IMDb > The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) More at IMDbPro »

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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- Clip: Deliveries
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   70,766 votes
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Down 74% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Tim Burton (story)
Michael McDowell (adaptation)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Nightmare Before Christmas on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 October 1993 (USA) more
Tagline:
Tim Burton's classic returns in 3-D so real, it's scary. more
Plot:
Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(240 articles)
Stunning new Alice in Wonderland merchandise at Hot Topic
 (From BoxWish. 4 January 2010, 2:05 AM, PST)

Exclusive Video: Brand New 9 DVD Special Feature Clip
 (From MovieWeb. 29 December 2009, 11:11 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Enthralling film, but more Lock, Shock and Barrel needed! more (345 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Danny Elfman ... Jack Skellington Sung By / Barrel / Clown with the Tear Away Face (voice)

Chris Sarandon ... Jack - Speaking (voice)

Catherine O'Hara ... Sally / Shock (voice)
William Hickey ... Evil Scientist (voice)
Glenn Shadix ... Mayor (voice)

Paul Reubens ... Lock (voice)
Ken Page ... Oogie Boogie (voice)
Edward Ivory ... Santa (voice) (as Ed Ivory)
Susan McBride ... Big Witch / WWD. (voice)
Debi Durst ... Corpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)

Greg Proops ... Harlequin Demon / Devil / Sax Player (voice) (as Gregory Proops)
Kerry Katz ... Man Under Stairs / Vampire / Corpse Dad (voice)
Randy Crenshaw ... Mr. Hyde / Behemoth / Vampire (voice)
Sherwood Ball ... Mummy / Vampire (voice)

Carmen Twillie ... Undersea Gal / Man Under the Stairs (voice)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (USA) (complete title)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3-D (USA) (promotional title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG for some scary images.
Runtime:
76 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Behemoth is based on B-movie actor/Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After Jack orders Lock, Shock, and Barrel to kidnap Santa, they immediately set off, and by the very next scene, they are already back with a wrong catch (the Easter Bunny). Jack points them then into the right direction, and the trio start their "mission" anew. However it takes an inexplicably long time for them to return, more than 30 days, in fact. Considering that they managed to kidnap the real Santa Claus in mere seconds and how quickly they caught the Easter Bunny earlier, it shouldn't have taken them so long. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Santa: 'Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems in a place perhaps you've seen in your dreams. For the story you're about to be told began with the holiday worlds of auld. Now you've probably wondered where holidays come from. If you haven't I'd say it's time you begun.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#30.16)" (2003) more
Soundtrack:
HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS more

FAQ

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23 out of 30 people found the following review useful.
Enthralling film, but more Lock, Shock and Barrel needed!, 3 January 2001
10/10
Author: Shock-13 from England

The Nightmare Before Christmas has captivated me with its crazy and sinister animation, its haunting soundtrack and its horrific yet enchanting characters. When it was first released in the U.K., the trailers terrified me and I refused to go and see it. However, I have now aquired deeply sadistic humour and so relish in such brilliant and infectious songs like "Kidnap the Sandy Claws". My friends and family now get exceedingly annoyed by my attempts to recite the musical score on car journeys etc. The sets and props are amazing and painstakingly detailed-just take a look at Santa's list and the Halloween/Christmas plans. I only have one complaint; there should have been more appearances from Lock, Shock and Barrel: a thoroughly malevolent trio.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I don't get the ending, HELP please! (spoilers) sitonpickle
I saw this movie when I was 6 or 7 rck_n_rll
Why do people say this is a Tim Burton Film? michael-jokela-1
MERRY CHRISTMAS TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
Christmas Wishes Weber4278
Did Jack and Sally know each other? GiantTurtleBoy
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