---
name: "Danny Elfman"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/danny-elfman"
fi1m_id: "danny-elfman"
imdb_id: "nm0000384"
tmdb_id: 531
wikidata_id: "Q193338"
roles: ["Composer"]
born: "29 May 1953"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 51
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_over: 48
updated: "2026-10-05T15:11:49.020595+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."
---

# Danny Elfman

## Identity

Danny Elfman

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/danny-elfman
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** danny-elfman
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000384
- **TMDB ID:** 531
- **Wikidata ID:** Q193338
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Elfman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193338, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000384/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/531

Composer. Born 29 May 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Composer
- **Born:** 29 May 1953, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** Daniel Robert Elfman
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 51: 3 acting, 48 crew
- **Frequently works with:** [Tim Burton](https://film.one/person/tim-burton.md), [Helena Bonham Carter](https://film.one/person/helena-bonham-carter.md), [Johnny Depp](https://film.one/person/johnny-depp.md), [Sam Raimi](https://film.one/person/sam-raimi.md), [Catherine O'Hara](https://film.one/person/catherine-ohara.md), [James Franco](https://film.one/person/james-franco.md), [John August](https://film.one/person/john-august.md), [Michael Keaton](https://film.one/person/michael-keaton.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 3 Emmys (3 won)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 77 (5), 1990s 76 (11), 2000s 67 (13), 2010s 59 (14), 2020s 60 (8)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 63 across 48 titles
- **Score spread:** 11 at 80+, 23 at 60–79, 14 under 60
- **Genres:** Comedy 19, Fantasy 17, Action 15, Drama 15, Adventure 13, Science Fiction 13
- **Screen time:** 87 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $15,485m across 46 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Elfman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193338, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000384/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/531

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Spider-Man 2*](https://film.one/film/spider-man-2.md) (85), [*Edward Scissorhands*](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md) (83), [*The Nightmare Before Christmas*](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md) (82), [*Frankenweenie*](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md) (79), [*Spider-Man*](https://film.one/film/spider-man.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*Beetlejuice*](https://film.one/film/beetlejuice.md) (83), [*Batman Returns*](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md) (81)
- **Apple TV:** [*Mission: Impossible*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md) (81), [*Silver Linings Playbook*](https://film.one/film/silver-linings-playbook.md) (80)
- **Paramount+:** [*Good Will Hunting*](https://film.one/film/good-will-hunting.md) (82)
- **Tubi:** [*Men in Black*](https://film.one/film/men-in-black.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Big Fish*](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md) (78)

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

## Fi1m on Danny Elfman

> Danny Elfman makes Jack Skellington's singing feel like part of a complete performance, not an interruption. We welcome the theatrical excess, though his music sometimes gives a scene more ceremony than its story can support.

When Jack Skellington starts to sing in *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), we do not hear a character being passed between performers. Chris Sarandon supplies the speaking voice and Danny Elfman the singing, but the switch never becomes a distraction. Elfman allows himself plenty of theatrical display without making Jack seem to have acquired a different personality. We were delighted by the songs' bustle and oddness, and by how comfortably his voice belonged among Henry Selick's animated grotesques.

That combination of writing and performing predates the film: Elfman was Oingo Boingo's lead singer and songwriter. His breakthrough as a film composer came with Tim Burton's *Pee-wee's Big Adventure* (1985), beginning a long collaboration. *Batman* (1989) and *Edward Scissorhands* (1990) helped establish the orchestral scale and gothic feeling associated with his music. His angular melodies and unexpected rhythms suit characters who would be poorly served by something tidier. In *The Nightmare Before Christmas*, where he wrote both songs and score, the singer has ample opportunity to indulge the composer's taste for ceremony.

The reservation is that the ceremony can become excessive when there is little story underneath it. Caroline Thompson's screenplay loses momentum in the middle, and another elaborate number cannot supply the dramatic development that is missing. We wanted better reasons for the next song to begin, beyond the perfectly reasonable wish to hear Elfman again. Some melodies also fade soon after they finish. The pleasure of those numbers is in the bustle of the performance, rather than in a tune we find ourselves humming afterwards.

His work need not always be so busy. The more restrained score for Gus Van Sant's *Good Will Hunting* (1997) offers a useful counterpoint to the gothic films and a reminder that he can leave more space. But Jack gives us good reason to consider the composer and performer together. Hearing Elfman sing his own writing makes its theatrical appetite particularly clear. Start there, provided thin stretches of storytelling do not spoil a musical for you.

## Biography

Danny Elfman is an American composer. Born in Los Angeles in 1953, he first came to prominence as lead vocalist and songwriter for the band Oingo Boingo before beginning film scoring in the mid-1980s.

He has composed scores for over 100 feature films and numerous television series. Notable credits include *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* (2024), the Netflix series *Wednesday* (2022), *Send Help* (2026) and *Dead Man's Wire* (2026). He has frequently collaborated with directors Tim Burton and Sam Raimi.

His other film scores include *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), *Spider-Man* (2002), *Spider-Man 2* (2004), *Men in Black* (1997), *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) and *Good Will Hunting* (1997). He has received four Oscar nominations, three Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, latimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (51)

### Performed in (3)

- *Corpse Bride* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Bonejangles (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md)
- *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md)
- *Back to School* (1986), Fi1m 72, as Oingo Boingo Band Member — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-school.md)

### Crew (48) — the average rests on these

- *Dead Man's Wire* (2026), Fi1m 70, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/dead-mans-wire.md)
- *Send Help* (2026), Fi1m 74, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/send-help.md)
- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), Fi1m 57, Main Title Theme Composer — [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Dracula* (2025), Fi1m 55, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/dracula-2025.md)
- *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* (2024), Fi1m 64, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/beetlejuice-beetlejuice.md)
- *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022), Fi1m 60, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness.md)
- *Wednesday* (2022), Fi1m 71, Main Title Theme Composer, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/tv/wednesday.md)
- *Dolittle* (2020), Fi1m 32, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/dolittle.md)
- *Dumbo* (2019), Fi1m 51, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/dumbo-2019.md)
- *The Grinch* (2018), Fi1m 62, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/the-grinch.md)
- *Justice League* (2017), Fi1m 40, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/justice-league.md)
- *The Girl on the Train* (2016), Fi1m 52, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-on-the-train.md)
- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), Fi1m 63, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *Fifty Shades of Grey* (2015), Fi1m 49, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/fifty-shades-of-grey.md)
- *Big Eyes* (2014), Fi1m 64, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/big-eyes.md)
- *American Hustle* (2013), Fi1m 72, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/american-hustle.md)
- *Dark Shadows* (2012), Fi1m 50, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/dark-shadows.md)
- *Frankenweenie* (2012), Fi1m 79, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)
- *Hitchcock* (2012), Fi1m 55, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/hitchcock.md)
- *Men in Black 3* (2012), Fi1m 63, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md)
- *Silver Linings Playbook* (2012), Fi1m 80, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/silver-linings-playbook.md)
- *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), Fi1m 48, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md)
- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), Fi1m 49, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)
- *Milk* (2008), Fi1m 83, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/milk.md)
- *Wanted* (2008), Fi1m 68, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), Fi1m 64, as Oompa Loompa (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Spider-Man 2* (2004), Fi1m 85, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-2.md)
- *Big Fish* (2003), Fi1m 78, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *Hulk* (2003), Fi1m 72, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/hulk.md)
- *Chicago* (2002), Fi1m 73, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/chicago.md)
- *Men in Black II* (2002), Fi1m 48, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-ii.md)
- *Red Dragon* (2002), Fi1m 64, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *Spider-Man* (2002), Fi1m 78, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), Fi1m 40, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Fi1m 78, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *A Simple Plan* (1998), Fi1m 86, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/a-simple-plan.md)
- *Flubber* (1997), Fi1m 50, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md)
- *Good Will Hunting* (1997), Fi1m 82, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/good-will-hunting.md)
- *Men in Black* (1997), Fi1m 82, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black.md)
- *Mars Attacks!* (1996), Fi1m 66, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/mars-attacks.md)
- *Mission: Impossible* (1996), Fi1m 81, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md)
- *Sommersby* (1993), Fi1m 63, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Batman Returns* (1992), Fi1m 81, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md)
- *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), Fi1m 83, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md)
- *Batman* (1989), Fi1m 77, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/batman.md)
- *Beetlejuice* (1988), Fi1m 83, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/beetlejuice.md)
- *Midnight Run* (1988), Fi1m 88, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *Scrooged* (1988), Fi1m 66, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md)

## Complete filmography (163)

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

- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), series, Main Title Theme Composer — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Send Help* (2026), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/send-help.md)
- *Dead Man's Wire* (2026), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/dead-mans-wire.md)
- *Wednesday: Fireplace* (2025), Main Title Theme Composer
- *A Danny Elfman Christmas Story* (2025), Narrator, Writer
- *Dracula* (2025), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/dracula-2025.md)
- *Bullet Time* (2025), Music
- *Remember To Enjoy The Light Before It’s Gone* (2025), Original Music Composer
- *The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful* (2024), Main Title Theme Composer
- *Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne's Dance Version* (2024), Music
- *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* (2024), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/beetlejuice-beetlejuice.md)
- *May the 12th Be with You* (2024), Original Music Composer
- *Bloody Bridget* (2023), Original Music Composer
- *White Noise* (2022), Original Music Composer
- *Wednesday* (2022), series, Main Title Theme Composer, Original Music Composer — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/wednesday.md)
- *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness.md)
- *The Woman in the Window* (2021), Original Music Composer
- *Aliens, Clowns & Geeks* (2021), Original Music Composer
- *The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert* (2020), Music
- *Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"* (2020), Main Title Theme Composer
- *Dolittle* (2020), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/dolittle.md)
- *Men in Black: International* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *Dumbo* (2019), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 51, [page](https://film.one/film/dumbo-2019.md)
- *The Grinch* (2018), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-grinch.md)
- *Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot* (2018), Original Music Composer
- *Fifty Shades Freed* (2018), Original Music Composer
- *Justice League* (2017), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/justice-league.md)
- *Tulip Fever* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *Urge* (2017), Music
- *The Circle* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *When We Rise* (2017), series, Original Music Composer
- *Fifty Shades Darker* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *The Girl on the Train* (2016), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-on-the-train.md)
- *Vengadores Chiflados: La Era de Pultrón* (2016), Music
- *Alice Through the Looking Glass* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Before I Wake* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Live From Lincoln Center: Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton* (2015), Actor
- *Medieval Times: The Making of "Army of Darkness"* (2015), Music
- *Goosebumps* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *The End of the Tour* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *Fifty Shades of Grey* (2015), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/fifty-shades-of-grey.md)
- *Big Eyes* (2014), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/big-eyes.md)
- *Mr. Peabody & Sherman* (2014), Original Music Composer
- *American Hustle* (2013), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/american-hustle.md)
- *The Unknown Known* (2013), Music
- *Epic* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *Oz the Great and Powerful* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *Cirque du Soleil: IRIS* (2013), Music
- *Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *Hitchcock* (2012), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/hitchcock.md)
- *Silver Linings Playbook* (2012), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/silver-linings-playbook.md)
- *Frankenweenie* (2012), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)
- *Promised Land* (2012), Original Music Composer
- *Men in Black 3* (2012), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md)
- *Dark Shadows* (2012), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/dark-shadows.md)
- *Real Steel* (2011), Original Music Composer
- *Restless* (2011), Original Music Composer
- *A Conversation with Danny Elfman & Tim Burton* (2011), as Producer
- *Oingo Boingo: 1983 US Festival* (2011), Actor
- *The Next Three Days* (2010), Original Music Composer
- *DemiUrge Emesis* (2010), as Narrator (voice)
- *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md)
- *The Wolfman* (2010), Original Music Composer
- *Do Not Disturb* (2010), Music
- *Taking Woodstock* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *9* (2009), as Songs · Original Music Composer
- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)
- *Notorious* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *Milk* (2008), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/milk.md)
- *Hellboy II: The Golden Army* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *Wanted* (2008), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)
- *Standard Operating Procedure* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *Proud Iza* (2008), as Narrator · Music
- *The Kingdom* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *The Simpsons Movie* (2007), Main Title Theme Composer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md)
- *Paranoid Park* (2007), Thanks
- *Sicko* (2007), Thanks
- *Meet the Robinsons* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Charlotte's Web* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Nacho Libre* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Deep Sea 3D* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Corpse Bride* (2005), as Bonejangles (voice) · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md)
- *Becoming Oompa-Loompa* (2005), Actor
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), as Oompa Loompa (voice) (uncredited) · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Spider-Man 2* (2004), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-2.md)
- *Big Fish* (2003), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *Hulk* (2003), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hulk.md)
- *Chicago* (2002), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/chicago.md)
- *Red Dragon* (2002), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *Men in Black II* (2002), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-ii.md)
- *Spider-Man* (2002), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man.md)
- *Novocaine* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Heartbreakers* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Spy Kids* (2001), as Songs · Original Music Composer
- *The Gift* (2000), as Tommy Lee Ballard
- *The Family Man* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *Proof of Life* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *The World of Stainboy* (2000), series, Music
- *The World of Stainboy* (2000), Music
- *Fantasporto – Carnaval no Porto* (2000), Actor
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *Anywhere but Here* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *Psycho Path* (1999), Music Producer
- *Instinct* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *A Civil Action* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *A Simple Plan* (1998), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/a-simple-plan.md)
- *Psycho* (1998), Music Producer
- *Modern Vampires* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *Good Will Hunting* (1997), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/good-will-hunting.md)
- *Flubber* (1997), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md)
- *Men in Black* (1997), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black.md)
- *Perversions of Science* (1997), series, as Theme Song Performance
- *Mars Attacks!* (1996), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/mars-attacks.md)
- *Extreme Measures* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Freeway* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Bordello of Blood* (1996), Main Title Theme Composer
- *The Frighteners* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Mission: Impossible* (1996), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md)
- *Darkman III: Die Darkman Die* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Dead Presidents* (1995), Original Music Composer, Music
- *To Die For* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Darkman II: The Return of Durant* (1995), Music
- *Dolores Claiborne* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight* (1995), Main Title Theme Composer
- *Black Beauty* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *Shrunken Heads* (1994), Music
- *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), as Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice) · Original Music Composer, Songs — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md)
- *Sommersby* (1993), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade* (1992), Music
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, Main Title Theme Composer
- *Batman Returns* (1992), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md)
- *Article 99* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md)
- *The Flash* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *Oingo Boingo: October 25th, 1990* (1990), Actor
- *Darkman* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *Dick Tracy* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *Nightbreed* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, Main Title Theme Composer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Oh No, Not Them* (1989), Music
- *Batman* (1989), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/batman.md)
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Theme Song Performance
- *Plymptoons: The Complete Early Works of Bill Plympton* (1989), series, Music
- *Scrooged* (1988), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md)
- *Face Like a Frog* (1988), Music, Original Music Composer
- *Hot to Trot* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *Big Top Pee-wee* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *Midnight Run* (1988), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *Beetlejuice* (1988), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/beetlejuice.md)
- *Summer School* (1987), Original Music Composer
- *Wisdom* (1986), Original Music Composer
- *Amazing Stories* (1986), Original Music Composer
- *Back to School* (1986), as Oingo Boingo Band Member · Original Music Composer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-school.md)
- *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, Music
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, Music
- *Pee-wee's Big Adventure* (1985), Original Music Composer
- *Forbidden Zone* (1982), as Satan · Original Music Composer
- *Annie Hall* (1977), as Lacey Party Guest (uncredited) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md)
- *Hot Tomorrows* (1977), as Singer
- *Hodja Nasreddin*, Original Music Composer
- *Rhona Who Lives by the River*, series, Executive Producer, Music

## Gallery

- ![Danny Elfman](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-2dd22eeefea9.jpg) Danny Elfman — Sachyn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/20220610_dannyelfman_by_sachynmital_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Danny Elfman attends the premiere for 'Next Exit' at the Village East by Angelika on June 10th, 2022 for the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-2b4d825ebd54.jpg) Danny Elfman attends the premiere for 'Next Exit' at the Village East by Angelika on June 10th, 2022 for the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City — Sachyn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/20220610_dannyelfman_by_sachynmital.jpg/1280px-20220610_dannyelfman_by_sachynmital.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-fdc41989cee8.jpg) Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. — The Kuhnster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Danny_Elfman.jpg/1280px-Danny_Elfman.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-a03bfd65b763.jpg) Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. — The Kuhnster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Danny_Elfman_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Danny Elfman](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-0cd13ff31894.jpg) Danny Elfman — Image via TMDB
- ![Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.](https://film.one/media/person/7209/gallery-37454012015c.jpg) Danny Elfman at 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. — The Kuhnster, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Danny_Elfman_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 4 nominated

- 2009: Best Original Score (nominated), for *Milk*
- 2004: Best Original Score (nominated), for *Big Fish*
- 1998: Best Original Dramatic Score (nominated), for *Good Will Hunting*
- 1998: Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (nominated), for *Men in Black*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 3 won

- 2023: Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music (won), for *Wednesday*
- 2016: Outstanding Music Direction (won)
- 2005: Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music (won), for *Desperate Housewives*

### Other awards — 2 won

- Disney Legends 2015: Disney Legends (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition 1990: Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition (won), for *Batman*

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

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© 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/danny-elfman
