Perhaps the main reason why Tim Burton has become one of the most renowned directors of modern times is his distinctive aesthetic that runs through every one of his films, making them immediately recognizable. This director, producer, writer, and artist grew up immersed in the arts, and by the young age of 21, he released the short film Stalk of the Celery Monster, with which he attracted the attention of a giant in the industry: Walt Disney Productions. Burton served as an apprentice in the company’s animation team, but even then, his aesthetics set him apart from the rest of Disney’s animators. So much so, that his work was generally discarded and did not make it to the big screen, though this challenging start would consolidate the bases that turned him into a major filmmaker.
Burton has managed to handle most film genres through hits such as Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow, as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish, and Batman, all very different but with one thing in common: a gloomy aesthetic influenced by German Expressionism, with shapes and color palettes embodying his trademark style. Aided by his outstanding ensemble cast, which includes frequent collaborator Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Winona Ryder, among others, Burton manages to give life to characters that go straight to the viewers’ hearts. Usually, the main characters in his films tend to be social outcasts due to who they are, or they stand out for being eccentric and misunderstood by everyone around them, often drawing inspiration from the director’s own life. Although they are unusual characters, they are also very human, which helps the audience to immediately empathize with them. Aided by this group of peculiar characters, Burton succeeds in fusing the frightening, the whimsical, and the mundane in each of his films to create a unique journey for each viewer. This article lists some of Tim Burton’s best movie characters.
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10 Sparky — Frankenweenie
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
This character is the core of the 2012 film Frankenweenie, which is inspired by the 1984 short film also created by Burton. Sparky is the energetic pet dog of Victor Frankenstein, a lonely scientist boy. This bull terrier was his most unconditional friend, until he was hit by a car, leaving Victor alone and heartbroken. Even though this tragic story has a happy ending, with Victor bringing Sparky back to life, it is inspired by the director’s early memories of losing a pet. Indeed, Sparky resonates with anyone who has ever felt both the genuine love that can only be given by a pet and, later on, the never-ending sadness of losing it.
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9 Ed Wood — Ed Wood
Buena Vista Pictures
As one of his many collaborations with Burton, Depp played the titular filmmaker in the biographical comedy-drama film Ed Wood. In this Burton ode to Wood, he explores a question that drives most artists: “What if I’m no good?” Depp does a great job conveying Wood’s ambition, ability to dream, and his love for each little detail of his bizarre and odd films, as well as the quirkiness that made him such a beloved character.
8 Willy Wonka — Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Warner Bros.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Depp is Willy Wonka, the most famous chocolatier and owner of The Wonka Factory. As a very peculiar literary character that had already been adapted to the big screen (by Gene Wilder for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), the Burton-Depp duo faced the difficult task of recreating him, but they were up to the task: Burton’s Wonka is weird, always pretending to be jolly, with a cocky attitude and poor social skills that attempt to disguise the darkness that surrounds him. Beneath his well-groomed image as an eccentric businessman hides a lonely little boy who dreamed of a magical world of chocolate, who, due to his now-defunct relationship with his uptight father, persuaded himself that being alone was his best option.
7 The Penguin — Batman Returns
In the 1992 film Batman Returns, Burton introduced one of the most iconic villains in cinema, but with a twist: Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin. Played by Danny DeVito, highly praised for his performance, the Penguin is inspired by the DC comic book supervillain, but raised to an even darker note. Cobblepot was born into a wealthy family, but because of his deformities, they abandoned him, and he ended up being raised by penguins. The Penguin is violent, fearsome, and determined to take revenge and destroy the society that ostracized him for being different.
6 Sally — The Nightmare Before Christmas
Walt Disney Pictures
Sally stands as the voice of reason in The Nightmare Before Christmas. In a town that is enthusiastic about every decision made by the popular Pumpkin King, the rag doll played by Catherine O’Hara has to stand up for what she believes is right, even if it means confronting her beloved Jack. Sally truly cares about others, and treasures her few moments of freedom, as her creator, Dr. Finkelstein, is constantly trying to keep her imprisoned. However, her resourcefulness and strong curiosity for the outside world aid her in finding innumerable ways to break out of her tower.
5 Lydia Deetz — Beetlejuice
Lydia Deetz is one of the protagonists of the 1988 film Beetlejuice. Brilliantly interpreted by Winona Ryder, Lydia is the embodiment of Burton’s aesthetics in a young gothic girl with a great sensibility for all the arts. Misunderstood by her family, Lydia is serious, sensitive, and gifted with a great sense of humor and an absolute fascination for anything paranormal, which leads her to connect straightaway with Adam and Barbara Maitland, the deceased former owners of her new home, who become parental figures for her.
4 Emily — Corpse Bride
In Corpse Bride, Emily is a bride who was snatched from her life by Barkis Bittern, her former fiancé, just before walking down the aisle. With all her hopes and dreams gone, this character, played by Helena Bonham Carter, was left with no other choice but to wait patiently in the Land of the Dead to be rescued by her true love, who by mistake ends up being Victor Van Dort (Depp). Emily, once kind, gullible and sweet, preserved her traits even after her death, but the events leading up to it also made her a bit aggressive and completely obsessed with achieving whatever she wants.
3 Betelgeuse — Beetlejuice
Warner Bros.
Michael Keaton is Betelgeuse, also known as Beetlejuice, in the eponymous 1988 film. This ghost, who needs to be summoned three times in order to materialize, is rude, crude, filthy and misaligned. He tends to be an annoyance to those around him, and while he may seem funny, he is not: everything he does is for his own enjoyment, and that often means making others suffer. In the film, this ghost tricks the Maitlands by presenting himself as a bio-exorcist who could get rid of the Deetz family, yet the couple quickly regrets hiring him as his tactics are rather questionable.
2 Jack Skellington — The Nightmare Before Christmas
While The Nightmare Before Christmas was directed by Henry Selick, it was created and produced by Tim Burton, so his trademark is imprinted all over the film. This 1993 production was inspired by one of Burton’s poems, and features, among other things, a number of interesting characters. Among them, the best known, and probably the one who is most commonly related to Burton, is Jack Skellington. He is in charge of Halloween celebrations in Halloween Town, which turned him into a town idol. However, Jack grows tired of reprising the same celebration year after year, and his curiosity leads him to seek out new ones. In spite of his enthusiasm and charisma, Jack is often selfish in his decision-making, causing him to almost ruin Christmas for everyone. Yet, like any good hero, Jack is willing to make amends for his mistakes and do what’s right.
1 Edward Scissorhands — Edward Scissorhands
20th Century Fox
The titular hero in Edward Scissorhands ranks first in this list as the character that perfectly sums up Burton’s concept and vision. Edward, interpreted by Depp in one of his best performances, was created by The Inventor, who passed away before he could attach hands to him. This left Edward isolated and unhappy for many years living in his gloomy castle, incapable of interacting with society, until Peg Boggs finds him. Unlike what his appearance might suggest, Edward is a kind, caring young man whose innocence is often taken advantage of. Edward doesn’t belong to the world that surrounds him, and he is misunderstood by most, who label him as violent after some initial curiosity. Only a few people understand Edward’s true innocent nature, and they help him escape from the town and return to his castle.
