Tim Burton Films: Our Definitive Ranking
- Tim Burton is known for his iconic visual style and unforgettable movies.
- His films blend macabre whimsy and absurd humor with exaggerated set designs.
- Burton's stories often center on misfits and oddballs who defy social norms.
- He did not direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, a common misconception.
- Edward Scissorhands is considered Burton's crowning achievement.
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By Caroline Madden
Published Monday 12:00 PM
Tim Burton, the legendary director known for his iconic visual style, has given us some unforgettable movies.
From Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands, his films are a blend of macabre whimsy and absurd humor.
Burton's movies feature exaggerated set designs and sharp contrasts between gloomy grays and vivid colors.
His stories often center on misfits and oddballs who defy social norms, whether they are real-life artists or ghosts haunting a home.
With the highly anticipated sequel Beetlejuice 2 on the horizon, let's rank all 19 films Tim Burton has directed since 1985.
Note: Burton did not direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, a common misconception, although he created its memorable characters.
19. Mars Attacks! (1996)
Mars Attacks! is Burton at his goofiest, parodying 1950s science fiction and B-movies.
The film features clueless Americans overtaken by extraterrestrials with big brains and bulging eyes.
Despite a star-studded cast, the film's bizarre gags and fake CGI make it hard to take seriously.
The strangeness feels more creepy than comical, losing the innocent charm of original B-movies.
18. Planet of the Apes (2001)
Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes struggles with campiness and heavy themes of race and class.
Mark Wahlberg seems adrift, and the film's standout is Rick Baker's incredible special effects makeup.
17. Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadows adapts a 1960s soap opera but fails to strike the right tone between campiness and scariness.
Johnny Depp's performance is lackluster, though the female cast, including Eva Green and Michelle Pfeiffer, shines.
16. Dumbo (2019)
Burton's Dumbo stretches a short story into a nearly two-hour film, losing engagement despite Colin Farrell's charms.
The CGI is haphazard, and the muted colors make it one of Burton's ugliest films, though Dumbo is undeniably cute.
15. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Alice in Wonderland has all the elements of a Burton film but falls short in execution.
While the character designs are enchanting, the film's attempt at girl-power feminism feels bland.
14. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children has a Burtonesque premise but suffers from plot and pacing issues.
Eva Green's performance is a highlight, but the film feels rushed and emotionally detached.
13. Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Pee-wee's Big Adventure is an important showcase for Burton's quirky aesthetic, though Pee-wee's antics may not appeal to everyone.
The dream sequences foreshadow Burton's later work, with a blend of scary playfulness.
12. Big Eyes (2014)
Big Eyes is a biopic anchored by Amy Adams' nuanced performance as Margaret Keane.
Burton uses color to communicate emotions, making it a refreshing exploration of ordinary people's lives.
11. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a visually striking adaptation with built sets and a more emotionally complex Willy Wonka, played by Johnny Depp.
The Oompa-Loompa musical sequences are fun and varied, making it a perfect fit for Burton's style.
10. Corpse Bride (2005)
Corpse Bride is a stop-motion masterpiece with Johnny Depp as the shy Victor and Helena Bonham Carter as Emily.
The film juxtaposes the lively Land of the Dead with the dour Victorian England, featuring creative gross-out humor and touching moments.
9. Batman (1989)
Burton's Batman brings Gotham to life with a flamboyant Gothic style and Michael Keaton's grounded performance.
Jack Nicholson's iconic Joker adds to the film's darkly atmospheric look, tapping into the pulpy aspects of the comic book.
8. Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns is visually dynamic, with Danny DeVito's grotesque Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer's unhinged Catwoman stealing the show.
The film's loony ugliness and intense violence make it more interesting than its predecessor.
7. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollow flaunts a rich Gothic aesthetic with Johnny Depp's persnickety Ichabod Crane adding campiness and genuine terror.
The film's thrilling climax and detailed period setting make it one of Burton's best.
6. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Sweeney Todd combines horror, black humor, and melodrama, with Johnny Depp's raw performance as the vengeful barber.
The musical numbers are creatively executed, making it one of Burton's standout films.
5. Frankenweenie (2012)
Frankenweenie is a touching stop-motion film that serves as a tender homage to classic monster movies.
The black-and-white visuals and heartfelt story about a boy and his resurrected dog make it a wonderful family film.
4. Ed Wood (1994)
Ed Wood is a biopic shot in black and white, with Johnny Depp's cheerful performance and Martin Landau's superb portrayal of Bela Lugosi.
Burton's affection for outsiders shines through in this unique slice of Hollywood history.
3. Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice is a delightfully absurd film with incredible practical effects and Michael Keaton's unforgettable performance as the title character.
The film's mix of cartoonish and creepy elements makes it a Halloween favorite.
2. Big Fish (2003)
Big Fish is Burton at his most human and introspective, with a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant story about family and legacy.
The film's whimsical settings and vibrant colors make it one of Burton's best.
1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhands is Burton's crowning achievement, blending his eccentric aesthetic with profound emotional gravitas.
Johnny Depp's performance as the gentle outsider and the film's thoughtful observations on societal rejection make it a modern fairy tale.
