Beetlejuice (1988)

*Beetlejuice (1988)* tells the story of a young couple who, thanks to an untimely demise via drowning, end up as poltergeists in their New England farmhouse. There, they fail to meet the challenge of scaring away the insufferable new owners, who want to make drastic changes. In desperation, the undead newlyweds turn to an expert frightmeister, but he's got a diabolical agenda of his own. As a foundational work in Tim Burton's filmography, *Beetlejuice* perfectly encapsulates his signature blend of gothic whimsy, dark humor, and a celebration of the unconventional. The film takes the macabre premise of the afterlife and infuses it with a vibrant, off-kilter energy, where practical effects reign supreme and the mundane clashes hilariously with the supernatural. From Michael Keaton's iconic, anarchic performance as the titular "bio-exorcist" to Winona Ryder's quintessential goth teen Lydia Deetz, the movie revels in its eccentric characters. Its unique production design, playful stop-motion sequences, and unforgettable Danny Elfman score cemented Burton's distinctive aesthetic, proving that a film could be both commercially successful and gloriously weird, making it an undeniable choice for a "Best Tim Burton Movies" list.