Tim Burton has leapt to the defence of his new animated film, Frankenweenie, from critics who claim the movie is too scary for children.

The film, about a boy who uses science in a Frankenstein fashion to bring his beloved dead dog back to life, was showcased on the opening night of the BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday.

Critics have claimed the black-and-white stop-frame movie is too macabre for younger audiences and led to him being sacked as a Disney animator when he first pitched the idea in 1984.

"I never made a scary film, you know," he said from the red carpet. "I mean Walt Disney has made many scary films you know. So I never considered it scary."

The Edward Scissorhands director was joined by members of his cast, including Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara and veteran actor Martin Landau. His partner Helena Bonham Carter also made an appearance on the carpet, shortly before the Gala screening.

"It's very exciting and frightening at the same time but you know it's a real honour to obviously to be asked (to open the London Film Festival)," he added.