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David Arnold

David Arnold

Composer, also actor and producer · Born January 23, 1962 (64) · Luton, England, UK

Primetime Emmy winner · BAFTA Award nominee · 1 other major award body

David Arnold (born 23 January 1962) is a British film composer whose credits include scoring five James Bond films, as well as Stargate (1994), Independence Day (1996), Godzilla (1998) and the television series Little Britain and Sherlock. For Independence Day he received a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television and for Sherlock he, and co-composer Michael Price, won a Creative Arts Emmy for the score of "His Last Vow", the final episode in the third series. Arnold scored the BBC / Amazon Prime series Good Omens (2019) adapted by Neil Gaiman from his book Good Omens, written with Terry Pratchett. Arnold is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Arnold, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 23, 1962 (64)
From
Luton, England, UK
Works as
Composer, also actor and producer
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 62 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

What are David Arnold's films like?

Across their 35 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Bonds
19%
Self
17%
Power
10%
Ideas
8%
Survival
8%
Society
7%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge4 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 14 · Serious 11 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 13 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 10

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 12 · Intense 16

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 12

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 29 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Thrilling
18
Absurd
9
Joyful
7
Warm
6
Other
32

How their films linger

Fun17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Arnold's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Arnold's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

62 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Fackham Hall(2025)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Victory to the Mimers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Executive Producer

  • Douglas Is Cancelled(2024)

    Show Composer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall(2022)

    Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Confess, Fletch(2022)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Dracula(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Good Omens(2019)

    Show 13 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Composer

  • The Inbetweeners 2(2014)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Gangsta Granny(2013)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Big School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · Composer

  • Mr. Stink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Composer

  • The Matt Lucas Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Paul(2011)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader(2010)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Morning Glory(2010)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Made in Dagenham(2010)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Sherlock(2010)

    Show 12 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Hochzeitsreise zu Viert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Sound Re-Recording Mixer

  • Crooked House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · Composer

  • Quantum of Solace(2008)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Changeling(2008)

    Supervising Dialogue Editor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People(2008)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Little Britain USA(2008)

    Show 6 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Red Baron(2008)

    ADR Recording Engineer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Agent Crush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Composer

  • Casino Royale: Death in Venice - The Sinking Palazzo(2008)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Grindhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Other

  • The Counterfeiters(2007)

    ADR Recordist

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hot Fuzz(2007)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • James Bond: For Real(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Casino Royale(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Little Britain Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Composer

  • Catch and Release(2006)

    Dialogue Editor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Grace(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Stoned(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Four Brothers(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Stepford Wives(2004)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Bloodlines: The Dracula Family Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Composer

  • 2 Fast 2 Furious(2003)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Die Another Day(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Enough(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Changing Lanes(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Zoolander(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Musketeer(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Baby Boy(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Shaft(2000)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The World Is Not Enough: James Bond Down River(2000)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The World Is Not Enough(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Wing Commander(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Enemy of the State(1998)

    Sound Editor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Return to Paradise(1998)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Godzilla(1998)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Tomorrow Never Dies(1997)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • A Life Less Ordinary(1997)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Wild America(1997)

    Music Producer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Independence Day(1996)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Last of the Dogmen(1995)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Stargate(1994)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Young Americans(1993)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Strangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Composer

Career shape

A full career of 60 titles from 1990 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Independence Day (1996)

$817M worldwide

Highest rated

Casino Royale (2006)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Independence Day (1996)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting2 of 60: 2 only acting, 0 with another roleProducing2 of 60: 2 only producing, 0 with another roleMusic49 of 60: 49 only music, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thOther crew7 of 60: 7 only other crew, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score89th

By decade

1990s14 · 1 acting · 13 crew2000s29 · crew2010s13 · 1 acting · 12 crew2020s4 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy and 1 other major award from 9 major nominations, 1997–2019.

WinNomination
  1. 2019
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
  2. 2014
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score)
  3. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score)
  4. 2011
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score)
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Original Television Music
  5. 2008
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
  6. 2007
    • BAFTA Award, nominated
  7. 1997
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do David Arnold's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 44; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

95thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · composer

Wing Commander (1999)

62nd percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · composer

Sherlock (2010)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the sound and music 60/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 67, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as a composer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Arnold's work okay for kids?

Across up to 28 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore22 titles35–88 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity28 titles20–57 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity26 titles30–89 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs22 titles29–56 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense24 titles24–69 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Arnold work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Arnold's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael G. Wilson shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles