10 Tim Burton Costumes for Halloween

In the world of cinema, few directors possess a visual style as unmistakable as Tim Burton's. His films are a portal to dark yet whimsical universes, where the bizarre becomes beautiful, and the eerie transforms into the enchanting. Tim Burton's style is now regarded as "Burtonesque", with its iconic tall, gaunt figures with sunken eyes and dark, gothic scenery inspired by German expressionism. Such visuals are perfect for Halloween costumes! For fans of Tim Burton, we'll share some of the best Tim Burton Halloween costume ideas.

1. Beetlejuice Halloween Costumes

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice...actually, it's safer to stop right here. The Tim Burton film follows a strange and unusual teenager who is oddly unphased by living with ghosts. (At least they're friendly!) However, the ghosts call upon Beetlejuice to help scare away their home's new residents, which they regret soon after. Does anyone have a service for exorcising exorcists? These Beetlejuice costumes are a must for Tim Burton fans!

2. Batman Halloween Costumes

Tim Burton directed Batman in 1989 and Batman Returns in 1992. While you might not be able to find the exact iconic Tim Burton Batman suit, a basic black Batman costume will suffice. However, you can find Halloween costumes for iconic villains like The Joker, Catwoman, and The Penguin. These Tim Burton character costumes are bound to be welcome for any Halloween or Comic-Con event!

3. Edward Scissorhands Costumes

A typical suburban neighborhood gets a dose of the weird when Edward Scissorhands comes to town. While initially a reclusive and abandoned invention by an eccentric inventor, Edward is slowly embraced by the city. He shows his gratitude through acts of service such as cutting topiaries and grooming pets. You won't be able to trim any hedges in these Edward Scissorhands costumes. However, you'll stun your neighbors with these Tim Burton Halloween costumes!

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Costumes

Everybody will make a scene in these The Nightmare Before Christmas costumes! Jack Skellington, bored of everything being Halloween all the time, finds a new love in Christmas festivities. However, events become disastrous when Santa Claws is delivered to Oogie Boogie. Will you dress as gentleman Jack or the mischievous Shock, Lock, and Barrel? There are even more Tim Burton character costumes with Sally and Oogie Boogie, giving you enough characters for a Tim Burton group costume!

5. Sleepy Hollow Halloween Costumes

Many people are familiar with the tale of Sleepy Hollow, with Ichabod Crane fleeing from the headless horseman. The Tim Burton movie of the same name is told with Burtonesque visuals and turns the overall plot into a murder mystery with supernatural elements. (The film actually won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction!) While you may not be able to find character costumes for many of the cast members, you can use colonial costumes to match the period and these headless horsemen costumes.

6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Halloween Costumes

Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory deserves an honorable mention! While our Willy Wonka costumes are based on the first movie starring Gene Wilder, several characters are easy enough for Tim Burton fans to DIY. Augustus Gloop is easy enough with a red and white striped shirt, while Violet Beauregarde wears a blue velour tracksuit. With a little creativity and patience, anything is possible!

7. Corpse Bride Halloween Costumes

Tim Burton hit his stride once again with stop-motion animation in 2005's Corpse Bride. The line between the land of the dead and the living blurs as Victor accidentally practices his wedding vows and puts his ring on Emily's bony, dead finger. Things do eventually work out; ironically, the land of the dead is more vibrant than the land of the living. (Iconography that Tim Burton fans can appreciate.) This Corpse Bride costume is perfect for Emily and can be easily paired with a gray tuxedo for the character of Victor.

8. Sweeney Todd Halloween Costumes

Yet another Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd, is based on a musical of the same name. In frustration, the wrongfully convicted Todd turns to serial killing, slicing customers with his barber's razor and giving the bodies to accomplice Mrs. Lovett to turn into meat pies. (Admittedly the worst pies in London!) This slasher musical is credited as being one of the best musical films of the 21st century. And these Sweeney Todd costumes are to die for!

9. Alice in Wonderland Halloween Costumes

The Alice in Wonderland costumes from Tim Burton's film remain iconic well after its release, especially his Mad Hatter costume. (This is an especially great group costume idea for Tim Burton fans, with so many characters at your fingertips.) You have the silly yet eccentric Mad Hatter, Alice, who has a destiny to fulfill, the murderous Red Queen, and more! It's much more of an action-adventure tale than the classic Disney movie; you'll have so much fun in these Tim Burton movie costumes.

10. Dumbo Halloween Costumes

Tim Burton and Disney cross paths yet again in his live-action rendition of Dumbo. While the movie received mixed reviews, it may still strike a chord with Tim Burton fans who also love circus costumes. (Especially with a vintage flair!) These Dumbo costumes work well paired with a ringmaster or another elephant to serve as Mrs. Jumbo.

Are you ready to have a Burtonesque Halloween? These Tim Burton costumes are a perfect match for the occasion and work well as single costumes, pairs, and even costumed groups! Are there any other Tim Burton costumes you'd like to see for Halloween? We're always on the lookout for more excellent costume ideas!