Question
LOS ANGELES, CA. June 9, 2016: Composer John Williams at the 2016 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award gala honoring John Williams at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.

Which of these films was NOT scored by composer John Williams?

Last updated: October 4, 2025

For over five decades, John Williams has been turning ordinary scenes into emotional roller coasters with his orchestral wizardry. From the terrifying two-note shark motif in "Jaws" to the magical themes floating through every "Harry Potter" film, Williams has composed some of the most recognizable music in cinema history. But even musical legends can't score every single movie that comes across their desk. Which of these films was NOT scored by composer John Williams?

Correct Answer: Commando

(Source)

Fresh off his FOURTH Oscar win for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," John Williams was the go-to guy for any director who wanted their movie to sound like magic. So when George Miller needed someone to score his devilish comedy "The Witches of Eastwick," starring Jack Nicholson as the ultimate bad boy, Williams delivered a playfully wicked soundtrack that perfectly captured the film's supernatural mischief. Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger was gearing up for his ultimate one-man-army performance in "Commando," a movie that needed music as relentless and hard-hitting as its muscle-bound star. Williams had already proven he could handle everything from Spielberg's heartfelt alien tale to adapting the beloved Broadway score of "Fiddler on the Roof" for the big screen, but "Commando" belonged to James Horner's more aggressive musical territory. Horner crafted a steel drum-heavy score that could keep pace with Arnold's non-stop action and quotable one-liners. His driving percussion and tropical-tinged themes became the perfect soundtrack for watching Schwarzenegger mow down an entire army while delivering gems like "Please don't wake my friend. He's dead tired."

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