Best known for his horror films, animations, and dark gothic-fantasy plots, Tim Burton has pioneered a creative film-making style with an imagination that has shaken the world. For fans of his work, it goes without saying that although both highly publicized and highly criticized, Edward Scissorhands is known to the world for its strange, intriguingly dark, and pitiful, yet hopeful story-line.
It is also Tim Burton's first collaboration with actor Johnny Depp and as most fans know, they would work on many future projects together. Winning many distinguished awards such as an Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award, Tim Burton has vastly contributed to the entertainment and creative film-making scene with some movies being major hits.
Dumbo
This live-action renewal of the 1941 Walk Disney animated film was directed by Tim Burton with a vibrant cast of famous actors including Eva Green, who starred in the lead role in the popular horror TV show Penny Dreadful, Danny DeVito, Colin Farrel, and Michael Keaton.
Although it grossed two times over the budget it was received with mixed reviews. Many viewers felt that it did not live up to its original Disney classic film and it was not as successfully received as recent Disney live-action release Aladdin featuring Will Smith and Naomi Scott (Charlie's Angels 2019). However, it's still magical and Burton-esque, just as fans love.
Alice In Wonderland
This much-loved story surrounded by mystery and fantasy is truly a tough project to remake. Tim Burton used the original story mixed with his own vision to recreate a wonderland worth exploring. The characters in the story are amusingly played by Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska.
Although this film was the fifth highest-grossing film of all time during theatrical release, it did not impress some fans and critics who felt that the narration was disorienting and unstable. Still, it was ired for its musical score, costumes, visual style, and effects and it set the trend for the era's Disney live-action film reproductions.
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
Eva Green again played a notable role in Tim Burton's 2016 creepy fantasy adventure film. Eva Green playing the role of Alma LeFay Peregrine, the heistress of the school and safe haven for peculiar children.
Some disappointed critics claimed that the movie completely altered the character's personas and abilities, but the storyline and amazing cast still make for an amazing and thrilling watch.
Sleepy Hollow
One of Burton's more grotesque and eerie movies is Christopher Walken in this cruel supernatural adaptation of mystery, fantasy, and murder.
Extremely well-liked and appreciated as one of Tim Burton's successes, there was still a lot of negative criticism about the dark humor and the unrealistic feel of the characters. But that's part of what makes Burton's movies so captivating, to begin with!
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Gene Wilder starred as Willy Wonka in the original 1971 fantasy movie which would eventually be selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory became a box office success.
What few viewers know is that talks of a second adaptation began in 1991 but was not pursued until years later with considerations of Jim Carrey, Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, Nicholas Cage, Will Smith, and Bill Murray to play as Willy Wonka.
Beetlejuice
The film Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise).
The film follows a couple who desperately need to get rid of ghosts who are possessive of their home and frequently harass them. After calling on Bettejuice it's clear that they are in for more trouble than they planned. Receiving great scores on both Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, the film Beetlejuice ranks quite well on the list of Tim Burton's bizarre films.
Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
This theatrical musical has really set the bar for dark and humorous horror premises. Sweeny Todd depicts a barber who returns to an old hometown to avenge his wife, whom he believes to be dead. There is murder, deception, sinister characters, human meat pies, cannibalism, love, social injustice, and striking music scenes.
Johnny Deep and Helena Bonham Carter put on a grand performance that guides the viewers into a gothic and obsessively dark atmosphere. Ranked pretty high on the list, this movie takes its story-line from an 1846 literary titled Penny Dreadful serial labeled The String Of Pearls.
Frankenweenie
In 2012, the animated horror film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley's horror book. What many fans don't know is that this animation was a remake of Tim Burton's 1984 short film by the same name.
The difference between this film and other Tim Burton films is the coherency and consistency of the plot that many fans and critics appreciated. Frankenwinnie ranks at a top position for its thoughtful directing and masterful creativity.
Corpse Bride
This visionary film incorporated musical fantasy in a stop-motion animation that had a huge impact on viewers. Taking after the 1993 style of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, this animation is still popular and considered a classic. Corpse Bride is really up there on the charts for its creative plot and artwork and for its depiction of dark fantasy in a love story gone wrong.
A now-common topic of Burton is the premise of the world of the living versus the world of the dead and this animated music film truly gives life to the incredible artwork. Voice actors, Johnny Depp, Helena Carter, Christopher Lee, and Emily Watson did fantastic work on setting the tone for the story.
Edward Scissorhands
The 1990 romance fantasy film Edward Scissorhands takes the first place on the list for its masterful portrayal of a creepy but inspirational story. It not only won an Academy Award but also was described as one of Burton's most personal and favorite film works. Director Tim Burton credits this storyline to his lonely and isolated life as a youth.
During a difficult time in his teenage life, he expressed his dark feelings through art and an image he drew of a thin man with long, sharp hands. This drawing was the beginning of the creation of the Edward Scissorhands character. This film was such a personal project for Burton, it's no wonder it is one of his biggest successes and one of his best-received films.
