When it comes to the macabre and strange, few have a reputation for excelling at it to the extent of Tim Burton. An iconoclast the minute his career began, Burton has become synonymous with downright eccentric storylines and characters, which populate his works en masse. With a career of directing, producing and writing films for over thirty years, he’s an icon in Hollywood, his films beloved by many. Although I wish I could rank all of his films equally, I promised they would be the top 5, so I will comply. Without further ado, here are the top 5 best Tim Burton films of all time ranked!
5. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
The first directorial effort from Burton, one can be forgiven for not initially realizing that this is one of his films. Starring Paul Reubens as the eponymous protagonist, the film concerns the adventures of Pee-Wee as he travels across the United States to recover his stolen bicycle. He meets an unusual assortment of individuals, some of which help him and others hinder him on his quest to recover his most prized possession. Can Pee-Wee find his bike?
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure is an anomaly among Burton’s films, but a fun one that demands re-watching. It isn’t his most inventive premise, but it’s engaging, with a premise that never gets stale; the American road trip.
4. Batman (1989)
Superhero films weren’t quite the dime a dozen affair they are nowadays in the late 1980s. If anything, they were far from it. The Dark Knight himself was no exception to this rule, that is until Burton put on the director’s hat. As with many stories revolving around the Caped Crusader, Batman (Michael Keaton) must thwart the nefarious Joker (Jack Nicholson) from wreaking havoc in Gotham City. Can the Bat save the day from Joker and his goons?
It can be hard to appreciate how far Burton advanced the superhero genre with this film. It can be hokey and silly at times, much like the 1966 television series it ironically tried to differentiate itself from, but it’s nevertheless a solidly gripping comic book movie with a lot of pizzaz and spunk.
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Remakes can be a risky business not only on the financial front but also in terms of pleasing fans of the original work. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory experienced this very problem, with articles unfavorably comparing it to the original film. Does it warrant such odious disapproval? I’d firmly say not. As usual, five children win a contest to visit the candy producing factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp), an overgrown child trapped in a man’s body. Which child will come out on top and which will learn lessons in morality?
You probably already know the answers to these questions, but that’s irrelevant because Charlie and the Factory is an absolute delight of a film, with inventive set pieces, dazzling visual effects, and fun musical numbers. It’s just as great as the original film.
2. Ed Wood (1994)
TAn eccentric filmmaker directing a film about another eccentric filmmaker may seem a little bit meta, but apparently, Burton saw himself fit for the task, with 1994’s Ed Wood. Focusing on the eponymous director, the film examines his bizarre philosophies for filmmaking and mixed critical results.
Ed Wood doesn’t have the most wildly fantastical story of Burton’s films, but it does provide a glimpse into the mind of a similarly erratic auteur and the result is fantastic.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Technically, Tim Burton did not direct this Halloween-Christmas classic, with that honor going to Henry Selick. That being said, this is otherwise entirely a Tim Burton effort, with Burton producing the film and his original vision forming the basis of the story. And what is the story for this film which ranks number 1 on the list? Very simple. Pumpkin King Jack Skellington is the leader of a group of ghouls and monsters whose lives revolve around Halloween. After Jack grows bored of the repetitive traditions, he stumbles into a land that worships Christmas and becomes entranced. Jack vows to celebrate Christmas now, but can he bring his unique customs to the holiday successfully?
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stunning achievement both visually and storyline wise. It taps into our sense of childlike wonder and entrances us with characters who represent our creative longing to make a difference. It’s a classic film through and through and Burton brings it to life.