Edward Scissorhands

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Edward Scissorhands

PG-13

Released Dec 7, 1990

1h 45m

Holiday

Fantasy

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

68 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A scientist (Vincent Price) builds an animated human being -- the gentle Edward (Johnny Depp). The scientist dies before he can finish assembling Edward, though, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. Loving suburban saleswoman Peg (Dianne Wiest) discovers Edward and takes him home, where he falls for Peg's teen daughter (Winona Ryder). However, despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward's hands make him an outcast.

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Critics Consensus

The first collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is a magical modern fairy tale with gothic overtones and a sweet center.

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Henry Sheehan

Chicago Reader

Edward Scissorhands is a flashy and entertaining apologia from an artist who has not accumulated enough work to justify such self-concern.

Rated: 3/4

May 24, 2022

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Marc Lee

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Burton's modern fairytale has an almost palpably personal feel: it is told gently, subtly and with infinite sympathy for an outsider who charms the locals but then inadvertently arouses their baser instincts.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 17, 2014

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

An original movie, though not Tim Burton's best.

Jun 17, 2008

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

With equal portions of humor and heart, this inventive, touching, poetic fairy tale is highly memorable.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 8, 2024

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

The finale packs an unforgettable emotional wallop, assisted by Danny Elfman's gloriously magical score.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 9, 2024

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Kristy Strouse

Cinematic Lovelies

This is one of Burton’s best and it’s one of aesthetic power and emotional resonance. It’s a magical odyssey of invention and human emotion, with a distinguishable tone and look. This one is for the weirdos.

Aug 31, 2023

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Kenny A.

Packed with striking visuals and a raw emotional center, "Edward Scissorhands (1990)" remains Tim Burton's crowning achievement. A true modern fairytale and one of the greatest auteur films ever made! An absolute masterpiece!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Rami A

This is Tim Burton's most personal movie. It's a lesson that if you don't want to be bothered, don't bother anyone. It's also about self-discovery. Edward's disadvantage was having scissors for hands, but that's actually why he's a creative person. Tim Burton did a great job conveying that moral.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Cade H.

Edward Scissorhands is the product of excellent casting and legendary directing. The combination of Depp’s ability to convey Edward’s blissful innocence and Burton’s ability to introduce the potential danger of the character via conflict with the supporting actors is such a seamless coupling. This collaboration creates a plot that is consistent and maintains good pace throughout the entire movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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mi d

amazing, best movie ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Shaun R

After all these years, I’m still working out if this is better than I think. It’s extremely original and unusual which is usually a great thing. I can help but feel this is too pretentious.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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Aiden A

Ok first of all, what the heck is wrong with this movie. Its a good movie and all, almost brought a tear to my eye (almost!), but what was Peg thinking?? Who in the right see's a haunted, mansion and wants to knock on their door for god damn cosmetics. Secondly, why should Peg just let herself into the mansion (talking about trespassing). Thirdly, she finds Edward, creepy dude in the shawdos, whiter chalk, with scars on his face and crazy hair. Forget about that, HE HAS BLADES FOR FINGERS AND THUMBS MAN!!!! Here's my favourite part, instead of running away like any normal human she INVITES HIM TO HER GOD DAMN HOUSE!!!!!!!! Is why serial killers back in the 70s, 80s and so on were so good at killing people, because of dum craps like Peg.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Tim Burton

Director

Johnny Depp

Edward Scissorhands

Winona Ryder

Kim Boggs

Dianne Wiest

Peg Boggs

Anthony Michael Hall

Jim

Alan Arkin

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Edward Scissorhands: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A scientist (Vincent Price) builds an animated human being -- the gentle Edward (Johnny Depp). The scientist dies before he can finish assembling Edward, though, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. Loving suburban saleswoman Peg (Dianne Wiest) discovers Edward and takes him home, where he falls for Peg's teen daughter (Winona Ryder). However, despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward's hands make him an outcast.

Director: Tim Burton
Producer: Denise Di Novi, Tim Burton
Screenwriter: Caroline Thompson
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox, Buena Vista Television
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Holiday, Fantasy, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround

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