In the grand tapestry of filmmaking, Tim Burton stands out like a hauntingly beautiful, twisted tree in a dark meadow. His genius doesn’t just lie in the spooky, shadowy corners of his movies; it’s in the unusual characters he creates. Who can forget the iconic Beetlejuice with his zany antics, or the soulful Edward Scissorhands, with his heart of gold and hands of, well, scissors? And of course, the musical marvel that is Nightmare Before Christmas, a tale that’s both heartwarming and spine-chilling.
Now, for all you Halloween aficionados and Cosplay connoisseurs, these Tim Burton characters aren’t just cinema icons; they’re a treasure trove of inspiration! Every year, they re-emerge from the depths of our movie collections, beckoning us to embody their unique flair. From head-to-toe ensembles to those quirky accessories that add the perfect finishing touch, we’ve got you covered. Without further ado, here’s our curated list of Tim Burton Costume Ideas.
1) Edward Scissorhands
Among the pantheon of Tim Burton’s illustrious characters, Edward Scissorhands holds a special place, a beautiful blend of melancholy and innocence. Now, while his quintessential gothic attire – a mosaic of leather, buckles, and those iconic scissor hands – is a masterpiece, it’s not the easiest to replicate without buying the full costume, which we will link to below.
For those who’d like a touch of Edward without the complicated bits, there’s his “preppy” avatar to consider. Think of it as Edward meets high-street fashion.
Preppy Edward Scissorhands Look
Get Look Accessories On Amazon:
1) Plain White Dress Shirt (Go up in size so it’s baggy)
2) Gray Men’s Trousers (Once again opt for the baggy look)
3) Black Suspenders
4) Messy Black Hair Wig
5) Scissorhands Cosplay Accessory
Edward Classic Gothic Costumes
2) Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is the ghost with the most! Clad in his iconic black and white striped suit, his disheveled hair and ghastly pale face paint are emblematic of his wild, untamed nature. His personality, as vibrant and unpredictable as a poltergeist on a sugar rush, is perfectly mirrored in his flamboyant attire. When you think of chaos with a dash of charm, think Beetlejuice!
We are going to suggest a twist on the classic Beetlejuice costume, which is of course the pinstripe suit. An easier look to pull off is when Beetlejuice dresses like Adam when they first meet. You may even already have clothes in your closet that you can use.
Beetlejuice as Adam
Get The Look On Amazon:
1) Plaid Grey and White Shirt
2) Classic Beige Pants
3) Beetlejuice Wig
4) Pale White Face Makeup
Classic Beetlejuice Costumes
3) Penguin
One of Tim Burton’s most underrated characters is his version of The Penguin in Batman Returns. Played by the great Danny Devito his character is vicious and ugly but makes an excellent Halloween costume. Here are the main pieces you need for a Batman Penguin costume:
1) Black Top Hat
2) Black Tailcoat Jacket with Vest
3) Adult Fat Suit
4) Pointy Fake Nose
5) Checkered Suspenders
4) Catwoman
Also from the same Batman Returns movie we give you Catwoman who in my opinion was the best version of the character in the franchise. Her outfit is a classic black leather one-piece with white stitching. The full costume is an amazing replica but here are some pieces to put it together yourself:
1) Spandex Black Jumpsuit
2) Cat Ears and Facemask
3) Black Leather Long Gloves
4) Faux Leather Black Whip
Other Catwoman Options
3 Piece Frisky Feline Costume
Vixen Catwoman With Garter
5) Jack Skellington
When searching for Tim Burton costume inspiration you will no doubt see Jack Skellington on almost everyone’s character list. He’s unavoidable come Halloween time but his costume is not easy to put together. Your best bet is to just buy a full costume to be honest but here are some pieces you can use for Jack Skellington:
1) Jack Skellington T-Shirt
2) Jack Skellington Full Face Mask
3) Zebra Striped Suit and Bowtie
Other Options For Jack
Women’s Jack Skellington Dress
Children’s Skellington Costume
6) Sally
Jack’s co-star from the Nightmare Before Christmas is Sally and she is a popular Tim Burton costume for women. She has some really amazing costume ideas that are bright and colorful. If you are a good seamstress you might even be able to make her dress yourself. Here are some key Sally costume pieces:
1) Sally Cosplay Dress
2) Sally Makeup Kit and Scars
3) Sally Blue Leggings
Other Sally Options
Girls Sally Costume
7) Mars Attacks Aliens
Mars Attacks is not one of Tim Burton’s most famous movies but it does have some great, quirky characters to draw costume inspiration from. The obvious ones are the Aliens. Here are some great items to piece together the Aliens from Mars Attacks:
1) Mars Attacks Alien Mask
2) Green Spandex Bodysuit
3) Fake Alien Toy Gun
8) Martian Madame
The other standout character from Mars Attacks is Martian Madame or Martian Girl whose outfit is a head-turner. You might have to explain who you are but it will be worth it as you will be the standout of any Halloween party. Here are the items you will need:
1) Pink Swirls Long Dress
2) Beehive Blonde Wig
3) Dark Red Lipstick
4) Shiny Red Purse
9) The Riddler
As you would expect Jim Carrey played the most over-the-top Riddler in Tim Burton’s Batman Forever. His costume matches his personality and lights up the room with color. Here are the key pieces you need for The Riddler:
1) Green Eye Mask
2) Orange Haired Wig
3) Skull Cane
4) Riddler Suit Jacket
10) Corpse Bride
The Corpse Bride is another hit animation movie by Tim Burton. The main female character is the Corpse Bride and her costume is beautiful. It’s the wedding dress of the dead and perfect for any Halloween party or event. Here are the items you will need to make it happen:
1) Veil, Blue Wig and Flower Crown
2) Corpse Bride Makeup Kit
3) Gothic Victorian Dress
Embracing Burton’s Bewitching Best
Tim Burton stands as a beacon of creativity, weaving tales that are as whimsical as they are eerie. His characters, intricate tapestries of emotion and design, offer a treasure trove of inspiration for all costume enthusiasts. Whether you’re preparing for a Halloween soirée, a cosplay event, or simply wishing to walk a day in the shoes of a Burtonesque character, these costume ideas ensure you stand out, capturing the essence of Tim Burton’s cinematic genius.
Remember, it’s not just about the attire; it’s about embodying the spirit, the quirks, and the unparalleled charm of Tim Burton characters. So, as you don the costume of your choice, let the magic of Burton’s world envelop you, making every moment a scene straight out of his movies.
More Costume Ideas:
