35 years later,Tim Burtonstillhasn’t beat his own box office record, which he accomplished with his third feature movie. Though he has directed many popular titles throughout his career, evenTim Burton’s best moviesaren’t known for being blockbuster successes. Rather, they’re loved for their signature gothic tone and practical visuals, as well as their weird worlds and unique characters. The director’s filmography has some contrasting titles, ranging from great to controversial to middling, and consists mainly of remakes of popular stories and Burton originals.
Notably,Burton finally gained redemption afterDumbo’s flopand is having an artistic resurgence at the moment — having re-found his passion for unconventional and grotesque narratives with the Netflix adaptation of the Addams Family,Wednesday, and the sequel to his 1988 cult classic,Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Accordingly, many were on the lookout forBurton’s response to a possibleThe Nightmare Before Christmassequel, as well as for any possible original future projects. While he has confirmed his next remake,Burton will probably need something bigger if he ever wants to repeat his 1989 box office success.
1989’s Batman Is Still Tim Burton’s Only Movie To Finish #1 At The Yearly Box Office
Burton’s Biggest Box Office Hits Are Remakes
Even if he is most known for his auteur movies,Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewas the first Burton original to even approach the top 10 highest-grossing movies of its release year. The director’s few box office successes are actually remakes of already hugely popular stories. With his version of theBatmanfranchise, particularly, Burton claimed a place in the most profitable movies of their respective years, a feat he hasn’t repeated since then. The1989Batmanended up at #1 at the box office, while its sequels gained places #2 and #3 in the following years.
2024
$451,100,435
10
$1,698,765,616 (Inside Out 2, so far)
2019
$353,284,621
26
2010
$1,025,467,110
2
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005
$474,968,763
9
$895,921,036 (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
Planet of the Apes
2001
$362,211,740
$974,755,371 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
1995
$184,031,112
3
1992
$266,831,698
1989
$401,188,924
1
N/A
While the earnings of hisBatmanadaptations don’t look like much today, it was a huge success for the time. The first installment had a budget of approximately $35 million and received a worldwide box office gross of $401 million. Compared toBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’sreduced budget, for example — less than $100 million and earning $451 million —Batmanmade about 11 times what it cost, whileBeetlejuice 2produced about 5 times its budget. Burton repeating a feat likeBatman’s is somewhat dependent on whether he continues making cult-like originals, or adapts popular characters that ensure a big profit.
Alice In Wonderland Came Close To Giving Tim Burton Another Highest-Grossing Movie Of The Year
Tim Burton’s Revived Horror Style Might Give Him A Chance At Breaking His Box Office Record
Other thanBatman, there is only one Burton movie that came close to gaining number one at the box office, and it was the 2010sAlice in Wonderland.The Disney live-action remake ended in second place with $1,025,467,110, only about $40 million short of beatingToy Story 3at #1. AlthoughTim Burton’s rare success withAlice in Wonderlandis a positive career standout, the movie didn’t perform as well with critics or audiences and preceded the infamous 2019Dumboadaption that ended Burton’s collaboration with Disney.
Tim Burton’s 5 Movie Remakes, Ranked Worst To Best
From 2001’s Planet of the Apes to 2019’s Dumbo, Tim Burton has been involved in quite a few remakes, and they differ significantly in quality.
Considering howBeetlejuice 2reinvigorated Burton’s love for making movies, chances are theaters will continue to see more of the director’s distinctive horror style. Notably,Burton will now remakeAttack of the 50 Foot Woman, but it remains to be seen if the movie will manage to break the director’s poor remake trend. However, afterWednesdayandBeetlejuice 2’s huge success, ifTim Burtoncontinues picking projects that align with his macabre interests and unconventional vision, he might have a chance of repeating his box office record, and the sci-fi classic might be just the thing.
Source:Box Office Mojo
Tim Burton
Discover the latest news and filmography for Tim Burton, known for Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
