The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.

Director:

Henry Selick

Writers:

Tim Burton (story and characters), Michael McDowell (adaptation)

Stars:

Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Elfman	...	Jack Skellington - Singing Voice / Barrel / Clown with the Tear Away Face (voice)
Chris Sarandon	...	Jack Skellington (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 / W.W.D. (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)

Storyline

Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween Town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween -- but alas, they can't get it quite right.

---

Plot Keywords:

christmas | halloween | villain | christmas movie | scientist | 

---

Taglines:

A ghoulish tale with wicked humour & stunning animation.

---

Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy | Musical

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some scary images

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the first home Jack visits, there appear to be two commemorative Elvis Presley plates on the living-room wall. This is likely a reference to Presley's 1964 song "Blue Christmas" (and its apropos line "I'll have a blue Christmas without you").

---

Goofs

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.

---

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.

---

Crazy Credits

Dr. Finkelstein is referred to on-screen by name, but is only credited as "Evil Scientist."

---

Alternate Versions

In 2006, Industrial Light and Magic used computer technology to create a stereoscopic 3D version of the film that was released to digital 3D theaters on October 20. There are only a few differences in this version:

• The version begins with a countdown to when you should put your 3-D glasses on, which shows a jack-in-the-box that pops out revealing a Jack-o-lantern.
• The Touchstone logo has been replaced with the 2006 Disney logo, and the film now says 'Walt Disney Pictures Presents' instead of 'Touchstone Pictures Presents'
• The end credit roll features concept art from the movie that goes with the music. The credit roll itself is extended to include credits for people involved with the 3-D version of the film.

---

Connections

Referenced in Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Oogie Boogie's Song
(1993) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman
Performed by Ken Page and Edward Ivory

User Reviews

What does it mean? What does it mean?

How appropriate that I start holiday viewing with a film that bridges Halloween and Christmas.

Now, I am not a fan of animated films, but this isn't the usually animation you find in Disney films.

It is call stop-motion animation, and it looks very realistic.

Now, Jack Skellington from Halloweentown (voiced by Chris Sarandon and Danny Elfman (the singing), is really getting bored with Halloween - the same thing every year, and he goes walking in the forest and enters the door for Christmastown.

He gets excited about Christmas, and tries to institute it in Halloweentown. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand the concept and it turns out badly. They even kidnap Santa Claus (voiced by Edward Ivory).

And, can you believe they even wove a love story in here.

The film is full of interesting characters, of course, and some really good music. It is a visual feast.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3-D

Filming Locations:

Skellington Productions - 375 7th Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$191,232, 17 October 1993

Gross USA:

$77,368,668

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$91,491,247

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Skellington Productions Inc., Tim Burton Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1