History of Tim Burton in Timeline
Tim Burton is an American filmmaker and animator celebrated for his distinctive gothic horror and dark fantasy style infused with whimsical and surreal elements. A pioneer of goth subculture in Hollywood, his work has earned him a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and France's Order of Arts and Letters, among other accolades. He is known for blending dark aesthetics with humor and heart, making him a distinctive figure in contemporary cinema.
1 hour ago : Chris Bacon shares Tim Burton's scoring advice for 'Wednesday' soundtrack.
Chris Bacon, the composer for 'Wednesday', revealed Tim Burton's key advice regarding the score. Burton advised him to keep it simple and not overdo it, focusing on memorable themes. Bacon's work brought the show to life.
August 25, 1958: Birth of Tim Burton
On August 25, 1958, Timothy Walter Burton, the American filmmaker and animator known for his distinctive gothic horror and dark fantasy style, was born.
1971: Reference to the 1971 film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The 2005 film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory generally took a more faithful approach to the source material than the 1971 adaptation, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
1976: Graduation from Burbank High School
In 1976, Tim Burton graduated from Burbank High School, marking the end of his secondary education.
1979: Attending California Institute of the Arts
In 1979, Tim Burton attended the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, studying character animation, which helped shape his future career in filmmaking.
1979: Reference to the 1979 Broadway Musical Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, released on December 21, 2007, to critical acclaim and grossed $153 million worldwide, was based on the 1979 Broadway musical.
1981: Working on The Fox and the Hound
In 1981, Tim Burton worked as an animator, storyboard artist, graphic designer, art director, and concept artist on the film "The Fox and the Hound" at Walt Disney Productions.
1982: Working on Tron
In 1982, Tim Burton worked as an animator, storyboard artist, graphic designer, art director, and concept artist on the film "Tron" at Walt Disney Productions.
1982: Influence of Vincent Price
In 1982, Vincent Price, whose horror films greatly influenced Tim Burton, was honored in Burton's short film Vincent.
1983: Airing of Hansel and Gretel
In 1983, Tim Burton's Japanese-themed adaptation of Hansel and Gretel aired once on the Disney Channel on Halloween and was subsequently shelved.
1984: Burton's Frankenweenie short film
In 1984, Tim Burton created a short film called Frankenweenie, which would later be remade as a feature-length stop motion film.
1984: Release of Frankenweenie
In 1984, Tim Burton's live-action short film, Frankenweenie, was released, telling the story of a boy who tries to revive his dog.
1985: Directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents
In 1985, Tim Burton directed episodes of the revival of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre, adding to his television directing credits.
1985: Directorial Debut with Pee-wee's Big Adventure
In 1985, Tim Burton made his directorial debut with the comedy film Pee-wee's Big Adventure, marking the beginning of his career as a film director.
1985: Working on The Black Cauldron
In 1985, Tim Burton worked as an animator, storyboard artist, graphic designer, art director, and concept artist on the film "The Black Cauldron" at Walt Disney Productions.
1986: Directing Faerie Tale Theatre
In 1986, Tim Burton directed an episode of Shelley Duvall's television series Faerie Tale Theatre.
1987: Contribution to Amazing Stories
In 1987, Tim Burton contributed to the animated Family Dog episode of the Steven Spielberg-created anthology series Amazing Stories, handling character designs and collaborating with Danny Elfman for the music.
1988: Directing Beetlejuice
In 1988, Tim Burton directed Beetlejuice, a film that further established his unique style and gained him wider recognition.
June 1989: Release of Batman
In June 1989, Tim Burton's Batman was released, becoming a major box office hit and influencing future superhero films with its grittier, more realistic look and characters.
1989: Directing Batman
In June 1989, Tim Burton directed Batman, a big-budget film that became a box office hit and established him as a profitable director, influencing future superhero films.
1990: Release of Edward Scissorhands
In 1990, Tim Burton directed Edward Scissorhands, a film inspired by a drawing he created in high school, starring Johnny Depp and Vincent Price. The film is considered to be autobiographical of Burton's childhood in Burbank.
1992: Directing Batman Returns
In 1992, Tim Burton directed Batman Returns, the sequel to his successful Batman film, which continued to explore darker themes and character depth.
1993: Executive Producing Family Dog Series
In 1993, Tim Burton executive produced the spin-off series Family Dog with Steven Spielberg, though Brad Bird had no involvement.
1993: Production of The Nightmare Before Christmas
In 1993, Tim Burton produced The Nightmare Before Christmas for Disney, a film directed by Henry Selick and written by Caroline Thompson, based on Burton's story, world, and characters. The film, distributed under Disney-owned Touchstone Pictures, was well-received for its stop motion animation, musical score, and storyline, and grossed $50 million.
1994: Directing Ed Wood
In 1994, Tim Burton directed Ed Wood, adding to his diverse filmography which spans multiple genres.
1994: Production of Cabin Boy and Ed Wood
In 1994, Tim Burton produced Cabin Boy, a fantasy-comedy starring Chris Elliott. Also in 1994, Burton directed Ed Wood, a smaller-scale film about the life of Ed Wood, starring Johnny Depp. Ed Wood received critical acclaim and Martin Landau won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Danny Elfman did not score Ed Wood, with the assignment going to Howard Shore.
1994: Departure from Batman Directing and Filming of Batman Forever Begins
In 1994, Warner Bros. decided not to have Tim Burton return as director for a third Batman film, feeling Batman Returns was too dark. Burton and Warner Bros. mutually agreed to part ways, and Joel Schumacher was chosen to direct Batman Forever, with Burton as producer. Filming for Batman Forever began in late 1994 with new actors such as Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell, and Jim Carrey.
1996: Co-Production of James and the Giant Peach
In 1996, Tim Burton co-produced James and the Giant Peach with Henry Selick, a musical fantasy based on the book by Roald Dahl. Burton's role was limited to producer, and the movie combined live-action and stop-motion footage.
1996: Directing Mars Attacks!
In 1996, Tim Burton directed Mars Attacks!, showcasing his ability to work with science fiction elements.
1996: Release of Mars Attacks! and Production of James and the Giant Peach
In 1996, Tim Burton released Mars Attacks! Also in 1996, Burton reunited with Henry Selick to produce James and the Giant Peach, based on the book by Roald Dahl. The film, a combination of live action and stop motion footage, starred Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis, Simon Callow and Jane Leeves. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score by Randy Newman.
1997: Releasing The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories
In 1997, Tim Burton released "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories", marking his entry into publishing books.
1997: The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories Published
In 1997, Tim Burton wrote and illustrated the poetry book 'The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories', which was published by Faber and Faber, a British publishing house.
November 1999: Release of Sleepy Hollow
In November 1999, Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow was released, starring Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane. The film, a homage to Hammer Films, grossed $207 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, as well as two BAFTAs. The release of Sleepy Hollow marked a turning point for Burton, leading to a change in style for his next project, Planet of the Apes.
1999: Directing Sleepy Hollow
In 1999, Tim Burton directed Sleepy Hollow, blending gothic horror with his distinctive style.
2000: DVD release of Pee-wee's Big Adventure
In 2000, Paul Reubens mentioned on the audio commentary of Pee-wee's Big Adventure DVD release that he chose Tim Burton to direct the film after seeing Frankenweenie.
2001: Directing Planet of the Apes
In 2001, Tim Burton directed Planet of the Apes, marking his entry into the science fiction genre.
2003: Release of Big Fish
In 2003, Tim Burton directed Big Fish, based on the novel Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. Starring Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney, the film received four Golden Globe nominations and an Academy Award nomination for Danny Elfman's score.
2004: Release of The Incredibles
In 2004, Brad Bird, who had worked with Tim Burton in the Family Dog episode of Amazing Stories, directed "The Incredibles."
July 2005: Release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
In July 2005, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, was released. The film grossed $475.8 million worldwide and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. During the filming process, Burton, Depp, and Danny Elfman were simultaneously working on this film and Burton's Corpse Bride.
2005: Production of 9
In 2005, Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov showed interest in producing a feature-length adaptation of Shane Acker's short film 9. Acker directed the full-length film, with Burton as producer.
2005: Directing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride
In 2005, Tim Burton directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride, showcasing his talent in musical and animated films.
2005: DVD Release of Batman Forever with Deleted Scenes
In 2005, Warner Bros. released a DVD version of Batman Forever that included scenes deleted by Schumacher so that the film did not have the same tone as its predecessor, Batman Returns.
2006: Direction of "Bones" Music Video
In 2006, Tim Burton directed his first music video, "Bones", for the American indie rock band The Killers. The video, which starred actors Michael Steger and Devon Aoki, was the second single released from their second studio album, Sam's Town.
December 21, 2007: Release of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
On December 21, 2007, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Tim Burton, was released. The film, based on the 1979 Broadway musical, grossed $153 million worldwide and won Burton the National Board of Review Award for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
2007: Directing Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
In 2007, Tim Burton directed Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, adding to his portfolio of musical films.
2007: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement
In 2007, Tim Burton was honored with the Venice International Film Festival's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his contributions to filmmaking.
May 2008: Original Start Date for Filming Alice in Wonderland
May 2008 was the original start date for filming Alice in Wonderland.
2009: The Art of Tim Burton Released
In 2009, 'The Art of Tim Burton', a compilation of Tim Burton's drawings, sketches, and other artwork, was released.
2009: Promotion of 9 and Alice in Wonderland at Comic-Con
In 2009, Tim Burton appeared at Comic-Con in San Diego to promote both 9 and Alice in Wonderland.
2009: Public Display of Hansel and Gretel
In 2009, Tim Burton's short film Hansel and Gretel went on public display at the Museum of Modern Art.
March 5, 2010: Release of Alice in Wonderland
On March 5, 2010, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland was released, starring Mia Wasikowska as Alice and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed $1 billion worldwide.
2010: Directing Alice in Wonderland
In 2010, Tim Burton directed Alice in Wonderland, further exploring the fantasy genre.
2010: France's Order of Arts and Letters
In 2010, Tim Burton received France's Order of Arts and Letters, acknowledging his significant contributions to the arts and culture.
May 2011: Filming Begins for Dark Shadows
In May 2011, Tim Burton began filming Dark Shadows, a feature film adaptation of the 1960s television series of the same name, starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
2011: Tim Burton Art Exhibit at LACMA
In 2011, Tim Burton's short film Hansel and Gretel was shown as part of the Tim Burton art exhibit at LACMA.
May 11, 2012: Release of Dark Shadows
On May 11, 2012, Tim Burton's Dark Shadows was released, grossing $245 million worldwide.
June 22, 2012: Release of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
On June 22, 2012, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, co-produced by Tim Burton, was released. The film received mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office.
October 5, 2012: Release of Frankenweenie
On October 5, 2012, Tim Burton's Frankenweenie was released. The film, a feature-length stop motion film based on his 1984 short film, met with positive reviews.
2012: Directing Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie
In 2012, Tim Burton directed Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie, showcasing his versatility with supernatural horror and animation.
2012: Direction of "Here with Me" Music Video
In 2012, Tim Burton directed a second music video for The Killers, titled "Here with Me", starring Winona Ryder.
2012: Hansel and Gretel Shown at Seoul Museum of Art
In 2012, Tim Burton's short film Hansel and Gretel was shown at the Seoul Museum of Art.
2014: Directing Big Eyes
In 2014, Tim Burton directed Big Eyes, adding another drama to his filmography.
2015: The Napkin Art of Tim Burton: Things You Think About in a Bar Released
In 2015, 'The Napkin Art of Tim Burton: Things You Think About in a Bar', a follow-up book containing sketches made by Burton on napkins in bars and restaurants, was released.
2016: Release of Alice Through the Looking Glass
In 2016, Burton produced the film Alice Through the Looking Glass, directed by James Bobin. The film received negative reviews and was a box office bomb.
October 2019: Lost Vegas: Tim Burton Exhibition Opens
In October 2019, Tim Burton's exhibition, 'Lost Vegas: Tim Burton', opened at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas. This was Burton's first exhibition in the United States in nearly a decade.
2019: Directing Dumbo
In 2019, Tim Burton directed Dumbo, further showcasing his work in the fantasy genre.
2022: Directing Episodes of Wednesday
In 2022, Tim Burton directed several episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday, earning a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.
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