10+ Tim Burton Best Movies [RANKED]
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Tim Burton Movies: Timothy Walter Burton is an American film producer, writer, director, artist, and former animator.
He is primarily famous for his horror films and gothic fantasy, such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, and Frankenweenie.
And the best part?
Tim Burton also directed the incredible film “Batman.” Tes, he’s that iconic!
So today, we’ll pretty much be well-cultured by diving into this man’s best movies ever!
Now, please raise the curtains…
#1. The Night Before Christmas
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies001.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 25 November 1994 (United Kingdom)
Director: Henry Selick
Story by: Tim Burton
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures
Stars: Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Sarandon, Glenn Shadix, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, and Ken Page
The first Tim Burton film on our list is the very classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” directed by Henry Selick and a story by Tim Burton.
Who hasn’t heard about it yet?
It is an incredible 1993 American stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film. The cast members are Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Sarandon, Glenn Shadix, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, and Ken Page.
Adding in more…
The film is about Jack Skellington, who belongs to a Halloween Town. He then finds a new town named Christmas Town and feels enchanted.
The movie gets serious when the situation becomes riveting as his obsession with Christmas makes him abduct Santa Claus himself! How can we deny that Tim Burton’s movie ranked on top?
As a writer of this film, Burton talks about inspiration, and he adds the feeling of solitude as he’s always highly fascinated by the holiday and Christmas season.
Disney’s Joe Ranft was a storyboard supervisor among the crew, while Eric Leighton supervised animation. The filmmakers were influenced by Harryhausen, Étienne Delessert, Gahan Wilson, Ladislas Starevich, Edward Gorey, Charles Addams, Jan Lenica, Francis Bacon, and Wassily Kandinsky.
Check out: The Nightmare Before Christmas
#2. Batman
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies002.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 11 August 1989 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Featured song: The Batman Theme
Box office: $411.6 million
Music composed by: Danny Elfman, Prince
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Keaton, Pat Hingle, Robert Wuhl, Billy Dee Williams, Pat Hingle, Jack Palance, and Michael Gough.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Here comes the incredible film “Batman,” released in 1989. It is the world-famous superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. This legendary film was directed by Tim Burton and produced by Jon Peters.
The cast includes Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Keaton, Pat Hingle, Robert Wuhl, Billy Dee Williams, Pat Hingle, Jack Palance, and Michael Gough.
Moving on…
It is the fifth-highest-grossing film in history as it grossed over $400 million at the box office.
The story is about a superhero named Batman, a masked hero from Gotham City who fights all the evil and keeps the citizens safe. But he faces a massive challenge with an enemy named Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and plans to destroy the world.
More about Tim Burton films…
Batman was losing popularity in the late 1970s, and a Batman in Outer Space film was in the works at CBS.
The film rights to Batman were purchased by producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan on October 3, 1979. Batman was Uslan’s vision, “a creature of the night; stalking criminals in the shadows, the way Bob Kane and Bill Finger had envisioned him in 1939.”
Check out: Batman
#3. Corpse Bride
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies003.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 13 October 2005 (United Kingdom)
Directors: Tim Burton, Mike Johnson
Adapted from: Jewish folklore
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Stars: Johnny Depp, Emily Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Joanna Lumley, Albert Finney, and Christopher Lee.
The next film is “Corpse Bride,” released in 2005. It is a stop-motion animated dark fantasy film directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton.
It is based on the Original Characters by Tim Burton. The cast includes Johnny Depp, Emily Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Joanna Lumley, Albert Finney, and Christopher Lee.
It was a massive success as the film grossed around $118 million with a budget of $40 million!
Furthermore…
The plot of this film is based on Victor, who practices his wedding vows in the forest just so no one can see him. Unfortunately, he gets married to a skeleton-like creature called Emily. And the kicker hits in when she forces him to join her in the world of dead people.
Did you know?
During the production of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Joe Ranft introduced Burton to 19th-century Russian folklore.
As Burton finished filming Big Fish, production began on the film in November 2003. While the film was in production, he continued to work on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, his next live-action feature.
Director Mike Johnson spoke about how he and his co-director went about the directing process, saying: “In a co-directing situation, one director usually handles one sequence at a time.”.
Check out: Corpse Bride
#4. Edward Scissorhands
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies004.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 26 July 1991 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Story by: Tim Burton; Caroline Thompson
Music by: Danny Elfman
Box office: $86 million
Stars: Johnny Depp, Dianne Wiest, Winona Ryder, Anthony Michael Hall, Vincent Price, Kathy Baker, and Alan Arkin
Distributed by: 20th Century Studios
“Edward Scissorhands” is an American romance film released in 1990 and directed by Tim Burton. The cast members include Johnny Depp, Dianne Wiest, Winona Ryder, Anthony Michael Hall, Vincent Price, Kathy Baker, and Alan Arkin.
The film grossed over $86 million at the box office.
The story is about a synthetic man with scissor hands named Edward. He gets taken in by Peg, a kind lady, after the passing of his inventor.
As we add in more…
Things get heated up when he is accused of a crime he did not even commit.
Edward Scissorhands was born out of a drawing by then-teenager Tim Burton, who expressed his feelings of isolation and inability to communicate with those around him in suburban Burbank.
Caroline Thompson wrote the Edward Scissorhands screenplay, then a young novelist, as a spec script during Burton’s pre-production of Beetlejuice. “First Born” is a short novel about an abortion that comes back to life, which Burton found inspiring.
Similarly, Burton wished to showcase the psychological elements in Edward Scissorhands in First Born.
Check out: Edward Scissorhands
#5. Beetlejuice
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies005.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 19 August 1988 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Featured song: Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)
Story by: Michael McDowell; Larry Wilson
Box office: $74.2 million
Stars: Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Jones, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, The Geffen Film Company, FilmFlex
“Beetlejuice” is an American fantasy comedy film directed by Tim Burton, produced by Michael Bender and Larry Wilson.
It stars Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Jones, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton.
The film grossed over $74 million with a budget of $15 million and also won the Academy Award for Best makeup.
No wonder. Just look at the fascinating characters.
Furthermore…
The story is about a couple, Adam and Barbara, who are unsuccessful in scaring away a family that has moved into their old home. They end up seeking the help of bio-exorcist Betelgeuse.
As a result of creative differences, Burton replaced McDowell and Wilson with Skaaren and brought in Larry Wilson to continue the rewriting process together with McDowell.
Originally, Burton wanted Sammy Davis Jr. for Betelgeuse. In addition to Moore and Kinison, Geffen suggested that Keaton play the role.
Burton was unfamiliar with Keaton’s work but was quickly convinced.
Several actresses auditioned for the role of Lydia Deetz, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane, Justine Bateman, Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis, and Jennifer Connelly.
Check out: Beetlejuice
#6. Alice In Wonderland
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies006.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 25 February 2010 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Music by: Danny Elfman
Box office: 1.025 billion USD
Stars: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena, Mia Wasikowska, Alan Rickman, and Crispin Glover.
Adapted from: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The next astounding film was directed by Tim Burton “Alice in Wonderland.” It was released in 2010 and produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Joe Roth, Jennifer Todd, and Suzanne Todd.
The cast includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena, Mia Wasikowska, Alan Rickman, and Crispin Glover.
Epic cast!
The story of this film is about a 19-year-old, Alice, who follows a rabbit in a blue coat to a new world of magical wonderland from her dreams where she is united with her friends and believes it to be her true destiny.
Alice in Wonderland was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and shot in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Alice in Wonderland received mixed reviews upon its initial release while being praised for its visual aesthetic, costumes, musical soundtrack, performances, and special effects.
On the flip side…
It was criticized for its lack of plot cohesion. It received three nominations at the 68th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
At the 83rd Academy Awards, Alice in Wonderland won Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design and was nominated for Best Visual Effects.
The film grossed approximately $1.025 billion during its theatrical run, making it the fifth highest-grossing film.
Check out: Alice in Wonderland
#7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies007.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 29 July 2005 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Box office: 475 million USD
Adapted from: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Stars: Johnny Depp, David Kelly, Freddie Highmore, Noah Taylor, Miisi Pyle, James Fox, Christopher Lee, and Deep Roy.
Awards: BFCA Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Actor
A musical fantasy film named “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was released in 2005. It was directed by Tim Burton, produced by Brad Grey, and Richard D. Zanuck.
The cast includes Johnny Depp, David Kelly, Freddie Highmore, Noah Taylor, Miisi Pyle, James Fox, Christopher Lee, and Deep Roy.
The story is about Charlie, a young boy, and his siblings who win a tour to an amazing chocolate factory run by an imaginative chocolatier Willy Wonka.
Let me add more…
Pamela Pettler, who had previously worked with Burton on Corpse Bride, rewrote Lurie’s script, but Burton hired Big Fish screenwriter John August to start from scratch in December 2003.
Since they were children, August and Burton had been lovers of the novel.
August read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time when he was eight years old and wrote Dahl a fan letter.
When August asked Burton if he should see the 1971 film before being hired, “Tim virtually leaped across the table and implored me not to,” August recalled.
Check out: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
#8. Batman Returns
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies008.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 10 July 1992 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Box office: $266.89 million
Story by: Daniel Waters; Sam Hamm
Sequel: Batman Forever
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Stars: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Michael Gough, Christopher Walken, Michael Murphy, and Vincent Schiavelli.
Another one from the incredible series we have is “Batman Returns,” released in 1992 and directed by Tim Burton. It is a sequel to the 1989 film Batman.
The film stars Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Michael Gough, Christopher Walken, Michael Murphy, and Vincent Schiavelli.
The story is about an entrepreneur and a criminal Penguin who team up to destroy the peace of Gotham City. Batman comes in and plans to save the city and help his people in all possible ways.
After the success of Batman, Warner Bros. planned to start filming a sequel in Pinewood Studios in May 1990. The cost of storing sets from the last movie was $250,000.
Moreover…
Tim Burton was adamant that he would not helm another installment in the series at first. “If the sequel gives anything new and intriguing, I will return,” he said in 1989. “Apart from that, it’s a perplexing concept.” Burton chose to direct Edward Scissorhands for 20th Century Fox.
Little did he know, it’ll go on to be one of the best superhero movie series ever!
Sam Hamm wrote the first two drafts of the script, and then Bob Kane was brought in as a creative consultant.
When the film was produced, Bill Finger, the co-creator of Batman, the Penguin, and Catwoman, was uncredited, and his name was not added to any Batman-related material until 2016.
Check out: Batman Returns
#9. Dark Shadows
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies009.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 11 May 2012 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Music by: Danny Elfman
Box office: 245.5 million USD
Adapted from: Dark Shadows
Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, and Chloe Grace Moretz.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Roadshow Entertainment, Initial Entertainment Group
Here is another phenomenal movie directed by Tim Burton, called “Dark Shadows,” released in 2012.
It is a fantasy comedy horror film based on the Gothic TV soap opera.
The cast members include Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, and Chloe Grace Moretz.
As we add more…
The story is about a rich playboy who earns the anger of a witch named Angelique as he breaks her heart. As revenge, she turns him into a vampire and buries him alive.
The film was an inspiration as Johnny Depp had an obsession with Dark Shadows since he was a kid, and it was a dream come true to portray it through a movie.
Check out: Dark Shadows
#10. Big Fish
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<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tim-Burton-Movies10.webp" alt="Tim Burton"></a>Release date: 30 January 2004 (United Kingdom)
Director: Tim Burton
Screenplay by: John August
Music by: Danny Elfman
Adapted from: Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Steve Buscemi, Marion Cotillard, and Robert Guillaume.
Last but not the least, “Big Fish” is an American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Tim Burton. It is based on a 1998 novel of the same name.
The cast includes Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Steve Buscemi, Marion Cotillard, and Robert Guillaume.
Let me tell you…
The plot of this film is about Will Bloom as he returns home to his dying father, who had a penchant for telling unimaginable stories.
After his death, Will begins to find out the true side of his stories.
The repair of Edward and William’s father-son relationship is the basic concept of Big Fish. Daniel Wallace’s interest in the father-son relationship began with his own family.
Wallace compared Edward Bloom’s “charming” attitude to his father, who utilized charm to maintain his distance from others.
Will believes Edward has never been honest with him because Edward creates elaborate mythologies about his past to hide, and he uses storytelling as a coping mechanism.
Check out: Big Fish
Conclusion: Tim Burton Movies
That’s it!
One thing that’s easily noticeable about the typical Tim Burton movie is the uniquely fascinating characters, their cool character designs, and the dark but rich stories.
And he also seems to have a penchant for casting the crowd-favorite Johnny Depp!
If I were to choose between them as my favorite, that’s the hardest choice I’ll ever make in my life, but let us know which ones are yours.
In the end…
We have many other articles about movies such as Sean Penn Movies, Jet Li Movies, Christian Bale Movies, etc. Check them all out.
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