Tim Burton is back, with his new sequel of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice coming out in early September and exhibitions showcasing his work being held across the globe (e.g. in Prague and soon to be in London). Burton’s worldwide success can be attributed to his gloomy aesthetic and thrilling ideas and plots which he transforms into the movies and series we can’t stop watching.
Burton himself might be often seen as unusual. Still, this personality, alongside his strong dedication to his work, is what makes him a successful director, producer and writer as he is fundamentally unique in his creativity.
This article not only delves into Burton and the reason why his films are so impactful, especially to Gen Z, but also gives a glimpse into his upcoming movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and his cinematography as a whole.
Who is Tim Burton?
Tim Burton’s work is instantly recognisable due to his unique dark and creepy aesthetic, even to people who have not watched any of his movies. Throughout his films, there are many ties which cement his work into a genre in and of itself, such as ghoulish pets, the overshadowed protagonist, the distinctive villains, interest in the theory of resurrection, and the sad underlying tragedy in most of the plots.
Even the actors themselves, which he repeatedly employs for his movies, have certain physical characteristics which make them ‘Burtonesque’, such as Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Helena Bonham Carter, and Jenna Ortega.
Burton himself is an interesting director due to his powerful creativity and imagination, which was seen in his childhood as he made short films in his spare time and found enjoyment in art. His employment by Walt Disney kickstarted his career in the entertainment industry, but leaving this company allowed him to delve further into his own films and establish his unique style.
Tim Burton’s personal life has also been under the microscope from fans, especially his relationships. He married Lena Gieseke in 1987 but 4 years later they divorced, and subsequently he has dated model and actress Lisa Marie (1993-2001), famous actress Helena Bonham Carter (2001-2014), and currently Italian actress and model Monica Bellucci (2023-present).
Burton’s Works in a Nutshell
Over his career, Tim Burton has created many fantastic films, from Beetlejuice in 1988, Edward Scissorhands in 1990, The Nightmare Before Christmas in 1993, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005, followed by Sweeney Todd in 2007, Alice in Wonderland in 2010, Frankenweenie in 2012, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children in 2016. He also directed the popular Netflix TV show Wednesday, whose highly-anticipated second season will be released in 2025.
According to IMDb, Burton’s most successful film at the box office is Alice in Wonderland, closely followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These are both adaptations of classical children’s stories, which are moved into his aesthetic while still maintaining their childhood magic. Additionally, on IMDb, Edward Scissorhands is rated highly at an average of 7.9 stars, which could be due to the iconic plotline and the characters, played by Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
What is the fan favourite and what was the most financially successful can vary, but the popular movie Beetlejuice can be said to be a bit of both.
Beetlejuice 2
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (also known as Beetlejuice 2) is set to be released on the 6th of September this year.
Watching the first instalment (also directed by Tim Burton) is definitely a must to understand and fully appreciate the upcoming sequel. In a nutshell, Beetlejuice is the creepy and unique story of Lydia (played by Winona Ryder), who accidentally summons this demon/ghost by saying his name three times in a row. This movie has also been turned into a popular musical, especially in Broadway in the USA, starring many talented performers such as Alex Brightman and Sophia Anne Caruso.
The sequel follows adult Lydia (played again by Winona Ryder) and her daughter (played by Jenna Ortega) as they summon Beetlejuice again. Another returning actor to this franchise is Michael Keaton, who plays the devilish spirit Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is causing much excitement among fans of the original movie, especially due to the returning cast members and Burton’s new ideas.
Impact on Gen Z
Members of Gen Z have grown up watching Tim Burton’s movies and series, and other films that have a Burtonesque quality, such as Coraline. These films have become nostalgic favourites, with Burton’s new releases being eagerly anticipated, especially by this particular age range.
It could be said that Burton’s work has led to more movies and series which have a gothic aesthetic and dark themes, while also being entertaining and watchable for younger audiences. For example: Coraline, directed by Henry Selick and based on the book by Neil Gaiman, has many traditional Burton themes, such as the overlooked protagonist and monsters.
Additionally, Tim Burton’s impact on Gen Z is significant, as growing up with his movies has led some people to appreciate the entertainment business more as you can clearly see his creativity and style in everything he works on. Furthermore, a love for scarier themes and unique characters has been established, as well as a renewed interest in animation and how effectively you can tell a story in this medium as much as in some of his live-action works.
As I mentioned before, some of the fan favourites include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland, which are all movies we have seen previously as young children and have been brought back to life in a different manner by Burton. Nostalgia is therefore created, not only in already established narratives but also in his new work, due to his continuous style that we as the audience recognise.
