In September, when asked about the lack of diversity in his films, Tim Burton made a statement saying “Things either call for things or they don’t.” While Burton’s lack of diversity in films is a controversial topic, I still wanted to include this piece because I believe his older films should not be canceled because many of them are considered holiday classics, despite their lack of including minority cultures. As a minority, his films still hold a place in my heart. I never looked at them for their lack of diversity, but rather the personalities of the characters and scenes he created with his imagination, regardless of race, ethnicity and culture.
When you think of Halloween, you may think of Tim Burton and his gothic fantasy and horror films. We often hear about, see merchandise from and watch films like “Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and even “Edward Scissorhands,” but Tim Burton films aren’t just suited for the spooky season. You can easily segue into the winter holiday season with them, too. Here are seven nights of Tim Burton films to help you celebrate the spooky season and get ready for the winter holidays.
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Start your week of Halloween celebrations with a classic. “Sleepy Hollow,” based on the classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” brings alive the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. This film mixes horror with fantasy and romance and is the perfect start to your Tim Burton movie marathon.
Stream “Sleepy Hollow” on Netflix.
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Celebrate the middle of your week with another classic: “Edward Scissorhands.” When a scientist builds Edward, a gentle, animated human being, but dies before finishing, Edward takes matters into his own hands and makes himself hands out of scissors. Despite his kindness and topiary talent, Edward is viewed as an outcast by those in the suburban town he was brought to by Peg’s mother, the girl he falls for.
Stream “Edward Scissorhands” on Hulu and Disney+.
Thursday, Oct. 29: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
One of Tim Burton’s lesser-known films, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” known simply as “Sweeney Todd,” tells the story of a barber who gets sent to Australia for a crime he did not commit. When he returns home 15 years later calling himself Sweeney Todd, he vows revenge, killing unlucky customers until he kills the man who sent him to Australia. This film is musical gore and very appropriate for the spooky season.
Stream “Sweeney Todd” on CBS and Amazon.
Friday, Oct. 30: Frankenweenie (1984-2012)
To get yourself ready for Halloween, start celebrating the night before with “Frankenweenie.” Whether you watch the short created in 1984 or the full-length film made in 2012, you’re in for a treat. “Frankenweenie” pays homage to Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and tells the tale of a boy named Victor who, saddened by the loss of his dog Sparky, decides to experiment with bringing him back to life. With Sparky back from the dead, Victor runs into the problems when his classmates steal his secret and try to resurrect other dead animals.
Stream “Frankenweenie” on Disney+ and Amazon.
Saturday, Oct. 31: Beetlejuice (1988)
Celebrate Halloween with “Beetlejuice,” a film about a rambunctious spirit named Beetlejuice who quickly becomes more harm than help when a deceased couple unsuccessfully tries to haunt their new homeowners and their teenage daughter. It’s got whimsy, humor and a bit of gore to get you celebrating the spooky season — and it’s a Halloween classic.
Stream “Beetlejuice” on Hulu.
Sunday, Nov. 1: Corpse Bride (2005)
Even if Halloween is now yesterday’s news, you still may be in the spooky season mood. Continue celebrating with “Corpse Bride,” a film about a man named Victor (who may or not be the same Victor from “Frankenweenie”) who, nervous for his wedding, recites his vows in the forest, putting the ring on a tree branch and getting dragged to the lively land of the dead. Here, Victor meets Emily, the corpse bride who wants to marry him after he accidentally said his vows to her. However, Victor wants to return to the land of the living to marry his true love, Victoria, before she is forced to marry the villainous Barkis.
Stream “Corpse Bride” on Freeform and Amazon.
Monday, Nov. 2: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The best way to end the Tim Burton movie marathon is with one of the best films of all time: “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” In this truly classic holiday film, you can join Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, as he makes Christmas his own with the help of his Halloween loving constituents. This film will satisfy all your spooky needs and get you ready for the winter holiday season with good songs and storytelling.
Stream “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Disney+ and Amazon.
