6. Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
The first film Tim Burton ever made,
Pee-wee's Big Adventure is coated in the director's trademark style - and back in 1985, it was something to behold, given that there wasn't anybody else like the renowed gothic auteur working in Hollywood. Starring Paul Reubens as the titular character (and reprising his role from
The Pee-Wee Herman Show), the film centered on the wacky protagonist's attempts to reclaim his stolen bike. And as far as debuts go,
Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a tour-de-force in creativity - in equal measure, it's funny, weird, bizarre, unpredictable and downright absurd, and Burton absolutely nails it. With touches of Buster Keaton and a playfulness that resonates from the very first frame, it's easy to see how Burton became such a success once this thing shipped into theatres.