Few directors have left such an eerie and enchanting fingerprint on cinema as Tim Burton. His gothic whimsy, tragic heroes, and surreal humor make his films perfect for spooky season. Here are the best Tim Burton movies — the iconic Tim Burton movies that defined his style, the most popular Tim Burton movies audiences return to, and the ultimate Tim Burton movies to watch in Halloween.

At a Glance

Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands remain fan favorites and show why Burton is a master of gothic humor and tender storytelling.
Batman Returns and The Nightmare Before Christmas are cult classics that highlight his ability to mix the dark, the playful, and the iconic.
Films like Sleepy Hollow and Corpse Bride deliver the eerie visuals and atmosphere that make them ideal movies to revisit in October.
From musicals like Sweeney Todd to stop-motion gems like Frankenweenie, Burton’s work offers endless Halloween-ready viewing options.

1) Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice is often the first film mentioned when listing the best Tim Burton movies, and for good reason. This supernatural dark comedy tells the story of a recently deceased couple who enlist the help of a mischievous “bio-exorcist” to scare off the new occupants of their home. The mix of macabre humor, surreal visuals, and Michael Keaton’s unforgettable performance cemented it as one of the most popular Tim Burton movies ever made.

Plot: A ghostly couple recruits Betelgeuse to reclaim their home.
What to expect: Over-the-top gags, bizarre creatures, and practical effects.
Vibe: Wild, funny, and spooky — a Halloween classic.

2) Edward Scissorhands (1990)

One of the most iconic Tim Burton movies, Edward Scissorhands blends gothic fairytale with bittersweet suburban satire. Johnny Depp plays Edward, an artificial man with scissors for hands, who struggles to fit into pastel suburbia while yearning for acceptance and love. The story is tragic yet whimsical, balancing Burton’s darker sensibilities with tender humanity.

Plot: An outsider with scissor hands tries to live in suburbia.
What to expect: Heartfelt performances, snowy visuals, and Elfman’s moving score.
Vibe: Poetic, melancholy, and magical.

3) Batman Returns (1992)

Burton’s second Batman film, Batman Returns, is darker and more surreal than its predecessor, ranking high among the most popular Tim Burton movies. Featuring Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s grotesque Penguin, Batman Returns embraces gothic spectacle and eerie fantasy. It remains a superhero film unlike any other, dripping with stylized menace.

Plot: Batman faces two twisted foes while Gotham descends into chaos.
What to expect: Gothic sets, stylized villains, and operatic visuals.
Vibe: Dark, theatrical, and strangely beautiful.

4) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Henry Selick directed The Nightmare Before Christmas while Burton created the story, produced it, and stamped it with his signature style, making it one of the most iconic Tim Burton movies in popular culture. Jack Skellington’s journey from Halloween Town to Christmas Town is both charming and spooky, making this film a staple every October (and December).

Plot: Jack Skellington tries to bring Christmas cheer to Halloween Town.
What to expect: Stop-motion artistry, catchy songs, and haunting visuals.
Vibe: Whimsical, festive, and spooky fun.

5) Sleepy Hollow (1999)

For pure gothic horror, Sleepy Hollow is one of the best Tim Burton movies to watch in Halloween. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane investigating the legend of the Headless Horseman, and the fog-soaked woods, eerie sets, and suspenseful pacing deliver full October chills.

Plot: A detective investigates murders tied to a headless rider.
What to expect: Period horror, gothic sets, and supernatural thrills.
Vibe: Atmospheric, eerie, and classically Halloween.

6) Corpse Bride (2005)

Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animated musical romance that is one of the most popular Tim Burton movies for Halloween. Victor accidentally weds a ghost bride and is swept into the underworld, a realm Burton renders with both gloom and charm. The skeletal characters and haunting melodies make it a macabre yet moving fairytale.

Plot: A shy groom is whisked into the underworld by a ghost bride.
What to expect: Stop-motion artistry, haunting songs, gothic romance.
Vibe: Melancholy, whimsical, and otherworldly.

7) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Among the best Tim Burton movies, Sweeney Todd shows his darker, more operatic side. Johnny Depp plays the vengeful barber who teams with Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) to turn corpses into meat pies. It’s gruesome yet stylish, mixing horror with grand musical theater.

Plot: A barber seeks revenge, with murderous consequences.
What to expect: Dark humor, bloody set pieces, and haunting songs.
Vibe: Macabre, dramatic, and musically chilling.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

8) Ed Wood (1994)

Often called Burton’s love letter to the outsider, Ed Wood is one of the iconic Tim Burton movies for cinephiles. It follows the real-life story of filmmaker Ed Wood, often labeled the “worst director of all time.” Burton crafts an affectionate, eccentric portrait of ambition against the odds.

Plot: The story of cult director Ed Wood and his strange productions.
What to expect: Quirky characters, offbeat humor, heartfelt storytelling.
Vibe: Tender, eccentric, and celebratory of misfits.

9) Frankenweenie (2012)

Burton expands his early short into a full black-and-white stop-motion feature, Frankenweenie, one of the Tim Burton movies to watch in Halloween for families. A young boy revives his pet dog, sparking chaos in his town, blending classic horror tropes with kid-friendly spookiness.

Plot: A boy brings his beloved dog back from the dead.
What to expect: Stop-motion charm, nods to Frankenstein, family-friendly scares.
Vibe: Sweet, nostalgic, and lightly spooky.

10) Dark Shadows (2012)

Based on the gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows is quirky camp with Burton’s gothic flair. Johnny Depp plays a vampire reawakened in the 1970s, navigating his eccentric family and enemies. Though divisive, it remains one of his most popular Tim Burton movies for its blend of humor and darkness.

Plot: A vampire adjusts to the modern world and family feuds.
What to expect: Campy dialogue, gothic costumes, playful satire.
Vibe: Strange, colorful, and comically eerie.

FAQ

What are the best Tim Burton movies?

Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Corpse Bride.

Which films are considered iconic Tim Burton movies?

Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Edward Scissorhands.

What are the most popular Tim Burton movies with audiences?

Beetlejuice, Sweeney Todd, and Frankenweenie rank highly among fans.

Which Tim Burton movies are best for Halloween viewing?

Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, and Sweeney Todd.

Curtain Call on Burton's Best

Tim Burton’s films are more than movies—they’re living fairytales of the eerie and extraordinary. His work ranges from the ghoulish comedy of Beetlejuice to the bittersweet romance of Edward Scissorhands and the haunting elegance of Sleepy Hollow. These stories of outsiders, dreamers, and dark worlds continue to resonate every October. If you’re planning a Halloween watchlist, few things compare to the unforgettable magic of the best Tim Burton movies.