Tim Burton has been consistently delivering magnificent films that are some of the most engaging stylistically for nearly three decades. His touch to a film is so distinct that there is no mistaking his work for someone else. When I look at his body of work I see someone who puts true heart into each project he takes on, and every movie I’ve seen him make has been absolutely brilliant. There isn’t a film he’s made that I haven’t respected. So enjoy my Top Ten Tim Burton films, our October Review Star, and also the results of the poll taken from readers at the bottom! Even with this amazing list, I suspect his newest film set to release in 2010, Alice In Wonderland, may be his masterpiece.
10. The Corpse Bride (2005)
When a shy young Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp) fails to recite his vows properly at his wedding rehearsal to a complete stranger Victoria Everglott (voiced by Emily Watson) he flees and practices his vows in the woods. However when he eventually gets it spot on he accidentally places the ring on the finger of a corpse known as the corpse bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter). He ends up in the afterlife known as the land of the dead (which proves to be much more colorful and fun than the land of the living).
9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Most importantly we get to enjoy the humor behind Wonka, and the fact that this is truly entertainment for the whole family. The story is charming and the creativity is magnificently executed. A colorful and beautiful world visualized and realized threw Tim Burton’s unique perspective. The set design is incredible, and the cast delivers, making this re-make one of the few over the years that I’ve actually been able to enjoy for it’s differences and it’s likenesses. I won’t say one is better than the other, but this one certainly was a success.
8. Big Fish (2003)
The movie begins with Will Bloom’s (Billy Crudup) narrative of his father. We see his dad, Edward Bloom, as an old man (Albert Finney) fishing. He then turns around and is young Edward (Ewan McGregor). Young Edward has grabbed the biggest catfish ever known to man. He opens the fish’s mouth and grabs his wedding ring. He lets the fish go. Will explains that his dad thinks the big is the spirit some old pirate who is obsessed with gold, therefore his dad attracts the fish with his ring.
7. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
The cartoonish and childish character Pee Wee Herman goes on a big adventure for the first time ever when his beloved shiny new bicycle is stolen by his nemesis Francis Buxton, a fellow man-child and neighborhood rich “kid.” And he sets off on an obsessive cross-country journey, determined to recover it. Pee-wee’s awkward and childish attempts to be cool and mature.
Batman Returns fell slightly short from Batman, but it still was a commanding addition to the Batman family with some of the most compelling performances of its time. The Burton world of sadness in a deformed beauty is like a drug you can’t deny. There is something wrong about it, but it feels so good you simply give in to it’s pleasure. With Burton’s insatiable creativity and the brilliant acting, Batman Returns was a great sequel.
Tim Burton whisks us away into a full on fantasy world on a classic dark fairy tale. The rich feel of Spooky that you immediately get from Sleepy Hollow tells you this is going to be an amazing movie to sit down and watch, and frankly it’s one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever had the joy of watching. A visual happy ending, it just doesn’t get any better than the set design and cinematography present here. There are vast levels of entertainment here, and Sleepy Hollow becomes what for me, is one of Burton’s most successful creations. On every front one can desire there are levels of joy, fear, and of course romance. It wouldn’t be a Tim Burton movie without a romance somewhere in the mix of darkness.
4. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007)
Tim Burton has an insatiable knack for being able to portray the tortured soul in a way that makes them easily embraced and almost heroic. Perhaps there is reluctance at times, but heroic actions nonetheless. Sweeney Todd is the essence of a tortured soul trying to find meaning in the darkness of his existence, but for him he will find no relief until his final stroke of vengeance is met. It was a film full of amazing acting, stunning visuals, a fantastic score with brilliant songs, and an engaging story. It was certainly one of the best movies of the year.
Beetlejuice is funny but it maintains it’s horror and fear factor as well. Random dialogue with an insane plot would make this flick seem crazy, and yet Burton’s final piece is an iconic classic, largely due to Beetlejuice himself. He’s the ghost with the most! Beetlejuice shells out his share of evil and funny unlike any other character before him. Somewhere it the middle of perverse humor and scary behavior Michael Keaton strikes a wicked balance between comedy and horror with this dark comic villain. Once again Tim Burton manages to tap into the isolated feeling of being an outcast, while also poking fun and the afterlife and suburbia. His unique ability to balance humor, darkness, and genuine emotion and visualize it is unmatched. Beetlejuice will have you horrified, hysterical, and maybe even slightly repulsed, but always remains intriguing and entertaining. This smart film is one of my favorite pieces of Burton’s work and is truly iconic.
Tim Burton completely captured the feel and darkness of Gotham City and it’s caped crusader. His Gotham actually felt like you had jumped right into the comic and were living it. The visuals were dark, but the off beat comedy of Burton was always alive, and the Joker was the perfect representative of Burton’s adoration of something bright amidst the darkness. For 1989 the action sequences were pretty impressive, along with the Bat Toys, specifically the smoothest of all the Bat-mobiles. I was lucky enough to catch this film in the theatre as a kid, and I can tell you there weren’t too many movies that were as exciting, fun, and smart as Burton’s Batman, and that still holds up today. Watching it after ten years have passed I still find myself enjoying it with the same excitement as I did in my youth. This is a movie for everyone and more important and movie that is lasting in it’s creation.
Anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, or ever felt alone can probably relate to Edward. What Tim Burton really showed was what it would be like to feel alone in a room full of crowded people, or worse, isolated from the people you love. It’s incredibly palpable. Visually and emotionally, this is Burton’s best piece of work. An off kilter fantasy set in a melancholy modern world, Edward teaches us all a lesson or two.
Reader Choice Winner: Sleepy Hollow (5 Votes)
2. Sweeney Todd (3 Votes)
3. Batman (2 Votes)
4. BeetleJuice (2 Votes)
5. The Corpse Bride (1 Vote)
6. Edward Scissorhands (1 Vote)
7. Big Fish (1 Vote)
8. PeeWee’s Big Adventure (1 Vote)
Popularity: 5% [?]
The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ed Wood are definitely up there. I didn’t really prefer Corpse Bride, personally.
Ed Wood would be high on my list possible even top, I can’t choose between that and Edward Scissorhands.
Soooooo……..I don’t really like Ed Wood. *dodges rotten fruit*
I know it’s well loved, especially amongst Burton fans, but it’s one of the few that I didn’t fully have an appreciation for. I realize I will continue to get flack for that, but it is what it is.
The only reason I didn’t include “Nightmare” was because he didn’t direct it, and I was picking films he directed or co-directed otherwise it would have been in place of Corpse Bride, even though Nightmare clearly is Burton inspired.
Okay… I’m just going to come out and say it… I liked Batman Returns better than Batman! I did! Evil, poisenous make-up and the big master scheme? Really? I’ll take corrupt politians any day. And Christopher Walken being all… Christopher Walken? Genious! And I’ll take Michelle Pfeifer (circa 1992) over Kim Basinger any day of the week. But that just, like, my opinion, man.
Moving on, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has no place on ANY list that is describing anything positive. This movie was a pile of trash. End of story.
While at first glance, it seems like Big Fish should be higher than a number 8, there not a whole lot than can be moved down in its favor. Seeing all of Burton’s flicks in a row like this is really pretty friggen’ impressive.
And Heather, I totally gots yo back on Ed Wood. It’s overrated, it’s not my cup of tea. I just don’t get the appeal.
So given that Charlie should be removed, the film most deserving to replace it on the top ten would be… wait for it… Mars Attacks! I feel it’s underrated and never recieved its due as the clever satire that it is.
You came pretty darn close, Heather. Nine out ten correct, with minimal ordering issues. Well done.
I am very sad that “Nightmare Before Christmas” did not make the list, but I will have to pick up the pieces and press on…
Color me happy that “Sleepy Hollow” got a top-tier ranking — what a freaky and wonderful movie. The casting was positively inspired, with Christopher Walken (oh dear God those TEETH!) as the baddie and Johnny Depp as the wimpy, oh-I’ve-got-the-vapors hero.