James Newton Howard

James Newton Howard (born June 9, 1951) is an American film composer, orchestrator and music producer. He has scored over 100 films and is the recipient of a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and nine nominations for Academy Awards.

His film scores include Pretty Woman (1990), The Prince of Tides (1991), The Fugitive (1993), Space Jam (1996), The Sixth Sense (1999), Dinosaur (2000), Unbreakable (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Signs (2002), Treasure Planet (2002), The Village (2004), King Kong (2005), Batman Begins (2005) and its sequel, The Dark Knight (2008) (both composed with Hans Zimmer), Blood Diamond (2006), Michael Clayton (2007), The Hunger Games series (2012–present), the Fantastic Beasts trilogy (2016–2022), and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). He has collaborated extensively with directors M. Night Shyamalan and Francis Lawrence, having scored eight of Shyamalan's films and eight of Lawrence's films since I Am Legend (2007). He has also worked with other directors such as Peter Jackson, Edward Zwick, Michael Hoffman, P. J. Hogan, Paul Greengrass, Andrew Davis, Lawrence Kasdan, Joe Roth, Martin Campbell, Joe Johnston, Tony Gilroy, Taylor Hackford, Ivan Reitman, Joel Schumacher, and David Yates; conductor Pete Anthony; and violinists Bruce Dukov, and Eun-Mee Ahn.

Early life and career Howard was born in Los Angeles to Samuel Howard (né Horowitz) and Joan Howard (née Royall). He is from a musical family; his grandmother was a violinist. His father was Jewish but he did not want his children to know he was, so he changed his last name from Horowitz to Howard.

Howard began studying music as a child, taking classical piano lessons at the age of four. He went on to attend the Thacher School in Ojai, California and the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California with Reginald Stewart and Leon Fleischer.

After Howard left college, he joined a short-lived rock band called Mama Lion. The band was led by Neil Merryweather (bass, backing vocals) and featured lead singer Lynn Carey, Coffi Hall on drums, and Rick Gaxiola on guitar. Mama Lion recorded two full-length albums. Members of Mama Lion also formed the band Heavy Cruiser with Merryweather now on lead vocals, recording two albums whose genre was closer to hard rock but also displayed psychedelic and progressive influences. He then worked for a couple of years as a session musician with artists including Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, and Harry Nilsson. In the early 70s, he described himself as being "dirt poor", until his big break in 1975 when his manager got him an audition with Elton John. He joined John's band and toured with them as keyboardist during the late 70s and early 80s. He was part of the band that played Central Park, New York, on September 13, 1980. Howard also arranged strings for several of John's songs during this period including the hits "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", along with "Tonight" (featuring the London Symphony Orchestra). He played additional keyboards and synthesizers on studio albums including Rock of the Westies (1975), Blue Moves (1976), 21 at 33 (1980), and The Fox (1981).

In 1982, Howard was featured on Toto IV as the strings conductor and orchestrator for "I Won't Hold You Back", "Afraid of Love", and "Lovers in the Night". In 1984 the Sheffield Lab direct-to-disc album James Newton Howard and Friends, was released, which featured Toto's David Paich (keyboards), Steve Porcaro (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums), and Joe Porcaro (percussion). Howard's track "L'daddy" was used as benchmark testing in International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) SPL testing.

In 1983, Howard was co-producer, musician (keyboards), and orchestrator of Riccardo Cocciante's album Sincerità. He also created five arrangements for the album "Aznavour '83" by Charles Aznavour, which was recorded in California.

In 1984, Howard composed his first piece of score for a film, receiving a co-writing credit with David Paich for the cue "Trip to Arrakis" in Toto's music for the David Lynch film Dune.

After briefly touring with Crosby, Stills, and Nash, he took an opportunity brought to him by his manager to write a score for a film. This career move would lead to his becoming a successful film music composer. During this early foray into film music, Howard returned for a brief collaboration with Elton John on his Tour De Force of Australia in the fall of 1986. He conducted both his own and Paul Buckmaster's arrangements during the second half of the set, which focused on orchestrated performances of selected songs from the Elton John catalog.

1990s–2000s Howard scored the romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990) and received his first Academy Award nomination for his score for Barbra Streisand's drama The Prince of Tides (1991). Setting the musical mood for numerous films throughout the decade, Howard's skills encompassed a plethora of genres, including four more best original score Oscar nominations, for the Harrison Ford action feature The Fugitive (1993), the Julia Roberts romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), M. Night Shyamalan's The Village (2004), and Michael Clayton (2007). In addition, Howard scored the Western epic Wyatt Earp (1994), Kevin Costner's Waterworld (1995), and Primal Fear (1996). His collaborations on songs for One Fine Day (1996) and Junior (1994) garnered Oscar nominations for Best Song. Along with scoring small-scaled, independent films such as Five Corners (1988), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), and American Heart (1993), Howard proved equally skilled at composing for big-budget Hollywood spectacles, including Space Jam (1996), Dante's Peak (1997) (theme only – score was composed by John Frizzell), Vertical Limit (2000), and Collateral (2004). He has also scored four Disney animated feature films: Dinosaur (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Treasure Planet (2002), and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). Although he concentrates primarily on films, Howard has also contributed music for TV, earning an Emmy nomination in 1995 for his theme to NBC's ratings smash ER (Howard also scored the two-hour pilot); he also provided the themes for The Sentinel and Gideon's Crossing, winning an Emmy for the latter.

He has scored many of Shyamalan's suspense thrillers, The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002), The Village (2004), Lady in the Water (2006), The Happening (2008), and The Last Airbender (2010), notably dropping the intense, yet subtle, opening credit music for The Sixth Sense from the corresponding soundtrack album. The resultant score earned Howard his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score. His work on Michael Clayton earned him an Oscar nomination. He followed in 2008 with his eighth Oscar nomination for Edward Zwick's Defiance.

After being replaced in later seasons, his original theme song for the hit TV show ER returned for the final episode of the series.

2010s In September 2010, he was appointed visiting professor of media composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

He composed the Legendary Entertainment fanfare from 2010 to 2017, and he also composed the 2011 FilmDistrict fanfare.

From 2012 to 2023, James Newton Howard scored the music for the critically acclaimed The Hunger Games franchise.

From 2014 to 2015, Howard saw major success with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 when he composed the score for the movie, which included "The Hanging Tree", featuring vocals from actress Jennifer Lawrence. The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting single from The Hunger Games movies and both Howard's and Lawrence's first chart single.

In 2014, Howard scored two Academy Award-nominated films, Nightcrawler and Maleficent.

Howard composed the score for the fantasy drama Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a spin-off/prequel of the Harry Potter film series, and for its sequels, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

In 2015, James Newton Howard was named the new artistic director of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

On March 23–24, 2019, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra gave the world premiere of Howard's Concerto for Cello & Orchestra with LACO principal cello Andrew Shulman as the soloist. The Los Angeles Times described the work as having "an elegiac tone, along with thematic material from the beginning and closing titles of Red Sparrow" the score of which Howard was working on while first composing the concerto.

Personal life When delving into his family history, 25 years after the death of his father, Howard learned that his father was Jewish (the family's original surname was Horowitz). Although raised Protestant, Howard later became a practicing Reconstructionist Jew after learning that his father was Jewish.

Howard was married to Rosanna Arquette in 1986; they are divorced. From 1990 to 1991, he was in a relationship with Barbra Streisand. He is married to Sophie Howard, with whom he has a son.

Awards In May 2008, he was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2009, he was awarded a Grammy alongside Hans Zimmer for the score soundtrack album to The Dark Knight.

In October 2015, he was honored with the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award during the annual Hollywood in Vienna concert.

Discography Albums Year Title Musician Notes 1974 Goodnight Vienna Ringo Starr Synthesizer for "Snookeroo" Rock 'n' Roll Survivors Fanny Synthesizer and clavinet James Newton Howard 1975 Playing Possum Carly Simon Electric piano and synthesizer for "Look Me in the Eyes" He Don't Like You, Like I Love You Tony Orlando and Dawn Keyboards Melissa Melissa Manchester Electric piano, clavinet, ARP synthesizer, organ, piano, celeste keyboards It's in Everyone of Us David Pomeranz Electric piano and synthesizer for "The Hit Song of All Time" and "If You Walked Away"Synthesizer for "Flying" and "Greyhound Mary" Rock of the Westies Elton John Clavinet, ARP synthesizer, Elka Synthex, harpsichord, Mellotron, electric piano 1976 ...That's the Way It Is Harry Nilsson Keyboards Blue Moves Elton John Conductor/arrangement for "Tonight", "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", and "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)"Co-writer for "One Horse Town" and "The Wide-Eyed and Laughing"Synthesizer, electric piano, organ, Mellotron The Faragher Brothers The Faragher Brothers ARP synthesizer for "Never Get Your Love Behind Me" Help Is on the Way Melissa Manchester String arrangement for "Be Somebody", "Help Is on the Way", "Dirty Work", and "There's More Where That Came From"Electric piano for "Be Somebody" The Movies The Movies Synthesizer on "Satellite Touchdown" Endless Flight Leo Sayer Synthesizer on "Reflections" and "When I Need You" Better Days & Happy Endings Melissa Manchester ARP synthesizer Beautiful Noise Neil Diamond ARP synthesizer on "If You Know What I Mean", "Home Is a Wounded Heart", and "Jungletime" Something New Barbi Benton Keyboards 1977 Kiki Dee Kiki Dee Piano for all tracks except "Standing Room Only" and "First Thing in the Morning, Last Thing at Night"Writer for "Sweet Creation"Arrangement for "Sweet Creation", "Night Hours", and "In Return"ARP synthesizer for "Sweet Creation" and "Standing Room Only"Mellotron for "Into Eternity"Organ for "Standing Room Only", "Keep Right On", and "In Return"Electric piano and strings for "Night Hours" 1978 Wild Child Valerie Carter Producer, various keyboards, co-writer (Taking the Long Way Home, Lady In The Dark) 1980 Black Rose Black Rose / Cher Producer of the album, co-writer of the song (and first single) "Never Should've Started". 1982 Toto IV Toto Orchestral arrangements and Conductor on "I Won't Hold You Back", "It's a Feeling", "Afraid of Love" and "Lovers in the Night". 1983 James Newton Howard and Friends James Newton HowardDavid Paich (keyboards)Steve Porcaro (keyboards)Jeff Porcaro (drums)Joe Porcaro (percussion) Recorded live, direct-to-disc In Your Eyes George Benson Co-producer, co-writer, keyboards, synthesizer and string arrangements on "Lady Love Me (One More Time) with David Paich Allies Crosby, Stills & Nash keyboards What A Feelin' Irene Cara Producer and keyboards on "You Were Made For Me" Stompin' at the Savoy Chaka Khan Additional keyboards and synthesizer on "Ain't Nobody" 1984 I Feel for You Chaka Khan Producer and co-writer with David "Hawk" Wolinski on "Hold Her", keyboards, synthesizer 20/20 George Benson Co-writer of "Please Don't Walk Away" with Steve Lukather, keyboards, synthesizer, string arrangements Emotion Barbra Streisand keyboards, string arrangements on "Clear Sailing" Solid Ashford & Simpson Producer, keyboards and drum programming on "Closest to Love" 1100 Bel Air Place Julio Iglesias keyboards Isolation Toto Orchestral arrangements on "How Does it Feel" and "Change of Heart". 1985 Eaten Alive Diana Ross keyboards Anywhere You Go David Pack Producer on "Prove Me Wrong", keyboards, synthesizer, string arrangements The Magazine Rickie Lee Jones Producer, keyboards, synthesizer, string arrangements Perspective America synthesizer on "(It's Like You) Never Left At All" with Randy Kerber Behind the Sun Eric Clapton Producer, synthesizer on "Something's Happening" 1986 East of Midnight Gordon Lightfoot keyboards, synthesizer, arrangements Abstract Emotions Randy Crawford Producer, keyboards, synthesizer on "Don't Wanna Be Normal" 1987 Flash In Japan Eikichi Yazawa Producer, keyboards, synthesizer Collaboration George Benson & Earl Klugh synthesizer on "Since You're Gone" 1988 The Seventh One Toto String arrangements on "Anna". The Rumour Olivia Newton-John Producer, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming on "The Rumour" Land of Dreams Randy Newman Producer, keyboards, synthesizer Soul Searchin' Glenn Frey Producer and co-writer of "Two Hearts" with David "Hawk" Wolinski 1989 Somebody Loves You Paul Anka Additional keyboards, synth horns on "A Steel Guitar and A Glass of Wine" Vonda Shepard Vonda Shepard Producer, keyboards, synthesizer, co-writer of "Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow" Larger than Life Jody Watley Co-writer of "Everything" with Gardner Cole Can't Escape the Rhythm Gregory Hines Producer and co-writer with Glen Ballard 1990 To Be Continued... Elton John keyboards, synthesizer and string arrangements on "Made for Me" Simple Mission Glass Tiger string arrangements on "Where Did Our Love Go" 1991 It's Your Life Gardner Cole Producer, keyboards, synthesizer The Fire Inside Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Synthesizer and strings on "The Real Love" 1992 Start the Car Jude Cole Producer, keyboards, synthesizer, Co-writer of "Tell the Truth" The Radical Light Vonda Shepard Synth string arrangements on "Clean Rain" 1993 American Matador Marc Bonilla Keyboards, acoustic piano, orchestration on American Matador track 1994 Look What Love Has Done Patty Smyth Producer, keyboards, synthesizer 1995 One Clear Voice Peter Cetera Co-writer and keyboards on "The Lucky Ones" A Spanner in the Works Rod Stewart Producer and keyboards on "Leave Virginia Alone" Feel The Healing Pamela Thum Co-writer and synth strings on "The Other Side" 1996 If We Fall in Love Tonight Rod Stewart Producer (both tracks) and keyboards on "Sometimes When We Touch", co-writer of "For the First Time" with Allan Rich and Jud Friedman 1997 The Other Side Wynonna Judd Co-writer of "Why Now" with David Pack and Cliff Downs The Heart of Chicago 1967–1997 Chicago Producer, keyboards, string arrangements and co-writer of "Here in My Heart" with Glen Ballard

Film 1980s Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes 1984 Dune David Lynch Dino De Laurentiis CorporationUniversal Pictures Film scoring debutComposed with David Paich – Howard co-wrote cue "Trip to Arrakis" 1985 Head Office Ken Finkleman HBO PicturesTriStar Pictures Composed with Alan Howarth 1986 Wildcats Michael Ritchie Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records with songs co-written by Howard and one score cuewith Hawk Wolinski 8 Million Ways to Die Hal Ashby Producers Sales OrganizationTriStar Pictures Tough Guys Jeff Kanew Touchstone PicturesSilver Screen Partners IIThe Bryna Company Nobody's Fool Evelyn Purcell Island Pictures 1987 Campus Man Ron Casden RKO PicturesParamount Pictures Five Corners Tony Bill HandMade FilmsCineplex Odeon Films Soundtrack released by Varèse SarabandeFirst score by Howard to have an album release Russkies Rick Rosenthal New Century Vista Film Company Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Promised Land Michael Hoffman Vestron Pictures Soundtrack released by Private Music 1988 Off Limits Christopher Crowe 20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Some Girls Michael Hoffman United ArtistsMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Everybody's All-American Taylor Hackford Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Capitol Records with one song co-written by Howard; no score included 1989 Tap Nick Castle TriStar Pictures Soundtrack released by Epic Records with one song co-written by Howard; no score included Major League David S. Ward Morgan Creek ProductionsParamount Pictures Soundtrack released by Curb Records with two songs co-written by Howard and two score cues The Package Andrew Davis Orion Pictures Soundtrack released by Prometheus Records

1990s Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes 1990 Coupe de Ville Joe Roth Morgan Creek ProductionsUniversal Pictures Pretty Woman Garry Marshall Touchstone PicturesSilver Screen Partners IV Cue "She Rescues Him Right Back" written by Thomas PasatieriSoundtrack released by EMI America; no score included Flatliners Joel Schumacher Columbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Intrada Records Marked for Death Dwight H. Little Steamroller Productions20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Delicious Vinyl with one score cue Three Men and a Little Lady Emile Ardolino Touchstone PicturesInterscope Communications Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records with 20 minutes of score 1991 King Ralph David S. Ward Universal Pictures Guilty by Suspicion Irwin Winkler Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande with 13 minutes of scoreEnd title song composed with Alan and Marilyn BergmanOne of the few James Newton Howard film scores to be conducted by the composer Dying Young Joel Schumacher 20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Arista Records with 28 minutes of score The Man in the Moon Robert Mulligan Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Soundtrack released by Reprise Records My Girl Howard Zieff Imagine EntertainmentColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Columbia Records with one score cut Grand Canyon Lawrence Kasdan 20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by MilanExpanded edition later released by La-La Land Records The Prince of Tides Barbra Streisand Columbia Pictures Replaced John BarrySoundtrack released by Columbia Records with 44 minutes of scoreIncludes song co-written by Howard and performed by Barbra Streisand not used in the film Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score 1992 Diggstown Michael Ritchie Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande; conducted by Howard Glengarry Glen Ross James Foley New Line CinemaLIVE Entertainment (US) Rank Organisation (International) Soundtrack released by Elektra with just over 16 minutes of score; conducted by Howard American Heart Martin Bell Triton Pictures Independent film Night and the City Irwin Winkler 20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records with two songs co-written by Howard and one score cue 1993 Alive Frank Marshall The Kennedy/Marshall CompanyTouchstone Pictures (US/Canada) Paramount Pictures (International) Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records; 2-CD expansion released by Intrada RecordsFalling Down Joel Schumacher Le Studio Canal+Regency EnterprisesWarner Bros. Replaced Graeme RevellSoundtrack released by Intrada Records Dave Ivan Reitman Northern Lights EntertainmentWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Big Screen Records – cover erroneously credits Howard as the conductor (score actually conducted by Marty Paich); expanded edition later released by La-La Land The Fugitive Andrew Davis Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Elektra; complete score later released by La-La Land Records Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score The Saint of Fort Washington Tim Hunter Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande 1994 Intersection Mark Rydell Paramount Pictures Soundtrack released by Milan Records; complete score later released by Quartet Records Wyatt Earp Lawrence Kasdan Tig ProductionsKasdan PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records; complete score later released by La-La Land Records Junior Ivan Reitman Northern Lights EntertainmentUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Song (for "Look What Love Has Done") Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song (for "Look What Love Has Done") 1995 Just Cause Arne Glimcher Warner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Outbreak Wolfgang Petersen Warner Bros. Soundtrack and subsequent 2-CD expansion released by Varèse Sarabande French Kiss Lawrence Kasdan PolyGram Filmed EntertainmentWorking Title Films20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Mercury Records with one score cue Waterworld Kevin Reynolds Gordon CompanyDavis EntertainmentLicht/Mueller Film CorporationUniversal Pictures Replaced Mark Isham (who did only demos; his music box melody remains in the movie)Soundtrack released by MCA; complete score later released by La-La Land Records Restoration Michael Hoffman Miramax Films Soundtrack released by Milan Records with 44 minutes of score 1996 Eye for an Eye John Schlesinger Paramount Pictures Soundtrack released by La-La Land Records The Juror Brian Gibson Columbia Pictures Replaced John Barry Primal Fear Gregory Hoblit Rysher EntertainmentParamount Pictures Soundtrack released by Milan Records with minutes of score; complete score later released by La-La Land Records The Trigger Effect David Koepp Amblin EntertainmentGramercy Pictures (US/Canada) Universal Pictures (International) The Rich Man's Wife Amy Holden Jones Hollywood PicturesCaravan PicturesRoger Birnbaum Productions Theme only; score by John Frizzell Space Jam Joe Pytka Northern Lights EntertainmentCourtside Seats ProductionsWarner Bros. Feature AnimationWarner Bros. Family Entertainment Separate score and song albums released by Atlantic RecordsSong album includes one track co-written by Howard One Fine Day Michael Hoffman Lynda Obst Productions20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Columbia Records with a song co-written by Howard and one score suite Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Song (for "For the First Time") Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song (for "For the First Time") Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television (for "For the First Time") 1997 Dante's Peak Roger Donaldson Pacific Western ProductionsUniversal Pictures Theme and some cues; majority of score by John FrizzellSoundtrack and subsequent 2-CD expansion released by Varèse Sarabande Liar Liar Tom Shadyac Imagine EntertainmentUniversal Pictures Theme only; score by John DebneySoundtrack released by MCA Fathers' Day Ivan Reitman Silver PicturesNorthern Lights EntertainmentWarner Bros. My Best Friend's Wedding P.J. Hogan Zucker Brothers ProductionsTriStar Pictures Soundtrack released by Sony/Work with one score suiteFor Your Consideration promo with just over 24 minutes issued Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score The Devil's Advocate Taylor Hackford Regency EnterprisesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by TVT with just over 39 minutes of score The Postman Kevin Costner Tig ProductionsWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records with just under 50 minutes of score 1998 A Perfect Murder Andrew Davis Kopelson EntertainmentWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande 1999 Runaway Bride Garry Marshall Lakeshore EntertainmentInterscope CommunicationsParamount Pictures (US/Canada) Touchstone Pictures (International) Soundtrack released by Sony; no score Stir of Echoes David Koepp Artisan Entertainment (US/Canada) 20th Century Fox (International) Soundtrack released by Nettwerk with minutes of score The Sixth Sense M. Night Shyamalan The Kennedy/Marshall CompanyBarry Mendel ProductionsHollywood PicturesSpyglass Entertainment Replaced a yet unknown composerSoundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Mumford Lawrence Kasdan Touchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records with just under 25 minutes of score Snow Falling on Cedars Scott Hicks The Kennedy/Marshall CompanyUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Decca Records Nominated: Satellite Award for Best Original Score Wayward Son Randall Harris Avenue Pictures (International; The movie had no distributor in the United States) Composed with Steve Porcaro

2000s Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes 2000 Dinosaur Ralph ZondagEric Leighton The Secret LabWalt Disney Feature AnimationWalt Disney Pictures First score for an animated film. Soundtrack released by Walt Disney Records2-CD expansion released by Intrada Records Nominated: Annie Award Nominee for Individual Achievement for Music Score Saturn Award for Best Music Unbreakable M. Night Shyamalan Barry Mendel ProductionsBlinding Edge PicturesTouchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records Vertical Limit Martin Campbell Columbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Gary TrousdaleKirk Wise Walt Disney Feature AnimationWalt Disney Pictures Soundtrack released by Walt Disney Records73-minute FYC promo issued Nominated: Annie Award Nominee for Individual Achievement for Music Score World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written for a Film America's Sweethearts Joe Roth Revolution StudiosColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Atlantic Records with one score suite 2002 Big Trouble Barry Sonnenfeld Touchstone Pictures Signs M. Night Shyamalan The Kennedy/Marshall CompanyBlinding Edge PicturesTouchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood RecordsUnconditional Love P.J. Hogan New Line Cinema The Emperor's Club Michael Hoffman Beacon CommunicationsFine Line FeaturesSidney Kimmel EntertainmentUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse SarabandeTreasure Planet John MuskerRon Clements Walt Disney Feature AnimationWalt Disney Pictures Replaced Alan SilvestriSoundtrack released by Walt Disney Records with about minutes of score 2003 Dreamcatcher Lawrence Kasdan Castle Rock EntertainmentVillage Roadshow PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack and subsequent 2-CD expansion released by Varèse Sarabande Peter Pan P.J. Hogan Revolution StudiosRed Wagon ProductionsAllied Stars LtdUniversal Pictures (US/Canada/Australia/UK) Columbia Pictures (International) "Flying" later used in commercials for Disneyland Paris 15th Anniversary's AnthemSoundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande2-CD expansion released by Intrada Records 2004 Hidalgo Joe Johnston Casey Silver ProductionsTouchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records The Village M. Night Shyamalan Blinding Edge PicturesTouchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score Collateral Michael Mann DreamWorks Pictures (US/Canada) Paramount Pictures (International) Soundtrack released by Hip-O Records with three Howard cuesComposed with Tom Rothrock and Antonio Pinto Complete score issued by Intrada Records 2005 The Interpreter Sydney Pollack Working Title FilmsMirage EnterprisesUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Batman Begins Christopher Nolan DC ComicsSyncopy Inc.Legendary PicturesWarner Bros. Composed with Hans ZimmerSoundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Music World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Soundtrack of the Year Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D Mark Cowen PlaytoneIMAX Theme only; score by Blake Neely King Kong Peter Jackson WingNut FilmsUniversal Pictures Replaced Howard ShoreSoundtrack released by Decca Records Nominated: Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Soundtrack of the Year World Soundtrack Award for Soundtrack Composer of the Year 2006 Freedomland Joe Roth Revolution StudiosColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse SarabandeComposed with Mel Wesson RV Barry Sonnenfeld Relativity MediaRed Wagon EntertainmentIntermedia FilmsColumbia Pictures Composed with Stuart Michael Thomas and Blake Neely Lady in the Water M. Night Shyamalan Legendary PicturesBlinding Edge PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Decca Records Blood Diamond Edward Zwick Bedford Falls ProductionsVirtual StudiosInitial Entertainment GroupWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande with minutes of score Nominated: Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media 2007 The Lookout Scott Frank Spyglass EntertainmentMiramax Films Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records as an iTunes exclusiveComposed with Clay Duncan and Stuart Michael Thomas Nominated: Satellite Award for Best Original Score Michael Clayton Tony Gilroy Section Eight ProductionsMirage EnterprisesCastle Rock EntertainmentWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Won: World Soundtrack Award for Soundtrack Composer of the Year Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score I Am Legend Francis Lawrence Weed Road PicturesOverbrook EntertainmentHeyday FilmsOriginal FilmVillage Roadshow PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Won: World Soundtrack Award for Soundtrack Composer of the Year The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep Jay Russell Revolution StudiosWalden MediaBeacon CommunicationsColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Sony Classical with 46 minutes of scoreiTunes release includes 12 more minutes of score Charlie Wilson's War Mike Nichols Relativity MediaParticipant ProductionsPlaytoneUniversal Pictures Replaced Ry CooderSoundtrack released by Varèse SarabandeOne track co-written by Gingger Shankar Won: World Soundtrack Award for Soundtrack Composer of the Year The Great Debaters Denzel Washington Harpo ProductionsThe Weinstein Company Soundtrack released by Varèse SarabandeComposed with Peter Golub 2008 Mad Money Callie Khouri Millennium FilmsOverture Films Composed with Marty Davich The Happening M. Night Shyamalan Spyglass EntertainmentBlinding Edge PicturesUTV Motion PicturesDune Entertainment20th Century Fox Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande The Dark Knight Christopher Nolan DC ComicsSyncopy Inc.Legendary PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records in one-disc and two-disc editionsComposed with Hans Zimmer Won: Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Saturn Award for Best Music Nominated: Anthony Asquith Award for Best Film Music Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi Shadow Distribution (US theatrical) Oscilloscope Pictures (US home video) Soundtrack released by Nonesuch with one score trackComposed with Marty Davich Defiance Edward Zwick Bedford Falls ProductionsParamount Vantage Soundtrack released by Sony Classical Records Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score 2009 Confessions of a Shopaholic P.J. Hogan Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsTouchstone Pictures Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records with one score suite Duplicity Tony Gilroy Relativity MediaUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Wings Over the Rockies Tod Williams Holding Pictures Short film. Music from the film Blood Diamond It's Complicated Nancy Meyers Relativity MediaWaverly FilmsDentsuUniversal Pictures Some additional music with Hans Zimmer

2010s Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes 2010 Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Susanna White Relativity MediaWorking Title FilmsStudioCanalUniversal Pictures Took over from Thomas Newman (who left and did not do a score)Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Salt Phillip Noyce Di Bonaventura PicturesRainmaker Digital EffectsColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Madison Gate Records Nominated: Nominated: Satellite Award for Best Original Score The Green Hornet Michel Gondry Original FilmColumbia Pictures Replaced Danny Elfman due to a scheduling conflict Gnomeo & Juliet Kelly Asbury Touchstone PicturesMiramax Films (uncredited) Rocket PicturesArc Productions Soundtrack released by Hollywood Records and Walt Disney RecordsComposed with Chris P. Bacon Green Lantern Martin Campbell DC EntertainmentDe Line PicturesWarner Bros. Soundtrack released by WaterTower Music 2012 Darling Companion Lawrence Kasdan Sony Pictures Classics (USA) Sierra/Affinity (International) The Hunger Games Gary Ross Color ForceLionsgate Replaced Danny Elfman due to a scheduling conflictScore album released by Universal Republic Snow White and the Huntsman Rupert Sanders Roth FilmsUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Universal Republic The Bourne Legacy Tony Gilroy Relativity MediaThe Kennedy/Marshall CompanyCaptivate EntertainmentUniversal Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande/Back Lot Music Nominated: World Soundtrack Award for Film Composer of the Year Original Bourne themes by John Powell 2013 After Earth M. Night Shyamalan Overbrook EntertainmentBlinding Edge PicturesRelativity MediaColumbia Pictures Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande Nominated: Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Music Hedwig's Theme by John Williams 2017 Detroit Kathryn Bigelow Annapurna PicturesFirst Light ProductionsPage 1 "Rescue" and "Alone" are two cues from the soundtrack of Detroit with various artistsAdditional music by Karen Han Roman J. Israel, Esq. Dan Gilroy Macro MediaCross Creek PicturesColumbia PicturesScore album released by Sony Classical Records 2018 Red Sparrow Francis Lawrence 20th Century Fox The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Lasse HallströmJoe Johnston Walt Disney Pictures Score conducted by Gustavo Dudamel Score album released by Walt Disney Records Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald David Yates Warner Bros. Score album released by WaterTower Music Hedwig's Theme by John Williams 2019 A Hidden Life Terrence Malick Fox Searchlight Pictures Score album released by Sony Classical Records

2020s Year Title Director Studio(s) Notes 2020 News of the World Paul Greengrass Universal Pictures Score album released by Back Lot Music, a division of Universal Studios Music LLLP Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Score Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score Anthony Asquith Award for Best Film Music 2021 Raya and the Last Dragon Don HallCarlos López Estrada Walt Disney Animation StudiosWalt Disney Pictures Jungle Cruise Jaume Collet-Serra Walt Disney Pictures 2022 Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore David Yates Warner Bros. Hedwig's Theme by John Williams 2023 Pain Hustlers Netflix Composed with Michael Dean Parsons The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Francis Lawrence Lionsgate Score album released by Sony Classical Records 2025 The Lost Bus Paul Greengrass Blumhouse ProductionsApple TV+ 2026 Marty, Life is Short Lawrence Kasdan Netflix Documentary filmComposed with Xander Rodzinski The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Francis Lawrence Lionsgate Behemoth! Tony Gilroy Searchlight Pictures 2027 Remain M. Night Shyamalan Warner Bros. PicturesBlinding Edge Pictures

Television Year Title Studio(s) Notes 1988 Go Toward the Light RHI Entertainment Television film 1989 Men ABC TV series pilot and theme Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music 1990 The Image Home Box Office Television film Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu Strangler MCA Television Entertainment Television film Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture Home Box OfficeMCA Television Entertainment Television film Descending Angel Home Box Office Television film 1992 A Private Matter Mirage EnterprisesHome Box Office Television film 2000 Malibu Road Spelling Television TV series theme 1994 ER Amblin TelevisionWarner Bros. Television TV series theme and pilot scoreSoundtrack released by Atlantic Records with Howard's theme in TV and complete versions Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music 1996 The Sentinel Paramount Network Television TV series theme only; scores by Steve Porcaro and John M. KeaneSoundtrack released by Sonic Images with Howard's theme in main and end title versions 1998 From the Earth to the Moon Home Box Office Score for part 6: "Mare Tranquilitatis"Soundtrack released by Epic Soundtrax with period pop songs and Michael Kamen's opening and closing theme music; no episode scores 2000 Gideon's Crossing Heel and Toe FilmsTouchstone Television TV series theme Won: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music 2016 All the Way Amblin EntertainmentHBO Films Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score) 2017 A Series of Unfortunate Events NetflixParamount TelevisionWhat is the Question?Sonnenfeld Productions, Inc. TV seriesScored 5 episodes Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) (for "A Bad Beginning") 2020 Emily in Paris NetflixMTV Entertainment StudiosJax MediaDarren Star ProductionsTV series theme2022 Light & Magic Disney+LucasfilmImagine DocumentariesKasdan PicturesDocumentary miniseries Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score) (for "Gang of Outsiders ") Willow Disney+LucasfilmImagine TelevisionMGM Television Composed with Xander RodzinskiOriginal "Willow" Themes by James Horner 2023 All the Light We Cannot See Netflix21 Laps EntertainmentTV mini-series Scored all 4 episodes Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) (for "Episode 4")

Other work Year Title Notes2003 Cheyenne Enterprises ID Logo theme 2006 Sony Pictures Animation ID Logo theme 2010 Legendary Pictures ID Logo theme 2011 FilmDistrict ID Logo theme