10 Underrated Movies Recommended by Tim Burton

2 “The Golden Voyage of Sinbad” (1973)

Golden Voyage of Sinbad fantasy adventure film directed by Gordon Hesslerwith special effects from the legendary Ray Harryhausen. John Phillip Low plays a legendary sailor who embarks on a perilous journey to find a magical golden tablet that can give its owner immense power. Along the way, Sinbad encounters several obstacles and opponents, including a one-eyed centaur and a sinister sorcerer played by Tom Baker.

Burton cited Harryhausen as the main inspiration for his decision to use stop-motion animation in some of his films. “[Harryhausen’s work] sort of Frankenstein or PinocchioBurton said. “It means taking an inanimate object and making it come to life. […] That’s why I still enjoy doing stop-motion projects, because it’s really exciting and energizing not only for you, but also for the other artists working on it.”

3 “Gargantua’s War” (1966)

War of the Gargantua it’s a kaiju film director Ishiro Honda. It centers on two giant humanoid creatures known as Gargantua, brown and green, who wreak havoc in Tokyo by fighting each other. Russ Tamblyn plays Dr. Paul Stewart, a scientist who tries to understand and control Gargantua while Kumi Mizuno portrays his colleague Akemi who develops a special bond with the friendly brown Gargantua.

Burton said that War of the Gargantua is one of his (and his daughter’s) favorite films. “Ishiro Honda, who directed a lot of Japanese films, had such a strange heart that I really liked it,” explains Burton. “There’s an emotional story to it, it’s quite strong. There’s something very sweet about these films.”

4 “Omega Man” (1971)

Omega man post-apocalyptic sci-fi film directed by Boris Sagal. These are the stars Charlton Heston like Robert Neville, surviving a global pandemic that turned most of humanity into mutated vampire creatures. Neville is immune to the virus and spends his days scavenging for supplies and fending off attacks from the “Family”, a group of infected who are still somewhat human.

The film explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the nature of humanity as Neville struggles to maintain his sanity in a world without other people alive. Hisfrightening and suggestive, with Heston playing the unforgettable role of the last man on earth. He inspired several adaptations Richard Matesonovel I’m a legend, on which it is based, but remains a classic in its own right.

5 “Black Sunday” (1960)

Black Sunday horror film directed by italian Mario Bava. Barbara Steele plays the dual role of Princess Asa Wajda and Katya Wajda, a witch and her innocent offspring. The latter is the target of being possessed by Asa’s vengeful spirit. John Richardson plays Dr. Thomas Cruvajan, a doctor who becomes embroiled in a supernatural plot in an attempt to save Katya from Asa’s wrath.

Black Sunday widely regarded as a classic of Italian horror cinema due to Bava’s signature atmospheric lighting style and inventive cinematography. Steele’s macabre performance as a vicious witch also contributed to the film’s enduring reputation. Burton pays homage to the film with some scenes in sleepy hollow.

6 “Ten Commandments” (1956)

Ten Commandments director’s epic biblical film Cecil B. DeMille. It features stars from the 1950s. Charlton Heston stars as Moses, who receives the Ten Commandments from God and leads his people out of Egyptian bondage. Yul Brynner joins him as Pharaoh Ramses, Moses’ adoptive brother and possible adversary.

“I was kind of obsessed [Heston] because he’s like the greatest bad actor of all time,” Burton said. “planet of the apes And Soylent Green And Ten Commandments — I know it’s a religious movie, but I always thought it was like the first zombie movie. He starts out as a real person and ends up as a weird zombie.”

7 “When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth” (1970)

When dinosaurs ruled the earth director’s sci-fi film Val Guest. Victoria Vetri plays Sanna, a cavewoman who is saved from being sacrificed by a group of prehistoric humans living in a lost world ruled by dinosaurs. Patrick Allen plays Tara, a tribal leader who falls in love with Sanna and helps her survive in a dangerous environment.

The film uses stop-motion animation and special effects to bring prehistoric creatures to life. Although these effects are now clearly outdated, in 1970 they were impressive. The result is a fun adventure that delightfully blends action, romance and fantasy. In 2009, Burton curated an exhibition for the Museum of Modern Art that included some of the films that had the greatest influence on his own work, including When dinosaurs ruled the earth.

8 “20 Million Miles to Earth” (1957)

20 million miles to earth is another old school science fiction about monsters on the loose. Director Nathan Juranthese are the stars William Hopper as Colonel Robert Calder, a member of a space mission that crash-lands on Earth after encountering a strange creature on Venus. The creature, a reptilian beast named Ymir, grows rapidly and becomes a threat to the city of Rome, raging through the streets.

Special effects and stop-motion animation were once again provided by Ray Harryhausen. His work on Ymir is particularly impressive. 20 million miles to earth This is a classic example of 1950s science fiction, with its themes of exploration, discovery, and the dangers of unknown worlds. It should appeal to anyone interested in early sci-fi cinema.

9 “The Brain That Won’t Die” (1962)

The brain that won’t die sci-fi horror film about Dr. Bill Kortner (Jason Evers), a scientist who becomes obsessed with preserving the brain of his fiancée Yang (Virginia Leith) after she is decapitated in a car accident. Kortner keeps the head alive in the lab and tries to find a new body for Ian, leading him down a path of grisly experiments and moral decay.

It’s a low-budget cult classic with over-the-top acting, cheesy effects, and a sinister plot. “I grew up watching things like The brain that won’t die on Saturday afternoon TV,” Burton explains. “There’s a guy with a severed arm and blood all over the wall. I have never seen a negative in this. I find these things, when they’re not based in reality, cathartic.”

10 ‘Wicker Man’ (1973)

wicker man this is a folk horror about a police sergeant (Edward Woodward), who is sent to a remote Scottish island in search of a missing girl. He is shocked to find that the inhabitants of the island have converted to paganism and participate in occult rituals. He becomes embroiled in a big conspiracy as he tries to find out more.

Burton called it one of his favorite horror films of all time. “I found this film to be such a strange mix,” he explains. “It’s like a weird twisted musical. The elements are very strange. […] It’s actually quite a hypnotic amazing film.”