Top 5 Tim Burton Films.

Tim Burton is beloved my many, and hated by some. He has a distinctive visual and narrative style which many directors have tried to replicate, but most have failed. His new films "Big Eyes" is coming out shortly, and today I am going to talk about the man's best movies to date. Note that this list consists of movies that Tim Burton DIRECTED. That is why films such as "Nightmare Before Christmas" will not be featured on this list. This stop motion masterpiece was written and produced by Burton, but not Directed.

5) Frankenweenie (2012)
This stop motion animation has "Burton" stamped all over it. It is quirky and witty, yet at the same time dark and touching. This oscar nominated film is fantastic both for kids and adults, and explores some serious themes. It is a twist on the classical Frankenstein story, and a great one at that.
4) Batman Returns (1992)
In my opinion the best non Nolan Batman film, this movie created a melancholy yet fun atmosphere. Penguin and Catwoman are great villains, and the whole "two villains in comic book movies" was started with this film. It has a great score by Danny Elfman, great visuals and great acting. This too has a very dark "Burton" film to it. It captures the "tragedy" of Batman like no other film has.
3) Edward Scissor hands (1990)
The first collaboration between Burton and Johnny Depp, and one of Burton's best films. It has a great story and a loveable, but frightening main character. In many ways this movie launched  Depp's career and established Burton as a "one of his kind" director. This movie has one of Burton's best scenes in it too. I am obviously talking about the scene where Edward is cutting the ice sculpture and creating snowflakes, in Which Wyona Ryder dances.
2) Ed Wood (1994)
Another film with Depp who is playing arguably the worst director who every lived. This movie is hilarious, yet sad at the same time. It is a fascinating character study and a must watch for any film lover. This film won an oscar for Martin Landau's outstanding performance of Bela Lugosi, an actor who himself was very far away from an Oscar Winner. This movie also makes Sarah Jessica Parker look like a good actress (a pretty rare thing in my opinion) and has great dialogue.
1) Big Fish (2003)
This is Tim Burton's Masterpiece. It is a fairy tale with no particular story line, as it constantly switches between real and made up flashbacks and the actual world. This movie is hilarious, and has great performances from Ewan McGregor, Steve Buscemi, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard and Helena Boham Carter. It is a "feel good" movie, yet it is not too philosophical for its' own good. This film is truly great, and in my opinion one of the most underrated films of all time. It is a surprise that it won no oscars, as it is in my opinion Burton's finest movie.