Every Tim Burton Film Ranked – From ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ to ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
With the release of Tim Burton’s latest film, in a career spanning over 45 years, we thought it was only right to rank every movie Tim Burton has ever directed!
20. Dumbo (2019)
Starting with Tim Burton’s second to latest film, which is also his second Disney Live-Action adaptation: Dumbo. A movie riddled with lifelessness, poor performances, and weak CGI; Dumbo is the poster child as to why CGI lifelike model adaptations of iconic animated films don’t work.
Dumbo as a movie is already problematic, but when you take what little left would work in the modern day and devoid it of all creativity, it makes sense how this movie came to be. This film is an excellent explanation as to why Tim Burton took a five-year hiatus from making films.
19. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
As bad as this movie may be, it does have a sense of vision. I was really surprised rewatching this, as I really enjoyed this movie growing up. But upon rewatching, it really just did not work well. The CGI is jarring, the colour grading is lifeless and bland, and the pacing is all over the place.
However, this film is saved from total failure by its excellent casting and good production design. The fact that both Disney Live-Action remakes that Tim Burton has directed rank the lowest on this list perhaps speaks more to the studio than to his direction, but you can never know for sure because his fingers were definitely all over this one!
18. Mars Attacks! (1996)
Mars Attacks! is an extraordinarily messy but fun movie. With a great cast that doesn’t put too much effort in and some dodgy effects, the movie is balls-to-the-walls insanity.
At one point in the movie, Jim Brown strips off his fake Ancient Egyptian garments and fist-fights an army of Martians. I think that scene encapsulates the entire movie and describes it better than I otherwise could have.
17. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Burton’s feature debut is a wild one. It is one of the most insane kids’ movies that has ever been put to screen, with many borderline problematic jokes that are just hilarious. Loads of situational comedy here make for a great time. Paul Reubens is as charming as ever as the titular Pee-wee.
16. Planet of the Apes (2001)
A remake of the 1968 film of the same name, this movie gets a lot of hate. Starring Mark Wahlberg as an astronaut who crash lands on the eponymous planet, he must fight off antagonistic apes and battle for the survival of the good apes!
The movie is by far Tim Burton’s most divisive film, as well as the most divisive in the Planet of the Apes franchise. But honestly, I truly do like it. It may meander in the first half of the movie but the third act ties it all together nicely. Additionally, it may have one of the greatest cliffhangers of all time.
15. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
The only true musical within Tim Burton’s extensive filmography (perhaps except Corpse Bride), Sweeney Todd takes gothic horror and turns it up to the max. The tone is so heavily inspired that when you’re asked to mention an example of gothic horror in cinema, nine times out of ten, you’ll choose this.
Despite being song-written by legendary writer Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story), the movie suffers to make its songs memorable, at least for me personally. For what it’s worth, they are good and musically on point, especially in relation to the plot, but they fail to leave a lasting impact, especially compared to something like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. The film is well directed and Alan Rickman delivers an exceptional performance. And the fact that he’s starring alongside industry legends Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter makes this accomplishment all the more applaud-worthy.
14. Big Eyes (2014)
Until I went through Burton’s filmography, I had genuinely never heard of Big Eyes or the story it’s based upon. The movie follows Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) as she grapples with control and credit over her art with her husband, Walter (Christoph Waltz).
It’s a simple plot with a lot of potential, but tonally, the movie never knows what it wants to be. This is all alleviated by an utterly unhinged performance from Waltz that will leave you smiling, while lead Amy Adams does wonders with her quiet spoken character. The movie has a solid supporting cast consisting of the likes of Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman, and Terence Stamp.
13. Frankenweenie (2012)
Adapting his 1984 short film of the same name, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie has one killer concept. The movie follows a boy grappling with the death of his dog, who was hit by a car. Victor (Charlie Tahan) resurrects the dog, but as trouble arises, Victor must accept the death of his beloved friend.
I think this is a beautiful twist on the Frankenstein concept, now suitable for a four-quadrant audience and, with it, poignant themes of acceptance. The animation in this version is strikingly beautiful and comes together very nicely, so I would definitely love for Tim Burton to continue animation in the future, having excelled with this and Corpse Bride.
12. Batman (1989)
Along with 1978’s Superman, Batman ‘89 has often been credited as one of the key films to kick off the superhero genre. For a great reason, too, with the film’s oozing style and charisma. Starring Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader and the great Jack Nicholson as the Joker, the movie is a battle between two brilliant actors.
The movie is the most camp Batman has been (if you ignore the ’60s iteration), and you can just tell that everyone had a great time during production. The feel of the movie is really laidback, and that’s a great change of pace in comparison to other Batman films, which opt more into the action genre. What is interesting about this film and what Tim Burton brings on board is making Batman an urban legend and a bit of a spooky figure when you go out at night, something Matt Reeves would later lean into with his tenure.
11. Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (2016)
An adaptation of the 2010 book of the same name, written by Ransom Riggs, this movie does seem to be quite divisive. Although it’s becoming a bit of a theme with this ranking, I disagree with the majority as I say the movie is quite good.
With a very fantastical but dire plot, the movie is a great spectacle. To balance out this great style, the movie does good with some focus on a more substantial and character driven side too. Eva Green is great as the lead Miss Peregrine, and Asa Butterfield is fantastic as well. Samuel L Jackson’s portrayal of Fred Barron is also perfect and very creepy. Overall, this film is the perfect movie to watch on a rainy day.
10. Batman Returns (1992)
Batman, well…, returns in Batman Returns, this time facing villains Catwoman and the Penguin. The movie also takes a Christmas theme, with the aesthetic becoming snow-laden. Quality-wise, there’s not much to differentiate it from its predecessor other than the fact that they continue to dial up the camp.
The movie’s tone is as unserious as it can get, with Danny DeVito eating raw fish and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle seeking vengeance against Christopher Walken, who has the very funny last name Shreck.
9. Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadows is a tight and cohesive film with a great cast and a well-paced plot. Johnny Depp is absolutely great in this film, with line delivery that is absolutely top-tier. All humour hits for the most part, especially with Chloe Grace Moretz’s character, Carolyn Stoddard.
The movie does take a turn for the worse in the third act, which lacks the necessary exposition and explanation of events, leaving the audience pretty confused. To me, this is the main thing that stops the movie from reaching greatness, as everything else is really a great time which makes it a solid addition to the filmography of Tim Burton.
8. Big Fish (2003)
One of the more personal stories on this list, Big Fish follows a non-linear timeline connected by the art of storytelling. It’s fitting due to how the movie glorifies the art form and how heartfelt the screenplay is. Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, and Helena Bonham Carter deliver great performances that elevate the film a ton.
Some really fun roles were given to Steve Buscemi and Danny DeVito, keeping the movie on the fantastical side with the latter — a great movie with some solid direction.
7. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Burton’s first and only legacy sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice succeeds the 1988 film with half the name. It is a fantastic update on the original film, picking up 36 years after the first. Most of the cast is back too! The result is a little overstuffed but hilarious movie. Feature First’s Senior Film Critic Jack Raskovich wrote “While the narrative is a mess at times, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice feels like a true return to form for Tim Burton.” Read his full review here.
6. Beetlejuice (1988)
Burton’s first feature dip into gothic horror is nothing short of insane. With a fantastic cast and an unhinged performance from Michael Keaton, this movie will have you cackling. The comedic timing here is perfect, and the practical effects are stunning and still hold up to this day, over 36 years later.
The narrative is especially unique and blends comedy, horror, and some dramatic elements very well. Beetlejuice, by far, is one of the greatest horror comedies ever made.
5. Corpse Bride (2005)
Co-directed by Mike Johnson, Corpse Bride is by far one of the more subtle films in Burton’s filmography. Starring the tried and true Tim Burton duo — Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the movie is a romance at heart. Its animation is very similar to that of A Nightmare Before Christmas and, therefore, an instant Halloween classic.
Some great songs and the fantastic pacing make this a must-watch for any Halloween enthusiast.
4. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
A movie that is a great adaptation of the classic tale, complete with some genuinely scary scenes and shockingly beautiful cinematography. The atmosphere created by Burton and Emmanuel Lubezki only adds to this, making for another perfect rainy-day movie.
Starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, and Christopher Walken, among many others, Sleepy Hollow is one of the best in Tim Burton’s filmography. It is criminally underrated, considering it’s barely mentioned when the director is brought up in conversation.
3. Ed Wood (1994)
A beautiful passion project that is just flatright gorgeous. Utilizing black and white to cement its status as a period piece, Ed Wood is a love letter to the art. Johnny Depp is as charismatic as he has ever been, but the movie would probably fall apart without his amazing performance.
Additional fantastic performances are given by Patricia Arquette, Bill Murray, Martin Landau, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Ed Wood flies by as long as you’re engrossed in the world Burton built. This film is not one to sleep on.
2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton’s first near masterpiece is disguised as a Summer comedy with gothic quirks. Deep down, the movie is about conformity and originality and is one of the most uniquely written films of the ‘90s.
Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Edward Scissorhands is nothing short of iconic, and the character’s comedy is hilarious and tragic (when it aims to be). Winona Ryder is great here, too, in one of her earliest film roles.
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Now, this is sure to be a hot take. Sure, this movie is nowhere near as good or iconic as the ‘70s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel, but this movie, to me, is a masterpiece! It is quirky enough to set itself apart, its visual style is far different from any other iteration, and it makes for a really enjoyable time.
The music works extremely well, and almost every song is very catchy. The child actors are all well-cast. Endlessly rewatchable, Johnny Depp is an icon.
Tim Burton is today known as one of the most revered directors, instantly recognizable by his wacky and gothic styles. His latest film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is now in theatres worldwide.
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