---
name: "Alan Menken"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/alan-menken"
fi1m_id: "alan-menken"
imdb_id: "nm0579678"
tmdb_id: 15813
wikidata_id: "Q317272"
roles: ["Songs"]
born: "22 July 1949"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T14:38:13.841751+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Alan Menken

## Identity

Alan Menken

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/alan-menken
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** alan-menken
- **IMDb ID:** nm0579678
- **TMDB ID:** 15813
- **Wikidata ID:** Q317272
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Menken, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317272, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0579678/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15813

Songs. Born 22 July 1949 in New Rochelle, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Songs
- **Born:** 22 July 1949, New Rochelle, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** Alan Irwin Menken
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 1 writing, 12 crew
- **Frequently works with:** [John Musker](https://film.one/person/john-musker.md), [Ron Clements](https://film.one/person/ron-clements.md), [David Ogden Stiers](https://film.one/person/david-ogden-stiers.md), [Don Hahn](https://film.one/person/don-hahn.md), [Gary Trousdale](https://film.one/person/gary-trousdale.md), [Howard Ashman](https://film.one/person/howard-ashman.md), [Irene Mecchi](https://film.one/person/irene-mecchi.md), [Kevin Kline](https://film.one/person/kevin-kline.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 8 Oscars (8 won · 5 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 78 (2), 1990s 74 (5), 2000s 76 (1), 2010s 66 (4), 2020s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 70 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Genres:** Family 12, Animation 8, Fantasy 8, Romance 8, Adventure 7, Comedy 3
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $6,417m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Menken, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317272, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0579678/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15813

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Beauty and the Beast*](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast.md) (91), [*Aladdin*](https://film.one/film/aladdin.md) (82), [*The Little Mermaid*](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid-1989.md) (80), [*Enchanted*](https://film.one/film/enchanted.md) (76), [*Tangled*](https://film.one/film/tangled.md) (75), [*Hercules*](https://film.one/film/hercules.md) (75), [*The Hunchback of Notre Dame*](https://film.one/film/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame.md) (70), [*Beauty and the Beast*](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017.md) (65), [*The Little Mermaid*](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid.md) (58), [*Aladdin*](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md) (57), [*Pocahontas*](https://film.one/film/pocahontas.md) (54)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Alan Menken is an American composer and songwriter. Born on 22 July 1949 in New Rochelle, New York, he studied music at New York University and attended the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. He began his career writing jingles and performing in clubs before collaborating with lyricist Howard Ashman.

Menken is best known for his scores and songs for Disney animated films, including *The Little Mermaid* (1989), *Beauty and the Beast* (1991), *Aladdin* (1992), *Pocahontas* (1995), *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1996) and *Hercules* (1997). He has also composed for live-action remakes such as *Beauty and the Beast* (2017) and *The Little Mermaid* (2023), as well as stage musicals including *Little Shop of Horrors* (1982) and *Newsies* (1992).

He has won eight Academy Awards, a Tony Award, eleven Grammy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards and a Daytime Emmy Award, making him one of the few EGOT winners.

*Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

### Wrote (1)

- *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986), Fi1m 76, Original Music Composer, Music, Songs, Musical — [page](https://film.one/film/little-shop-of-horrors.md)

### Crew (12) — the average rests on these

- *The Little Mermaid* (2023), Fi1m 58, Songs, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid.md)
- *Aladdin* (2019), Fi1m 57, Music, Original Music Composer, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md)
- *Ralph Breaks the Internet* (2018), Fi1m 66, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/ralph-breaks-the-internet.md)
- *Beauty and the Beast* (2017), Fi1m 65, Songs, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017.md)
- *Tangled* (2010), Fi1m 75, Music, Original Music Composer, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/tangled.md)
- *Enchanted* (2007), Fi1m 76, Music, Songs, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/enchanted.md)
- *Hercules* (1997), Fi1m 75, Songs, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md)
- *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1996), Fi1m 70, Music, Original Music Composer, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame.md)
- *Pocahontas* (1995), Fi1m 54, Songs, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/pocahontas.md)
- *Aladdin* (1992), Fi1m 82, Music, Songs, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin.md)
- *Beauty and the Beast* (1991), Fi1m 91, Music, Original Music Composer, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast.md)
- *The Little Mermaid* (1989), Fi1m 80, Original Music Composer, Music, Songs — [page](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid-1989.md)

## Complete filmography (44)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Spellbound* (2024), Lyricist, Original Music Composer
- *The Little Mermaid* (2023), as Songs · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid.md)
- *Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration* (2022), Music
- *Disenchanted* (2022), as Songs · Original Music Composer
- *Hollywood in Vienna 2022: A Celebration of Disney Classics - Featuring Alan Menken* (2022), Actor
- *Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook* (2021), Additional Music, Lyricist
- *Tangled: The Musical* (2020), Music
- *Central Park* (2020), series, as Songs
- *The Little Mermaid Live!* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *Aladdin* (2019), as Songs · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md)
- *Ralph Breaks the Internet* (2018), as Songs — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/ralph-breaks-the-internet.md)
- *Howard* (2018), Original Music Composer
- *Beauty and the Beast* (2017), as Songs · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017.md)
- *Tangled: Before Ever After* (2017), as Songs
- *Newsies* (2017), Musical
- *God Bless You, Mr Rosewater* (2016), Music, Songs
- *Sausage Party* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Aria for a Cow* (2015), as Songs · Executive Producer
- *Galavant* (2015), series, Music, Executive Producer
- *Mirror Mirror* (2012), Original Music Composer
- *Tangled* (2010), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/tangled.md)
- *Enchanted* (2007), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/enchanted.md)
- *The Shaggy Dog* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *A Christmas Carol* (2004), Musical
- *Noel* (2004), Original Music Composer
- *Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 1 - Once Upon A Dream* (2004), Music
- *Home on the Range* (2004), Original Music Composer, Songs
- *Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits* (1999), Music
- *Hercules* (1997), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md)
- *Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1996), as Songs · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame.md)
- *Aladdin on Ice* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Pocahontas* (1995), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/pocahontas.md)
- *Life with Mikey* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Lincoln* (1992), Music
- *Aladdin* (1992), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin.md)
- *Newsies* (1992), as Songs
- *Beauty the Beast - Live on Stage* (1991), as Songs
- *Beauty and the Beast* (1991), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast.md)
- *Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue* (1990), Music
- *The Little Mermaid* (1989), Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-little-mermaid-1989.md)
- *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986), Original Music Composer, Songs, Musical — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/little-shop-of-horrors.md)
- *Aladdin: Live from the West End*, Music
- *Hunchback*, Music

## Gallery

- ![Alan Menken aged of 1 year in 1950. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/17838/gallery-ff321efde3de.jpg) Alan Menken aged of 1 year in 1950. (2011) — TaliaMcGeorgePhotography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/1950_baby_alan.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Alan Menken Dramatists Guild Benefit. 'Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars'. October 21, 2013. Edison Ballroom. NYC.](https://film.one/media/person/17838/gallery-ee3b175874e2.jpg) Alan Menken Dramatists Guild Benefit. 'Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars'. October 21, 2013. Edison Ballroom. NYC. — Sarah Ackerman, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Alan_Menken_2013.jpg/1280px-Alan_Menken_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alan Menken](https://film.one/media/person/17838/gallery-63c2d980343e.jpg) Alan Menken — Sarah Ackerman, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Alan_Menken_2013_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Alan_Menken_2013_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Members of SACRA/PROFANA with composer Alan Menken, lyricist Stephen Schwartz and author Peter Parnell, during rehearsals for "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" U.S. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/17838/gallery-157956e70c06.jpg) Members of SACRA/PROFANA with composer Alan Menken, lyricist Stephen Schwartz and author Peter Parnell, during rehearsals for "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" U.S. (2014) — SilasFlannery, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/PROFANA_with_Hunchback_creative_team.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Alan Menken](https://film.one/media/person/17838/gallery-94e0b9341988.jpg) Alan Menken — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 8 won, 5 nominated

- 2011: Best Original Song (nominated), for *I See the Light*
- 2008: Best Original Song (nominated), for *That's How You Know*
- 1998: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Go the Distance*
- 1997: Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (nominated), for *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*
- 1996: Best Original Song (won), for *Colors of the Wind*
- 1996: Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (won), for *Pocahontas*
- 1993: Best Original Song (won), for *A Whole New World*
- 1993: Best Original Score (won), for *Aladdin*
- 1992: Best Original Song (won), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- 1992: Best Original Score (won), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- 1990: Best Original Score (won), for *The Little Mermaid*
- 1990: Best Original Song (won), for *The Little Mermaid*
- 1987: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Mean Green Mother From Outer Space*

### Golden Globes — 7 won, 1 nominated

- 1996: Best Original Song (won), for *Colors of the Wind*
- 1993: Best Original Score (won), for *Aladdin*
- 1993: Best Original Song (won), for *A Whole New World*
- 1992: Best Original Song (won), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- 1992: Best Original Score (won), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- 1990: Best Original Song (won), for *The Little Mermaid*
- 1990: Best Original Score (won), for *The Little Mermaid*
- 1989: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Kiss the Girl*

### Other awards — 13 won, 5 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Original Score 2014: Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominated), for *Aladdin*
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 2012: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won), for *Tangled*
- Tony Award for Best Original Score 2012: Tony Award for Best Original Score (won), for *Newsies*
- Tony Award for Best Original Score 2011: Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominated), for *Sister Act*
- Tony Award for Best Original Score 2008: Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominated), for *The Little Mermaid (musical)*
- Disney Legends 2001: Disney Legends (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 1996: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won), for *Colors of the Wind*
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children 1994: Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children (won), for *Aladdin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack*
- Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media 1994: Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (won), for *Aladdin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack*
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 1994: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won), for *Aladdin*
- Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1994: Grammy Award for Song of the Year (won), for *Aladdin*
- Tony Award for Best Original Score 1994: Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominated), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children 1993: Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children (won), for *Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack*
- Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media 1993: Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (won), for *Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack*
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 1993: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won), for *Beauty and the Beast*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song 1991: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song (nominated), for *The Measure of a Man*
- Grammy Award for Best Children's Music Album 1991: Grammy Award for Best Children's Music Album (won), for *The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack*
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 1991: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won), for *The Little Mermaid*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/alan-menken