It beat such memorable movie scores as Doctor Zhivago, Gone With The Wind and Chariots Of Fire.
The movie was released only last year but it topped the poll carried out by Classic FM in the UK.
Star Wars was voted second, followed by Shindler's List, The Empire Strikes Back and Gladiator. Rings' composer Howard Shore, who picked up an Oscar for the soundtrack, said he was "thrilled" with the results in the poll of more than 52,000 listeners.
The Sunday Telegraph, September 1, 2002