Top 20 Most Loved Tim Burton Characters

Plenty of people get nervous on their wedding day, but not everyone’s nerves lead to such grave misunderstandings. Yet despite leaving one bride at the rehearsal and accidentally marrying another from beyond the grave, Victor Van Dort is one of Tim Burton’s most well-meaning creations. The son of aspiring socialites, the reluctant newlywed is much kinder than his status and flakiness might indicate. After all, wouldn’t you feel out of place if you were suddenly whisked off on an underworldly honeymoon? In any case, despite his clumsiness and indecisiveness, Victor maintains his idealism and a strong dedication to those he cares about. He firmly believes in doing the right thing rather than the easy thing, and that’s something we can definitely get behind.

It’s hard to do justice to one of the most famous ghost stories ever told, but Burton finds a way — even if the plot is altered significantly. The same can be said of the infamous spirit at the heart of “Sleepy Hollow.” Reimagined as the prime suspect of a murder mystery, the Headless Horseman transcends his paranormal origins and is now a cold-blooded killer out for vengeance. A sharp-toothed soldier who thrived on violence in life, his role in the events following his death make him all the more terrifying. He’s arguably the closest any Burton character has come to embodying pure evil. But, as is usually the case, what we think we know about the undead monster is eventually turned on its head.

We’re still not sure what business Tim Burton had directing this misguided remake. Given the insurmountable precedent set by the 1968 original, it’s fair to say this “Planet of the Apes” was destined to blow up. But one thing we can’t scoff at is the excellent antagonist we got for our troubles. Even without much of a show to steal, Tim Roth completely throws himself into the role. General Thade is a malevolent chimp determined to persecute those he believes are beneath him. While undeniably wicked, his eccentric behavior also represents just how much fun this “Planet of the Apes” could have been. The corrupt ape fits in surprisingly well in the thematic line of Burton villains who reject outsiders.

We’re not entirely sure where Burton’s fascination with deceased dogs came from, but we’re happy it’s given us a character as lovable as Sparky. This harmless but energetic bull terrier is one of Burton’s earliest characters, as he was the subject of a 1984 short film before being revived in stop-motion form in 2012. Brought back to life after his untimely departure by a young Victor Frankenstein, Sparky may lose his tail from time to time, but his unconditional love for his boy remains firmly intact. Unfortunately, their renewed bond isn’t without consequence, as chaos ensues once word of Victor’s experimentation spreads around town. But their second chance at friendship undoubtedly speaks to anyone with love for a pet.

We’ve gotta show some love to the baddest cat in Gotham. Played by Michelle Pfeiffer in “Batman Returns,” Selina Kyle’s quest for revenge against the man who tried to kill her is a far cry from the cat burglar many know her to be. Her noticeably stitched-together catsuit is not only a seductive statement of individuality, but also a tragic reflection of her warped state of mind. Garnering intrigue from the city’s other rogues, she’s at her strongest when doing things her own way. Even as the prospect of a happy ending with the Bat becomes more alluring, it’s that commitment to herself that has influenced subsequent portrayals of Catwoman in the years since.

In our heart of hearts, Gene Wilder’s take on the reclusive chocolatier is still the most iconic. But that’s not to say Johnny Depp’s version of Willy Wonka is without its memorable qualities. Rather than try to one-up his predecessor, Depp instead reinvents the candy man with an added depth beneath his delicious confections. His Wonka is easily the darkest iteration of the character, as he wears his disdain for others right on his finely tailored sleeves. But it’s also the most sympathetic, as we’re treated to a surprising backstory that informs his one-of-a-kind ideas. One thing’s for sure, though — no one can find the humor in a messed up situation quite like Willy.

The creative liberties Burton and company took when adapting “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” extended to the main character. But Johnny Depp’s performance as Ichabod Crane does a lot to elevate the film’s eerie vibe. A haughty schoolteacher in the original tale, Crane evolves into a timid detective sent to investigate a series of grisly murders. His socially awkward disposition, along with his predilection toward science and logic, provide the perfect counter to “Sleepy Hollow”’s supernatural occurrences. Crane is definitely in over his head, but Depp knows exactly when to maintain his composure and when to dial things up. As the constable’s beliefs begin to change with each body that piles up, ours do as well.

Somebody has to be the nicest and gentlest monster in a town chock full of them. A creation of Halloween Town’s resident mad scientist, rag doll Sally longs for freedom and dreams of a life with Pumpkin King Jack Skellington. But she’s also unafraid to stand up for what’s right, unwilling to let her love for Jack cloud her judgment. Voiced with a touching dose of childlike innocence by Catherine O’Hara, Sally’s curiosity about the world and her friendly demeanor prove to be her greatest assets. She’s truly selfless, and even if Halloween and Christmas have a hard time coexisting, her intelligence and warmth ultimately brings out the best in both holidays.

Even if it’s no longer the definitive take on the Clown Prince of Crime, Jack Nicholson’s demented performance as the Joker was surely the mark to beat for many years. Dropped into a vat of chemicals after being sold out by his boss, deranged mobster Jack Napier emerges with chalk white skin, green hair, and one of the most terrifying grins in movie history. Nicholson lets his freak flag fly high as the Joker stakes his claim on Gotham City’s underworld. He comes awfully close to stealing the movie from Batman himself. He fully embraces the spirit of the character with his cruel pranks and ingenious one-liners. This is one devil we will gladly dance with any chance we get.

This just might be the most optimistic film in Burton’s entire catalog, and it's fittingly headlined by one of his most positive characters. As a gifted storyteller, it’s hard to know whether or not the tales Edward Bloom spins for his family are true or not. But the gleeful exuberance with which he recounts them is such that it really doesn’t matter. Whether he’s befriending giants and werewolves or wooing the love of his life with daffodils, his adventures are an epic of the humblest order. No matter how far he travels, he always knows exactly where home is. Charming and daring, he’s a character that audiences can both envy and be inspired by.

Having created the template for one of cinema’s greatest characters, Bela Lugosi is a legend of the silver screen. Set many years after he faded from the “Dracula” limelight, “Ed Wood” captures Lugosi as a washed-up loner desperate to cling to the fame he knows he’ll likely never regain. Played by Martin Landau in an Oscar-winning performance, Lugosi’s friendship with the titular filmmaker forms the crux of this off-kilter biopic. Finding renewed purpose through Wood’s notoriously terrible movies, Landau invites viewers to see Lugosi for the larger-than-life star he once was. The results are both funny and profoundly sad. Lugosi may be synonymous with a legendary villain, but Landau brilliantly taps into the heroism required to try again.

Winona Ryder has lent her talents to Tim Burton’s projects on numerous occasions. While her gentler turn as Kim Boggs helped give “Edward Scissorhands” its heart, her role as Lydia Deetz is easily their most memorable collaboration. Unimpressed with her father and stepmother’s approach to life, Lydia’s skepticism and gloomy outlook is matched by her signature aesthetic. But, as with many Burton characters, an encounter with the dead is more than enough to bring her back to life. Finding a couple of kindred spirits in the ghosts haunting her new home, she strikes a great balance between controlling her fate and letting others in. The strange and unusual of the world are proud to call her one of their own.

There’s a hole in the world like a great black pit, and out of it crawled one of Burton’s most vicious characters ever. But the brilliance of this musical adaptation is how much you come to care for the title character, even when he chooses violence. Returning to London after being wrongfully exiled, Sweeney Todd seeks revenge. With the equally sinister Mrs. Lovett by his side, his plan involves a few sharpened razors, some questionable meat pies, and a host of Sondheim’s most oddly infectious musical numbers. Johnny Depp’s transformation into the tragic anti-hero is startling to say the least, but he convinces us that even the cruelest world has something worth avenging.

Tim Burton is no stranger to providing a new spin on well-known characters. But Danny DeVito’s twisted performance as the Penguin is one of the ultimate examples of how the director is able to put his stamp on something for the better. From his rotund build to his flippers and startling disfigurements, Oswald Cobblepot is a creature straight out of Gothic horror. Having been abandoned by his wealthy parents as an infant due to his differences, he’s a frightening and at-times sad reflection of who Bruce Wayne could have become. Oswald walks a very thin line between man and beast, and sometimes we don’t know if we should be running from him or offering him a hug.

Burton rarely does biopics, but when he does, he knows precisely how to look for the authentic eccentricities of his subjects. Luckily, his predilection towards oddballs found a perfect match in someone he had long been a fan of. Recreating someone as singular as Ed Wood could’ve easily lent itself to parody, but Johnny Depp’s sincere portrayal of the director is instead a tribute to the dreamer in all of us. Wood’s refusal to compromise his artistic vision is at once noble and bittersweet. Humorously over-the-top even when he’s being deadly serious, Wood may not have won much respect in his lifetime, but he undoubtedly wins ours by the time the credits roll.

You can’t get more macabre than awakening someone from the dead, but Emily is a textbook case of how to find humanity where you least expect it. Possibly the nicest and most beautiful zombie in movie history, Emily was dealt a cruel hand in life but loses none of her admirable qualities in the face of death. Brought fully into existence through the tender voice of Helena Bonham Carter, she seeks to reclaim her worth by marrying the hapless Victor. Emily may be a bit too naive for her own good, but she’s still worthy of love nonetheless. More importantly, she learns that true love means nothing without sacrifice, and she’s willing to give up her happiness for the sake of others.

Who would've guessed that one of Burton’s most haunting and complex characters to date would be a man dressed as a bat? With the actor and character both generally associated with comedy at the time, few were prepared for Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the Caped Crusader to be as layered and mature as it turned out to be. Bruce Wayne is a tortured soul running from his past, and Keaton masterfully conveys his quest for justice as a mask for his anger and loneliness. Incredibly, he’s able to do all of this while barely saying a word, as his facial expressions and disciplined fighting style do most of the talking. He’s simultaneously the coolest and calmest guy in Gotham. Well, most of the time he’s calm.

Halloween Town has plenty of other unique citizens who could’ve easily made this list. But while Oogie Boogie always has our attention, our hearts still belong to the Pumpkin King himself. Arguably Burton’s most instantly recognizable character, Jack Skellington may also be his most relatable, as well. Feeling unfulfilled as the spooky season passes each year, he determines that the best way to spice things up is to oversee Christmas instead. Defined equally by his unique interpretation of the holidays and his pinstriped suit, Jack has the best intentions in mind, even if his actions inevitably lead to bedlam. Nevertheless, anyone can relate to the lessons he learns about staying true to himself while discovering something new in life.

Burton has called this film his favorite, and given the everlasting appeal of the title character, it’s easy to see why. With blades for fingers and a heart he nobly wears on his sleeve, Edward Scissorhands is the director’s imagination operating at the peak of its powers. Brought into society for the first time, Edward’s brief brushes with friendship, love, and the possibility of a home lend themselves to a slew of wholesome moments and tragic realizations. Far too good for a world that can’t see past his foreboding exterior, he comes closer than any of Burton’s characters to mirroring the man himself. There’s just something indescribably magnetic about a character we can’t get too close to.

He’s the ghost with the most, and has the most reasons to top this list. For an undead spirit, you’d be hard pressed to find a more lively and entertaining character across Burton’s filmography. Hired by the recently deceased Maitlands to spook the annoying new tenants of their house, Betelgeuse isn’t searching for unfinished business and he’s really not that evil. Nope, he haunts the living for the best reason there is: cause it’s fun. Rude, profane, and a nuisance to pretty much everyone he encounters, Michael Keaton plays the role of the maniacal poltergeist to absolute perfection. He’s one of the most unique characters in movie history, and undoubtedly the one that Tim Burton owes much of his career to.