John Debney

John Cardon Debney (born August 18, 1956) is an American composer and conductor of film, television, and video game scores. His work encompasses a variety of mediums and genres like comedy, horror, science fiction, thriller, fantasy, and action-adventure. He is a long-time collaborator of Disney and has written music for their films, television series, and theme parks. He has frequently collaborated with film directors including Brian Robbins, Jon Favreau, Garry Marshall, Tom Shadyac, Peter Hyams, Mark Dindal, and Brad Anderson.

Debney has been the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for his score for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Early life and education John Debney, the son of Disney Studios producer Louis Debney (Zorro, The Mickey Mouse Club), was born in Glendale, California, near Disney's headquarters. He grew up in the city, began guitar lessons at six, and played in rock bands in college. He earned a B.A. degree in music composition from the California Institute of Arts in Santa Clarita in 1979.

Career After ending his career with Disney, John Debney worked for Mike Post. Debney furthered his hands-on training working with Hanna-Barbera composer Hoyt Curtin. Then Debney scored television projects including Disneyland, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, SeaQuest DSV, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, The Cape, The Lazarus Man, Piggsburg Pigs!, The Further Adventures of SuperTed, Doctor Who, Cagney & Lacey, Tiny Toon Adventures, The Young Riders, The New Yogi Bear Show, Police Academy: The Animated Series, Fame, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, Dragon's Lair, Freshman Dorm, Pop Quiz, and Dink, the Little Dinosaur, for which he won an Emmy for Best Main Title.

In the early 1990s, Debney began to score indie films and Disneyland attractions. In 1991, Debney composed the music for Phantom Manor and It's a Small World (also used at Disneyland from 1993 to 2002) in Disneyland Paris and SpectroMagic at Magic Kingdom. In 1993, he scored his first studio feature, the Disney comedy Hocus Pocus starring Bette Midler. In 1994, Debney wrote Friends Forever with Greg Scelsa from Greg & Steve's album We All Live Together, Vol. 5.

Debney has since composed scores for Cats & Dogs, The Passion of the Christ, Bruce Almighty, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Elf, Sin City, Chicken Little, Liar Liar, Spy Kids, The Scorpion King, The Princess Diaries, Predators, and other films.

He has also composed scores for Lair and The Sims Medieval, both video games. In 2010, he composed the theme music for the Nickelodeon television series Supah Ninjas. He composed some of Disney Parks's Nighttime Spectaculars including World Of Color Celebrate! in Disney California Adventure, The Magic, The Memories And You!, Celebrate the Magic in Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, and Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland in Tokyo Disneyland in addition to an arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star" as a fanfare (the music played when the Walt Disney Pictures logo was shown) from 1985 to 2006.

Filmography Film 1980s Year Title Director(s) Studio(s) Notes 1987 The Wild PairBeau BridgesTrans World Entertainment Composed with Michel Colombier 1988 The Further Adventures of Tennessee BuckDavid Keith Seven Hours to JudgmentBeau Bridges Not Since Casanova Brett Thompson The Brett Thompson CompanyWest Productions 1989 Trenchcoat in ParadiseMartha Coolidge Finnegan/Pinchuk ProductionsMGM Television

1990s

2000s Year Title Director(s) Studio(s) Notes 2000 Michael Jordan to the Max James D. SternDon Kempf Giant Screen Films Documentary film Relative Values Eric Styles Alliance Atlantis CommunicationsStarz Encore Entertainment The Replacements Howard Deutch Warner Bros. PicturesBel Air Entertainment The Emperor's New GrooveMark Dindal Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Feature Animation Nominated- Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production 2001 See Spot RunJohn Whitesell Warner Bros. PicturesVillage Roadshow PicturesNPV EntertainmentRobert Simonds Productions HeartbreakersDavid Mirkin Metro-Goldwyn-MayerDavis EntertainmentWinchester Films Themes by Danny Elfman Spy Kids Robert Rodriguez Dimension FilmsTroublemaker Studios Composed with Danny Elfman, Heitor Pereira, Robert Rodriguez, Los Lobos, Gavin Greenaway, and Harry Gregson-WilliamsCats & DogsLawrence Guterman Warner Bros. PicturesCat Fight PicturesVillage Roadshow PicturesNPV EntertainmentMad ChanceZide/Perry Productions The Princess DiariesGarry Marshall Walt Disney PicturesBrownHouse Productions Jimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusJohn A. Davis Paramount PicturesNickelodeon MoviesO EntertainmentDNA Productions 2002 Snow DogsBrian Levant Walt Disney PicturesThe Kerner Entertainment Company DragonflyTom Shadyac Universal Pictures (North America)Spyglass Entertainment(International; through Buena Vista International) The Scorpion KingChuck Russell Universal PicturesWWE EntertainmentAlphaville FilmsMisher Films Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost DreamsRobert Rodriguez Dimension FilmsTroublemaker Studios Composed with Robert Rodriguez SwimfanJohn Polson 20th Century FoxGreeneStreet FilmsCobalt Media GroupFurthur Films Composed with Louis Febre The Tuxedo Kevin Donovan DreamWorks PicturesBlue Train ProductionsParkes/MacDonald Productions Composed with Christophe Beck The Hot ChickTom Brady Touchstone PicturesHappy Madison Productions 2003 Most Bobby Garabedian Short film Malibu's Most WantedJohn Whitesell Warner Bros. PicturesKarz Entertainment Composed with John Van Tongeren Bruce AlmightyTom Shadyac Universal Pictures (United States)Buena Vista International (international)Spyglass EntertainmentShady Acres EntertainmentPit Bull Productions ElfJon Favreau New Line CinemaGuy Walks Into a Bar Productions Looney Tunes: Back in ActionJoe Dante Warner Bros. PicturesWarner Bros. Feature AnimationBaltimore Spring Creek ProductionsGoldmann Pictures Additional music (score for final reel of the film)Main score composed by Jerry Goldsmith 2004 Welcome to MooseportDonald Petrie 20th Century FoxIntermedia Films The Passion of the ChristMel Gibson Icon ProductionsNewmarket Films Nominated-Academy Award for Best Original ScoreNominated-IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Drama Film The Whole Ten YardsHoward Deutch Warner Bros. PicturesFranchise PicturesCheyenne EnterprisesMHF Zweite Academy Film Raising HelenGarry Marshall Touchstone PicturesBeacon PicturesHyde Park EntertainmentMandeville Films Spider-Man 2Sam Raimi Columbia PicturesMarvel EnterprisesLaura Ziskin Productions Additional musicScore composed by Danny Elfman The Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementGarry Marshall Walt Disney PicturesShondaLandMartin Chase Productions Christmas with the KranksJoe Roth Columbia PicturesRevolution Studios1492 Pictures 2005 The PacifierAdam Shankman Walt Disney PicturesSpyglass Entertainment Sin CityRobert Rodriguez Miramax FilmsDimension FilmsTroublemaker Studios Composed with Robert Rodriguez & Graeme RevellThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D Miramax FilmsDimension FilmsColumbia PicturesTroublemaker Studios DumaCarroll Ballard Warner Bros. PicturesGaylord FilmsJohn Wells Productions Composed with George Acogny Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo Mike Bigelow Columbia PicturesHappy Madison ProductionsOut of the Blue... Entertainment Theme music onlyScore composed by James L. Venable DreamerJohn Gatins DreamWorks PicturesTollin/Robbins ProductionsHyde Park Entertainment VenomJim Gillespie Miramax FilmsDimension FilmsOuterbanks EntertainmentCollision Entertainment Theme music onlyScore composed by James L. Venable Chicken LittleMark Dindal Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Feature Animation Zathura: A Space AdventureJon Favreau Columbia PicturesRadar PicturesTeitler FilmMichael De Luca Productions Cheaper by the Dozen 2Adam Shankman 20th Century Fox21 Laps Entertainment 2006 Keeping Up with the SteinsScott Marshall Miramax Films The Ant Bully John A. Davis Warner Bros. PicturesLegendary PicturesPlaytoneDNA Productions Nominated- Annie Award for Music in a Feature ProductionNominated-IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Film BarnyardSteve Oedekerk Paramount PicturesNickelodeon MoviesO Entertainment IdlewildBryan Barber Universal PicturesAtlas EntertainmentForensic FilmsHBO FilmsMosaic Media Group Everyone's HeroColin BradyDan St. PierreChristopher Reeve 20th Century FoxIDT Entertainment 2007 Spider-Man 3Sam Raimi Columbia PicturesMarvel EntertainmentLaura Ziskin Productions Additional musicScore composed by Christopher Young Georgia RuleGarry Marshall Universal PicturesMorgan Creek Productions Evan AlmightyTom Shadyac Universal PicturesSpyglass EntertainmentRelativity MediaShady Acres EntertainmentOriginal Film Nominated- IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Comedy FilmBig StanRob Schneider Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentCrystal Sky PicturesSilver NitrateFrom Out of Nowhere Productions Theme music onlyScore composed by John Hunter 2008 Meet DaveBrian Robbins 20th Century FoxDune EntertainmentRegency EnterprisesGuy Walks Into a Bar ProductionsFriendly Films The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon EmperorRob Cohen Universal PicturesRelativity MediaThe Sommers CompanyAlphaville Films Additional musicScore composed by Randy Edelman Swing Vote Joshua Michael Stern Touchstone PicturesTreehouse Films1821 PicturesRadar Pictures The Stoning of Soraya M.Cyrus Nowrasteh Roadside AttractionsMpower Pictures My Best Friend's GirlHoward Deutch Lionsgate FilmsTerra Firma FilmsManagement 360Superfinger Entertainment 2009 Hotel for DogsThor Freudenthal Paramount PicturesDreamWorks PicturesNickelodeon MoviesCold Spring PicturesThe Donners' CompanyThe Montecito Picture Company Hannah Montana: The MoviePeter Chelsom Walt Disney PicturesIt's a Laugh ProductionsMillar/Gough Ink Aliens in the AtticJohn Schultz 20th Century FoxRegency EnterprisesJosephson EntertainmentDune Entertainment Old DogsWalt Becker Walt Disney PicturesTapestry Films

2010s Year Title Director(s) Studio(s) Notes 2010 Valentine's Day Garry Marshall Warner Bros. PicturesNew Line CinemaWayne Rice FilmsKarz Entertainment Snowmen Robert Kirbyson Arc EntertainmentHeritage FilmsMpower Pictures Iron Man 2 Jon Favreau Paramount PicturesMarvel Studios Predators Nimród Antal 20th Century FoxTroublemaker StudiosDavis EntertainmentDune EntertainmentIngenious Media Themes by Alan Silvestri Yogi Bear Eric Brevig Warner Bros. PicturesDe Line PicturesSunswept Entertainment Replaced Andrew Lockington 2011 No Strings Attached Ivan Reitman Paramount PicturesDreamWorks PicturesSpyglass EntertainmentCold Spring PicturesThe Montecito Picture CompanyKatalyst FilmsHandsomecharlie Films The Change-Up David Dobkin Universal PicturesOriginal FilmRelativity MediaBig Kid Pictures Composed with Theodore Shapiro Dream House Jim Sheridan Universal Pictures (North America)Warner Bros. Pictures(International)Morgan Creek Productions The Double Michael Brandt Image EntertainmentHyde Park EntertainmentImagenation Abu Dhabi New Year's Eve Garry Marshall Warner Bros. PicturesNew Line CinemaWayne Rice FilmsKarz Entertainment 2012 A Thousand Words Brian Robbins Paramount PicturesDreamWorks PicturesSaturn FilmsVarsity PicturesWork After Midnight Films The Three Stooges Farrelly brothers 20th Century FoxC3 EntertainmentCharles B. Wessler EntertainmentDune EntertainmentConundrum Entertainment Alex Cross Rob Cohen Lionsgate FilmsQED InternationalBlock/HansonEmmett/Furla FilmsEnvision Entertainment CorporationIAC ProductionsJames Patterson EntertainmentSummit Entertainment 2013 The Call Brad Anderson TriStar PicturesStage 6 FilmsTroika PicturesWWE StudiosAmasia EntertainmentApotheosis Media Group Jobs Joshua Michael Stern Open Road FilmsFive Star Feature FilmsIF EntertainmentVenture ForthSilver ReelEndgame Entertainment 2014 Draft Day Ivan Reitman Lionsgate FilmsSummit EntertainmentOddLot EntertainmentThe Montecito Picture Company Walk of Shame Steven Brill Focus WorldSidney Kimmel EntertainmentBrownstone ProductionsLakeshore Entertainment The Road Within Gren Wells Well Go USA Entertainment Theme music onlyScore composed by The Newton Brothers & Josh Debney The Cobbler Tom McCarthy Image EntertainmentGolden SpikeNext WednesdayVoltage Pictures Stonehearst Asylum Brad Anderson Millennium FilmsIcon ProductionsSobini Films 2015 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water Mike Thurmeier 20th Century Fox20th Century Fox AnimationBlue Sky Studios Replaced John Powell League of Gods Koan HuiVernie Yeung China Star Entertainment GroupBona Film Group 2017 Home Again Hallie Meyers-Shyer Open Road FilmsBlack Bicycle EntertainmentWaverly Films The Greatest ShowmanMichael Gracey 20th Century FoxLaurence Mark ProductionsChernin Entertainment Composed with Joseph TrapaneseNominated-Saturn Award for Best Music 2018 BeirutBrad Anderson Bleecker StreetRadar PicturesShivHans Pictures Brian BanksTom Shadyac Bleecker StreetShivHans PicturesGidden Media 2019 Isn't It RomanticTodd Strauss-Schulson Warner Bros. Pictures (United States, Canada and Argentina)Netflix (International)New Line CinemaBron CreativeCamp SugarLittle EngineBroken Road Productions The Beach BumHarmony Korine NeonIconoclastAnonymous ContentLe Grisbi ProductionsSPK PicturesVice FilmsRiverstone PicturesRocket Science Dora and the Lost City of GoldJames Bobin Paramount PicturesParamount PlayersNickelodeon MoviesWalden MediaMRCBurr! Productions Composed with Germaine Franco SextupletsMichael Tiddes NetflixUgly Baby ProductionsWayans Alvarez Productions Lake of DeathNini Bull Robsahm Gussi Films (Mexico)SF Studios (Norway)Canopy Film

2020s Year Title Director(s) Studio(s) Notes 2020 Come Away Brenda Chapman Signature Entertainment (United Kingdom)Relativity Media (United States)Endurance MediaFred FilmsYoruba Saxon Productions I Still Believe Erwin Brothers LionsgateKingdom Story CompanyKevin Downes Productions Erwin Brothers Entertainment Asteroid Hunters W.D. Hogan Imax Filmed Entertainment (Worldwide)Shaw Organisation (Singapore)Day's End Pictures Documentary film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey David E. Talbert NetflixGolden GirlBrillstein Entertainment PartnersBurr ProductionsGet Lifted Film Company260 Degrees Entertainment Nominated-Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Score 2021 Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker Paramount Pictures (Worldwide)Entertainment One (Canada and United Kingdom)New Republic PicturesThe Kerner CompanyScholastic Entertainment Home Sweet Home Alone Dan Mazer Disney+20th Century StudiosHutch Parker Entertainment Original Home Alone themes by John Williams American Underdog Erwin Brothers Lionsgate FilmsKingdom Story CompanyErwin Brothers EntertainmentCity on a Hill Productions 2022 Marry Me Kat Coiro Universal PicturesNuyorican ProductionsPerfect World PicturesKung Fu Monkey Productions Luck Peggy Holmes Apple TV+Apple StudiosSkydance Animation Nominated-Best Original Score in an Animated Film Hocus Pocus 2 Anne Fletcher Disney+Walt Disney PicturesDavid Kirschner ProductionsWeimaraner Republic Pictures 2023 80 for Brady Kyle Marvin Paramount Pictures199 ProductionsFifth SeasonWatch This Ready Spy Kids: ArmageddonRobert Rodriguez NetflixSkydance MediaSpyglass Media GroupDouble R Productions Composed with Rebel Rodriguez and Robert Rodriguez Under the Boardwalk David Soren Paramount PicturesParamount AnimationBig Kid Pictures Composed with Jonathan Sadoff 2024 The Garfield Movie Mark Dindal Columbia PicturesAlcon EntertainmentDNEG AnimationOne Cool Group LimitedWayfarer StudiosStage 6 FilmsAndrews McMeel Entertainment Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 Kevin Costner Warner Bros. PicturesNew Line CinemaTerritory Pictures Space Cadet Liz W. Garcia Amazon MGM StudiosStampede Ventures Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 Kevin Costner Warner Bros. PicturesNew Line CinemaTerritory Pictures 2025 In Your Dreams Alex Woo NetflixNetflix Animation StudiosSony Pictures ImageworksKuku Studios The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Derek Drymon Paramount PicturesParamount AnimationNickelodeon Movies 2026 You, Me & Tuscany Kat Coiro Universal PicturesWill Packer Productions The Man with the Bag Adam Shankman Amazon MGM StudiosMetro-Goldwyn-MayerGrey Matter Productions Post-production

Television

Video games

Awards and nominations