The composer of Batman and Batman Returns is one of the most inventive musicians currently working in Hollywood. Elfman revealed his love and knowledge of film music when he tipped his hat to Nino Rota in his wonderful debut score for Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985). The project marked the beginning of a lengthy and productive artistic association with director/producer Tim Burton. Their collaboration reached new heights on Beetlejuice (1988) and Batman (1989) (his score album won a grammy and became one of the best selling soundtracks of all time).

Elfman has worked steadily throughout his career, choosing his projects for their uniqueness and quality. His other credits inlude Martin Brest's Midnight Run (1988, for which he wrote a blues-based, contemporary score), Richard Elfman's Forbidden Zone (1980), Emilio Estevez's Wisdom (1986), Richard Donner's Scrooged (1988), Clive Barker's Nightbreed (1990), Sam Raimi's Darkman (1990), Warren Beaty's Dick Tracy (1990), Burton's haunting fable Edward Scissorhands (1990), Howard Deutch's Article 99 (1992), the Civil War romance Sommersby (1993), and Caroline Thompson's film version of Black Beauty (1994).

A diversified talent, Elfman also has composed music for television. His accomplishments include two episodes of Amazing Stories, an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and the main themes for The Simpsons and Tales From the Crypt. The most impressive example of his wide range of gifts was his work on Tim Burton's Disney stop-motion animation feature The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). In addition to serving as an associate producer, Elfman contributed an original score, ten songs, and the lead singing voice for Jack "The Pumpking King" Skellington.

In recent years Elfman's art has become more complex in orchestration and concept. Examples of this development are scores for Taylor Hackford's Dolores Claiborne (1995), Gus Van Sant's To Die For (1995), The Hughes Brothers' Dead Presidents (1995), Brian De Palma's Mission Impossible (1996), Mars Attacks! (1996) and Michael Apted's Extreme Measures (1996).