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John Williams is known for his work with franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Additionally, this award-winning composer created the soundtrack for the beloved holiday film Home Alone and its sequel.

Composer John Williams attends the 44th AFI Life Achievement Awards gala tribute
Composer John Williams attends the 44th AFI Life Achievement Awards gala tribute | Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

The ‘Star Wars’ score was composed by John Williams

Williams earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score several times. The composer even earned a spot in the Kennedy Center Honors and the Grammy Hall of Fame. 

The artist is best known for his work in the Star Wars franchise, creating the production’s theme song later used in video games and Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

The composer returned to the galaxy far, far away for the sequel trilogy, composing the score for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

John Williams also composed the ‘Home Alone’ soundtrack

Aside from composing Star Wars, Williams created the score and soundtrack for the well-known holiday film now available on Disney+, Home Alone. This movie told the story of a child accidentally forgotten at home while his family took a European vacation. 

This young boy protected his home from two neighborhood burglars — the “wet bandits” (a working title, according to Harry). There are plenty of microwavable meals, pranks, and even a rouge tarantula, all set against the magical backdrop of the holiday season.

The best-known song from this production is the main title, “Somewhere In My Memory.” The track currently holds over 24 million plays on Spotify. The Home Alone version of “Carol of the Bells” has over 125 million Spotify plays. Sometimes these songs even appear in live holiday performances. 

“Ever since Home Alone appeared, it has held a unique place in the affections of a very broad public,” Williams wrote in one program for a live Home Alone performance by the New York Philharmonic. 

“Director Chris Columbus brought a  uniquely fresh and innocent approach to this delightful story, and the film has deservedly become a perennial at holiday time,” he continued. “I took great pleasure in composing the score for the film…”

Williams is also known as the composer of productions like Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

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A new version of ‘Home Alone’ premieres exclusively on Disney’s streaming service

Following the success of Home Alone, Kevin McCallister returned for another holiday-themed adventure. That was Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where most actors returned to reprise their iconic characters, including Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Catherine O’Hara. According to IMDb, Williams is credited as the composer for this sequel.

Thanks to 20th Century Studios and Disney’s streaming platform, a new version of the Home Alone story is coming exclusively to Disney+. That’s Home Sweet Home Alone, premiering on Nov. 12. However, Williams is not the confirmed composer for the movie’s soundtrack.

The original Home Alone is available on Disney+. The streaming platform’s library also includes the Home Alone sequels and holiday movies starring Mickey Mouse and his friends. To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.

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