Danny Elfman to Write Theme Song for New Series Starring This Iconic Children’s Character

Though he’s better known for scoring such spooky fare as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice or the theme song for The Simpsons, Danny Elfman is turning his sights to a cuddly stuffed bear for his next project: The Oscar-nominated composer has been tapped to write the theme song to Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends.

The ambitious Kartoon Studios project will launch with 208 seven-minute episodes and five holiday specials through Kartoon’s Toon Media Networks division, airing across linear television, AVOD, SVOD, FAST channels and streaming platforms. Though the series won’t debut until December 2026, a sneak peek will air on Dec. 24 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the original publication of the A.A. Milne classic about the befuddled, honey-loving bear and his friends Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit and Owl in the Hundred Acre Wood.

“The stories of Winnie-the-Pooh hold a timeless innocence and quiet magic that I deeply admire,” said Elfman in a statement. “My goal with the theme is to honor A.A. Milne’s enduring spirit, while giving Kartoon Studios’ new interpretation a melody that will feel instantly familiar yet fresh for today’s audiences.”

It’s unclear if Elfman will reference Richard Sherman’s iconic theme song written for Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh movies, though the composer did add, “Richard Sherman’s original Winnie-the-Pooh theme is a true classic. It set the tone for generations and captured something really special. I’m honored to be creating new music for this very special world.”

According to Andy Heyward, chairman/CEO of Kartoon Studios, portions of Elfman’s theme will be incorporated into the underscore of the episodes. “It is not just the main title; there are sub mixes and melodies that come from the main title that are permeated throughout the show,” he says. “His creativity is all over the show, and he will be a prominent part of it.”

The project reunites Elfman with the series’ executive producer, Linda Woolverton, with whom he worked on Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.  “Danny’s music brings imagination and emotional depth like no one else and to have him join us in reimagining Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation is a gift,” she said. John Rivoli, who has worked on consumer product programs for such franchises as Harry Potter, Batman, The Lord of the Rings and SpongeBob SquarePants, is the project’s creative director. 

“Danny Elfman is one of the most iconic composers in film history, and we are honored to have him bring his genius to ‘Winnie and Friends,” continued Heyward in a statement. “Having Danny’s artistry, Linda’s brilliance, and John’s creative vision is an extraordinary moment for our studio. Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the most beloved and commercially successful properties in the world, having generated over $80 billion in retail sales. The launch of our first special in December 2026, aligned with the brand’s 100th anniversary, will mark the beginning of a global franchise that can endure for decades while creating long-term shareholder value.”

Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain in 2022, allowing broad use of the characters from Milne’s original 1926 novel.