If you’re anything like me, you’re still having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Halloween is over. With a whole year left until the next time you can celebrate, here is a list of the best Tim Burton movies to help get you through the post-Halloween slump.
1. The Corpse Bride
My personal favorite Tim Burton movie, The Corpse Bride manages to perfectly balance romance, comedy, and spookiness, and all in the style of classic Tim Burton stop-motion animation. In the film, Victor, a groom-to-be, ending up in a complicated love triangle after accidentally proposing to a dead woman while rehearsing his vows. The movie spans only a few days, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there aren’t a fair share of plot twists contained within that time. In addition, there are plenty of beautiful songs incorporated into this movie, including many instrumental piano pieces. Overall, the main characters are incredibly lovable and the plot is intriguing. This movie is just creepy enough while still telling a beautiful (albeit unconventional) love story.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
It would be impossible to make a list of Tim Burton movies without including the classic Nightmare Before Christmas. It also just so happens to be the 25th anniversary of the movie, which is just another reason to add it to your watch list! In this film, Jack, the main character, becomes fed up with the same old Halloween celebrations and happens to stumble upon Christmas Town. He becomes infatuated with the new holiday and is determined to make it his own. This movie is perfect to watch after Halloween because it involves both Halloween and Christmas, so it’s a great transition to move from your post-Halloween blues to holiday excitement! Similarly to The Corpse Bride, the movie also contains catchy, fun songs and a surprising love story. The characters are humorous and interesting, and the plot features a completely unique concept.
3. Beetlejuice
It’s showtime! No list would be complete without including Beetlejuice! Coincidentally, it is also an anniversary year for Beetlejuice, so whether you’re already a fan or have yet to check it out, celebrating 30 years of the ghost with the most is a great reason to watch this classic. The movie focuses on Adam and Barbara, a recently deceased married couple who are stuck haunting their old home. They hire Beetlejuice to help scare away the new family that is moving in. Winona Ryder makes an appearance her iconic character Lydia Deetz, the strange and unusual daughter of the house’s new couple. The movie is very goofy, lighthearted, and overall enjoyable. More of a comedy on the topic of ghosts than a horror movie, Beetlejuice is the perfect way to have a laugh and lift your spirits as the spooky season comes to a close.
4. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd is a spectacularly well made film adaption of the musical by the same name. Starring two Tim Burton regulars, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, this is definitely the goriest and creepiest movie on the list. The plot follows Sweeney Todd, a man convicted of a crime he did not commit, as he joins forces with Mrs. Lovett to make a name for themselves in town through unconventional means. The movie has mostly muted colors and dark tones throughout, as well as lots of exaggerated blood spatter. The songs are beautiful despite the topics contained within the lyrics, and impressively all the actors sang their songs themselves. Despite the heinous acts committed by the pair, it’s impossible to not feel sympathy for them. The plot will keep you hooked throughout the entire movie, and the classic Burton style of hair, clothing, and makeup perfectly compliments the story.
5. Frankenweenie
This story follows Victor (yes, just like The Corpse Bride, feel free to look up the conspiracies) as he discovers how to resurrect dead animals. However, despite his good intentions in raising his and his friends’ pets from the dead, things take a turn for the worse. Frankenweenie is the least spooky and most family-friendly film on the list, but it makes for a heartwarming watch. It exemplifies the connections between pets and their owners through a cute but haunting lens.
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