Tim Burton's 10 best films

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Absurd and dark stories from the most extraordinary director in Hollywood.

1. Beetlejuice

• Comedy, horror.
• USA, 1988.
• Duration: 92 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The peace of the two ghosts is disturbed by new tenants who moved into the house and started renovations. The ghosts try to drive out uninvited guests on their own, but nothing comes of them. Then the dead masters hire Beetlejuice - a specialist in the exorcism of all living things.

A surreal film about life and death will make you laugh more than frighten you. And it is right. Still, both are natural processes, but not everyone can talk about them with humor.

2. Batman

• Science fiction, action, thriller.
• USA, UK, 1989.
• Duration: 126 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The appearance of this comic book hero on the big screens was a real event. Tim Burton made Batman in the movies the way comic book fans wanted him to be: a dark and uncompromising crime fighter.

Batman, like James Bond, has been played by many famous actors, but only Michael Keaton, Christian Bale and George Clooney's nipples will remain in our memory. In addition to the colorful hero, the picture also presented a wonderful villain. Jack Nicholson's Joker turned out to be a natural psychopath, albeit far from the original.

Tim Burton has proven that superhero movies aren't just about men in colorful tights. But then Joel Schumacher came along and ruined everything.

3. Edward Scissorhands

• Fantasy, drama, melodrama.
• USA, 1990.
• Duration: 105 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 9.

A story about true human selfishness, hypocrisy and love. The hermit scientist created man, but died before he could complete his creation. The poor guy with scissors sticking out instead of hands lives alone until he meets Peg. A kind woman takes the creature to her home and finds excellent use for it.

The director shows an idyllic town with neat green lawns and friendly neighbors. Everything seems to be fine, but people remain people: it is worth stumbling, as society will arm itself with torches and pitchforks in order to reward the offender.

4. Batman returns

• Science fiction, thriller.
• USA, UK, 1992.
• Duration: 126 minutes
• IMDb: 7.0

Burton continues the story of the Gotham Knight. This time, the city is threatened by Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Penguin. Quite an unusual caste: if Jack Nicholson could be portrayed as a laughing villain, Danny DeVito was in no way attracted to a criminal genius. So everyone thought until they saw the movie.

"Batman Returns" retained Burton's signature Gothic style and firmly established itself in the collection of comic and film fans.

5. Ed Wood

• Drama, comedy, biography.
• USA, 1994.
• Duration: 127 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 9.

Glory is an insidious thing. Sometimes a person is so bad at what he does that he becomes popular through failure. So this trouble happened to Ed Wood.

The film of the same name by Tim Burton is a black and white biopic about the worst director in Hollywood history. The film covers the period during which Ed Wood directed his most notorious films. The stars of the first magnitude brought the picture a good box office, high marks from critics and an Oscar statuette for Best Supporting Actor.

6. Sleepy Hollow

• Horror, fantasy, thriller.
• Germany, USA, 1999.
• Duration: 105 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 4.

As a true fan of dark stories, Tim Burton could not ignore the legend of the Headless Horseman.

Young Constable Ichabod Crane arrives at Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders. On the spot, the detective discovers the decapitated victims, and terrified locals tell him stories about the demonic Headless Horseman. Crane painstakingly studies the clues that lead him to unraveling an ancient mystery.

7. Large fish

• Fantasy, drama, melodrama.
• USA, 2003.
• Duration: 125 minutes
• IMDb: 8, 0.

Edward Bloom is a wonderful storyteller. He often told stories to his children about how he met a giant, visited the circus and visited a wonderful place far from civilization, in which everyone walks barefoot. Bloom's stories sounded so extraordinary that his son eventually stopped believing in them.

"Big Fish" is a bright and kind tale about big dreams and sincere love for life. Of course, Burton's surrealism hasn't gone anywhere. He very accurately emphasizes the character of both the main character and the director himself.

8. Corpse bride

• Cartoon, drama, melodrama.
• USA, UK, 2005.
• Duration: 77 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Marriages of convenience between children from wealthy families are common. Victor and Victoria also fell under the distribution. Fortunately, they didn't mind. It was only during the rehearsal of the wedding that Victor got nervous and ran into the forest. In order not to waste time, he decided to learn a speech there and even put a ring on a twig, which turned out to be the finger of a dead girl. The corpse of the bride rose from the grave and took the young man into the world of the dead.

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• Comedy, adventure.
• USA, 2005.
• Duration: 115 minutes
• IMDb: 6, 7.

Willy Wonka is going to bequeath his chocolate factory and is arranging a tour for the holders of gold tickets. He shows the young guests his property and looks after his protégé along the way.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. Like the original source, the picture reveals human vices: greed, selfishness, arrogance. Tim Burton made a wonderful fairy tale for children and adults with a whole heap of quotes about sweets.

10. Sweeney Todd, Demon Barber of Fleet Street

• Musical, thriller, drama.
• USA, UK, 2007.
• Duration: 116 minutes
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Musicals are a very specific genre. You can watch them in the theater, but it is more difficult to hook the audience in the cinema with songs. However, this does not apply to this film. Johnny Depp not only surprises with his acting, but also sings perfectly, and together with Helena Bonham Carter creates real magic.

The film tells about the barber Benjamin Barker, who is married to a beautiful girl. Unfortunately, the wife also liked Judge Turpin, who decided to get rid of Barker and sent him to hard labor. 15 years later, Benjamin escaped and vowed cruel but just revenge.