Tim Burton’s 14 Highest-Grossing Movies
From gothic fantasies to superhero blockbusters, Tim Burton has built a career on unique visuals, eccentric characters, and unforgettable worlds. Whether reinventing Batman or reimagining children’s classics, his movies have drawn in audiences for decades. Here’s a countdown of the 14 highest-grossing Burton-directed movies, adjusted for inflation…
14) Beetlejuice (1988)
One of Tim Burton’s earliest hits, Beetlejuice cemented his quirky gothic style. Michael Keaton’s outrageous performance as the mischievous “bio-exorcist” became iconic, while Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz gave the film its goth soul. Mixing comedy, horror, and Burton’s unique visual flair, it became a cult classic and a box office success – later inspiring an animated series, a Broadway musical, and of course, a 2024 sequel.
Worldwide gross in 1988: $74,456,266
Adjusted for 2025: $201,800,757
13) Mars Attacks! (1996)
A campy sci-fi comedy packed with stars, Mars Attacks! parodied 1950s alien invasion flicks with Burton’s signature dark humor. Though divisive at release, it has since become a cult classic.
Worldwide gross in 1996: $101,371,017
Adjusted for 2025: $207,155,822
12) Big Fish (2003)
A heartwarming departure from Burton’s darker fare, Big Fish told a magical, emotional story about family, memory, and storytelling. Its mix of fantasy and drama made it a fan favorite.
Worldwide gross in 2003: $123,954,323
Adjusted for 2025: $215,998,203
11) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter starred in Burton’s gothic musical about a vengeful barber. With lavish visuals, macabre humor, and plenty of blood, it carved out a strong box office run.
Worldwide gross in 2007: $153,329,844
Adjusted for 2025: $237,155,758
10) Dark Shadows (2012)
Based on the cult soap opera, Dark Shadows blended gothic comedy and family drama. Johnny Depp’s eccentric performance as vampire Barnabas Collins was at the heart of this quirky adaptation.
Worldwide gross in 2012: $238,202,668
Adjusted for 2025: $332,645,016
9) Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Eva Green starred as Miss Peregrine in this adaptation of Ransom Riggs’ fantasy novel. With Burton’s flair for the strange, it became a global hit with both young and older audiences.
Worldwide gross in 2016: $295,986,876
Adjusted for 2025: $395,416,538
8) Sleepy Hollow (1999)
A gothic reimagining of Washington Irving’s tale, Burton’s Sleepy Hollow starred Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane. With eerie visuals and a chilling Headless Horseman, it became a late-’90s box office success.
Adjusted for 2025: $398,515,289
Worldwide gross in 1999: $207,068,340
7) Dumbo (2019)
Burton brought Disney’s flying elephant to life in this live-action remake, starring Colin Farrell, Eva Green, and Michael Keaton. While divisive, it earned solid global numbers.
Worldwide gross in 2019: $353,166,307
Adjusted for 2025: $442,922,618
6) Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Decades after the original cult hit, Burton returned to the afterlife with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. With Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role and Jenna Ortega joining the cast, the film became one of his biggest box office successes.
Worldwide gross in 2024: $452,000,435
Adjusted for 2025: $467,368,450
5) Batman Returns (1992)
Burton’s darker, more gothic Batman sequel introduced Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s grotesque Penguin. Though polarizing at the time, Batman Returns is now beloved as one of the most stylish superhero films.
Worldwide gross in 1992: $266,824,291
Adjusted for 2025: $609,781,124
4) Planet of the Apes (2001)
Burton’s reimagining of the classic sci-fi series, Planet of the Apes, starring Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter, was divisive but still became a global success thanks to curiosity and spectacle.
Worldwide gross in 2001: $362,211,740
Adjusted for 2025: $655,768,037
3) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Burton reimagined Roald Dahl’s classic tale with Johnny Depp’s eccentric Willy Wonka. While controversial in tone, it became a major hit thanks to global curiosity and Burton’s signature style.
Worldwide gross in 2005: $475,825,484
Adjusted for 2025: $781,181,119
2) Batman (1989)
Burton’s Batman revolutionized superhero cinema. With Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable Joker, it became a global phenomenon that proved comic book movies could dominate Hollywood.
Worldwide gross in 1989: $411,348,924
Adjusted for 2025: $1,063,640,741
1) Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Burton’s biggest hit remains his 3D fantasy spectacle Alice in Wonderland. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter, it captivated audiences with its surreal visuals and became a billion-dollar success.
Worldwide gross in 2010: $1,025,491,110
Adjusted for 2025: $1,507,587,465
From gothic superheroes to whimsical wonderlands, Tim Burton’s unique imagination has crafted some of cinema’s most visually unforgettable hits – and the box office numbers prove it.
