# List of awards and nominations received by Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and composer. He led the rock band Oingo Boingo from 1976 until its breakup in 1995, but is most known for composing "The Simpsons Theme" and numerous film scores for director and producer Tim Burton, including Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), and 9 (2009). Elfman has composed scores for dozens of additional films, a few of which have charted on the Billboard 200 (Batman peaked at #30, Dick Tracy peaked at #194, and Batman Returns peaked at #61).
Elfman's first major recognitions occurred in 1989, when he was nominated by the Emmy Awards for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music for "The Simpsons Theme" and by the Grammy Awards for his film score to Batman (Best Instrumental Composition for the "Title Theme" and Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture for the score). From these nominations, he won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition. Elfman has been nominated a total of four times by the Academy Awards (including twice for two different scores in 1997), twice by the Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, ten times by the Grammy Awards, five times by the Saturn Awards (from which he won seven awards), and once each by the Annie Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and BMI Film & Television Awards. Overall, Elfman has won 33 awards from 74 nominations.

## Academy Awards

The Academy Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry. Elfman has received four nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1998 | Good Will Hunting | Best Original Dramatic Score | Nominated |
| 1998 | Men in Black | Best Original Musical or Comedy Score | Nominated |
| 2004 | Big Fish | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2009 | Milk | Best Original Score | Nominated |

## Annie Awards

The Annie Awards is an animation award show created and produced by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood, since 1972. Originally designed to celebrate lifetime or career contributions to animation in the fields of producing, directing, animation, design, writing, voice acting, sound and sound effects, etc., in 1992 it began to honor animation as a whole, and created the category of Best Animated Feature. New categories were subsequently added for different animation media. Elfman has received one nomination.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2007 | Danny Elfman, Rufus Wainwright, Rob Thomas: Meet the Robinsons | Music in an Animated Feature Production | Nominated | |

## BMI Film & Television Awards

Established in 1986, the BMI Film & Television Awards "recognize the composers of the top grossing films and the highest-rated prime time television shows of the past year". Elfman has received 25 awards.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1987 | Back to School | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1989 | Beetlejuice | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1989 | Scrooged | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1990 | Batman | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1991 | Dick Tracy | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1993 | Batman Returns | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1996 | The Simpsons | BMI TV Music Award | Nominated |
| 1997 | Mission: Impossible | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1998 | Good Will Hunting | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1998 | Flubber | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1998 | Men in Black | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 1998 | The Simpsons | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2000 | Sleepy Hollow | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2001 | The Family Man | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2002 | Danny Elfman | Outstanding Career Achievement Award | Won |
| 2002 | Planet of the Apes | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2003 | Chicago | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2003 | Men in Black II | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2003 | Spider-Man | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2003 | The Simpsons | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2004 | Hulk | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2005 | Spider-Man 2 | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2005 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2006 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2006 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2006 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2007 | Charlotte's Web | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2007 | Meet the Robinsons | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2007 | Nacho Libre | BMI Film Music Award | Won |
| 2007 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2008 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2009 | Desperate Housewives | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2010 | Terminator Salvation | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2010 | The Wolfman | BMI TV Music Award | Won |
| 2010 | Alice in Wonderland | BMI TV Music Award | Won |

## British Academy Film Awards

The British Academy Film Awards is an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). First awarded in 1947, the awards are often cited as the British equivalent to the Academy Awards. Elfman has been nominated twice.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2002 | Chicago | Best Film Music (Anthony Asquith Award) | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Alice in Wonderland | Best Film Music (Anthony Asquith Award) | Nominated | |

## Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

The Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, commonly called the Critics' Choice Awards, are bestowed annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. Nominees are selected by written ballots in a week-long voting period, and are announced in December. Elfman has been nominated twice.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Best Composer | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Milk | Best Composer | Nominated | |

## Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Elfman has been nominated four times.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1999 | A Simple Plan | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2006 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2008 | Milk | Best Original Score | Nominated |

## Emmy Awards

Administered by three sister organizations who focus on various sectors of television and broadband programming (Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences), the Emmy Awards "recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media". Elfman has received three awards from five nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1990 | "Main Title Theme" from The Simpsons | Outstanding Main Title Theme Music | Nominated |
| 2005 | "Title Theme" from Desperate Housewives | Outstanding Main Title Theme Music | Won |
| 2016 | Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton (Live from Lincoln Center) (PBS) | Outstanding Music Direction | Won |
| 2023 | "Title Theme" from Wednesday | Outstanding Main Title Theme Music | Won |
| 2023 | Wednesday: Woe is the Loneliest Number (shared with Chris Bacon) | Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) | Nominated |

## Golden Globes

The Golden Globe Awards are presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to recognize outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in film and television. The formal ceremony and dinner at which the awards are presented is a major part of the film industry's awards season, which culminates each year with the Academy Awards. Elfman has been nominated three times.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1994 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2004 | Big Fish | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2011 | Alice in Wonderland | Best Original Score | Nominated |

## Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the record industry. Often considered the highest music honor, the awards were established in 1958. Elfman has received one award from twelve nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1990 | "The Batman Theme" from Batman | Best Instrumental Composition | Won |
| 1990 | Batman | Best Album or Original Instrumental Background Score | Nominated |
| 1991 | Dick Tracy | Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TV | Nominated |
| 1992 | Edward Scissorhands | Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TV | Nominated |
| 1993 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Best Musical Album for Children | Nominated |
| 1997 | Men in Black | Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TV | Nominated |
| 2001 | Planet of the Apes | Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture or TV | Nominated |
| 2002 | Spider-Man | Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture or TV | Nominated |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture or TV | Nominated |
| 2006 | "Wonka's Welcome Song" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Best Song Written for a Motion Picture or TV | Nominated |
| 2010 | Milk | Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media | Nominated |
| 2011 | Alice in Wonderland | Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media | Nominated |

## Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards

The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) is an organization of film reviewers from Phoenix-based publications. In December of each year, the PFCS meets to vote on their Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards (first given in 2000) for films released in the same calendar year.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2005 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Best Original Score | Won |
| 2012 | Hitchcock | Best Original Score | Nominated |

## Satellite Awards

Originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards, the Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy to acknowledge the year's "outstanding artists, films, television shows, DVDs, and interactive media". Elfman has received one award from six nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 1999 | Sleepy Hollow | Best Original Score | Won |
| 2000 | Proof of Life | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2005 | Corpse Bride | Best Original Score | Nominated |
| 2008 | Milk | Best Original Score | Nominated |

## Saturn Awards

The Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. First presented in 1972, the Saturn Awards are voted on by members of the presenting Academy. Elfman has received 7 awards from 16 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1989 | Beetlejuice | Best Music | Nominated |
| 1991 | Edward Scissorhands | Best Music | Nominated |
| 1993 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Best Music | Won |
| 1995 | Dolores Claiborne | Best Music | Nominated |
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Best Music | Won |
| 1996 | The Frighteners | Best Music | Nominated |
| 1997 | Men in Black | Best Music | Won |
| 1999 | Sleepy Hollow | Best Music | Won |
| 2002 | Spider-Man | Best Music | Won |
| 2003 | Hulk | Best Music | Nominated |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Best Music | Nominated |
| 2005 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Best Music | Nominated |
| 2012 | Frankenweenie | Best Music | Won |
| 2013 | Oz the Great and Powerful | Best Music | Nominated |
| 2019 | Dumbo | Best Music | Nominated |
| 2022 | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Best Music | Won |

## Sierra Awards

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) is a non-profit organization composed of selected print, television and film critics in the Las Vegas area. The LVFCS presents its Sierra Awards each year for the best in film. Elfman has received one award from two nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 1998 | A Simple Plan | Best Score | Won | |
| 2000 | Sleepy Hollow | Best Score | Nominated | |

## World Soundtrack Awards

The World Soundtrack Academy, launched in 2001 by the Flanders International Film Festival to organize and oversee the educational, cultural, and professional aspects of the art of film music, including the preservation of the history of the soundtrack and its worldwide promotion. The World Soundtrack Awards are "distributed annually to mark and celebrate outstanding achievements in scoring music for motion pictures, and to honor other achievements". Elfman has been nominated twice.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2002 | Spider-Man | Best Original Soundtrack of the Year | Nominated |
| 2006 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Milk, Taking Woodstock, Notorious | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | Alice in Wonderland, The Wolfman | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | Epic, Frankenweenie, Hitchcock, Oz the Great and Powerful, Promised Land, Silver Linings Playbook | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Nominated |

## 20/20 Awards

| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2011 | Edward Scissorhands | Best Original Score | Won | |

## Other recognitions

* 1976 - Elfman, as leader of the band The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo won a trophy and $516.32 on "The Gong Show".
* 2000 – Elfman won Fantasporto's Special Career Award
* 2004 – Elfman was awarded the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
* 2007 – Elfman received an honorary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts; his commencement speech for the graduating class can be read here
* 2008 – Elfman won the Composer of the Year award at the Hollywood Film Festival
* 2015 – Elfman was inducted as a Disney Legend.
* 2017 – Elfman received the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award presented by Hollywood in Vienna.
* 2022 – Elfman received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers & Lyricists.