Although not exclusively applicable to movies, leitmotifs have been used extensively in films - and particularly in movies which span multiple sequels, to provide an identifying characteristic to a situation, or character without requiring the use of dialogue.
Some leitmotifs have become instantly recognizable. In the Star Wars Saga, the appearance of chief antagonist, Darth Vader is always accompanied by a theme known as The Imperial March (as heard in the video below). The theme immediately sets up a tone of impending danger, even to the ears of a first time viewer.
Another example of a leitmotif in a movie series of recent times is the tune popularly referred to as Hedwig's Theme. This is played over the opening credits of each of the six Harry Potter movies so far, as well as ech time Harry boards the Hogwarts express. A sample of the music can be heard here:
In the Kill Bill series, Darryll Hannah's character, Elle Driver is introduced by her now iconic whistle. (The song in question is called Twisted Nerve.)
Leitmotifs do not refer to music exclusively. In Jean Pierre Jeunet's Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, virtually every shot is primarily composed of three colors: Red, Green and Yellow.
This theme was carried into the movie's advertising campaign as well, as demonstrated by it's poster:
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