Best albums Lists Guides Random artist
Batman Returns – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack cover

Batman Returns – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Danny Elfman · 1992

69 min · 21 tracks · new wave · ska

A darkly whimsical orchestral score that marries gothic melodies with dynamic rhythms, perfectly encapsulating Gotham's eerie atmosphere.

Spotify Apple Music YouTube Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Why this album works

The soundtrack for 'Batman Returns' received widespread acclaim, contributing to the film's dark aesthetic and enhancing its narrative depth. It earned Elfman a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Score and has since influenced countless other film scores in the superhero genre, underscoring the importance of music in cinematic storytelling.
Career context
By the time 'Batman Returns' was released in 1992, Danny Elfman had already established himself as a prominent film composer with his groundbreaking score for the first 'Batman' film in 1989. This follow-up solidified his collaboration with director Tim Burton and showcased Elfman's ability to blend haunting themes with grandiose orchestration, further defining his signature style.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Birth of a Penguin, Part 1 2:27
  • 2 Birth of a Penguin, Part 2 3:09
  • 3 The Lair, Part 1 0:57
  • 4 The Lair, Part 2 4:49
  • 5 Selina Transforms, Part 1 1:11
  • 6 Selina Transforms, Part 2 4:16
  • 7 The Cemetery 2:54
  • 8 Cat Suite 5:41
  • 9 Batman vs. The Circus 2:34
  • 10 The Rise and Fall From Grace, Part 1 1:41
  • 11 The Rise and Fall From Grace, Part 2 4:08
  • 12 Sore Spots 2:15
  • 13 Rooftops / Wild Ride, Part 1 Standout 4:19
  • 14 Rooftops / Wild Ride, Part 2 3:34
  • 15 The Children’s Hour 1:47
  • 16 The Final Confrontation, Part 1 Standout 5:12
  • 17 The Final Confrontation, Part 2 4:54
  • 18 The Finale, Part 1 2:40
  • 19 The Finale, Part 2 2:19
  • 20 End Credits 4:44
  • 21 Face to Face Standout 4:17

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata

What to play next

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Listen next

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

1993
Dick Tracy – Original Score
Go back to

Dick Tracy – Original Score

1990
Full Danny Elfman discography Artists like Danny Elfman
new wave ska