That’s Just Fine And Danny: Top 10 Scores By Danny Elfman

TV & Film

Oct 18

When I mention the concept of famous film director-composer duos, chances are the first one you thought of just right now was Steven Spielberg and John Williams. If you’re a connoisseur of older films, you probably thought of Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann. If you’re into more modern films, you probably thought of Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer, Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goranssön, or Brad Bird and Michael Giacchino. Or, if you’re a little gremlin by night, you probably thought of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman.

Since the early 1980s, Danny Elfman has established himself as one of the most beloved and iconic composers of all time. As the former frontman of famed ska band Oingo Boingo, Elfman wasn’t an obvious choice for film scoring glory. Hell, according to Elfman, he was not a well-liked figure when he tried his hand at film scores. After working with Tim Burton on the film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, Elfman would quickly cement himself as a singular voice in the realm of film scores. Over the last 40 years, Elfman has had his hand in many kinds of films, both great and not-so-great. Primarily known for his frequent collaborations with Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant, his knack for different flavors of music styles, and his affinity for haunting choir voices, one could argue that Danny Elfman (alongside Hans Zimmer) is the only film composer that casual audiences know by name, alongside John Williams. So today, I want to make a list of what I consider to be his best works.

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As with the Michael Giacchino list I made last month, we will only focus on Elfman’s film work. While his iconic themes for The Simpsons, Tales From the Crypt, Batman: The Animated Series, Desperate Housewives, and Wednesday are all remarkable, consistency is key. Now, let’s take a trip down the rabbit hole and revisit some of Elfman’s greatest works!

Honorable Mentions:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Dir. Tim Burton)
Darkman (Dir. Sam Raimi)
Frankenweenie (Dir. Tim Burton)
Mars Attacks! (Dir. Tim Burton)
Corpse Bride (Dir. Tim Burton)
Oz, the Great & Powerful (Dir. Sam Raimi)
Good Will Hunting (Dir. Gus Van Sant)
Justice League (Dir. Zack Snyder)
Big Fish (Dir. Tim Burton)
Planet of the Apes (Dir. Tim Burton)

10. 'Alice In Wonderland' (Dir. Tim Burton)

Kicking off our list is Elfman’s most acclaimed score from the 2010s. Tim Burton and Danny Elfman seemed like such perfect choices for a live-action adaptation of Alice in Wonderland that it almost seemed comically obvious. Regardless of one’s opinions of Burton’s live-action re-imagining and the many that followed, one can’t deny that Elfman’s score keeps the madness alive. The decision to balance the weirdness and the darkness is a stronger tonal balance than the movie it was made for. Carried primarily by a sweeping and haunting theme for the titular Alice, Wonderland has never felt more alive than it did with this score.

5 Best Tracks:
Alice’s Theme
The Dungeon
Alice Returns
Going to Battle
Alice Escapes

9. 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' (Dir. Sam Raimi)

Following Elfman’s incredibly busy 2012 (a year in which he scored four films), I felt his later output didn’t reach its full potential. While there were late-stage highlights with Oz, the Great and Powerful, and the much-maligned theatrical cut of Justice League, Elfman wouldn’t find his footing again until 2022. Sam Raimi’s much-anticipated return to the realm of superheroes with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was not only a coming home for him, but for Danny Elfman as well.

While some fans wrote off Elfman’s score for “sounding like a Danny Elfman score” and doing away with Michael Giacchino’s trippy score from the first film, the fact that it sounds different is part of its charm. Elfman makes minimal but effective use of Giacchino’s now-iconic Doctor Strange theme while also supplying the score with his own themes. The monster-movie-esque theme for Scarlet Witch and a surprisingly larger-than-life theme for Wong are also highlights. However, it’s the theme for America Chavez that helps this score feel as heroic and emotional as Elfman’s previous comic book scores. Should Sam Raimi ever return to the MCU, Elfman shouldn’t be far behind.

5 Best Tracks:
Trust Your Power
Main Titles
Home?
A Cup of Tea
Stranger Things Will Happen

8. 'Men In Black' (Dir. Barry Sonnenfeld)

Men in Black, alongside Good Will Hunting, is notable for being the score to finally earn Danny Elfman an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. After visiting the set, Elfman was asked to score the film, and he jumped at the chance insanely quickly. His third foray in the realm of comic book movies, Men in Black is very different from his work at Marvel and DC. As groovy as it is thrilling, Elfman’s score for Men in Black is otherworldly but in a different way than his work with Burton or Raimi. Since then, Elfman has returned to the M.I.B. universe three more times, making it the most prolific franchise on his resumé. Should Sony dust off the property in the future, we can only hope Elfman will return.

5 Best Tracks:
M.I.B. Main Theme
Finale
Sexy Morgue Babe/Icon
Take Off/Crash
M.I.B. Closing Theme

7. 'Dick Tracy' (Dir. Warren Beatty)

The summer of 1990 was all about Dick. Warren Beatty’s highly anticipated and over-marketed film was Disney’s attempt at a Batman-sized hit. And that not only included Beatty’s stylish direction, the eye-catching sets, or the onslaught of merchandise, but also its musical score. When it comes to Dick Tracy’s soundtrack, most think of songs written by the late and great Stephen Sondheim, especially the song Sooner or Later, which won Sondheim an Oscar. However, Danny Elfman’s score is a massive highlight. Hired based on the acclaim for his score for Batman the year prior, Dick Tracy shares many similarities with that score, but also sports its own identity. The main highlight is Tess’ Theme, which acts as a sweeping love theme for the film. Whenever that theme plays, everything feels larger-than-life. The film’s main theme is appropriately heroic, while Breathless’ Theme is perfectly sensual and mysterious. What else would theme music for a character played by Madonna sound like? While Elfman has gone on record calling Dick Tracy the worst experience of his career, primarily due to Beatty’s constant demand for changes, it still remains an underrated gem in his discography.

5 Best Tracks:
Finale
Main Titles
Tess’ Theme
The Chase
Breathless’ Theme

6. 'Beetlejuice' (Dir. Tim Burton)

It’s hard to believe that Beetlejuice was only Tim Burton’s second film. A staple of Halloween, Elfman’s score helped make his film scoring style the sound of the holiday. From the jump, Beetlejuice is a jaunty and wild score that makes you question your own sanity as you listen to it. It’s hard not to imagine Beetlejuice dancing in your head as a creepy circus band taunts you for literally no reason. And that’s just with the main titles! Given that this score was made very early in Burton and Elfman’s careers, it may lack some of the more polished orchestration of their later collaborations. However, the constant energy and overall messed-up atmosphere make this a bona fide Burton-Elfman classic.

5 Best Tracks:
Main Titles
The Wedding
Lydia Strikes A Bargain
Showtime!
End Credits

5. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (Dir. Henry Selick)

If Beetlejuice helps Danny Elfman’s work become the official soundtrack of Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas helps just as much. One of the few musicals in Elfman’s discography, both the songs and the score are excellent. Regarding the songs, pretty much all of them have become some of the most iconic in the history of theatrical animation. The delightful This Is Halloween, the sweet Sally’s Song, the irresistible Jack’s Lament, the energetic What’s This?, and the forever haunting Making Christmas can all make the case for being the best song on the soundtrack. What makes the songs even better is Elfman providing the singing voice for Jack Skellington. The more underappreciated musical score also brings that signature Elfman flair to the proceedings, including memorable instrumental versions of the songs. As Elfman preps for another live performance of songs from the film, Halloween ain’t over until the stitchy lady sings.

5 Best Tracks:
End Title (Score)
Jack’s Lament (Song)
Jack and Sally Montage (Score)
Kidnap the Sandy Claws (Song)
This Is Halloween (Song)

4. 'Edward Scissorhands' (Dir. Tim Burton)

Following up his acclaimed work on Beetlejuice and Batman, Edward Scissorhands is the score where Danny Elfman became THE Danny Elfman. Arguably the most Elfmany Elfman score to ever Elfman being made for the most Burtony Burton film to ever Burton makes a lot of sense. Edward Scissorhands has all of Elfman’s trademarks and features some of the most beautiful cues he’s ever made. Whether it be the sweet innocence of Edward’s Theme or the awe-inspiring love theme for Edward and Kim, the score is the perfect soundtrack for hopeless romantics everywhere. The fairy tale feel, which would become a staple of Elfman’s later work, has never sounded better than it does in this film. If you don’t have the urge to dance with someone you love immediately after hearing this score, I have to assume you have no soul. It’s no secret as to why Burton and Elfman have frequently called Edward Scissorhands their masterpiece.

5 Best Tracks:
Ice Dance
Introduction (Titles)
Farewell…
The Final Confrontation
The Grand Finale

3. 'Sleepy Hollow' (Dir. Tim Burton)

As we move on from romance and fairy tales, we go into the opposite direction with Danny Elfman’s most frightening and spine-tingling score to date. I’ve always felt that Sleepy Hollow was Tim Burton’s magnum opus. A film that perfectly captures what Burton can accomplish when he’s allowed to run wild. Danny Elfman’s score helps bring the world to life, but not in the way his other scores do. Sleepy Hollow’s score mostly just wants to terrify you, and it often succeeds. From the main titles onward, you are given very little time to catch your breath. While Elfman sprinkles more peaceful themes throughout, it’s the spooky stuff that cements this as a landmark score in Elfman’s discography.

5 Best Tracks:
Main Titles
The Chase
End Credits
The Tree Of Death
The Church Battle

2. 'Batman' (Dir. Tim Burton)

Before I sat down to write this list, I asked friends and followers on four different social media platforms one question: “When I say the names Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, what’s the first film that comes to mind first?” And with a whomping 23 individual answers, Batman was the most frequent one. It’s hard not to talk about this score without saying the word “iconic” 500 times. Despite initial worry from producers that he couldn’t do it, Danny Elfman quickly gave the famed DC superhero the film score he always deserved. Elfman’s gothic soundscape helps the listener feel like they’re walking the streets of Gotham City. Which is fitting considering Elfman began writing music after walking around the Gotham set at night. It’s not a hot take to say Batman is probably the most famous score Elfman has ever made.

Much as John Williams is forever linked to Superman, Danny Elfman has become similarly linked to Batman. Despite only scoring two films, Elfman’s main Batman theme has become one of the most recognizable in film history. In later years, Elfman would reprise the theme for the opening of the first season of Batman: The Animated Series and the theatrical cut of Justice League. It has since appeared in many other media, most recently in Benjamin Wallfisch’s score for The Flash. While Shirley Walker, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, and many other talented composers have been lucky enough to provide Batman with their own amazing themes, everyone owes a debt to Danny Elfman. Without him, there will be no “Batman sound.” It’s called THE Batman Theme for a reason after all.

5 Best Tracks:
The Batman Theme
Finale
Attack of the Batwing
Photos/Beautiful Dreamer
Decent Into Mystery

1. 'Spider-Man' (Dir. Sam Raimi)

And finally, we’re at #1. I have to admit, I knew going in what the Top 7 would look like. I knew from the jump that nothing was going to be in first place except for Spider-Man. His third full-length collaboration with Sam Raimi and easily their most famous, Danny Elfman’s score for the original 2002 film is one of the main reasons it remains as beloved and influential as it is. While it could’ve been easy for Elfman to copy his material for Batman, he goes for a more subdued approach that somehow feels massive in scope. It’s important to note that if it weren’t for this movie, I never would’ve fallen in love with film scores. The score for Spider-Man was a very formative one in my childhood, and it continues to sit as my second-favorite film score of all time.

Where the score really shines is its heavy use of themes and leitmotifs. The Green Goblin’s theme is perfectly creepy and chilling. The love theme for Peter and Mary Jane makes my heart flutter whenever I hear a single note. Even Aunt May gets an excellent theme for himself. And yes, the actual Spider-Man theme that’s used when he’s doing cool Spider-Man shit is heroic and uplifting, it’s not the highlight of the score. In a genius move, Elfman creates a separate theme for Peter Parker, known by fans as the Responsibility Theme. Easily the most famous theme to come out of the Raimi Trilogy, you can’t help but feel like you’re a superhero too when you hear it. The best use of it is in the ending before Elfman combines the Peter theme and a sweeping version of Spidey’s Theme for the final swing. While Elfman’s time with the Web Slinger was cut short after creative differences with Raimi on Spider-Man 2, his music still lives on. James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, and Daniel Pemberton all deserve their props for their own Spidey music, but Elfman’s remains the most memorable and the most hopeful. As newer generations of Spider-Man fans discover the Raimi films for the first time, it’s easy to sleep at night knowing that Elfman’s score will make them believe a man can swing.

5 Best Tracks:
Farewell
Costume Montage
Main Titles
Getting Through
The Final Confrontation

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