Who doesnt love Tim Burton movies? There is at least one that gets into even the most rigid of movie watchers hearts, leaving them delightfully breathless. I have been a fan of Tim Burtons for a long time. I believe my first experience with him was The Nightmare Before Christmas," one of his few early movies directed at children. What a treat that was! It combined my two favorite holidays and was scary enough for me to wonder if my mother had really intended to take me to see such a dark movie. What a rush. Taking a look at Mr. Burtons canon, there are tons of great movies to pick characters from who encompass all that is the Tim Burton Experience, or TBE. Not unlike most every list on WhatCulture!, this list was incredibly hard to make as there are so many variables to take into consideration. Character appearance, personality, role in the film, and raison detre, or reason to be," are only a few such variables that must be dissected and scrutinized in order to win one of 25 spots. We will all have our favorites, yes, and those may or may not be seen here. The characters chosen here best represent Tim Burton and what he is trying to say about the world we live in. Their strengths, their weaknesses, everything about them have been chosen very carefully by the master of modern macabre to leave audiences wondering about the direction humanity is going in. That being said, lets get this show on the road...
25. Tart-Stealing Toad (Alice In Wonderland)
We only get to see the tart-stealing toad for a few minutes, but those few minutes are enough to tell both his back story and his rise and fall as a character. Not only do we get the chance to get to know the toad before he is dragged off to his death, we have the time to feel connected enough to his character that we are heartbroken and almost ill to see him go. He is the average working man trying to catch a break, but instead earns his just reward for stealing from the big man, or woman.
24. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenweenie) (1988)
Every child who has ever experienced the loss of mans best friend knows the lengths they would go to get Fido back. Victor, a young scientist, takes the matter of life and death into his own hands by bringing his dog back to life. Throughout the short film, he acts very child-like; sneaking around his mom, creating a makeshift laboratory, and running on hope over reality. When his beast escapes and the neighborhood goes into a pitchfork and torch-like craze, little Victor is the one who puts them all in their place, teaching them the ultimate lesson that, even though a being is different, they are just like everyone else.
23. Zero (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
The ever supportive sidekick, ghost dog Zero has soared onto this list for the simple reason that he both inspires and motivates his owner, Jack Skellington, to continue to reach for his goal. Yes, Zero is a dog that cannot speak or do much of anything, but he successfully fulfilled his role as companion and liaison that every hero would be unsuccessful without. He teaches us that no matter how bizarre, we owe it to our friends to support and help them reach their full potential.