The best film music stays with us long after the credits roll. From sweeping orchestral scores (Jurassic Park, Harry Potter) to delicate piano motifs (Amélie), great soundtracks amplify the emotion at the heart of film, making it all the more powerful for the viewer.

Film scores are also incredibly popular pieces to learn on piano, which is probably why you're reading this article. The flowkey app gives pianists the opportunity to perform their favorite soundtracks – from heroic pieces from barnstorming action movies to tender, passion-fuelled ballads that have melted the hearts of millions.

We've selected eight of the best pieces of movie music that flowkey has to offer. Each brings something unique to your piano practice, whether it's a technical challenge, a memorable moment, or a chance to master the subtle art of telling stories with sound.

8. Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter)

The magic of music

As the instantly-recognizable main theme for the Harry Potter movie series, this spellbinding tune was part of the soundtrack for all eight instalments of the beloved franchise. Conjuring a potent sense of nostalgia with its ethereal celesta melody and grand orchestration, John Williams's writing is rich in harmonic interest, featuring unexpected chord choices that lend the theme its eerily capricious character.

Like many pieces in the flowkey library, "Hedwig's Theme" is available in multiple difficulty levels. Even the newest pianists shouldn't hesitate to take on the beginner version, which outlines the main melody with simplified phrasing. Meanwhile, the pro version successfully captures the magic of Williams's original score with its enchanting glissandi and dramatic dynamics. Don't be fooled by the gentle opening – the latter half features some breakneck arpeggios that are not for the faint-hearted.

7. Jurassic Park Theme

Majestic and emotional

For a generation of viewers, this 1995 classic from John Williams remains one of the most powerful pieces of film music ever recorded. "Theme from Jurassic Park" is a masterclass in cinematic grandeur, radiating majesty and emotion with every rise and fall of its wistful melody.

Unlike "Hedwig's Theme", this piece is only available on flowkey as an advanced arrangement, which should test the skills of intermediate players. It presents an opportunity to grapple with changing time signatures, as the piece shifts between 6/8 and 4/4. This is also a fantastic exercise for the left hand, thanks to octave-spanning arpeggios that offer a demanding workout.

6. Kiss The Girl (The Little Mermaid)

Playful and good-natured

While younger Disney fans treasure titles such as Frozen and Moana, classics like The Little Mermaid rank among the most beloved animations in movie history. Alan Menken's memorable score played a major role in this. Though the Oscar-winning "Under The Sea" is the best-known song from the soundtrack, "Kiss The Girl" remains a fan favourite.

You can learn "Kiss The Girl" with flowkey at four difficulty levels, but it's the pro version that best bottles the playful, good-humoured character of the original song. Watch out for the jazzy grace notes that ornament the main melody – these should be performed with a delicate touch to achieve the appropriate effect.

5. Theme from Schindler's List

An intimate, expressive meditation

The haunting violin-led piece from Schindler's List is steeped in sorrow. On the piano, it becomes an intimate, expressive meditation that's perfect for advanced players looking to extend their emotional range.

Playing flowkey's arrangement of this cinematic classic requires precision and sensitivity. Once you've memorized the notes, focus on mastering the phrasing, letting the melody breathe with gentle rubato and dynamic shading. By the time you reach the piece's mournful climax, both you and your audience may need to dry your eyes.

4. The Avengers Theme

The sound of Marvel

Any comprehensive round-up of modern film music wouldn't be complete without a trip into the Marvel universe. Bold, brassy, and heroic, "The Avengers Theme" is peak Marvel, etching a distinctive sonic signature on one of cinema's biggest franchises. Translated to piano, it retains the rising tension of the original, giving players the opportunity to develop dramatic phrasing. 

At an intermediate difficulty level, "The Avengers Theme" would make an excellent choice for beginners hoping to take their playing up a notch. While the piece is in G Minor, it makes frequent use of naturals (notes that don't belong to the home key), challenging players to sharpen their awareness of the notes on the page while exploring more complex harmonies. 

3. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Inception)

Rich and lyrical

Édith Piaf's French-language anthem of defiance has featured in many movies, including Inception, where it was repurposed as a central plot device. Composer Hans Zimmer said that the movie's entire soundtrack was actually inspired by "None, Je Ne Regrette Rien", which he used to craft one of the most memorable scores in recent decades.

Playing a piece originally written for voice and backing instruments presents a unique challenge for pianists. Unlike traditional piano compositions, these arrangements ask players to capture both the vocal line and harmonic support using a single instrument. This demands close attention be paid to phrasing, as the melody should maintain a lyrical, sung quality, even without lyrics.

2. How Far I'll Go (Moana)

An uplifting modern classic

Disney's Moana gave us a modern anthem of empowerment in "How Far I'll Go", composed by Broadway sensation Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame. Showcasing Miranda's talent for catchy, heartfelt melodies, it's an uplifting piece with the energy and flair of a contemporary pop song.

While flowkey's intermediate arrangement could be attempted by all but the most novice players, the pro version's rapid arpeggios should put confident performers to the test. Use flowkey's Loop feature to practice any particularly challenging passages. Keep an eye out for the modulation in bar 42, which takes the piece from E Major to F Major for the final ten measures.

1. Alice in Wonderland

Dreamy and jazzy

Heard in the opening credits of Disney's Alice in Wonderland from 1951, this dreamy tune has since become a jazz standard, performed by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, and many more. An enchanting fusion of whimsy and melancholy, it has the power to transport the listener to fantastical realms.

flowkey's beginner-level arrangement pares back the piece's complexities for a simple arrangement that retains the original's lilting charm. Those new to musical notation should note the diagonal lines between the staves in the piece's opening bars, which indicate a single melodic line shifting from one stave to the other.

Learn to play new favorites with the flowkey app

If any of these film pieces have inspired you to play, get started by downloading the flowkey app. With flowkey, you'll have access to a library of gorgeous piano music and step-by-step courses — in four difficulty levels and with all the tools you need to guide you through the learning process. Start learning today.