Tim Burton has long had a knack for making the macabre feel warmly human. From Edward Scissorhands to Beetlejuice, his films often find more heart in the misunderstood than in the so-called respectable folk. That's why his work feels especially at home during October, when the spooky and the sentimental collide.
This Halloween season, one of Burton's most beloved animated gems is making a serious splash on streaming. Corpse Bride, the 2005 stop-motion romance co-directed with Mike Johnson, has clawed its way to the No. 4 spot on HBO Max's most-watched movies list, according to FlixPatrol. It's sitting pretty just above Coraline, and it's sharing the top ten with horror staples like The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street. That's some seriously spooky company.
What's particularly impressive is that Corpse Bride is the highest-ranking animated movie on the chart right now. It's beating out newer releases and holding its own against the usual October heavy hitters. The film's enduring popularity speaks to its unique blend of gothic romance, dark humor, and Burton's signature visual style.
The story follows Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a nervous young man who accidentally finds himself married to a corpse named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) while practicing his wedding vows in the woods. His living fiancée Victoria (Emily Watson) is left behind, and Victor must navigate the Land of the Dead to find his way back. It's a tale of love, loss, and the ties that bind us—even beyond the grave.
On the October 5 chart, Corpse Bride sits at No. 4, with Coraline at No. 5, The Shining at No. 6, and A Nightmare on Elm Street at No. 7. Friday the 13th and Scooby-Doo also crack the top ten, making it a veritable Halloween buffet. The fact that a 21-year-old animated film is rubbing shoulders with recent hits like Evil Dead Burn and Backrooms is a testament to its lasting appeal.
For fans of Burton's other work, this resurgence might feel like a natural companion to Over the Garden Wall's recent climb on Prime Video—another animated gem that thrives in the autumn months. And if you're in the mood for more classic scares, Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket is also hitting HBO Max this October, though it's a different kind of horror.
So, if you're building your Halloween watchlist, Corpse Bride is clearly a must-see. It's a reminder that even in the land of the dead, love can find a way. And with its top-five spot on HBO Max, it's clear that audiences agree—this gothic fairy tale is as enchanting as ever.
