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topicnews · September 16, 2024

The 13 best films by director Tim Burton

The 13 best films by director Tim Burton

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From: Adam Arndt, Lilly Geissler

Tim Burton is one of the most recognizable authors in modern film history. His dark, fairytale-like style has captivated many. To mark the release of his latest film, “Beetlejuice,” we have compiled some of his best works for you.

1 / 13Nobody would have expected Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp to be able to sing like that. Sure, Bonham Carter is no Patti LuPone, but she still impresses as the imaginative Mrs. Lovett in the production of the Broadway musical. “Sweeney Todd” is one of Burton’s darker films and follows the story of the eponymous barber who slashes his way through London to exact revenge on Judge Turpin, who once destroyed his family. The Broadway show is a classic that is performed time and time again. However, if you prefer films, Burton’s interpretation is just as good. © DreamWorks Pictures
Even before Christian Bale, Michael Keaton slipped into the Caped Crusader's latex suit. Tim Burton's
2 / 13Nobody believed that comedy clown Michael Keaton could take on the serious role of “Batman”. In fact, it was Burton’s previous collaboration with Keaton that got him the green light for “Batman” from Warner Brothers. With “Batman”, the Caped Crusader fluttered across the big screen for the first time in 1989. The film was one of the most successful films of its time. But it really got good in … © Warner Brothers
Movie poster for Batman Returns
3 / 13Burton’s Bat-sequel with Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Penguin also has many fans and is in some aspects even darker than its predecessor. Michael Keaton returns once again as Batman and delivers another impressive performance, with even more Burton idiosyncrasies shining through. © Warner Bros.
Based on a Russian-Jewish story, the stop-motion animated film “Corpse Bride” tells the story of a man who accidentally marries a corpse.
4 / 13Based on a Russian-Jewish sage, “Corpse Bride” tells the story of a man who accidentally marries a corpse. Victor is actually supposed to marry the rich Victoria in order to give his family a better place in high society. Too nervous for the actual ceremony, he decides to practice everything in a forest. Unfortunately, the branch he puts his ring on is not a branch at all, but the hand of the deceased Emily, who takes him to the realm of the dead. Emily and Victor develop a close relationship. The ending was still surprising. © Warner Brothers
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” continues the legacy of Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s scoundrel spirit.
5 / 13With “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, Michael Keaton and Tim Burton continue the legacy of the dissolute ghost Beetlejuice. The first film is a classic among horror and comedy fans. Michael Keaton shines as a fast-talking, cheeky ghost who rips off Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. On the side of the living, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara impress with their performances. © Warner Brothers
Based on the story by Washington Irving, Tim Burton reinvents the legend of “Sleepy Hollow”.
6 / 13“Sleepy Hollow” isn’t really scary, even though this Burton film is the one that leans most into the horror genre. But the film is visually beautiful. It’s no wonder that “Sleepy Hollow” won the Oscar for best art direction. Johnny Depp travels to the sleepy town of Sleepy Hollow as the somewhat clumsy police officer Ichabod Crane. There he is tasked with investigating a series of murders and finds witches, ghosts and headless horsemen. One highlight is probably Christopher Walken’s performance as the headless horseman. © Paramount Pictures
Originally a financial flop that led to mixed reviews, “Mars Attacks!” is now considered a cult classic that is celebrated by more than just Tim Burton fans.
7 / 13Trashy and controversial: That describes “Mars Attacks!” perfectly. Based on a trading card collection, the colorful film tells the story of an alien invasion in the USA. The many explicit depictions of violence and the early CGI caused controversy. Although the film was nominated for a Hugo and several Saturn Awards, it was a financial disappointment for the studio. Today it is considered a cult classic that should not be missed. © Warner Brothers
“Big Fish” is based on the book of the same name by Daniel Wallace. Fans of magical realism have a lot to marvel at in this Tim Burton film
8 / 13“Big Fish” is a dream for fans of magical realism. Based on the book of the same name by Daniel Wallace, the film tells the story of the dying storyteller Edward Bloom. The story between Bloom and his son is also important. Burton’s own father died in 2000, three years before the release of “Big Fish”. © Columbia Pictures
Tim Burton honors his inspirations in “Ed Wood” with Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker and Bill Murray: The biopic is based on the life of trash director Ed Wood.
9 / 13Tim Burton’s films often contain allusions to those who came before him and inspired him. With “Ed Wood” he dedicated an entire film to his predecessor. Ed Wood was a director of trash films in the 1950s and a survivor. Wood’s films never achieved the success he wanted during his lifetime, but today they have cult status. Last but not least, Wood’s penchant for cross-dressing made it very difficult to survive in a Hollywood dictated by the Hays Code. Burton’s biopic addresses art, success and queerness and is a fitting declaration of love to his inspirations. © Touchstone Pictures/Disney
“Frankenweenie” has little to do with the horror classic “Frankenstein.” The heartwarming story about a boy and his dog is nevertheless a Burton masterpiece.
10 / 13“Frankenweenie” is based on an old short film by Tim Burton with the sadly deceased Shelley Duvall. The animated film takes Burton’s very own drawing style and applies it to three dimensions, as did “Corpse Bride”. The film is a scary-funny love story about people and their dogs. A young Victor Frankenstein loses his beloved dog in a car accident and decides to bring him back to life. Of course, a lot goes wrong. Burton fans will recognize the voices of Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, both long-time collaborators of Burton. © Disney
Lewis Caroll and Tim Burton seem to be made for each other: That's why Burton directed the new version of the Disney classic
11 / 13Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” is polarizing. While some fans of Burton and the book would have liked more absurdity, others love the visual maximalism and the absurd sequences with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. © Disney
“Edward Scissorhands” is probably one of the most famous Tim Burton films.
12 / 13The fantastic tragicomedy probably triggered something in many outsiders. “Edward Scissorhands” is a love letter to everyone who is “a little different”. A feeling that Tim Burton knows all too well. The film is reminiscent of a fairy tale or a dream in places and spans the gap between scary and fairytale elements. Exactly the combination that Burton is so famous for. This is also the first time we see Johnny Depp in a Burton feature film. © 20th Century Fox
13 / 13“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” was Tim Burton’s first feature film. While the story was still based on an existing character, many classic Burton stylistic devices were already present: Firstly, there was the absurd story. This was based on the Italian film classic “Bicycle Thieves”. Allusions to past film eras are typical Tim Burton. On the other hand, there was the magical soundtrack by Danny Elfman, who would later score many more Burton films. Pee-wee himself, Paul Rubens, Elfman and Burton introduced each other. © Warner Brothers

Jack of all trades Tim Burton

Tim Burton brought some classic films to the cinemas, especially in the 80s and 90s. Whether it was for Warner Bros. or Walt Disney, most of his films feature eccentric characters and outsiders who don’t really fit into society or unusual heroes who take on villains who are larger than life.

Which films were considered for the list of Burton’s best films

With the launch of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” it’s time to check out the director’s work and present 13 of his best films. The list will be limited to films that he directed himself – so don’t be surprised if “Nightmare Before Christmas” is missing here. Here you can find out what we thought of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. We’ve also recorded a podcast about the “Beetlejuice” sequel.

Tim Burton is a very versatile director

Of course, when you look at Burton’s career as a whole, you’ll notice that he has made very different films. From misunderstood artists, dark knights, deadly barbers, headless journeys, alien attacks, Disney heroes, planets full of apes, and some dead and undead creatures. Burton has also tried his hand at franchises or reboots several times, such as “Dark Shadows,” “Batman,” and “Planet of the Apes” – with sometimes very mixed results.

What do you think of Tim Burton?

Of course, this is just a subjective selection of Burton favorites, which is why we are, as always, curious to hear your opinion. Which films are underrated or fly under the radar? Which works are not as good as people generally assume? Let us know in the comments.

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