Think aloud
If you’re a Tim Burton fan with a taste for the eerie and romantic, Corpse Bride tattoos might just be your next ink obsession. The Corpse Bride is a hauntingly beautiful tale of devotion, heartbreak, and hope from beyond the grave. These tattoos celebrate all those ideas.
1. True love, side-by-side forever
These matching tattoos of Victor and Emily bring the star-crossed couple to life, side by side. The artist nailed every detail, from Victor’s nervous expression to Emily’s hauntingly beautiful gaze.
Placed on the forearms, this tattoo set lets you carry the Corpse Bride magic wherever you go, like they’re walking right along with you. Ideal for couples or besties who share a love for Tim Burton’s unique brand of romance.
2. A picture-perfect memory
This tattoo is a snapshot straight from the underworld—a Polaroid-style design featuring Victor and Emily in one of the most heart-wrenching scenes of the movie. That quote at the bottom, “Can a heart still break once it’s stopped beating?” is the perfect reminder of Emily’s tragic story.
The added detail of taped edges makes it look like an old memory preserved forever, like a keepsake from another world. This tattoo has it all: nostalgia, romance, and that bittersweet Corpse Bride vibe. It’s a wearable work of art that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings of any fan.
3. The shy bride in monochrome
Emily’s elegance shines in this beautifully shaded tattoo that captures her in a moment of quiet vulnerability. Her large, sorrowful eyes and gentle hands tell a story of longing, making this tattoo both haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful.
The artist’s choice to keep it black and gray gives it a vintage, almost gothic feel that suits Emily’s character perfectly.
4. Leg sleeve for the die-hard fan
This jaw-dropping leg sleeve is a love letter to Corpse Bride in ink form. From top to bottom, it’s packed with details from the movie, showcasing multiple characters and scenes that make Tim Burton’s world come alive on the skin.
There’s Victor, Emily, and even some fun side characters from Burton’s other stories. It’s a full-blown dedication piece, showing serious commitment and passion. If you’re a fan who lives and breathes Tim Burton, this sleeve is the ultimate way to wear your fandom loud and proud.
5. Sunset silhouettes and blue-haired beauty
This stunning back piece captures Emily in all her ghostly glory, complete with flowing blue hair and that unmistakable Burton-esque style. Framed by the iconic spiral hill and silhouetted against a glowing sunset, it’s like a scene straight out of the movie.
Victor and Emily’s silhouettes at the top add a romantic touch, as if they’re destined to meet again even as the sun sets on their story.
6. Head in the clouds… or beyond
Emily’s face is presented in all her haunting beauty in this forearm tattoo, with a dreamy blue aura that gives her an almost otherworldly glow. Her large eyes gaze upward, and you can almost feel her longing and innocence.
It’s subtle but impactful, capturing the essence of a love story that never quite had the chance to blossom.
7. Couple goals: Jack and Emily in gothic frames
Why pick between The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride when you can have both? This matching tattoo set puts Jack Skellington and Emily in matching gothic frames, creating a unique crossover between two of Tim Burton’s beloved worlds.
8. Emily and her butterfly entourage
This tattoo captures the haunting beauty of Emily surrounded by delicate butterflies. Butterflies are a powerful symbol of transformation, perfectly fitting Emily’s journey from heartbreak to peace.
The artist’s choice of shading and soft lines gives Emily a fragile, ghostly appearance, while the butterflies add a touch of lightness and hope. It’s as if they’re carrying her spirit toward freedom, helping her finally move beyond her tragic past.
9. Skeleton hand and butterflies
This ribcage tattoo is a minimalist masterpiece, featuring a skeleton hand gently releasing a trio of butterflies. The skeletal detail paired with the delicate butterflies creates a beautiful contrast between life and death, echoing the themes of Corpse Bride.
The placement on the ribs gives it an intimate feel, like a secret story hidden close to the heart.
10. Split butterfly with Emily and Victor
This tattoo takes creativity to a whole new level by blending Emily and Victor’s faces within the wings of a butterfly. Each character is depicted with stunning detail, with Emily’s delicate sorrow on one side and Victor’s shy nervousness on the other.
It’s a design that feels like a mini love story in itself, capturing the duality of life and the afterlife, love and loss.
11. Portrait of a delicate soul
This beautifully framed portrait of Emily feels like a timeless piece of art. The intricate, vintage-style frame around her face makes it look like a family heirloom, one you’d find hanging on the wall of an old Victorian mansion.
And let’s not miss the butterfly gently landing on her hair—a symbol of Emily’s transformation and eternal beauty.
12. The butterfly under glass
If there’s one symbol that encapsulates Corpse Bride, it’s the butterfly. This tattoo features a blue butterfly trapped under a glass dome, reminiscent of a precious keepsake or a preserved memory.
The butterfly represents transformation, freedom, and the hope that something beautiful can come out of even the darkest tales.
13. Emily in vivid color
This thigh tattoo brings Emily to life in vibrant colors, highlighting her ghostly blue skin, rosy cheeks, and flower crown. The bold colors add a lively touch to her otherwise somber character, reminding us of her spirit and the love she so longed for.
Placed on the thigh, it’s a design that’s hard to miss, and it adds a touch of gothic elegance with a dash of sweetness.
14. Victor framed in a heart
This Victor tattoo takes a unique approach, placing him inside a heart-shaped outline with flowers surrounding him. His wide, nervous eyes capture his endearing awkwardness, making this tattoo a lighthearted homage to the character we all rooted for.
The heart frame and flowers soften his image, adding a romantic touch to his otherwise nervous expression.
15. Tarot card of ‘The Lovers’
This tarot-inspired tattoo of Victor and Emily as ‘The Lovers’ card is absolutely magical. The classic black and gray ink style gives it an antique feel, as if it’s an actual tarot card from a haunted deck.
The moon, stars, and floral details add to the mystical vibe, symbolizing a love that’s written in the stars—even if it’s a little bit ghostly.
16. Emily and Scraps, her loyal companion
This adorable tattoo features Emily standing gracefully, holding a bouquet, while her loyal skeleton dog Scraps sits at her feet. It’s a charming scene that captures Emily’s soft side and the companionship she found even in the afterlife.
The delicate flowers surrounding them add a touch of elegance, turning this piece into a floral ode to friendship beyond the grave.
17. The ultimate ghostly dog squad
This tattoo showcases an adorable lineup of Tim Burton’s beloved canine characters, including Frankenweenie’s Sparky, Corpse Bride’s Scraps, and The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Zero.
It’s a tribute to all the best four-legged friends from Burton’s universe, each one cuter (and deader) than the last. This playful forearm piece is perfect for fans who want a little bit of all three films in one tattoo and aren’t afraid to show off their quirky taste in pets.
18. Emily among flowers and butterflies
Emily looks absolutely ethereal in this floral tattoo design, surrounded by oversized flowers and butterflies that seem to bring her to life. The detail is astounding, from the lace on her dress to the wide-eyed look on her face, making her appear as if she’s emerging from a dream.
The flowers symbolize hope and rebirth, while the butterflies fluttering around add a sense of freedom. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants a half-sleeve dedicated to Corpse Bride and doesn’t mind turning heads.
19. Bonejangles, the dapper undead
This quirky tattoo features Bonejangles, everyone’s favorite musical skeleton from Corpse Bride, bringing his jazzy vibe to life on skin. With his signature bowler hat tipped just right and one arm waving, he’s the most charming undead gentleman you’ll ever meet.
Bonejangles captures the humor and playfulness that Tim Burton adds to his spooky worlds, which is perfect for anyone with a sense of humor about life—and death.
20. It’s not the end
This colorful tattoo brings Emily’s sad yet hopeful spirit to life with a vibrant twist. Her expression is one of longing, while the tombstone beside her reads, “It’s not the end.”
The bold colors make this tattoo pop, adding warmth to an otherwise somber image. It’s a beautiful, almost poetic piece for those who love Corpse Bride and find hope in Emily’s story.
Whether you’re drawn to Emily’s tragic beauty, Victor’s awkward charm, or the enchanting world of Tim Burton’s imagination, Corpse Bride tattoos are a hauntingly beautiful way to keep this beloved story alive.
Each tattoo tells a unique part of the tale—of love, loss, and letting go—that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt a little lost in the world of the living.
