By Delilah Reyes ’26

Tim Burton is an American filmmaker, artist, writer, and animator known for his dark, gothic, and eccentric style. He was born on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. Burton gained prominence in the 1980s for his unique visual storytelling and imaginative approach to filmmaking.

Burton has been a prolific filmmaker for decades now, and is responsible for some of my favorite movies ever including Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, Batman, Charlie and the Chocolate factory, and possibly my all time favorite, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic stop-motion animated musical fantasy film that was released in 1993. While directed by Henry Selick , the film was produced and co-written by Burton (with Michael McDowell).

One of my favorite characters in the film is Sally, a ragdoll created by the film’s antagonist, Dr. Finkelstein. Sally is one of the residents of Halloween Town, and is depicted as having a talent for potion-making and sewing.

Then there is Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of HalloweenTown, who becomes bored with the routine of celebrating Halloween every year. One day, he stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes enchanted by the holiday. Jack decides to take over Christmas and play the role of Santa Claus, but his well-intentioned plan goes awry. Needless to say if you haven’t seen The Nightmare Before Christmas, I highly recommend it!

And while you’re at, be sure to check out these other Burton classics—you’ll thank me later!

• Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
• Beetlejuice (1988)
• Batman (1989)
• Edward Scissorhands (1990)
• Batman Returns (1992)
• Ed Wood (1994)
• Mars Attacks! (1996)
• Sleepy Hollow (1999)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Big Fish (2003)
• Corpse Bride (2005)
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
• Alice in Wonderland (2010)
• Dark Shadows (2012)
• Frankenweenie (2012)
• Big Eyes (2014)
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)