Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Is The First Tim Burton Movie To Get A Criterion Collection Release

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Tim Burton’s career took off with his first feature film, *Pee-wee’s Big Adventure*. Released in 1985, the movie follows the eccentric Pee-wee Herman (played by Paul Reubens) on a quest to find his stolen bicycle. While a simple story, it proved hugely important for both Burton and Reubens. Now, this beloved family classic is getting a special release as part of the Criterion Collection – the first Tim Burton film to receive this honor. It will be available on 4K and standard Blu-ray starting December 16th, and both versions are available for pre-order now. The 4K Blu-ray is priced at $50, while the standard Blu-ray is $40 on Amazon.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure Special Features

The Criterion Collection’s new release includes several fresh interviews with film critic Mark Olsen, featuring conversations with Tim Burton, actor Richard Ayoade, co-writer Michael Varhol, editor Billy Weber, production designer David L. Snyder, and producer Richard Abramson. It also contains previously released bonus material, such as deleted scenes, a 2005 interview with Paul Reubens, and audio commentary.

  • Commentary track with Tim Burton and actor/co-writer Paul Reubens
  • Music-focused commentary featuring composer Danny Elfman
  • Newly recorded conversation between Burton and actor/filmmaker Richard Ayoade
  • Brand-new discussions with co-writer Michael Varhol, editor Billy Weber, production designer David L. Snyder, and producer Richard Abramson, moderated by critic Mark Olsen
  • A 2005 interview session with Paul Reubens
  • Highlights from the film’s 40th-anniversary screening, organized by Nostalgic Nebula and introduced by comedian Dana Gould
  • Collection of deleted scenes
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Printed essay by radio and podcast personality Jesse Thorn

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was Tim Burton’s first feature film as a director, and it’s famously quirky. The story follows Pee-wee on a cross-country trip to find his stolen bike, but his journey quickly becomes bizarre with encounters like scary clowns, the ghostly Large Marge, and a mischievous biker gang called Satan’s Helpers. (Don’t forget the tequila!) When it came out in 1985, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was unlike anything audiences had ever seen, and it remains a uniquely strange and original film to this day.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure launched Tim Burton’s Hollywood career, and he followed it up with the darkly funny Beetlejuice in 1988. He then directed the popular Batman films, including Batman Returns, and many other movies, most of which have been remastered and released in 4K resolution over time.

Tim Burton’s stop-motion film *Corpse Bride*, often considered a follow-up to *The Nightmare Before Christmas*, is newly available. A limited edition Steelbook version is on sale for $30 (originally $35) at both Amazon and Walmart, but it’s selling quickly after already being out of stock once. If you miss out, the standard 4K Blu-ray is available for $23.79 from the same retailers.

Looking to expand your Tim Burton collection? See the list below for more of his films available on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray.

Tim Burton Blu-rays

  • Alice in Wonderland (Blu-ray) — $11.54 ($20)
  • Batman 4-Film Collection (4K) — $33 ($90)
  • Batman (4K) — $20 ($35)
  • Batman Returns (4K) — $12.49 ($35)
  • Beetlejuice (4K) — $19.49 ($35)
  • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (4K) — $19 ($34)
  • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Steelbook (4K, 2025) — $30 ($35)
  • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Steelbook (4K, 2024) — $20
  • Big Eyes (DVD) — $6.19
  • Big Fish (4K) — $18 ($30)
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — $10.41
  • Corpse Bride Steelbook (4K) — $30 ($45.49)
  • Corpse Bride (Blu-ray) — $8 ($15)
  • Dark Shadows (Blu-ray) — $9 ($10)
  • Dumbo (4K) — $9.53 ($20)
  • Edward Scissorhands (Blu-ray) — $9 ($15)
  • Ed Wood (Blu-ray) — $8 ($15)
  • Frankenweenie (Blu-ray) — $20
  • Mars Attacks! (Blu-ray) — $9 ($20)
  • Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (4K) — $25.70 ($31)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (4K) — $18.44 ($35)
  • Pee-wee’s Big Adventure: Criterion Collection (4K) — $50 | Releases December 16
  • Pee-wee’s Big Adventure: Criterion Collection (Blu-ray) — $40 | Releases December 16
  • Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (Blu-ray) — $11 ($20)
  • Planet of the Apes (Blu-ray) — $35
  • Sleepy Hollow (4K) — $17.53 ($26)
  • Sweeney Todd (4K) — $17.60 ($25)
  • The Tim Burton Collection (Blu-ray) — $34

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2025-09-24 22:41