The life and work of Tim Burton: every film in order, from Pee-wee's Big Adventure to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Who is Tim Burton? His life and essential films in order, from Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood, Sweeney Todd and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with his style, his team and where to start.
Tim Burton is an American director, producer and artist, born on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. He made Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd, and his gothic, funny and tender fairy tales created a style so recognizable that it is called Burtonesque. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
Tim Burton at a glance
- Born: August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California, United States
- Known for: Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood and Sweeney Todd
- Signature: gothic fairy tales, outsiders and misfits, black and white stripes and spirals, stop-motion and the scores of Danny Elfman
- Honors: two Oscar nominations for animated features (Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie) and a Golden Globe for Sweeney Todd as best musical or comedy
Early life and career
Burton grew up in Burbank, a quiet suburb he often felt like an outsider in, and drew monsters and made short films as a kid. He studied at CalArts and worked as an animator at Disney, where he felt out of place. His short films Vincent and Frankenweenie caught attention and led to Pee-wee's Big Adventure in 1985.
The films, era by era
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Pee-wee Herman goes on a surreal cross-country trip to find his stolen bicycle. Burton's first feature, already full of bright, strange visual ideas.
Beetlejuice (1988)
A dead couple hires a ghost trickster to scare away the living family in their house, with Michael Keaton. A funny, creepy comedy that won the Oscar for makeup.
Batman (1989)
Michael Keaton's Batman fights Jack Nicholson's Joker in a dark, stylized Gotham. It changed superhero films and was a massive hit.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
A gentle artificial man with scissors for hands is taken in by a suburban family, with Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder. One of Burton's most personal films, and the start of his partnership with Depp.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas, in stop-motion. Burton created the story and produced it, and it was directed by Henry Selick.
Ed Wood (1994)
The story of Ed Wood, the director often called the worst of all time, in black and white, with Johnny Depp. Martin Landau won an Oscar for playing Bela Lugosi.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Johnny Depp plays Ichabod Crane investigating headless horseman murders in 1799. A gothic horror mystery, adapted from Washington Irving.
Corpse Bride (2005)
A shy groom, voiced by Johnny Depp, accidentally marries a dead bride in a stop-motion musical. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
A barber seeks revenge in Victorian London in a musical by Stephen Sondheim, with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. It won the Oscar for art direction.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
The ghost with the most returns decades later, with Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega. A sequel that revives the first film's handmade spirit.
Tim Burton movies in order
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
- Beetlejuice (1988)
- Batman (1989)
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Ed Wood (1994)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Corpse Bride (2005)
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
What defines a Tim Burton film?
- Gothic fairy tales. Dark, whimsical worlds with big heart, from Halloween Town to a pastel suburb.
- The outsider hero. Misfits, monsters and ghosts are the ones with the most tenderness.
- Handmade look. Practical effects, stop-motion, striped patterns, and scores by Danny Elfman.
Frequently asked questions about Tim Burton
Who is Tim Burton?
Tim Burton is an American director, producer and artist, born on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. He made Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd, and his gothic, funny and tender fairy tales created a style so recognizable that it is called Burtonesque. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
When and where was Tim Burton born?
Tim Burton was born on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California, and studied at CalArts.
What is Tim Burton's best movie?
Most critics and fans choose Edward Scissorhands, with Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ed Wood close behind. There is no single answer, so rate them on Rankiew and build your own ranking.
Which Tim Burton movie should I watch first?
Start with Beetlejuice for comedy, Edward Scissorhands for his most heartfelt fairy tale, The Nightmare Before Christmas for animation and Ed Wood for a biography about love of cinema.
Did Tim Burton win the Oscar for Best Director?
No. Burton has not been nominated for Best Director, but two of his animated films, Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, were nominated for Best Animated Feature. Ed Wood won two Oscars and Sweeney Todd won one.
Rate every Tim Burton movie
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own list of Tim Burton movies.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
