The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Holly Jolly Fright

Getting Out the Decorations

Of all the festive figures that have spread Christmas cheer, would you expect a skeleton to be one of the best to hear? The Nightmare Before Christmas, directed by Henry Selick (who later directed Coraline), first released in 1993 to both critical and commercial success. It was even the first animated film ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, though it ultimately lost to Jurassic Park. Back then, and even now, people can’t get enough of this musical for the way it perfectly captures Tim Burton’s wild mash-up of Halloween and Christmas. 

There is a colossal cult following surrounding the film courtesy of various re-releases, merchandising, and airing on television during the spookiest and most jolly times of the year. It may be fair to say that the film has more of a following now than ever. Perhaps it’s the unforgettable musical score, or the way it blends Halloween and Christmas–two of the most well-renowned holidays by the general public.

You could argue, though, that the film’s timelessness comes from its animation–its visual charm. The dedication of the stop-motion animators and editors is really felt as you watch. Animating The Nightmare Before Christmas was a taxing three-year ordeal, with animators crafting 110,000 frames at 24 frames per second. Each minute of this movie took roughly a week to shoot. Crazy, right?

The symbolic Halloween–or is it Christmas?–film was back in theaters by popular demand on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, earning an eye-catching $5.1 million at the domestic box office. Cyclone Chronicle staff members Tanner Sullivan and Joe Hamway caught a showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas–just minutes away from campus–on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, to get into the ‘spooky spirit’ as Halloween draws near!

After going to the re-release and seeing the flick on the big screen, we found ourselves asking one another: Are all these re-releases just overhyped, or is the movie really such a classic that it deserves this ongoing acclaim and attention?

This is Halloween (and Christmas)

Our story takes place in Halloween Town, where Jack Skellington–the renowned Pumpkin King–becomes burnt out from leading the charge on the annual trick-or-treat festivities. He wanders off and stumbles into Christmas Town, where he has a light bulb moment and decides he wants to take over the Christmas holiday for himself.   

The animation really takes center stage, setting the perfect vibe for all of its locations. Namely, it stands out in Halloween Town with its haunting and dark imagery, accompanied by a cast of zany and colorful character designs which shine during the musical sequences. 

The transition into Christmas Town was such a standout moment of the picture, surging with color, warmth, and a festive spirit. You can actually feel Skellington’s obsession in the aura and visuals of Christmas Town. The stark contrast with Halloween Town–filled with vibrant colors and wonder–leads him to burst into the catchy tune “What’s This?” The lyrics shine in this song, with verses such as:

“What’s this?/What’s this?/There’s color everywhere./What’s this?/There are white things in the air./What’s this?/I can’t believe my eyes!”

You can really sense his joy, and it’s impossible not to be hooked by it. 

The film’s score, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), is a huge part of its identity, especially since it’s a musical. Danny Elfman, revered for his work on over 100 films spanning countless genres–from Good Will Hunting to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and about 20 Tim Burton projects–created this unforgettable soundtrack. Standout tunes include the orchestral intro “This is Halloween,” sung by the kooky inhabitants of Halloween Town, and the big band and swing music-inspired “Oogie Boogie’s Song,” performed by Ken Page, who brought the boogeyman Oogie Boogie to life in the movie. 

Elfman also provides the singing voice for Skellington, performing musical numbers like “Jack’s Lament” and “What’s This?” His vocals mix consistently with Jack’s speaking voice, which is performed by Chris Sarandon.  

To say this soundtrack complements the movie, vibe, and animation would be an understatement. You can’t help but tap along to at least one song from this 20-track score, whether it’s the instrumentals or the lyrical music numbers; it rocks!

Big Screen for Big Holidays

In honor of Halloween’s fast arrival, Disney decided to re-release the film in theaters nationwide. We decided to take a sleigh ride to Cinépolis to check out the film on the big screen. Was it worth it?

Absolutely, categorically, yes it was! This was our first time watching this movie in years; right when the first song started and the animation began dancing, we knew we were in for something special. 

The environments got to shine even brighter, especially the vibrant colors and jolly vibes of Christmas Town. The animation provides strong eye candy, so the second the movie started, it did not let go of our attention as the 75 minute runtime flew by faster than a reindeer on Christmas Eve. 

The music also stood out in this theatrical environment, since the score blasted much louder than it would on most streaming services. This made the song sequences all the more immersive and engaging. Whether it’s something upbeat like “This is Halloween” and “Kidnap the Sandy Claws,” or more somber like “Poor Jack,” all the songs are standout moments of the film, made even more memorable by this experience. Lyrics flow through the theater’s speakers, along with the beautiful score, immersing viewers in the movie even further. 

A Classic for a Reason

It’s no secret the star of this 31-year-old show is the landmark stop-motion animation created by Selick and his talented dream team of animators. If it weren’t for their hard work, we probably wouldn’t be reviewing it today. 

The movie’s only an hour and 16 minutes in length, which really proves its ability to really leave a lasting impact in such a short amount of time. It’s a great example of how less is more sometimes, keeping the story simple but still special. 

There’s many ways to connect with the very likable, unearthly characters and relate to their dilemma. Whether it’s Skellington’s desire to break away from the monotonous, same old song and dance or the ragdoll Sally’s wish, played by Catherine O’Hara, to be free from the confines of parental control, there’s a charm in all the characters, with Skellington and Sally being the most grounded and relatable.  

Throughout the piece, you can sense a nostalgic stop-motion style reminiscent of classic Christmas specials, such as 1964’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Both Rudolph and Nightmare are holiday-themed musicals rooted in fantasy, so it’s quite easy to draw comparisons between them. The character designs in these films have a distinct handmade look, with visible joints and textured details. They move in a very recognizable, nostalgic puppet-like manner that just makes them feel old-fashioned, sentimental, and magical. 

And to All, a Good Night!

Overall, even after 31 years, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the definition of a classic in animation, and a standout holiday flick for both Halloween and Christmas. With stunning animation, phenomenal music, lively voice acting, and an engaging story, the stars all align to make a movie that holds up fantastically, even decades after it first came out. Walking out of the theater, we both agreed it really does fully deserve its longstanding praise. It seamlessly combines Halloween’s eerie charm with the warmth of a good Christmas movie. If you’re a fan of either vibe, this film offers a fine fusion for both. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas is currently playing in theaters across the nation, courtesy of a special re-release, including Hackettstown’s very own Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. If you miss catching it in theaters, no need to scream… the movie is also streaming right now on Disney+!

Both of us highly recommend this movie for lovers of holiday magic with a twist. Whether you see it as a Halloween or Christmas movie, there’s no denying that this film is nothing short of an absolute classic!