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John Murphy

John Murphy

Composer · Born March 4, 1965 (61) · Liverpool, England, UK

John Murphy (born 4 March 1965) is a British film composer. He is a self-taught multi-instrumental musician who began his career in the 1980s, working with The Lotus Eaters, Thomas Lang, and Claudia Brücken. He has collaborated with directors Danny Boyle, Guy Ritchie, Michael Mann, Matthew Vaughn, Stephen Frears, and James Gunn. Murphy gained recognition in the film industry while working with Guy Ritchie on his film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Michael Mann's Miami Vice, Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass, and scoring various films by Danny Boyle. His instrumental tracks "In the House—In a Heartbeat" from 28 Days Later and "Adagio in D Minor" from Sunshine have been featured in a variety of TV shows, commercials, and film trailers. Born in Liverpool, England, Murphy began composing music for films in the early 1990s and scored his first hit with Leon the Pig Farmer. Together with former OMD member David Hughes, he worked on several successful British movies, enjoying particular success with the soundtrack to 1998's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Since 2000's Snatch, Murphy has worked independently and has been based in Los Angeles. His successes include Danny Boyle's box-office success 28 Days Later and its sequel 28 Weeks Later. He also collaborated with Underworld to score Danny Boyle's science fiction film Sunshine. In 2006, Murphy composed the score for Michael Mann's Miami Vice. In 2009, he composed the music for the 2009 remake of the 1972 film The Last House on the Left, followed by 2010's Kick-Ass, based on the comic book of the same name. Other excerpts from his scores have been released for advertising, in particular "In the House—In a Heartbeat" from 28 Days Later and "Adagio in D minor" from Sunshine. In 2014, he released an album titled Anonymous Rejected Filmscore that had been, as the title suggests, composed for a film whose studio head had rejected for being too 'weird.' Murphy promised the director that he wouldn't name the film. The score was allowed to develop in directions unconstrained by the original film's narrative, and the cover art is a photograph of Murphy's son, taken by his wife through her sunglasses. In 2019 he scored "Les Miserables" for the BBC, and in 2020, he composed the score for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Murphy (composer), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 4, 1965 (61)
From
Liverpool, England, UK
Works as
Composer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 50 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 18% in 30 days

What are John Murphy's films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror 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
Bonds
34%
Morality
18%
Self
17%
Survival
12%
Power
12%
Society
7%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 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 16 · Serious 9 · Dark 11

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 8

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 12 · Charged 11 · Intense 13

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

A split, not a type: Steady 14 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 9

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 12 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 15

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 11

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

Casual 15 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 21 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 9

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

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Absurd
17
Dread
8
Warm
8
Thrilling
8
Other
34

How their films linger

Fun18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical1

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 John Murphy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Murphy'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

50 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Superman(2025)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3(2023)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special(2022)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Suicide Squad(2021)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Les Misérables(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • City of the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Theme Song Performance

  • Eighty-Six (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Composer

  • Kick-Ass(2010)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Armored(2009)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Janky Promoters(2009)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Last House on the Left(2009)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Secret Access: Air Force One(2008)

    Sound Recordist

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • 28 Weeks Later(2007)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Sunshine(2007)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Miami Vice(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Basic Instinct 2(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Man(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Millions(2004)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Guess Who(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Score(2004)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Intermission(2003)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Friday After Next(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • 28 Days Later(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • City by the Sea(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Mama Africa(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • New Best Friend(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • All About the Benjamins(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Mean Machine(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Shooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Composer

  • Strumpet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Composer

  • Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Chain of Fools(2000)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Liam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Composer

  • Snatch(2000)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Bachelor(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • One More Kiss(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Tube Tales(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels(1998)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Real Howard Spitz(1998)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • What Rats Won't Do(1998)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Black Velvet Band (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Composer

  • The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · Composer

  • Stiff Upper Lips(1997)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Darklands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Composer

  • Giving Tongue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Composer

  • Proteus(1995)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Clockwork Mice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Composer

  • Welcome II the Terrordome(1994)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • A Feast at Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Composer

  • Leon the Pig Farmer(1992)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 47 titles from 1994 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

$846M worldwide

Highest rated

Snatch (2000)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Music45 of 47: 45 only music, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score51stOther crew2 of 47: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1990s13 · crew2000s26 · crew2010s4 · 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.

How do John Murphy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · composer

Mama Africa (2002)

82nd percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · composer

Snatch (2000)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the sound and music 64/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 45. 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 John Murphy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 23 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles57–95 · median 77 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity23 titles14–69 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity18 titles45–96 · median 81 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs14 titles24–72 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense16 titles24–91 · median 66 · intenseheavier 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 John Murphy work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Murphy's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; David A. Hughes shares the most, 12.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles