History Main / ThemeMusicWithholding

* [[''Film/HalloweenII2009 Halloween II'']], the sequel to [[Film/{{Halloween 2007}} the remake]]: The theme is heard only in the end, and only in the theatrical cut.

* ''Film/HalloweenII2009'', the sequel to [[Film/{{Halloween 2007}} the remake]]: The theme is heard only in the end.

You worried they would pull some ThemeMusicAbandonment, it made you mad. You're resigned to the fact that TheyChangedItNowItSucks, but then the theme comes roaring back at just the right moment. Sometimes it's just PanderingToTheBase, but usually it's withheld to create a massive SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome at just the right moment.

* The first Sam Raimi ''Film/SpiderMan1'' film used [[WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967 the old 1960s animated TV show]] theme song in the end credits. ''Film/SpiderMan2'' did the same with a modern cover of the song. ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming'' went one step farther and had a fully orchestrated version of the theme play over the Marvel Studios logo.

* The first Sam Raimi ''Film/SpiderMan1'' film used [[WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967 the old 1960s animated TV show]] theme song in the end credits. ''Film/SpiderMan2'' did the same with a modern cover of the song.

* ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'': [[Series/BattlestarGalactica1978 The original series]] theme is used sparingly. Once in a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo during the miniseries, once as a full-blown orchestral arrangement in the episode "Final Cut" (that was arranged with the input of original series composer Stu Phillips), once during the flashback battle in the film ''Razor'' (a purely BearMcCreary arrangement), and one last time during the final scene featuring Galactica.

** Similarly, ''WesternAnimation/ThePerilsOfPenelopePitstop'' had a rinky-tink piano and a slapstick "Perils of Pauline" type instrumental in its first installment ("Jungle Jeopardy") which was replaced afterwards by the instrumental used in the closing credits. Boomerang airings and the DVD release have all seventeen episodes save for one with the "Jungle Jeopardy" instrumentals in their openings.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'': An acoustic version of the main theme is played in the last few minutes of the end credits.

* As more TV series become available on DVD, fans are discovering how their favorite themes often were not present in pilot episodes or even entire early seasons. Even today, pilot/premiere episodes often do not feature familiar themes that are usually introduced in the second episode. TheFlintstones, for its DVD release, has had its original opening credits restored for Seasons 1 and 2, the result being the famous "Meet the Flintstones" song now isn't heard until Season 3.

* When ''ScoobyDoo, Where Are You!'' first premiered in 1969, the very first episode--"What A Night For A Knight"--used a leitmotif over the opening sequences which contained Shaggy's voice intoning "Scooby-Doo, where are you?" twice and a laugh track. (This can still be heard on Boomerang replays by using the SAP option on remote controls, albeit Shaggy's voice is in Spanish.) Two episodes later, it was replaced by the now familiar theme song by Ben Raleigh and Ralph Mook.

* ''Film/StarTrek'': A souped-up version of Alexander Courage's theme, courtesy of Creator/MichaelGiacchino, plays in full over the final sequence and in the ending credits. This is repeated in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''Film/StarTrekBeyond''.

* ''Film/StarTrek'': A souped-up version of Alexander Courage's theme, courtesy of Creator/MichaelGiacchino, plays in full over the final sequence and in the ending credits. This is repeated in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' and ''FilmStarTrekBeyond''.

* ''Film/StarTrek'': A souped-up version of Alexander Courage's theme plays in full over the final sequence and in the ending credits. This is repeated in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness''.

* The ''Film/SpiderMan1'' film used [[WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967 the old 1960s animated TV show]] theme song in the end credits.

** Similarly, ''ThePerilsOfPenelopePitstop'' had a rinky-tink piano and a slapstick "Perils of Pauline" type instrumental in its first installment ("Jungle Jeopardy") which was replaced afterwards by the instrumental used in the closing credits. Boomerang airings and the DVD release have all seventeen episodes save for one with the "Jungle Jeopardy" instrumentals in their openings.

* The final ''Film/HarryPotter'' film takes its time in introducing the iconic theme. Drawn out, minor chord snippets appear here and there, showcasing how DarkerAndEdgier the film is. The full, normal version is finally played in all its glory when [[spoiler: Headmaster Snape]] is thwarted, and all of Hogwarts bands together to stand against the Death Eater. The torches in the previously unlt main hall were also lit at that time, to give a sense of hope to the scene.

* ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'': The Film/JamesBond theme plays in full over the ending and credits. In previous Bond films, a snippet of the theme was played in the famous "[[BondGunBarrel gunbarrel]]" opening sequence, then usually at least once in the movie itself during an action sequence. As ''Casino Royale'' was a reboot, it was decided to withhold the use of the theme until the very end. This is done again in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' and ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'', which also restore the full gunbarrel sequence, though only at the end of the films.

* ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'': The Film/JamesBond theme plays in full over the ending and credits. In previous Bond films, a snippet of the theme was played in the famous "gunbarrel" opening sequence, then usually at least once in the movie itself during an action sequence. As ''Casino Royale'' was a reboot, it was decided to withhold the use of the theme until the very end. This is done again in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' and ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'', which also restore the full gunbarrel sequence, though only at the end of the films.

* The ''Film/SpiderMan1'' film used the old animated TV show theme song in the end credits.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' withheld the [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda series']] theme for thirteen years - it only appears in the end credits of the [[VideoGameRemake 3DS remake]].
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' did likewise for the main theme, putting a triumphant reprisal in the end credits.

A variation of this is for the work to play the ''real'' theme music regularly, but to withhold a more popular song that is accepted by most as the de facto theme of the series, for example the [[Level1MusicRepresents level 1 or world map music from some games]].

You worried they would pull some ThemeMusicAbandonment, it made you mad. You're resigned to the fact that TheyChangedItNowItSucks, but then the theme comes roaring back at just the right moment. Sometimes it's just a FanWank, but usually it's withheld to create a massive SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome at just the right moment.

* ''Film/Terminator3RiseOfTheMachines'': Brad Fidel's theme is heard only in the credits.

* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'': The Courage/Goldsmith theme is used in the ending sequence of the final episode.

* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': Music/JohnWilliams' iconic Superman March plays in full during the last moments of the final episode pleasing the UnpleasableFanbase and saving the world!

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'': An acoustic version of the main theme is played in the last few minutes of the end credits

* The final ''Film/HarryPotter'' film takes its time in introducing the iconic theme.

* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': Creator/JohnWilliams' iconic Superman March plays in full during the last moments of the final episode pleasing the UnpleasableFanbase and saving the world!

* ''{{Smallville}}'': JohnWilliams' iconic Superman March plays in full during the last moments of the final episode pleasing the UnpleasableFanbase and saving the world!

* ''Film/CasinoRoyale'': The Film/JamesBond theme plays in full over the ending and credits. In previous Bond films, a snippet of the theme was played in the famous "gunbarrel" opening sequence, then usually at least once in the movie itself during an action sequence. As ''Casino Royale'' was a reboot, it was decided to withhold the use of the theme until the very end. This is done again in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' and ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'', which also restore the full gunbarrel sequence, though only at the end of the films.