Tim Burton is the king of all things creepy, so I’ve ranked some of his more popular movies that are must-see for Halloween.
1. Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice is one of the strangest movies that I have ever watched, but it is a Halloween classic. It features a couple who recently died and are trying to scare away the people that have moved into their house. They try multiple times, but the people refuse to leave. They also form a bond with the daughter of the people who live there. If you like contemplating what is going to happen to you after you die, this movie is certainly for you. It also stars Wynona Rider, which is always a plus. This film isn’t particularly scary, but it is weird and wacky. It is also a comedy, so you’re in for a good laugh.
2. Dark Shadows: Dark Shadows is one of my all time favorite movies. It features Johnny Depp as an 18th-century vampire who wakes up in 1972. It is complete with hippies, magic, curses, murder, and Alice Cooper. This movie is not particularly scary, but it features multiple monsters, so I feel like it can be classified as a Halloween movie. It is also supposed to be a comedy, which is good for those who want to participate in the Halloween festivities but don’t want a good scare. This movie, while not the most well known of Tim Burton’s films, is a must-see.
3. Edward Scissorhands: Edward Scissorhands is another favorite of mine. This one also features Johnny Depp as Frankenstein-like creation. It also stars Wynona Rider. A scientist created him and gave him hands that were made of scissors. Eventually, this scientist dies and Edward is abandoned. He ends up living with a family in a cookie-cutter town. People love him at first, but eventually his differences get in the way. Depending on how sensitive you are, this movie can be a lot. I cry every time I watch it.
4. Sweeney Todd: Let me begin by saying that I am completely biased when recommending this movie. It isn’t technically a Halloween movie. Personally I watch it all year long. It is creepy, weird, and quite frankly, very messed up. It features a killer barber, crime, cannibalism, and more! This one, like almost every other Time Burton movie, stars Johnny Depp as the main character. His sidekick, Mrs. Lovett, is played by Helena Bonham Carter. It also stars Alan Rickman, for any Harry Potter fans that may be out there. This movie is unique to this list because it is a musical. Either way, this movie is a lot of fun and is sure to be a crowd-pleasing Halloween movie.
5. The Corpse Bride: This movie is different from the others because it is animated. Personally, I am not a big fan of this one, but I am not a big fan of most animated movies. This one, however, is not the worst. Johnny Depp voices the main character, Victor. He is set to marry Victoria in an arranged marriage. Though they like each other, they are unsure about getting married. As you can probably guess, drama ensued.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas: Fair warning, this movie is one of my least favorite movies in the world, but I felt that I needed to include it because it is a must-see Halloween movie. It follows to adventures of Jack Skellington, who is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. He becomes bored with his own routine and discovers Christmastown. He then tries to make Halloweentown and Christmastown similar. The townspeople, however, are not very happy about this. If you like animation, this movie is for you.