Danny Elfman
Sound Born May 29, 1953 Los Angeles, California, USA 205 credits
Biography
Daniel Robert Elfman is an American film composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. Born on May 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, USA, he came to prominence as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Elfman has since composed over 100 feature film scores, as well as compositions for television, stage productions, and the concert hall. He has frequently worked with directors such as Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant. Known for his work in the sound industry, Elfman has a known credit count of 191.
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Career overview
Danny Elfman is a composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. He gained prominence as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Elfman began scoring films in 1985, and since then, he has composed music for over 100 feature films, as well as television, stage productions, and concert hall compositions.
Elfman has worked with several notable directors, including Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant. He has contributed music to nearly 20 projects with Burton, which include several films. Elfman's work spans multiple genres and mediums, showcasing his versatility as a composer.
Elfman's extensive filmography includes contributions to numerous feature films, television shows, and stage productions. With over 100 film scores to his credit, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the music industry. His work continues to be recognized for its unique blend of style and creativity, making him a sought-after composer for a wide range of projects.
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Frequent co-stars
Johnny Depp
1 shared title
Helena Bonham Carter
1 shared title
Emily Watson
1 shared title
Tracey Ullman
1 shared title
Paul Whitehouse
1 shared title
Joanna Lumley
1 shared title
Albert Finney
1 shared title
Richard E. Grant
1 shared title
Christopher Lee
1 shared title
Michael Gough
1 shared title
Career timeline
Send Help · Original Music ComposerDead Man's Wire · Original Music Composer
Dracula · Original Music ComposerTim Burton: Life in the LineA Danny Elfman Christmas StoryA Danny Elfman Christmas Story · WriterBullet Time · Music
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice · Original Music ComposerThe Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful · Main Title Theme ComposerMay the 12th Be with You · Original Music ComposerEdward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s Dance Version · MusicTim Burton: Life in the Line
Bloody Bridget · Original Music Composer
Wednesday · Main Title Theme ComposerWednesday · Original Music ComposerDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness · Original Music ComposerWhite Noise · Original Music Composer
The Woman in the Window · Original Music ComposerAliens, Clowns & Geeks · Original Music Composer
Dolittle · Original Music ComposerThe Holiday Movies That Made UsThe Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert · Music
Men in Black: International · Original Music ComposerDumbo · Original Music Composer
Fifty Shades Freed · Original Music ComposerThe Grinch · Original Music ComposerDon't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot · Original Music Composer
Justice League · Original Music ComposerFifty Shades Darker · Original Music ComposerWhen We Rise · Original Music ComposerTulip Fever · Original Music ComposerThe Circle · Original Music Composer
Alice Through the Looking Glass · Original Music ComposerThe Girl on the Train · Original Music ComposerBefore I Wake · Original Music ComposerVengadores Chiflados: La Era de Pultrón · Music
Avengers: Age of Ultron · Original Music ComposerFifty Shades of Grey · Original Music ComposerGoosebumps · Original Music ComposerThe End of the Tour · Original Music ComposerMedieval Times: The Making of "Army of Darkness" · Music
Mr. Peabody & Sherman · Original Music ComposerBig Eyes · Original Music Composer
Epic · Original Music ComposerOz the Great and Powerful · Original Music ComposerAmerican Hustle · Original Music ComposerThe Unknown Known · MusicCirque du Soleil: IRIS · Music
Dark Shadows · Original Music ComposerSilver Linings Playbook · Original Music ComposerMen in Black 3 · Original Music ComposerFrankenweenie · Original Music ComposerHitchcock · Original Music Composer
Real Steel · Original Music ComposerHollywood in ViennaRestless · Original Music ComposerOingo Boingo: 1983 US FestivalA Conversation with Danny Elfman & Tim Burton
Alice in Wonderland · Original Music ComposerThe Wolfman · Original Music ComposerThe Next Three Days · Original Music ComposerDo Not Disturb · MusicDemiUrge Emesis
Terminator Salvation · Original Music Composer9 · Songs9 · Original Music ComposerNotorious · Original Music ComposerTaking Woodstock · Original Music Composer
Wanted · Original Music ComposerHellboy II: The Golden Army · Original Music ComposerMilk · Original Music ComposerProud IzaProud Iza · Music
The Simpsons Movie · Main Title Theme ComposerThe Kingdom · Original Music ComposerMeet the Robinsons · Original Music ComposerSicko · ThanksParanoid Park · Thanks
Nacho Libre · Original Music ComposerCharlotte's Web · Original Music ComposerDeep Sea 3D · Original Music Composer
Corpse BrideCorpse Bride · Original Music ComposerCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryCharlie and the Chocolate Factory · Original Music ComposerCharlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds
Spider-Man 2 · Original Music ComposerSpider-Man 2: Making the AmazingBehind the Scenes of 'Spider-Man'
Hulk · Original Music ComposerBig Fish · Original Music ComposerThe Making of 'Hulk'The Incredible Ang Lee
Spider-Man · Original Music ComposerMen in Black II · Original Music ComposerChicago · Original Music ComposerRed Dragon · Original Music ComposerCosmic Symphonies: Elfman in Space
Spy Kids · SongsSpy Kids · Original Music ComposerPlanet of the Apes · Original Music ComposerHeartbreakers · Original Music ComposerNovocaine · Original Music Composer
The GiftThe Family Man · Original Music ComposerProof of Life · Original Music ComposerThe World of Stainboy · MusicSleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend
Sleepy Hollow · Original Music ComposerInstinct · Original Music ComposerAnywhere but Here · Original Music ComposerPsycho PathPsycho Path · Music Producer
A Simple Plan · Original Music ComposerPsycho · Music ProducerA Civil Action · Original Music ComposerModern Vampires · Original Music ComposerThe Making of 'The Frighteners'
Good Will Hunting · Original Music ComposerMen in Black · Original Music ComposerFlubber · Original Music ComposerPerversions of Science · Theme Song Performance
Full Filmography
205 titles- Send Help (2026) Original Music Composer
- Dead Man's Wire (2026) Original Music Composer
- Dracula (2025) Original Music Composer
- Tim Burton: Life in the Line (2025) as Self
- A Danny Elfman Christmas Story (2025) as Narrator
- A Danny Elfman Christmas Story (2025) Writer
- Bullet Time (2025) Music
- Wednesday: Fireplace (2025) Main Title Theme Composer
- Remember To Enjoy The Light Before It’s Gone (2025) Original Music Composer
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) Original Music Composer
- The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful (2024) Main Title Theme Composer
- May the 12th Be with You (2024) Original Music Composer
- Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s Dance Version (2024) Music
- Tim Burton: Life in the Line (2024) as Self
- Bloody Bridget (2023) Original Music Composer
- Wednesday (2022) Main Title Theme Composer
- Wednesday (2022) Original Music Composer
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) Original Music Composer
- White Noise (2022) Original Music Composer
- The Woman in the Window (2021) Original Music Composer
- Aliens, Clowns & Geeks (2021) Original Music Composer
- Dolittle (2020) Original Music Composer
- The Holiday Movies That Made Us (2020) as Self
- The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (2020) Music
- Men in Black: International (2019) Original Music Composer
- Dumbo (2019) Original Music Composer
- Fifty Shades Freed (2018) Original Music Composer
- The Grinch (2018) Original Music Composer
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) Original Music Composer
- Justice League (2017) Original Music Composer
- Fifty Shades Darker (2017) Original Music Composer
- When We Rise (2017) Original Music Composer
- Tulip Fever (2017) Original Music Composer
- The Circle (2017) Original Music Composer
- Score: A Film Music Documentary (2017) as Self
- 78/52 (2017) as Self
- Urge (2017) Music
- Hollywood in Vienna 2017 - Fairytales (2017) as Self
- Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) Original Music Composer
- The Girl on the Train (2016) Original Music Composer
- Before I Wake (2016) Original Music Composer
- Vengadores Chiflados: La Era de Pultrón (2016) Music
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) Original Music Composer
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) Original Music Composer
- Goosebumps (2015) Original Music Composer
- The End of the Tour (2015) Original Music Composer
- Medieval Times: The Making of "Army of Darkness" (2015) Music
- Live From Lincoln Center: Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton (2015)
- Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) Original Music Composer
- Big Eyes (2014) Original Music Composer
- Epic (2013) Original Music Composer
- Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) Original Music Composer
- American Hustle (2013) Original Music Composer
- The Unknown Known (2013) Music
- Cirque du Soleil: IRIS (2013) Music
- Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers (2013) Original Music Composer
- Dark Shadows (2012) Original Music Composer
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Original Music Composer
- Men in Black 3 (2012) Original Music Composer
- Frankenweenie (2012) Original Music Composer
- Hitchcock (2012) Original Music Composer
- Promised Land (2012) Original Music Composer
- Real Steel (2011) Original Music Composer
- Hollywood in Vienna (2011) as Self
- Restless (2011) Original Music Composer
- Oingo Boingo: 1983 US Festival (2011)
- A Conversation with Danny Elfman & Tim Burton (2011)
- A Conversation with Danny Elfman & Tim Burton (2011) Producer
- Alice in Wonderland (2010) Original Music Composer
- The Wolfman (2010) Original Music Composer
- The Next Three Days (2010) Original Music Composer
- Do Not Disturb (2010) Music
- DemiUrge Emesis (2010) as Narrator (voice)
- Terminator Salvation (2009) Original Music Composer
- 9 (2009) Songs
- 9 (2009) Original Music Composer
- Notorious (2009) Original Music Composer
- Taking Woodstock (2009) Original Music Composer
- Wanted (2008) Original Music Composer
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Original Music Composer
- Milk (2008) Original Music Composer
- Proud Iza (2008) as Narrator
- Proud Iza (2008) Music
- Standard Operating Procedure (2008) Original Music Composer
- Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight (2008) as Self
- The Simpsons Movie (2007) Main Title Theme Composer
- The Kingdom (2007) Original Music Composer
- Meet the Robinsons (2007) Original Music Composer
- Sicko (2007) Thanks
- Paranoid Park (2007) Thanks
- Nacho Libre (2006) Original Music Composer
- Charlotte's Web (2006) Original Music Composer
- Deep Sea 3D (2006) Original Music Composer
- Corpse Bride (2005) as Bonejangles (voice)
- Corpse Bride (2005) Original Music Composer
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) as Oompa Loompa (voice) (uncredited)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Original Music Composer
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds (2005) as Himself
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) Original Music Composer
- Spider-Man 2: Making the Amazing (2004) as Self
- Behind the Scenes of 'Spider-Man' (2004) as Self
- Hulk (2003) Original Music Composer
- Big Fish (2003) Original Music Composer
- The Making of 'Hulk' (2003) as Self
- The Incredible Ang Lee (2003) as Self
- Spider-Man (2002) Original Music Composer
- Men in Black II (2002) Original Music Composer
- Chicago (2002) Original Music Composer
- Red Dragon (2002) Original Music Composer
- Cosmic Symphonies: Elfman in Space (2002) as Self
- Spy Kids (2001) Songs
- Spy Kids (2001) Original Music Composer
- Planet of the Apes (2001) Original Music Composer
- Heartbreakers (2001) Original Music Composer
- Novocaine (2001) 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) Music
- Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend (2000) as Self
- The World of Stainboy (2000) Music
- Fantasporto – Carnaval no Porto (2000)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999) Original Music Composer
- Instinct (1999) Original Music Composer
- Anywhere but Here (1999) Original Music Composer
- Psycho Path (1999) as Self - Arranger
- Psycho Path (1999) Music Producer
- A Simple Plan (1998) Original Music Composer
- Psycho (1998) Music Producer
- A Civil Action (1998) Original Music Composer
- Modern Vampires (1998) Original Music Composer
- The Making of 'The Frighteners' (1998) as Self
- Good Will Hunting (1997) Original Music Composer
- Men in Black (1997) Original Music Composer
- Flubber (1997) Original Music Composer
- Perversions of Science (1997) Theme Song Performance
- Mission: Impossible (1996) Original Music Composer
- Mars Attacks! (1996) Original Music Composer
- The Frighteners (1996) Original Music Composer
- Bordello of Blood (1996) Main Title Theme Composer
- Freeway (1996) Original Music Composer
- Extreme Measures (1996) Original Music Composer
- Darkman III: Die Darkman Die (1996) Original Music Composer
- Oingo Boingo: Farewell (Live from the Universal Amphitheatre) (1996) as Self
- To Die For (1995) Original Music Composer
- Dolores Claiborne (1995) Original Music Composer
- Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) Main Title Theme Composer
- Dead Presidents (1995) Original Music Composer
- Dead Presidents (1995) Music
- Darkman II: The Return of Durant (1995) Music
- The Hollywood Soundtrack Story (1995) as Self
- Black Beauty (1994) Original Music Composer
- Shrunken Heads (1994) Music
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Special Edition (1994) as Self
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) as Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Original Music Composer
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Songs
- Sommersby (1993) Original Music Composer
- The Making of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993) as Self - Composer
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) Main Title Theme Composer
- Batman Returns (1992) Original Music Composer
- Article 99 (1992) Original Music Composer
- The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade (1992) Music
- The Magical World of Chuck Jones (1992) as Self
- Edward Scissorhands (1990) Original Music Composer
- Dick Tracy (1990) Original Music Composer
- Darkman (1990) Original Music Composer
- Nightbreed (1990) Original Music Composer
- The Flash (1990) Original Music Composer
- Oingo Boingo: October 25th, 1990 (1990)
- The Simpsons (1989) Main Title Theme Composer
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) Theme Song Performance
- Batman (1989) Original Music Composer
- Prisoners of Gravity (1989) as Self
- Plymptoons: The Complete Early Works of Bill Plympton (1989) Music
- Oh No, Not Them (1989) Music
- Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet (1989) as Himself, Waiter
- Beetlejuice (1988) Original Music Composer
- Scrooged (1988) Original Music Composer
- Midnight Run (1988) Original Music Composer
- Big Top Pee-wee (1988) Original Music Composer
- Hot to Trot (1988) Original Music Composer
- Face Like a Frog (1988) Music
- Face Like a Frog (1988) Original Music Composer
- Summer School (1987) Original Music Composer
- Oingo Boingo: Halloween '87 (1987) as Himself
- Back to School (1986) as Oingo Boingo Band Member
- Back to School (1986) Original Music Composer
- Amazing Stories (1986) Original Music Composer
- Wisdom (1986) Original Music Composer
- Amazing Stories (1985) Music
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) Music
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) Original Music Composer
- Oingo Boingo: Live at the Ritz (1985) as Self - Lead Vocals, Guitar
- Good Morning, Mr. Orwell (1984) as Self
- Forbidden Zone (1982) as Satan
- Forbidden Zone (1982) Original Music Composer
- Urgh! A Music War (1981) as Self
- Annie Hall (1977) as Lacey Party Guest (uncredited)
- Hot Tomorrows (1977) as Singer
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Rhona Who Lives by the River Executive Producer
- Rhona Who Lives by the River Music
- Hodja Nasreddin Original Music Composer
- A Look Into 'The Forbidden Zone' as Himself
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Danny Elfman best known for?
Danny Elfman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Send Help (2026), Dead Man's Wire (2026), Dracula (2025), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).
When and where was Danny Elfman born?
Danny Elfman was born on May 29, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Danny Elfman have?
Danny Elfman has accumulated over 205 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2026.
What is Danny Elfman's background in cinema and television?
Daniel Robert Elfman is an American film composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. Born on May 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, USA, he came to prominence as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Elfman has since composed over 100 feature film scores, as ...