My Top 10: Tim Burton Films

For over 30 years, Tim Burton has shocked and amazed us with his directing style. Always known for his great use of fantasy mixed in with his regular gothic style of visuals. Burton has become a world renowned director that has boosted many actors careers.

His style definitely divides audiences. But one thing is for sure, is that he is always talked about.

Before anyone starts complaining, 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is not on this list as Tim Burton did not direct it. He was a producer and Henry Selick was the director, despite the promotion campaign always billing it as 'Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas'.

As I have seen 19 of Burton's 21 films, I have decided to rank of all his films that I have seen, as well as a short review for each of my top 10:

19) Dark Shadows
18) Planet Of The Apes
17) Dumbo
16) Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
15) Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
14) Alice In Wonderland
13) Pee Wee's Big Adventure
12) Mars Attacks!
11) Beetlejuice

10) Big Eyes - Burton's 2014 installment is a bit off-piste for a lot of his regular features.

Despite this being pretty small by Burton's standard, this story based on true events is astonishing and performances from Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz really enhanced it to make this a terrific watch.

9) Batman - Burton would definitely not be my first choice in directing a Batman film. But he manages to create a vision of Gotham that won audiences over.

He also brings back Michael Keaton, this time as the caped crusader himself.

With Jack Nicholson playing the Joker, there is a lot to like about this wonderfully paced, dark and gritty feature.

8) Frankenweenie - A highly enjoyable stop-motion story with lots of good references to the old monster movies.

It sees a boy determined to bring his recently deceased dog back to life. However there are serious consequences to his task.

7) Sleepy Hollow - A story that is perfect for Burton became a huge surprise with me.
After only seeing this in 2013, Sleepy Hollow showed Burton giving depth in everything he showed on screen.
From the content, to the set designs, costumes, visuals and general tone to it. This is wonderfully haunting and gives it enough vintage to it to make seem like it has jumped off the pages from the iconic novel.

6) Batman Returns - Not seen by many as Burton's best Batman. But it definitely is for me.

Burton's portrait of Gotham works for me and with the stakes much higher, the entertainment levels are romping way throughout.

Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer gives us engaging and very memorable performances as villains Penguin and Catwoman.

5) Corpse Bride - Burton has a rich history of stop-motion animation and this probably his best work as a director.

When a groom-to-be practices his vows, a young woman rises from the grave assuming it is her that is to be married.

The creations made are tremendous to look at, and Burton's gothic style is a perfect match.

4) Edward Scissorhands - Probably the film that people associate most with Burton.
It sees Johnny Depp play an uncommonly gentle young man that for some reason has scissors for hands.
I had only seen this fairly recently and could see why this was so successful.
It is brilliantly directed, is very well structured and we end up caring for such a character that defines Burton's career as a great director.

3) Ed Wood - Finally got round to seeing this and it is as terrific as everyone says it its.

Johnny Deppy plays the ambitious but troubled director Edward D. Wood Jnr. who is looking to fulfill his dream as a film director. This true story is a great watch, especially for fans of the history of film.

2) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street - A dark, gritty, gothic film starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter. Surely this sounds like a generic Burton film?

At first it does, but the performances and extraordinary pace and tone gives us such a powerful and memorable film that puts Burton back on the map with a hugely successful re-telling of the gory stage musical.

1) Big Fish - This film manages to make it feel very Burton-esque and yet nothing we have seen him do before.
This surprising heart-warmer not only shows a great love story. But also the relationship of a father and son.

Burton gives us an extraordinary journey that Ewan McGregor's character stumbles upon several odd characters with a heart-wrenching conclusion that definitely pulled my heart strings.