Top 5 Tim Burton Movies
Evelyn Weber – December 16, 2025
With the upcoming Christmas break, many people get sick of the same old basic Christmas movies you watch every year. What about movies for other holidays? It makes me miss watching Halloween movies, with their scary, eerie, spooky, and cozy vibe. One director who creates amazing, eerie movies with a comfy feeling is Tim Burton. Tim Burton is an American animator and filmmaker. He was born on August 25, 1958, and he has been credited with directing 36 movies and TV shows, with still more to come. Most of his work follows a gothic or fantasy theme. Like many others, I am a big fan of his movies and TV shows. Most of his movies become instant classics, and they are never a boring watch. This list is my top 5 movies by Tim Burton. The rankings on this list are my opinion, based mostly on vibes and my own experiences.
5. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
🍅 : 91% IMDb: 7.8/10
In fifth place is Edward Scissorhands. Edward, played by Johnny Depp, lives alone in a gothic mansion above a suburban town. One day, an Avon saleslady from the town comes to the door. She takes a liking to him and brings him into the town. While in the town, he struggles to truly fit in, although most people seem to like him. The visuals in this movie are stunning, and it ends up tackling some harder topics. The theme of not fitting in is relatable and comforting. At first, the concept might seem weird, but if you give it a chance, you will surely be blown away.
4. Beetlejuice (1988)
🍅 : 83% IMDb: 7.4/10
In fourth place is Beetlejuice, but don’t say his name three times. This movie follows a couple who died and are trying to get the people who bought their house out. The family that bought the house is trying to tear it down, and the original residents do not want that. While protecting their house, they enlist the help of Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton, who is an evil demon that causes more problems than he solves. The best part of this film is the costumes and special effects. The costumes are unique and stunning. When you take one look at the land of the dead, you will be wowed by the colors and unique choices. The special effects are also really good for their time. Many of the effects give the film a surrealist feel without making it feel dated.
3. Corpse Bride (2005)
🍅 : 85% IMDb: 7.4/10
In third place is Corpse Bride. The movie follows Victor Van Dort, played by Johny Depp, as he is preparing to marry a girl named Victoria. While practicing vows, he puts his ring on what he thinks is a branch, but is really a dead bride’s finger. The dead bride is named Emily and voiced by Helena Bonham Carter. She decides they are now married, but Victor wants to get back to his bride-to-be, Victoria. This movie is beautiful. It is in the style of stop motion animation, a tedious process that, if done right, makes the most stunning films. The coloring in the movie is also excellent. It shows the contrast between the dreary living world compared to the energetic and colorful world of the dead.
2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
🍅 : 65% IMDb: 6.7/10
In second place is Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. In this film, Jake, played by Asa Butterfield, is visiting his grandfather on a secluded island and discovers there is a mystery at foot. He finds a home of children with supernatural powers run by Miss Peregrine, played by Eva Green. However, they are all stuck in a time loop because monsters are haunting them. Jake and the children must come together to defeat the monsters. This movie is very underrated. The story and the vibes are incredible. It is the perfect mix of whimsy and serious story that will keep you cozy and intrigued.
1. Big Fish (2003)
🍅 : 76% IMDb: 7.9/10
In the number one spot is Big Fish. Big Fish is probably the most underrated Tim Burton Film, and is one of the rare occasions where the movie is better than the book. The movie and book both follow the life and adventures of Edward Bloom, played by Ewan McGregor, in his younger years. In the movie, it also directs focus onto Edward at this point in his life, suffering with cancer and on his deathbed. The movie consists of outlandish stories that can’t help but grab your attention. It also includes stunning visuals that really put you in the story. Big Fish is my number one sick day movie. Every time I watch it, it cheers me up.
Please Watch
Now you know what Tim Burton movies you should watch over break if you ever get sick of the festive cheer. I also encourage you to watch more than just the ones listed. As I said before, these are my top 5, but it is more than likely that you will like different ones.