How important is music in movies?

I lack any sort of musical talent which is a big regret...tried guitar as a kid and was completely awful
As an untalented guy but constant movie watcher I can say with all honesty that the score and songs in movies really put me in awe
The music sets the mood, enlarges certain scenes, elicits the feelings of romance or horror or joy...

What would Raiders of the Lost Ark, Halloween, Jaws, Dazed and Confused, Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian and a host of other classics be without the sound?

Music in film is every bit as important as the camera work

It is certainly possible to have a great film with no music, you just would have to set the tone in other ways, and it might take a little longer in the scene to establish that, or maybe a lot of creativity with camera shots, expressions, etc. In a comedy or something, you could do it with overacting. Although, I find most comedies unwatchable, because they already do that, and it's nauseating to me.

I do also believe that sometimes a good soundtrack and visual style can compensate for an otherwise substance-devoid film. Good scenes are important, and they have no substance requirement. Personally, I think it's pretentious BS, the mainstream idea that a scene needs to be cut if it doesn't directly move the story along. Example, Leon: The Professional. Lots of people say they like the cut version better, which to me is absurd, as it removes two of the best scenes with some of the greatest emotional impact I've EVER seen in film.

I agree . Can make or break a movie

This is a great question. Often until someone points out the score, I'm not really thinking about it that much. I'm focused on what's happening or is going to happen next on the screen. When soundtracks are separated from the movie, we can appreciate whether they can stand on their own musically. Can't say I listen to very many soundtracks unless they include pop and rock tunes, but I don't think that's the point you are trying to make. Movies like American Graffiti and Diner have rock and roll soundtracks that have a different purpose than, let's say, the John Williams Star Wars soundtracks.
Am I making any sense?

It only works depending on the director. Sidney Lumet for example.

I will say if the music draws too much attention during the action, that's a bad thing. Artificially ramping up the emotion seems fake and distracting.

Acting, music, and costumes are all important. They tell the story.

Music is really integral to movies in general. Since the very first days of movies, or even before (stage performance can be said as the precursor of cinema), music has always accompanied movies. To have a movie without music would feel incomplete.

However, I personally think music is actually not that important to movies. Except for some genre, like musical (obviously), children animations, movies about music, musical performance or performers, I'm fine with watching movies with no music. Or even without sound at all.