20 Question John Williams Trivia Quiz (Multiple Choice)

Are you a fan of the legendary composer John Williams? Do you find yourself humming the tunes of iconic movie scores like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Test your knowledge and see if you can hit all the right notes with our 20 Question John Williams Trivia Quiz.

This multiple-choice quiz will challenge your knowledge of John Williams’ illustrious career, spanning over six decades in the film industry. From his early beginnings to his most recent compositions, we’ve got questions that will strike a chord with fans of all ages. Are you ready to prove your mastery of this musical maestro’s work?

Not only will you be quizzed on his famous movie scores, but you’ll also delve into lesser-known facts about his life and achievements. Did you know that John Williams has won numerous awards and honors for his incredible contributions to film music? This quiz will certainly put your knowledge to the test!

So, gather your fellow film score enthusiasts and embark on this exciting journey through the life and work of John Williams. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard devotee, our 20 Question John Williams Trivia Quiz is sure to entertain and educate. May the Force be with you, and good luck!

1. What year was John Williams born?
   • 1932
   • 1930
   • 1936
   • 1934
   The correct answer is 1932.
   John Williams was born on February 8, 1932, in Floral Park, New York.
2. Which Steven Spielberg film did John Williams NOT compose the music for?
   • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   • Jaws
   • The Color Purple
   • Jurassic Park
   The correct answer is The Color Purple.
   John Williams has composed music for nearly all of Steven Spielberg’s films, but The Color Purple’s score was composed by Quincy Jones.
3. Which John Williams composition won him his first Academy Award?
   • Fiddler on the Roof
   • Star Wars
   • Jaws
   • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   The correct answer is Fiddler on the Roof.
   John Williams won his first Academy Award for Best Original Score for the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof.
4. How many Academy Awards has John Williams won?
   • 3
   • 5
   • 10
   • 7
   The correct answer is 5.
   John Williams has won five Academy Awards for his work on Fiddler on the Roof, Jaws, Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Schindler’s List.

5. Which John Williams score includes the famous “Imperial March”?
   • Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
   • Star Wars: A New Hope
   • Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
   • Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
   The correct answer is Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
   The “Imperial March” is a recurring theme in the Star Wars films, but it was first introduced in The Empire Strikes Back.
6. What instrument does John Williams primarily play?
   • Violin
   • Piano
   • Trumpet
   • Cello
   The correct answer is Piano.
   John Williams is an accomplished pianist, and he often composes his scores at the piano.
7. Which of these films did John Williams NOT compose the score for?
   • Titanic
   • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
   • Home Alone
   • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
   The correct answer is Titanic.
   John Williams did not compose the score for Titanic; James Horner did.
8. Which famous composer was John Williams’ mentor?
   • Dimitri Tiomkin
   • Alfred Newman
   • Henry Mancini
   • Bernard Herrmann
   The correct answer is Bernard Herrmann.
   John Williams was mentored by Bernard Herrmann, the composer of scores for films such as Psycho, Vertigo, and North by Northwest.
9. Which film score earned John Williams his 50th Academy Award nomination?
   • Lincoln
   • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   • The Adventures of Tintin
   • War Horse
   The correct answer is Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
   John Williams received his 50th Academy Award nomination for his score for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2016.
10. What is the name of the theme from Schindler’s List?
    • Remembrances
    • Theme from Schindler’s List
    • Jewish Town
    • Oyf’n Pripetshik
    The correct answer is Theme from Schindler’s List.
    The main theme from Schindler’s List is simply titled “Theme from Schindler’s List” and features a prominent violin solo.

11. Which of these films did John Williams compose the music for under the pseudonym “Johnny Williams”?
    • Goodbye, Mr. Chips
    • Valley of the Dolls
    • The Reivers
    • None of the above
    The correct answer is None of the above.
    John Williams did not use a pseudonym for any of these films, although he was sometimes credited as “Johnny Williams” early in his career.
12. Which famous director did John Williams collaborate with on the film “Memoirs of a Geisha”?
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Rob Marshall
    • Ang Lee
    • Martin Scorsese
    The correct answer is Rob Marshall.
    John Williams collaborated with director Rob Marshall on the film Memoirs of a Geisha, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
13. Which of these films did John Williams NOT compose the score for?
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Catch Me If You Can
    • The Patriot
    • Amistad
    The correct answer is The Patriot.
    John Williams did not compose the score for The Patriot; the score was composed by John Debney.
14. Which film earned John Williams his most recent Academy Award nomination?
    • The Post
    • Star Wars: The Last Jedi
    • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
    • The BFG
    The correct answer is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
    John Williams received his most recent Academy Award nomination for his score for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2020.

15. Which of these television series did John Williams compose the theme music for?
    • Star Trek: The Original Series
    • The Twilight Zone
    • The Andy Griffith Show
    • Lost in Space
    The correct answer is Lost in Space.
    John Williams composed the theme music for the 1960s television series Lost in Space.
16. Which film’s score includes the famous “Hedwig’s Theme”?
    • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
    • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
    • All of the above
    • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
    The correct answer is All of the above.
    The “Hedwig’s Theme” is a recurring theme in the Harry Potter films, and it was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
17. Which of these films did John Williams compose the score for under the direction of Richard Donner?
    • The Goonies
    • Scrooged
    • Superman
    • Lethal Weapon
    The correct answer is Superman.
    John Williams composed the score for Superman, which was directed by Richard Donner.
18. Which of these films did John Williams NOT compose the score for under the direction of Oliver Stone?
    • Born on the Fourth of July
    • Platoon
    • JFK
    • Nixon
    The correct answer is Platoon.
    John Williams did not compose the score for Platoon; the score was composed by Georges Delerue.
19. What is the name of the theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
    • E.T.’s Theme
    • Adventure on Earth
    • Over the Moon
    • Flying Theme
    The correct answer is Flying Theme.
    The main theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is called the “Flying Theme” and is often associated with the iconic bicycle flight scene.

20. Which film earned John Williams his first Golden Globe Award?
    • Star Wars
    • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
    • Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    • Jaws
    The correct answer is Jaws.
    John Williams won his first Golden Globe Award for his score for Jaws in 1975.