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John Debney

John Debney

Known For Sound
Birthday Aug 18, 1956 (69)
Birthplace Glendale, California, USA
Popularity 0.4 (history)
Updated Apr 13, 2026
Entry Date Apr 25, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

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, including comedy, horror, science fiction, thriller, fantasy, and action-adventure. He is a long-time collaborator of The ... Walt Disney Company, having written music for their films, television series, and theme parks. He has also collaborated with film directors such as Jon Favreau, Garry Marshall, Tom Shadyac, Peter Hyams, John A. Davis, Brad Anderson, Howard Deutch, Mark Dindal, Robert Rodriguez, and Paul Tibbitt. Debney has been the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards and an Academy Award nomination for his score for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004). The son of Disney Studios producer Louis Debney (Zorro, The Mickey Mouse Club), John was born and raised in Glendale, California, nearby to Disney. He began guitar lessons at age six and played in rock bands in college. Debney earned his B.A. degree in Music Composition from the California Institute of Arts in 1979. After ending his career with Disney, Debney worked for Mike Post. Debney furthered his hands-on training by working with Hanna-Barbera composer Hoyt Curtin. After this, Debney went on to score television projects as diverse as 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 and 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 gone on to have a career composing scores for many films, including 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, and Predators. Debney has also composed scores for the video games Lair and The Sims Medieval. 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 Colour Celebrate! in Disney's California Adventure, The Magic, The Memories And You! and Celebrate the Magic in Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland in Tokyo Disneyland, as well as an arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star" as a fanfare for the Walt Disney Pictures logo from 1985 to 2006. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Debney, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Headshots

Profile
Profile
Filmography

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2

2026

Original Music Composer

You, Me & Tuscany

You, Me & Tuscany

2026

Original Music Composer

In Your Dreams

In Your Dreams

2025

Conductor, Original Music Composer

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

2025

Original Music Composer

Space Cadet

Space Cadet

2024

Original Music Composer

The Garfield Movie

The Garfield Movie

2024

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

2024

Original Music Composer

Bad Luck Spot!

Bad Luck Spot!

2023

Music

Hypnotic

Hypnotic

2023

Additional Music

Spy Kids: Armageddon

Spy Kids: Armageddon

2023

Original Music Composer

80 for Brady

80 for Brady

2023

Original Music Composer

Under the Boardwalk

Under the Boardwalk

2023

Original Music Composer

Hocus Pocus 2

Hocus Pocus 2

2022

Original Music Composer

Luck

Luck

2022

Original Music Composer

Marry Me

Marry Me

2022

Original Music Composer

Home Sweet Home Alone

Home Sweet Home Alone

2021

Original Music Composer

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford the Big Red Dog

2021

Original Music Composer

American Underdog

American Underdog

2021

Original Music Composer

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

2020

Original Music Composer

Come Away

Come Away

2020

Original Music Composer

Asteroid Hunters

Asteroid Hunters

2020

Original Music Composer

I Still Believe

I Still Believe

2020

Original Music Composer

Brian Banks

Brian Banks

2019

Original Music Composer

Sextuplets

Sextuplets

2019

Original Music Composer

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

2019

Original Music Composer

Isn't It Romantic

Isn't It Romantic

2019

Original Music Composer

The Beach Bum

The Beach Bum

2019

Original Music Composer

Beirut

Beirut

2018

Original Music Composer

Chiefs

Chiefs

2018

Original Music Composer

The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman

2017

Original Music Composer

Home Again

Home Again

2017

Original Music Composer

Flint

Flint

2017

Original Music Composer

Ice Age: Collision Course

Ice Age: Collision Course

2016

Original Music Composer

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book

2016

Original Music Composer

The Young Messiah

The Young Messiah

2016

Original Music Composer

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

2016

Original Music Composer

Scrat: Spaced Out

Scrat: Spaced Out

2016

Original Music Composer

Growing Up Wild

Growing Up Wild

2016

Original Music Composer

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

2015

Original Music Composer

Broken Horses

Broken Horses

2015

Original Music Composer

The Cobbler

The Cobbler

2014

Original Music Composer

Walk of Shame

Walk of Shame

2014

Original Music Composer

Stonehearst Asylum

Stonehearst Asylum

2014

Original Music Composer

Draft Day

Draft Day

2014

Original Music Composer

The Call

The Call

2013

Original Music Composer

Jobs

Jobs

2013

Original Music Composer

The Three Stooges

The Three Stooges

2012

Original Music Composer

A Thousand Words

A Thousand Words

2012

Original Music Composer

Alex Cross

Alex Cross

2012

Original Music Composer

The Double

The Double

2011

Original Music Composer

The Change-Up

The Change-Up

2011

Original Music Composer

No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached

2011

Original Music Composer

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

2011

Original Music Composer

Dream House

Dream House

2011

Original Music Composer

Predators

Predators

2010

Original Music Composer

Yogi Bear

Yogi Bear

2010

Original Music Composer

Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2

2010

Original Music Composer

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

2010

Original Music Composer

Aliens in the Attic

Aliens in the Attic

2009

Original Music Composer

Old Dogs

Old Dogs

2009

Original Music Composer

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Hannah Montana: The Movie

2009

Original Music Composer

Hotel for Dogs

Hotel for Dogs

2009

Original Music Composer

The Stoning of Soraya M.

The Stoning of Soraya M.

2009

Original Music Composer

Swing Vote

Swing Vote

2008

Original Music Composer

My Best Friend's Girl

My Best Friend's Girl

2008

Original Music Composer

The Seed

The Seed

2008

Music

Meet Dave

Meet Dave

2008

Original Music Composer

Evan Almighty

Evan Almighty

2007

Original Music Composer

Georgia Rule

Georgia Rule

2007

Original Music Composer

Barnyard

Barnyard

2006

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Everyone's Hero

Everyone's Hero

2006

Original Music Composer

The Ant Bully

The Ant Bully

2006

Original Music Composer

Idlewild

Idlewild

2006

Original Music Composer

Keeping Up with the Steins

Keeping Up with the Steins

2006

Original Music Composer

Sin City

Sin City

2005

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Zathura: A Space Adventure

Zathura: A Space Adventure

2005

Conductor, Original Music Composer

The Pacifier

The Pacifier

2005

Original Music Composer

Chicken Little

Chicken Little

2005

Original Music Composer

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

2005

Original Music Composer

Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Cheaper by the Dozen 2

2005

Original Music Composer

Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story

Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story

2005

Original Music Composer

Duma

Duma

2005

Original Music Composer

The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ

2004

Original Music Composer

The Whole Ten Yards

The Whole Ten Yards

2004

Original Music Composer

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

2004

Original Music Composer

Christmas with the Kranks

Christmas with the Kranks

2004

Original Music Composer

Welcome to Mooseport

Welcome to Mooseport

2004

Original Music Composer

Raising Helen

Raising Helen

2004

Original Music Composer

Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty

2003

Original Music Composer

Malibu's Most Wanted

Malibu's Most Wanted

2003

Original Music Composer

Elf

Elf

2003

Original Music Composer

The Hot Chick

The Hot Chick

2002

Original Music Composer

The Scorpion King

The Scorpion King

2002

Original Music Composer

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

2002

Original Music Composer

The Tuxedo

The Tuxedo

2002

Original Music Composer

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams

2002

Original Music Composer

Snow Dogs

Snow Dogs

2002

Original Music Composer

Swimfan

Swimfan

2002

Original Music Composer

The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries

2001

Original Music Composer

Spy Kids

Spy Kids

2001

Original Music Composer

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers

2001

Original Music Composer

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

2001

Original Music Composer

See Spot Run

See Spot Run

2001

Original Music Composer

Cats & Dogs

Cats & Dogs

2001

Original Music Composer

The Replacements

The Replacements

2000

Original Music Composer

The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove

2000

Original Music Composer

Relative Values

Relative Values

2000

Original Music Composer

Running Mates

Running Mates

2000

Music

Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales

Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales

1999

Original Music Composer

Dick

Dick

1999

Original Music Composer

My Favorite Martian

My Favorite Martian

1999

Original Music Composer

End of Days

End of Days

1999

Original Music Composer

Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget

1999

Original Music Composer

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland

1999

Original Music Composer

Komodo

Komodo

1999

Original Music Composer

G-Saviour

G-Saviour

1999

Original Music Composer

Lost & Found

Lost & Found

1999

Original Music Composer

Paulie

Paulie

1998

Original Music Composer

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll Be Home for Christmas

1998

Original Music Composer

I Know What You Did Last Summer

I Know What You Did Last Summer

1997

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Justice League of America

Justice League of America

1997

Original Music Composer

Liar Liar

Liar Liar

1997

Conductor, Original Music Composer

The Relic

The Relic

1997

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Getting Away with Murder

Getting Away with Murder

1996

Original Music Composer

Doctor Who

Doctor Who

1996

Theme Song Performance, Original Music Composer

Carpool

Carpool

1996

Original Music Composer

Chameleon

Chameleon

1996

Music

Sudden Death

Sudden Death

1995

Conductor, Original Music Composer

Runaway Brain

Runaway Brain

1995

Music

Cutthroat Island

Cutthroat Island

1995

Original Music Composer

Houseguest

Houseguest

1995

Original Music Composer

Kansas

Kansas

1995

Music

In Pursuit of Honor

In Pursuit of Honor

1995

Original Music Composer

Little Giants

Little Giants

1994

Original Music Composer

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

1994

Original Music Composer

Gunmen

Gunmen

1993

Original Music Composer

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis

1993

Music

For Love and Glory

For Love and Glory

1993

Music

Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus

1993

Original Music Composer

The Flintstones: Hollyrock a Bye Baby

The Flintstones: Hollyrock a Bye Baby

1993

Original Music Composer

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree

1993

Original Music Composer

The Town Santa Forgot

The Town Santa Forgot

1993

Original Music Composer

Class of '61

Class of '61

1993

Music

I Yabba-Dabba Do!

I Yabba-Dabba Do!

1993

Original Music Composer

Jonny's Golden Quest

Jonny's Golden Quest

1993

Original Music Composer

Sunstroke

Sunstroke

1992

Music

Still Not Quite Human

Still Not Quite Human

1992

Original Music Composer

Into the Badlands

Into the Badlands

1991

Original Music Composer

Jetsons: The Movie

Jetsons: The Movie

1990

Original Music Composer

The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck

The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck

1988

Original Music Composer

Yogi's Great Escape

Yogi's Great Escape

1987

Songs

DTV: Monster Hits

DTV: Monster Hits

1987

Additional Music

Donald Duck's 50th Birthday

Donald Duck's 50th Birthday

1984

Original Music Composer

Fitness and Me: Why Exercise?

Fitness and Me: Why Exercise?

1984

Original Music Composer

Backstage at Disney

Backstage at Disney

1983

Music

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

No data available

No data available

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 6 10 4
2024 7 13 25 5
2024 8 6 15 3
2024 9 5 14 1
2024 10 2 4 1
2024 11 2 5 1
2024 12 3 5 1
2025 1 7 22 2
2025 2 2 5 1
2025 3 2 5 1
2025 5 2 2 1
2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 2 10 0
2025 9 0 0 0
2025 10 0 1 0
2025 11 0 0 0
2025 12 0 0 0
2026 1 0 0 0
2026 2 0 0 0
2026 3 0 1 0

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 6 1049 1049
2024 7 642 642

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