There are a handful of directors with such a unique personal style that you can see their films a mile off. One of the most easily recognisable directors is Tim Burton, whose stories have been delighting us in a somewhat dark and macabre way for over 30 years.
I think it’s fair to say that Burton’s work has somewhat slipped over the last few years, with the rather underwhelming Dumbo and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, however given his body of work I’m sure we can forgive him the odd flop.
So without further ado, here are my ten favourite Tim Burton films.
Honorary Mention: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is arguably one of Tim Burton’s most iconic films but despite writing the story and creating the character’s he didn’t actually direct the movie, instead it was directed by Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach, Coraline).
10. Frankenweenie (2012)
Oscar Nominee: Best Animated Picture
In this Frankenstein/Pet Semetary-esque movie, Victor and his dog Sparky are best friends and do everything together. But when Sparky is hit by a car, Victor uses science to bring his beloved pet back to life. When Victor’s school friends discover what he has done, they attempt to recreate his experiment and a whole host of long lost pets are brought back to life, wreaking havoc on the town.
“When you lose someone you love, they never really leave you. They just move to a special place in your heart.”
9. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Oscar Winner: Best Costume Design
Unhappy with her betrothal to an English nobleman, Alice takes some time alone to gather her thoughts but gets distracted by a certain white rabbit and follows him down a hole into the strange, yet familiar, “Underland”. Here she reunites with long lost friends and learns her true purpose – to defeat the ghastly Jabberwocky and restore the rightful queen to her throne.
“Sometimes I believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Oscar Nominee: Best Costume Design
The reclusive master chocolatier, Willy Wonka, opens up his chocolate factory to five lucky children, winners of his Golden Ticket competition.
“The best kind of prize is a surprise”
7. Batman (1989)
Oscar Winner: Best Set Design
Michael Keaton is Batman and his vow to protect Gotham City is put to the test when deranged madman ‘The Joker’ seizes control of the city’s criminal underworld. He must defeat the Clown Prince of Crime whilst protecting his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale, and his identity of billionaire Bruce Wayne.
“Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?”
6. Batman Returns (1992)
Oscar Nominee: Best Visual Effects, Best Make-Up
Michael Keaton dons the iconic cape and cowl once again in this sequel to Tim Burton’s Batman. After surviving The Joker’s rampage, Gotham City finds itself at the mercy of a new criminal mastermind – deformed villain, The Penguin. His mission is complicated by the presence of the fiendish vigilante, Catwoman.
“As I was saying, I am a woman and I can’t be taken for granted. Life’s a bitch, now so am I.”
5. Beetlejuice (1988)
Oscar Winner: Best Make-Up
After their untimely deaths, Adam and Barbara Maitland find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the home. When a family move in from the city, Adam and Barbara attempt to scare them out of the house but there haunting skills are not quite up to scratch so they call upon people-exorcist Beetlejuice to help. When Beetlejuice’s methods become too dangerous they find themselves trying to contain him and save the family they wanted to be rid of.
“What’s the good of being a ghost if you can’t frighten people away.”
4. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Oscar Nominee: Best Make-Up
In a mansion, high up on top of a hill lives a kindly inventor’s greatest creation – a near complete person called Edward. Unfortunately for Edward, the inventor died before he could give him hands leaving him with scissors instead of hands. After a kind Avon lady, Peg, takes pity on him and welcomes him into her home, Edward discovers love, community and just how fickle people can be.
“You can’t buy the necessities of life with cookies”
3. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Oscar Winner: Best Set Design
Young New York police detective Ichabod Crane is sent to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders. The townspeople believe that the deaths are the work of local legend; the Headless Horseman but Crane is cynical until he witnesses the Horseman in action. With the help of his young apprentice and the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, he must discover the origins of the horseman and put him in back in his grave for good.
“Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue”
2. Corpse Bride (2005)
Oscar Nominee: Best Animated Film
Shy groom-to-be Victor is in the woods practising his wedding vows but he inadvertently finds himself married to Emily, a corpse bride who takes him with her to the Land of the Dead. Whilst Victor tries to find a way to return to the land of the living, a rich newcomer threatens to take Victor’s place and he must choose between his love-at-first-sight fiance or his tragic new bride.
“I’ve spent so long in the darkness, I’d almost forgotten how beautiful the moonlight is.”
1. Sweeney Todd (2007)
Oscar Winner: Best Achievment in Art Design.
Oscar Nominee: Best Actor, Best Costume Design
Barber Benjamin Barker has a perfect life, he has a beautiful wife and daughter but his life goes astray after the villainous Judge Turpin covets his wife. After fifteen years in exile for a crime he didn’t commit, Barker returns to London under the alias of Sweeney Todd in a bid to enact his revenge on the man who made him suffer and lose his beloved family.
“At last! My arm is complete again.”
So there you have it, my ten favourite Tim Burton movies. So which is your favourite Burton film?
Until next time… x
