The Nightmare Before Christmas
7.9
95%
82
7.9
A bored Halloween monarch discovers Christmas and turns a macabre seasonal world into a dazzling, misguided musical adventure.
Ember's analysis
- MoodBright
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingBrisk
- IntensityModerate
- ComplexityEasy to follow
- ViolenceNone
More about the film
Overview
A whimsical journey where Halloween meets Christmas in a magical twist of fate.
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a stunningly original, visually delightful, and musically energetic work of stop-motion animation.
What sets it apart
- The film uses detailed stop-motion puppetry, skeletal characters, crooked architecture, and shadowy holiday landscapes.
- Jack brings the traditions and creatures of Halloween Town into contact with the brighter customs of Christmas Town.
- Jack is celebrated as the Pumpkin King yet seeks a new purpose after becoming bored with repeating Halloween.
- Danny Elfman’s musical numbers express Jack’s dissatisfaction, discovery, ambition, and the consequences of his plan.
Films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, and why
- Corpse Brideshares stop-motion fantasy, macabre whimsy, musical storytelling, and a visually distinctive holiday atmosphere
- Edward Scissorhandsshares darkly whimsical fantasy, eccentric outsider protagonists, gothic production design, and playful comedy
- James and the Giant Peachshares family-friendly fantasy, musical spectacle, surreal world-building, and a central outsider seeking belonging
Movie Details
- Director
- Henry Selick
- Release Date
- 1993-10-09
- Runtime
- 76 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (10842)
Common questions
- What is The Nightmare Before Christmas about?
- A bored Halloween monarch discovers Christmas and turns a macabre seasonal world into a dazzling, misguided musical adventure.
- What is The Nightmare Before Christmas like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Nightmare Before Christmas as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Nightmare Before Christmas violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
- What did critics think of The Nightmare Before Christmas?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a stunningly original, visually delightful, and musically energetic work of stop-motion animation.
- Which films are like The Nightmare Before Christmas?
- Films with a similar feel include Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands, and James and the Giant Peach.
- How long is The Nightmare Before Christmas?
- The Nightmare Before Christmas runs 76 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Nightmare Before Christmas?
- In United States, The Nightmare Before Christmas streams on Disney Plus.
Cast
- Henry SelickDirector
- Danny ElfmanJack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice)
- Chris SarandonJack Skellington (voice)
- Catherine O'HaraSally / Shock (voice)
- William HickeyDr. Finkelstein (voice)
- Glenn ShadixMayor (voice)
- Paul ReubensLock (voice)
- Ken PageOogie Boogie (voice)
- Edward IvorySanta Claus (voice)
- Susan McBrideBig Witch / WWD. (voice)
- Debi DurstCorpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)
