic, into one dynamic and distinct effect.
05:19Along with the compelling visuals, this sonic experience captures the main character's first break from the shackles of his fake world.
05:25It's only fair that the sound used here attempts to capture that horrific and important turning point in Neo's life.
05:37Number 14, Webshot, Spider-Man Franchise
05:40Every Spider-Man film comes with its own take on this sound.
05:43Sam Raimi's version sets the tone for the series, giving the webslinger hero an important detail.
05:48Peter Parker's power rests on the sound designer's ability to create the stretching and launching noises.
05:53It's something viewers might take for granted considering how much the hero uses the webs.
06:08Through every incarnation, the improved technology only makes this scene even more authentic.
06:13The filmmakers' continued dedication to this essential detail can't be overstated.
06:18It's an amazing achievement, helping the viewers believe that someone is really swinging around the city.
06:35Number 13, Proton Pax, Ghostbusters franchise
06:40While hunting ghosts, the titular squad needs one key piece of equipment to do their jobs.
06:44The Proton Pax power on before every session, indicating that they're ready for use and honestly, just making the team look really badass.
06:59It's a cool, futuristic-sounding trill that connotes a large amount of energy stored in the pack.
07:04But we're not about to dissect the machinery of something that can lasso ghosts.
07:20The buzz accompanying the powering on does make us wonder how it all works.
07:23Petition to have our phones make this cool a sound when they turn on.
07:35Number 12, Nazgul Cry, The Lord of the Rings franchise
07:39They're known by many names, but the Nazgul make one iconic shriek.
07:51Their cries announce their arrival during many climactic moments in the Lord of the Rings series.
07:55In a franchise full of formidable foes, the race and their screams might be the scariest.
08:00It only adds to their threatening presence that you can often hear them before you see them.
08:11It's been reported that their cry was actually created by Foley artists rubbing two plastic cups together.
08:16Several effects were overlaid on top of that base.
08:18And now we have an iconic monster screech that forever haunts our nightmares.
08:23Number 11, Snapping, West Side Story
08:27How something as easy as snapping manages to appear so menacing, we'll never know.
08:32This calling card signifies when the gang members are on the prowl.
08:45Rather than using dialogue, the film employs rhythmic snapping.
08:49This small action is enough to let the musical roots shine through.
08:52Paired with the impressive choreography, these sounds help to set the mood for a legendary confrontation in West Side Story.
08:58But it's all the in-sync snapping that has become synonymous with the iconic musical.
09:03Come at me!
09:04Come at me!
09:05Come at me!
09:06Come at me!
09:07Come at me!
09:08Come at me!
09:09Come at me!
09:10Come at me!
09:11Come at me!
09:12Come at me!
09:13Come at me!
09:14Come at me!
09:15Come at me!
09:16Come at me!
09:17Come at me!
09:18Come at me!
09:19Number 10, Two Notes, F and F Sharp, Jaws
09:23For a movie as thrilling as this, Steven Spielberg needed exactly the right score to help set the mood.
09:28John Williams more than provides with two scary notes.
09:32The composer builds the score around this motif, giving every shark attack a terrifying resonance.
09:37It's also one of the few musical cues that you don't just immediately recognize,
09:41but that also effectively conjures up the threatening mental image of deep-sea predators.
09:46The iconic F and F Sharp guarantees that you'll never see, or rather hear, the ocean that you've never seen before.
09:52It's also one of the few musical cues that you don't just immediately recognize,
09:56but that also effectively conjures up the threatening mental image of deep-sea predators.
10:00It's also one of the few musical cues that you don't just immediately recognize,
10:04but that also effectively conjures up the threatening mental image of deep-sea predators.
10:09The iconic F and F Sharp guarantees that you'll never see, or rather hear, the ocean the same way again.
10:28Number 9, Clicking, Predator Franchise
10:31From Central American rainforest to 18th century America,
10:34the Predator franchise has thoroughly explored what it would be like to encounter the titular creature.
10:39The various adventures also include the memorable clicking noise.
10:50It's a foreboding rattle that echoes in the distance, giving anyone nearby a dire warning.
10:55According to Peter Cullen, the man responsible for the predator's clicking,
10:58he was remembering an upside-down horseshoe crab at low tide
11:01when he first made the noise in a mic for the movie's crew.
11:13While the inspiration is decidedly less freaky,
11:16it does little to detract from the chilling creature we now associate it with.
11:20Number 8, Bullwhip Crack, Indiana Jones Franchise
11:24The most famous archaeologist in film history doesn't go anywhere without this unlikely weapon.
11:29His trusty whip stuns enemies and even helps them swing across platforms.
11:33But what we're interested in today is the loud cracking sound it makes.
11:50Other cinematic heroes might wield the same device,
11:53but few have made it part of their persona quite like Indiana Jones.
12:04The satisfying snap enhances his many action scenes that move at a breakneck pace
12:09and manage to give audiences a jolt of nostalgia regardless of when or where they're hearing it.
12:19Number 7, Toy Story
12:22When Buzz Lightyear mistakes a claw machine for a spaceship and crawls in,
12:25the alien toys up for grabs become enamored with him.
12:28It's completely adorable and also super hilarious thanks to their reactions.
12:35Their voices alone are memorable enough,
12:37but when they start speaking and oohing in sync, we're total goners.
12:50The claw!
12:54We could have watched a whole movie with Buzz and Woody trapped in the claw machine with them
12:58just to hear more of their commentary,
13:00but we'll have to settle for their appearances in the subsequent films.
13:03It certainly speaks to how beloved they are that, despite being far from main characters,
13:07we associate them so heavily with the Toy Story franchise.
13:10He has been chosen!
13:12What are you doing? Stop it! Stop it, you zealots!
13:17Number 6, Whistle Cube, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
13:21Throughout this adventure, the title character truly keeps you guessing.
13:24This includes his use of a flute to summon his Oompa Loompas.
13:27It's such a distinct and chaotic series of notes that any fan of the film will surely remember.
13:34Adding to Willy Wonka's personality, the sound effect enhances his whimsical energy well.
13:38When you think about it, how else would a chocolatier get the attention of his musical employees?
13:43Help! Help!
13:45We gotta let the air out of her quick!
13:47The first time it happens in the Chocolate Factory tour,
13:49you're only just beginning to understand how important music will be going forward.
13:52It's a fun and surprising detail in a movie full of wonderfully strange elements.
13:57Here it comes!
14:02Number 5, The Five Tone Sequence, Close Encounters of the Third Kind
14:06In the film world, there might not be a more famous sequence of five notes.
14:10Composer John Williams finds a way to bridge the gap between humanity and otherworldly life through music.
14:15It's a profound and simple sound that produces all the wonder of Steven Spielberg's finest work.
14:32With an inviting spirit, these tones have become synonymous with the science fiction genre.
14:41Williams knows how to get the maximum amount of emotion from the fewest amount of notes.
14:45And there's a sense of hope in the sounds that scores one of the more peaceful and iconic alien sightings.
14:56Number 4, Violin Strings, Psycho
14:59Bernard Herrmann is the secret weapon in many Alfred Hitchcock films.
15:03For Psycho in particular, the composer creates a tense score to haunt your dreams.
15:07The string section really comes alive in the movie's most famous scene.
15:19With each stroke of the violin, the sensations we feel watching Marion Crane being stabbed heighten.
15:24Hitchcock's legendary effort wouldn't have the same effect without this key element.
15:38It's almost as if the instruments personify the knife itself, following each of its motions.
15:43In a long list of scores for thrillers and horror films, this has arguably never been matched.
15:58Number 3, The T-Rex's Roar, Jurassic Park
16:02When you think of Jurassic Park, you probably think of the dinosaurs.
16:05Incredible CGI is still impressive to this day.
16:08However, it wouldn't be complete without the extraordinary sounds that come out of each creature.
16:22The Tyrannosaurus Rex might have the most intense and memorable roars of them all.
16:28This noise accompanies at least a few iconic sequences, just edging out the fearsome raptors.
16:41You can almost believe that a T-Rex is in the room with you.
16:44As a true technical achievement, this movie is full of so many intricate elements that bring the dinosaurs back to life.
16:58Number 2, Tarzan Yell, Tarzan Franchise
17:03While he'd been on film in the silent era, Edgar Rice Burroughs' character became a cinematic icon in the 1930s.
17:09Tarzan the Ape Man was the first to feature this legendary call.
17:19The yell is like something out of another universe, but it's supposed to be coming out of Johnny Weissmuller's mouth.
17:24Its origins might be debatable, but it is undeniably one of the most famous sounds in Hollywood history.
17:37This helps to sell the hero's incredible strength, primal instincts, and extraordinary lung capacity.
17:42It's also become so beloved that it pops up in other films and television every once in a while.
17:47Tarzan Yell
17:53Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
17:59You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
18:03If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
18:09Number 1, The Lightsaber, Star Wars Franchise
18:13With the bussing of this Jedi weapon, the Star Wars franchise really roars to life.
18:17The vibrating effect might just be one of the most imitated in all of the series.
18:25The lightsaber is nothing short of legendary, which is saying something considering all of the other imaginative sounds such as Chewbacca's growl and Darth Vader's breathing.
18:35From Luke's training in A New Hope to the climatic battle of Phantom Menace, these fantastic noises enhance every nail-biting battle.
18:43It's hard to imagine a more iconic sci-fi sound for a truly one-of-a-kind apparatus.
18:53Did we forget another sound that helps you identify a film as soon as you hear it? Let us know in the comments below.
19:04Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo, and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.