Danny Elfman Boards Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends

Composer Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice, The Grinch, Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas) has joined the creative team of Kartoon Studios’ Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends to compose the original theme song.

“The stories of Winnie-the-Pooh hold a timeless innocence and quiet magic that I deeply admire,” Elfman said. “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.”

Elfman joins a creative team that includes executive producer Linda Woolverton (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland) and creative director John Rivoli (Harry Potter, Batman, The Lord of the Rings).

Kartoon Studios will launch Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends with a package of 208 7-minute episodes and a package of holiday specials. The first special is set to premiere in December 2026, with an early sneak peek arriving Christmas Eve 2025.

“Working with Danny Elfman again, after our collaboration on Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, is a privilege,” Woolverton commented. “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.”

“Danny’s music has always defined moments of magic, mystery and wonder,” added Rivoli. “Bringing his artistry into Winnie and Friends gives our creative team a voice that perfectly balances nostalgia with something new.”

“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,” said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of Kartoon Studios. “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 approximately $80 billion in retail sales. The launch of our first special in December 2026 will mark the beginning of what we expect will be a global franchise that will endure for decades and create long-term shareholder value.”