Tim Burton is one of the most iconic and influential directors of all time, known for his distinctive style of blending gothic horror and fantasy elements.
He has created some of the most memorable and imaginative films in cinema history, such as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Alice in Wonderland.
In this post, I will look at the 5 best Tim Burton horror-themed movies, each showcasing his talent for creating creepy and captivating stories and characters.
Here are my picks for the 5 best Tim Burton horror movies in no particular order.
5. Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadows is a horror-comedy based on the 1960s Gothic soap opera of the same name.
The film stars frequent Burton collaborator Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins, a 18th-century vampire who is awakened in 1972 and tries to restore his family’s fortune and reputation.
The star-studded cast also features Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Chloe Grace Moretz in supporting roles.
Watch the spooky trailer for this gothic horror comedy below!
Dark Shadows is a fun, campy horror comedy. It has some great comedic gags, spooky scenes filled with supernatural beings, and very impressive visuals.
The film is no cinematic masterpiece, but its clever writing, strong score and commitment to bringing its subject matter to life with a Burton-sized budget makes it a fantastic horror comedy to watch during Halloween season.
4. Mars Attacks! (1996)
Mars Attacks! is a sci-fi horror-comedy that parodies the 1950s alien invasion films.
Starring an ensemble cast of stars, such as Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker (as a dog-human hybrid), and Tom Jones. The film follows the chaotic events that unfold when a fleet of Martian spacecrafts arrives on Earth, and the Martians reveal their hostile intentions.
See the aliens invade Earth in the trailer for Mars Attacks below!
Mars Attacks! is a hilarious and absurd film that mocks the clichés and the stereotypes of the genre. It has a lot of campy and over-the-top moments, such as the Martians’ silly design, their high-pitched voices, and their random acts of violence.
In addition to taking things over the top, the film also hits the nail on the head with a lot of sharp dark and satirical humor. Mars Attacks! is a fun and entertaining film that does not take itself seriously, and neither should the audience.
Want more sci-fi horror? Check out our other sci-fi horror news and lists!
3. Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice (…Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice…) is a Tim Burton horror-comedy that tells the story of the recently deceased Adam and Barbara Maitland, a couple who haunt their former home and try to scare away the new owners, the Deetz family.
After unsuccessfully evacuating their new tenants, they hire a mischievous ghost named Beetlejuice to help them. With the help of the Deetz daughter, Lydia, Adam and Barbara now need to deal with a bigger problem than the Deetz family – Beetlejuice!
The film stars another iconic Time Burton ensemble cast with roles filled by Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara.
Beetlejuice is a cult classic that showcases Burton’s creativity and originality. The film has a unique and quirky style, with colorful and surreal sets and an uniquely crafted story.
Watch the hilarious Beetlejuice horror comedy movie trailer below!
The film is filled with witty jokes, visual gags and clever dialogue, eccentric characters, and a catchy soundtrack. Beetlejuice is a film that is both spooky and funny, and it is one of Burton’s most beloved and iconic works.
Beetlejuice has spanned several movies (with Beetlejuice 2 on the way), a Broadway musical, and even a TV show in the 36 years since the first film came out!
Beetlejuice: The Musical (…The Musical, The Musical…) on Broadway
Beetlejuice: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect, entered our realm from the afterlife in Washington DC in 2018 before transferring to Broadway in 2019.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic shut the show down in March 2020, before reopening and closing again during a 9-month run ending in 2023. The musical is now touring the US and select cities across the globe.
Listen to the soundtrack for Beetlejuice: The Musical below!
Was Beetlejuice: The Musical filmed?
As published in an interview between The Hollywood Reporter and Beetlejuice: The Musical producer Mark Kaufman, there was a plans to create a ‘proshot’ of the Broadway horror comedy show. A proshot is a professionally filmed version of a live performance, such as Hamilton, Newsies, and the national tour of recently-updated horror musical Sweeney Todd (more on that later).
Kaufman said about the proshot, “We had planned to do it in April [2020]. And a lot of things happened. During the pandemic, a lot of these video captures came out, some successful, some not as successful. I think it’s a very expensive venture, and I think at this moment in time, it wasn’t the right idea for us to focus on it.”
Watch Sophia Anne Caruso sing the powerful song “Dead Mom” from Beetlejuice: The Musical below!
It is rumoured that the proshot was actually filmed, and this rumour is further supported by the high-quality capture of the below clip from the show! Musical theatre fans are holding out hope that producers will eventually give us a new and exciting way to enjoy this musical from home.
Do you think we will ever get to see the Beetlejuice proshot? Let us know in the comments below!
Beetlejuice 2 on the way
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (also known as Beetlejuice 2) is the upcoming 2024 horror comedy sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton film Beetlejuice.
The development and production of Beetlejuice 2 has been a long and complicated process, spanning over three decades and involving multiple writers, directors, and producers.
Curious about what other horror movies are coming out in 2024? Read our latest list of 5 Upcoming Horror Movies to Watch Out For in 2024
The original idea for a sequel was Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, which was thankfully never produced. The project was revived several times in the following years, but none of them made it to production.
In 2022, it was announced that Beetlejuice 2 was officially in the works, with Burton directing and Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprising their roles.
The film also added new cast members such as Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci.
Tim Burton shared an update on the end of filming via his Instagram account on 30 November 2023.
The film finished shooting in November 2023 after halting filming 2-days out of completion during the Hollywood labor dispute, and is expected to be released on September 6, 2024.
2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a musical horror film adapted from the the 1979 stage musical of the same name.
This gory horror musical movie stars Johnny Depp as the titular character, a barber who returns to London after being wrongfully imprisoned and seeks revenge on the judge who ruined his life. He teams up with Mrs. Lovett, a pie maker who uses his victims as ingredients for her pies.
The film also features Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Do you love horror-themed musicals? Check out our 4 Best Horror Musical Hidden Gems (plus one to avoid).
Sweeney Todd is a masterpiece of horror and musical genres. It has a dark and Gothic atmosphere, with a bleak and gloomy color palette, a grim and gritty setting, and is packed with violent and bloody imagery.
This fantastic musical horror movie also has a brilliant and haunting soundtrack, with powerful and emotional songs, sung by the talented and expressive cast.
Sweeney Todd is a film that is both horrifying and beautiful, and it is one of Burton’s most powerful films.
Watch the haunting trailer for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street below!
Is Sweeney Todd on Broadway?
This iconic horror musical was revived in a new Broadway production in 2023.
The 2023 Broadway revival, directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Steven Hoggett, starred Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford in the lead roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett.
Legends of the Broadway stage and stars of the screen, Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster, filled the lead roles for an exclusive 12-week engagement once Groban and Ashford completed their time in the roles in January 2024.
See Josh Groban and in the dark teaser trailer for Sweeney Todd on Broadway below!
The production received critical acclaim and was nominated for 8 Tony Awards, winning a number, including Light and Sound Design of a Musical. The show is expected to run into Spring 2024, with a tour planned for 2025.
1. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollow is a scary gothic horror movie based on the 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.
Again collaborating, this film stars Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, a constable who is sent to the village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders committed by a mysterious headless horseman. The film also features Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, and Christopher Walken.
Sleepy Hollow is Burton’s most serious horror movie, and one of his highest quality movies in general.
Watch the heart-pumping trailer for Sleepy Hollow below!
It strikes a balance of horror and fantasy, with a captivating and suspenseful story and a terrifying and mysterious villain. The atmospheric visual presentation adds to the depth of the horror, and the fact that most people know the legend of the Headless Horseman only adds to the scares.
Sleepy Hollow is a film that is both scary and enchanting, and it is a masterpiece of Gothic horror.
Did you know that there is a horror stage musical about the tale of Sleepy Hollow titled Tarrytown? Starring Jeremy Jordan, Andy Mientus, and Krysta Rodriguez, it features a haunting song about the tale of the Headless Horseman. Listen below!
Honourable mention: Frankenweenie (2012)
Frankenweenie is a stop-motion, black-and-white animated comedy that pays homage to classic horror films, especially Frankenstein. The film is actually a remake of Tim Burton’s early 1984 short film of the same title.
Watch the original Frankenweenie short film starring Shelley Duvall and a young Sophia Copolla!
The updated 2012 story follows Victor Frankenstein, a young science enthusiast who resurrects his beloved dog Sparky using electricity. However, his secret is soon discovered with disastrous consequences. Victor and Sparky must then save the town from the rampaging monsters.
The film is a charming and heartfelt celebration of friendship and loyalty. The animation is expressive, capturing the quirky and grotesque style of Burton’s characters.
The voice cast, which includes returning collaborators Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Short, delivers witty and emotional performances. The film also contains many references and nods to horror icons such as Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Bela Lugosi. Frankenweenie is a fun and touching film that will appeal to both fans and newcomers of Burton’s work.
Watch the spooky trailer for Frankenweenie below. How many classic horror movie references you can see?
Frankenweenie gets a special mention because it is a great introductory horror film that is also suitable for children and families. The film balances the themes of death, grief, and resurrection with humor and nostalgia.
Tim Burton never fails to disappoint with his signature stop-motion animation and commitment to classic horror cinema.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and enjoy a Tim Burton horror movie marathon!
These are my picks for the 5 best Tim Burton horror movies, but of course, this is just my personal opinion. You may agree or disagree with me, and that is fine. The beauty of Tim Burton’s films is that they appeal to different tastes and preferences, and they offer something for everyone.
Whether you are a fan of horror, comedy, fantasy, or musicals, you will find a Tim Burton film that suits your mood and style.
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