In an unnamed Victorian Era European village, Victor Van Dort, the son of nouveau riche fish merchants, and Victoria Everglot, the neglected daughter of hateful aristocrats, are getting prepared for their arranged marriage, which will raise the social class of Victor's parents and restore the wealth of Victoria's penniless family. Both have concerns about marrying someone they do not know, but they fall instantly in love when they first meet. After the shy, clumsy Victor ruins the wedding rehearsal and is scolded by Pastor Galswells, he flees and practices his wedding vows in the nearby forest, placing the wedding ring on a nearby upturned tree root. The root turns out to be the finger of a dead girl clad in a tattered bridal gown, who rises from the grave claiming that she is now Victor's wife. Spirited away to the surprisingly festive Land of the Dead, the bewildered Victor learns the story of Emily, his new "bride," murdered years ago on the night of her secret elopement. Emily, as a wedding gift, reunites Victor with his long-dead dog, Scraps. Meanwhile, Victoria's parents hear that Victor has been seen in another woman's arms, and become suspicious. With the main voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Albert Finney, Joanna Lumley, and Christopher Lee. Mike Johnson and Tim Burton direct from the screenplay by John August, Caroline Thompson, and Pamela Pettler; Original Characters created by Burton and Carlos Grangel. Produced by Burton and Allison Abbate; Executive Producers: Jeffrey Auerbach and Joe Ranft. featuring a score and four original songs written and produced by Danny Elfman. Puppets made by MacKinnon and Saunders. a Tim Burton/Laika Entertainment production for Warner Bros. Pictures. A Patalex II production. Made in London at 3 Mills Studios. "In Memory of Joe Ranft".