Tim Burton’s five favourite films of all time include an iconic British folk horror with an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In a career spanning four decades, the visionary director, famed for his aesthetically pleasing gothic horror and fantasy films, has thrilled audiences with such beloved works as Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Beetlejuice.
Tim, who turns 67 today, has also shown a knack for forms of storytelling other than live-action features and his usual genres, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of stop-motion animation.
In roles as both director and producer, he’s been attached to films like Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie and cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, all of which have a uniquely Burtonesque aesthetic flavour.
Similarly, he directed a distinctly gothic instalment of Batman and its sequel, Batman Returns. This unique style has served as the director’s hallmark over the years.
Indeed, his appreciation of cinema becomes even more evident once you delve into his favourite films, a list of five that he once shared with Rotten Tomatoes, which is dominated by genre cinema.
Here are Tim Burton’s five favourite films of all time
2. The Wicker Man 1974
Easily the most well-known film on Tim’s list, this folk horror masterpiece marks another appearance from Lee, this time as the mysterious Lord Summerisle, who presides over a Hebridean island with a strange secret. Enjoying a noteworthy 91% RT score, it’s garnered positive critical reviews, including from the Guardian, which dubbed it a “brilliant conspiracy-chiller”.
Tim, who described it as like a “weird musical”, said: “That is actually one of Christopher’s favourite movies that he did, unlike the last one. It was not a very successful movie when it came out but it’s really quite a hypnotic and amazing film I think. It’s like a weird dream.”
(Image: British Lion Films)