Elvis Costello In Film: The Full List You Want To Know
- 01. Elvis Costello in Film: The Complete List of Movies and Appearances
- 02. Complete Filmography: Elvis Costello Acting Credits
- 03. Songs Featured in Major Motion Pictures
- 04. Key Acting Roles Explained
- 05. Documentary Appearances and Music Films
- 06. Music Compilation: In Motion Pictures
- 07. Why Costello's Film Work Matters
Elvis Costello in Film: The Complete List of Movies and Appearances
Elvis Costello has appeared in 12 feature films as either an actor, self, or musical performer, with his debut coming in the 1979 comedy Americathon where he played The Earl of Manchester. His most recognizable on-screen role came in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), where he performed "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" alongside Burt Bacharach, and he also played dual roles as a public defender and teacher in Prison Song (2001).
Complete Filmography: Elvis Costello Acting Credits
The following table presents every verified film appearance where Elvis Costello appeared on-screen, organized chronologically with exact release dates and specific roles.
| Year | Film Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Americathon | The Earl of Manchester | Actor |
| 1985 | No Surrender | Rosco de Ville | Actor |
| 1987 | Straight to Hell | Hives (butler) | Actor |
| 1998 | I Want You | Musical Performer | Music |
| 1999 | 200 Cigarettes | Self | Cameo |
| 1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Self (performer) | Cameo |
| 2001 | Prison Song | Public Defender/Teacher | Actor |
| 2003 | I Love Your Work | Self | Cameo |
| 2003 | Mayor of the Sunset Strip | Self | Documentary |
| 2004 | De-Lovely | Musical Performer | Music |
| 2010 | Love Shines | Actor | Documentary |
| 2016 | The Beatles: Eight Days a Week | Self | Documentary |
| 2017 | Ex Libris: The New York Public Library | Actor | Documentary |
| 2025 | Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music | Self | Documentary |
| 2026 | McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass | Self | Documentary |
Songs Featured in Major Motion Pictures
Costello's musical catalog appears in over 47 films, with 15 songs specifically curated for his compilation album In Motion Pictures released on November 18, 2012. His collaboration with Burt Bacharach on "God Give Me Strength" became central to Grace of My Heart (1996), while "She" achieved mainstream success after featuring in Notting Hill (1999).
- Accidents Will Happen - Featured in E.T.: The Extraterrestrial (1982)
- Miracle Man - Featured in The Godfather, Part III (1990) during Michael Corelone's daughter seduction scene
- She - Featured in Notting Hill (1999), reaching #22 on UK Singles Chart
- My Mood Swings - Featured in The Big Lebowski (1998), playing on The Dude's headphones
- God Give Me Strength - Featured in Grace of My Heart (1996), written specifically for the film
- I Want You - Featured in I Want You (1998), titlular track
- Lover's Walk - Featured in The Shape of Things (2003)
"It's the 1960's, not to give away the plot, but in some sort of magical way we end up in the 1960's doing a song." - Elvis Costello on his Austin Powers scene
Key Acting Roles Explained
Elvis Costello's first acting role occurred in John Ritter's barely-seen 1979 comedy Americathon, where he portrayed The Earl of Manchester in a supporting capacity. This obscure debut was followed by Alan Bleasdale's British sitcom Scully and the film No Surrender, where Costello played inept magician Rosco de Ville in 1985.
The most memorable 1980s appearance came in Alex Cox's cult Western parody Straight to Hell (1987), where Costello played Hives, a pump-action shotgun-toting butler who dies dramatically in a hail of bullets Cagney-style. This film featured an ensemble of cult musicians including Joe Strummer, Courtney Love, and members of The Pogues.
In 2001, Costello took on dual substantial roles in Darnell Martin's hip-hop opera Prison Song, appearing as both a school teacher and public defender while also contributing "Oh Well," co-written with Q-Tip. This marked his most significant acting workload in a single feature film.
Documentary Appearances and Music Films
Costello has appeared in seven documentary films documenting music history, including Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003) about GPS/Morrissey, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016), and Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017) directed by Frederick Wiseman.
The 2010 documentary Love Shines chronicles Costello's album Secret, Profane & Sugarcane and his collaboration with producer T-Bone Burnett, providing intimate behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process in Memphis. This film represents his most extensive on-camera presence outside of musical performance.
- Americathon (1979) - First acting role as The Earl of Manchester
- No Surrender (1985) - Played magician Rosco de Ville
- Straight to Hell (1987) - Cult western with ensemble musician cast
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) - Mainstream cameo with Bacharach
- Prison Song (2001) - Dual roles as teacher and public defender
- Love Shines (2010) - Documentary about album creation
- Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017) - Wiseman documentary
Music Compilation: In Motion Pictures
Released on November 18, 2012, the compilation In Motion Pictures features 15 songs hand-picked by Costello with "reluctant and defiant blessing" from the artist himself, originally brokered by music supervisor Moon Conway. The album represents Costello's most comprehensive collection of film music, spanning from 1979's Americathon to 2012.
The compilation includes breakthrough moments like "Accidents Will Happen" in E.T., which Costello initially resisted licensing but later acknowledged as genius placement. The album reached #89 on the UK Albums Chart and received critical acclaim for its cinematic curation spanning 33 years of film history.
Why Costello's Film Work Matters
Elvis Costello's unique position in cinema stems from his dual identity as both performer and composer, bridging punk rock authenticity with sophisticated songwriting that appeals to mainstream Hollywood. His work with Burt Bacharach produced some of the most memorable film songs of the 1990s, while his cameo appearances leveraged his distinctive look-glasses, hat, and lean frame-for instant recognition.
Music supervisors have consistently valued Costello's catalog for its emotional versatility, from the brooding intensity of "I Want You" to the tender romance of "She." This adaptability explains why his music appears across genres spanning romantic comedies, gangster films, and science fiction classics.
What are the most common questions about Elvis Costello In Film The Full List You Want To Know?
What movies has Elvis Costello appeared in as an actor?
Elvis Costello appeared as an actor in Americathon (1979), No Surrender (1985), Straight to Hell (1987), and Prison Song (2001), with Prison Song featuring his most substantial dual roles as a public defender and teacher.
Did Elvis Costello sing in Austin Powers?
Yes, Elvis Costello performed "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" with Burt Bacharach in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), lip-syncing and miming the 1960s-style romantic number after Mike Myers broke the fourth wall to introduce them.
What Elvis Costello song is in The Big Lebowski?
"My Mood Swings" from Costello's Painted From Memory collaboration with Burt Bacharach plays on The Dude's headphones during his dental examination scene in The Big Lebowski (1998), though it's nearly inaudible.
Which Elvis Costello song was in Notting Hill?
"She," originally written for the 1980 film Heartbreak Express, became widely known after featuring prominently in Notting Hill (1999), where it helped the song reach #22 on the UK Singles Chart.
Did Elvis Costello write music for Grace of My Heart?
Yes, Elvis Costello collaborated with Burt Bacharach to write "God Give Me Strength" specifically for Grace of My Heart (1996), and the song became central to the film's emotional narrative.
How many songs has Elvis Costello had in movies?
Elvis Costello has 15 officially curated songs on his In Motion Pictures compilation, but his music appears in over 47 films total, including major blockbusters like E.T., The Godfather Part III, and Notting Hill.
When was Elvis Costello's In Motion Pictures released?
In Motion Pictures was released on November 18, 2012, featuring 15 songs spanning from 1979 to 2012, compiled with Costello's blessing by music supervisor Moon Conway.
What Elvis Costello song was in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
"Accidents Will Happen" from Costello's 1978 album Almost Blue was featured in Steven Spielberg's E.T.: The Extraterrestrial (1982), marking one of the earliest major film placements of his career.