Bad Timing Killed Tim Burton's Best Sci-Fi Adventure
A look at a dark steam-punk animation that pushed boundaries and created something totally unique in the animated movie scene.
Tim Burton's signature style always brings us what we love most: gothic aesthetics, haunting musical scores, and, most importantly, characters who walk the line between darkness and light. His 2009 animated feature 9 has all these trademarks and even more.
It is his first and only movie that is set in a post-apocalyptic world (and that alone deserved more attention, to be honest). It also takes a bolder step into science fiction territory.
And while it shares shelf space with Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas, 9 has never reached its full success.
Despite its unique vision and stellar animation, this steam-punk adventure struggled to find its audience during its initial release. Yet, like many cult classics before it, time has only strengthened its appeal.
9, A Bold Vision in a Mechanical Wasteland
The movie, released on 9/9/2009 follows a small burlap creature named 9 (Elijah Wood), who awakens in a world where humanity has vanished in a war with machines, leaving behind only mechanical beasts and nine special rag dolls. The film takes us through a dangerous world where these tiny beings must face massive mechanical monsters.
Tim Burton fearlessly dives into darker themes. Where most animated films of its time played it safe, 9 wasn't afraid to show a world that's genuinely scary. The steam-punk aesthetic doesn't feel like an accessory. On the contrary, it created some of the most beautiful and unsettling atmosphere.
Timing Wasn't on Tim Burton's Side, Fans Think
Fan discussions about the film's commercial performance often circle back to the film's unfortunate timing and marketing challenges.
As one Redditor pointed out:
“Tbh, there's multiple reasons [for not getting more attention]. There was hardly any marketing, pretty sure it released around the same time as Coraline, and it was a really dark film. Some of my friends wanted to watch it but their parents wouldn't allow it.”
Oof. Releasing 9 not even a half year later after Coraline was tough. Not to mention that Coraline had a bigger marketing push and, we won't lie, a more accessible story.
Another Redditor ThatRealBiggieCheese gave a genius idea:
“Also it’s too dark to be a kids movie and a little too convoluted. Would have made one hell of an animated miniseries.”
And this is such a genius idea. A miniseries format could've given the story room to breathe, let Burton dive deeper into his haunting mechanical world.
Where to Stream Tim Burton’s 9?
Yet, despite not becoming a box office hit, 9 has something unique to offer its viewers.
And if a miracle happens and we get the 9 miniseries now in 2025, we can definitely say one thing – it will definitely become a worldwide hit.
But for now, we can watch and rewatch this 2009 sci-fi Burton wild creation on Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime or Apple TV+.
