Top Five Tim Burton Movies to Watch on Halloween

Over the years, American film maker Tim Burton has become a household name, perhaps partly due to his numerous collaborations with the immensely popular Johnny Depp. In fact, Burton and Depp have a new version of Alice in Wonderland due out at the beginning of next year and the two have started talking about a big-screen remake of the 60s TV cult classic Dark Shadows. Tim Burton has a darkly funny signature style in his writing and art, so what better person to base your Halloween movie marathon on? Here are a few Burton films you may enjoy:

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

Fan of disturbing musicals with gallons of stage blood? Here's the film for you this Halloween. Based on the Broadway musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a story of revenge. Johnny Depp plays the lead role as Benjamin Barker who was once a young, happily married man whose life was torn apart by the wicked judge (Alan Rickman) who sent him to prison in order to obtain his lovely wife and daughter. When Barker returns, he hides his true identity and plans a way to give the judge a very close shave. Also stars Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/

Corpse Bride (2005)

Want a little undead romance this Halloween? Try out Corpse Bride, a horror fantasy stop motion animation set in the late 1800s and filled with good music and a disturbingly humorous storyline. Meek young Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) nervously practices his wedding vows at the wrong place and time, at night over the grave of a deceased bride-to-be. The corpse bride, Emily (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), believes his vows are intended for her and rises from the grave to be with her new husband. A mysterious tale of murder follows the pair as Victor tries to escape his new 'bride' and get to his intended, Victoria.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121164/

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

With graphic gore, violence, and a very short sexual scene, this isn't a kid's version of Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, but it's still sure to please a Halloween audience. Heads definitely roll in this dark humor riddled horror film directed by Tim Burton and staring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Crane (Depp) is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate recent murders within the small village and finds himself wrapped up in a supernatural mystery.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162661/

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Want a film that doubles as both a Halloween and a Christmas movie? Here it is. Beloved for its wonderful stop motion animations and fantastic musical score, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the enchanting tale of Jack Skellington, the "Pumpkin King" of Halloween Town and his hostile take-over of Christmas when he decides that he should give Santa Claus a break this year and take over the gift-giving duties.

Tim Burton's role in this film was producer and writer, with Henry Selick taking the lead as director. It's recently been released in a two disk special edition that's sure to please die hard fans.

http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/nightmarebeforechristmas/

Beetlejuice (1988)

With gross humor and disturbing fantasy, Beetlejuice, directed by Burton, is a sure winner for the Halloween season. Staring Michael Keeton in the title role, Beetlejuice is the story of Adam and Barbara (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis), a recently deceased couple haunting a home that has been bought by a very loud and somewhat obnoxious pair. Unable to scare out the new family on their own, Adam and Barbara call upon the aid of Betelgeuse (Keeton).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/plotsummary