Howard Shore’s score for The Lord of the Rings has won Classic FM’s Movie Music Hall of Fame for the fourth consecutive year, and the fifth time overall. More than 7,000 votes were cast in the 2026 poll, and Shore’s work claimed the top spot again, ahead of John Williams’ Schindler’s List at number two, John Barry’s Out of Africa at three, Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator at four, and Williams’ Jurassic Park at five.
Classic FM host Jonathan Ross called Shore’s score “the gold standard for film scores,” and the consistency of the result year after year suggests audiences agree. Shore thanked the orchestra, soloists, singers, and fans after the announcement was reported on HowardShore.com.
Howard Shore holding his Winning Oscars
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, and also Shore’s 80th birthday year. The music that premiered with Peter Jackson’s first film in 2001 has clearly stayed with audiences far beyond the theatrical run (despite my disappoint with some of the soundtrack).
Shore’s connection to Tolkien’s world continues. He was tentaively confirmed earlier this year to return as composer for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, the Warner Bros. film currently in production.
