Buzz
Have you ever wondered why animals in films always seem so noisy? Many viewers are unaware that the sounds we associate with these scenes are typically added in post-production. These effects often reflect our expectations rather than reality. Additionally, it’s fascinating to note that numerous films and TV shows reuse the same sound effects, some of which have become so iconic that they’re now considered clichés. This list explores ten of the most widely recognized sound effects in cinema and television.
10. Wilhelm Scream
We begin with the Wilhelm scream, a sound effect that has made appearances in countless films and TV shows. Originally introduced in the 1951 movie *Distant Drums*, this scream gained widespread recognition after being featured in *Star Wars*. Since then, it has become a recurring Easter egg in blockbuster films, television series, and even video games. Typically used during scenes where a character falls from a great height, the Wilhelm scream has become a beloved inside joke among filmmakers. Check out the video above for a compilation of its most memorable uses.
9. Castle Thunder
Take a moment to hear this iconic sound effect…
Castle thunder is a powerful thunderclap sound effect, first recorded for the 1931 horror classic *Frankenstein*. Over the decades, it has been featured in numerous films from the 1940s to the 1980s, as well as in Disney and Hanna-Barbera cartoons and TV shows like *Gilligan’s Island*. It has even been integrated into other iconic sounds, such as the warp acceleration of the Enterprise in *Star Trek: The Motion Picture* and the laser bolts in *Star Wars* during the Death Star trench run. Although its use in films declined after 1985, it continued to appear in 1990s and 2000s animated series and TV commercials.
8. Universal Telephone Ring
Listen to the sound effect…
The universal telephone ring, a staple of the ’70s and ’80s, continues to pop up in modern films and TV shows. It’s especially prevalent in productions set during those decades, such as *Anchorman*. This sound effect gained widespread recognition after featuring in the opening of *The Rockford Files*, just before the answering machine starts. It has since been used in popular TV series like *The Six Million Dollar Man*, *The Bionic Woman*, and *Magnum PI*, as well as in films like *Close Encounters of the Third Kind*, *Ghostbusters*, and *The Sting*. Despite some sound editors advocating against its use due to the noticeable “wow” distortion in the original recording, the sound remains a popular choice.
7. Movie Owl
Listen to the sound effect…
Whenever you watch a movie featuring an owl, keep this list in mind. The sound you hear is always that of the Great Horned Owl, which has become the go-to owl sound for filmmakers. This ambient effect is rarely synchronized with an owl appearing on screen, but its presence instantly signals nighttime and often foreshadows something eerie or suspenseful. While the Great Horned Owl dominates, it’s not the only bird sound cliché in cinema.
6. Hawks and Eagles
Picture a camera sweeping across a vast landscape, eventually landing on a towering mountain. What sound accompanies this scene? The unmistakable screech of a hawk or bald eagle. This sound is a staple in adventure films, often heard during pivotal moments set in the wilderness. It symbolizes the untamed outdoors, yet the sound is always the same: a red-tailed hawk. To hear the actual call of a bald eagle, click here.
5. Tarzan Call
The Tarzan yell is the iconic, ululating cry of Tarzan, famously portrayed by Johnny Weissmuller in films based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ character, beginning with *Tarzan the Ape Man* (1932). While the books describe it as “The victory cry of the bull ape,” the yell became a cinematic creation. It has since been used in countless cartoons and movies for comedic effect. The sound itself was performed by Weissmuller, who starred as Tarzan in the film adaptations of Burroughs’ novels, starting with the 1932 classic.
4. Loony Loons
The haunting call of the common loon is a frequent feature in films, often symbolizing untouched wilderness—vast, serene lakes far from human activity. However, in movies, loons can be heard in almost any setting. The key ingredient? Fog. Even in suburban scenes with manicured lawns, sprinklers, sidewalks, and kids on bikes, the addition of fog magically transforms the environment, making it seem as though loons are calling from every corner.
3. Howie Scream
Listen to the sound effect…
We began with a scream, so let’s conclude with another. Unlike the Wilhelm Scream, this one doesn’t have an official name but is often referred to as the Howie Scream, named after Howie Long’s character in *Broken Arrow*, who makes the sound just before his demise. Alongside the Wilhelm Scream, this is one of the most commonly used stock screams, with around 15 others regularly featured in films, many of which remain unnamed.
2. Wolf Howl
Listen to the sound effect…
Whenever a full moon graces the screen in a movie, the haunting howl of a wolf is never far behind. Filmmakers are so eager to include this eerie sound that it often appears in movies set in regions where wolves don’t even exist. The timber wolf’s howl, which you can hear by clicking the link above, is the most commonly used wolf sound in films. Pair it with the calls of loons and a Great Horned Owl, and you’ve got an instant atmospheric scene—no script required.
1. Screaming Cat
Whenever a vehicle crashes, trash cans topple, an explosion occurs, or chaos unfolds off-screen, the unmistakable screech of a cat is sure to follow. This sound effect, often paired with breaking glass and other stock noises, has become a staple in such scenes. Strangely, the cat’s cry appears in situations where its presence makes no logical sense. If you’ve watched enough movies or TV shows, you’ve undoubtedly heard this iconic sound. Its origins remain a mystery, but you can hear it in the clip above—just wait until the very end, when the Mask discards his tommy gun.
