Danny Elfman - Actor Profile

Danny Elfman

Sound
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
37Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 29, 1953
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA

About Danny Elfman

Daniel Robert Elfman (born May 29, 1953) is an American film composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. He came to prominence as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Since scoring his first studio film in 1985, Elfman has garnered international recognition for composing over 100 feature film scores, as well as compositions for television, stage productions, and the concert hall. Elfman has frequently worked with directors Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant, contributing music to nearly 20 Burton projects, including Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, and Alice in Wonderland, as well as scoring Raimi's Darkman, A Simple Plan, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Oz the Great and Powerful, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Van Sant's Academy Award-winning films Good Will Hunting and Milk. He wrote music for all of the Men in Black and Fifty Shades of Grey franchise films, the songs and score for Henry Selick's animated musical The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the themes for the popular television series Desperate Housewives and The Simpsons. Among his honours are four Oscar nominations, three Emmy Awards, a Grammy, seven Saturn Awards for Best Music, the 2002 Richard Kirk Award, the 2015 Disney Legend Award, the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award in 2017, and the Society of Composers & Lyricists Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. Description above from the Wikipedia article Danny Elfman, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Danny Elfman Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Danny Elfman reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 37 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Danny Elfman's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 51% of Danny Elfman's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Oingo Boingo: Farewell (Live from the Universal Amphitheatre), which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Danny Elfman Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Danny Elfman's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Danny Elfman has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 A Danny Elfman Christmas Story Narrator Flop Similar →
2024 Tim Burton: Life in the Line Self Flop Similar →
2017 78/52 Self Hit Similar →
2017 Hollywood in Vienna 2017 - Fairytales Self Flop Similar →
2017 Score: A Film Music Documentary Self Hit Similar →
2015 Live From Lincoln Center: Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton - Super Hit Similar →
2011 A Conversation with Danny Elfman & Tim Burton - Flop Similar →
2011 Oingo Boingo: 1983 US Festival - Flop Similar →
2010 DemiUrge Emesis Narrator (voice) Average Similar →
2008 Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Self Flop Similar →
2008 Proud Iza Narrator Flop Similar →
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds Himself Super Hit Similar →
2005 Corpse Bride Bonejangles (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Oompa Loompa (voice) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
2004 Behind the Scenes of 'Spider-Man' Self Flop Similar →
2002 Cosmic Symphonies: Elfman in Space Self Flop Similar →
2000 The Gift Tommy Lee Ballard Hit Similar →
2000 Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend Self Hit Similar →
2000 Psycho Path Self - Arranger Hit Similar →
2000 Fantasporto – Carnaval no Porto - Flop Similar →
1998 The Making of 'The Frighteners' Self Super Hit Similar →
1996 Oingo Boingo: Farewell (Live from the Universal Amphitheatre) Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 The Hollywood Soundtrack Story Self Flop Similar →
1994 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Special Edition Self Hit Similar →
1993 The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Making of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Self - Composer Flop Similar →
1992 The Magical World of Chuck Jones Self Super Hit Similar →
1990 Oingo Boingo: October 25th, 1990 - Flop Similar →
1989 Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet Himself, Waiter Flop Similar →
1987 Oingo Boingo: Halloween '87 Himself Super Hit Similar →
1986 Back to School Oingo Boingo Band Member Average Similar →
1985 Oingo Boingo: Live at the Ritz Self - Lead Vocals, Guitar Super Hit Similar →
1984 Good Morning, Mr. Orwell Self Super Hit Similar →
1981 Urgh! A Music War Self Hit Similar →
1980 Forbidden Zone Satan Average Similar →
1977 Hot Tomorrows Singer Average Similar →
N/A A Look Into 'The Forbidden Zone' Himself Hit Similar →

Danny Elfman - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Danny Elfman?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Danny Elfman is "Oingo Boingo: Farewell (Live from the Universal Amphitheatre)" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Danny Elfman acted in?

Danny Elfman has been featured in at least 37 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Danny Elfman?

Other notable films include "Oingo Boingo: Halloween '87", "The Making of 'The Frighteners'", and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds".

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