Who composed the musical score for Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman?

Danny Elfman composed the musical score for Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman.

Elfman’s score helped establish the film’s dark, dramatic atmosphere and introduced its memorable main theme. The soundtrack was recorded for Burton’s adaptation of the DC Comics character, which starred Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson as the Joker.

Batman was Elfman’s first major film score for a large Hollywood production. His collaboration with Burton continued in several later films, including Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The film’s soundtrack is sometimes confused with Prince’s companion album, Batman, which featured songs inspired by the movie. Prince’s album was separate from Elfman’s orchestral film score, although both were associated with the 1989 release. Elfman’s work received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.