The Nightmare Before Christmas
Movie, 1993, VHS Favorites, Set in Halloween Town
The Nightmare Before Christmas is #5 of 20 in release order and #15 of 20 in chronological order in the Disney Animated Classics.
The story
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.
The Nightmare Before Christmas recap
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is tired of running the same holiday every year. Wandering into the forest, he finds trees with doors to other holiday towns and falls into Christmas Town, where he is amazed by the lights and snow. He brings back presents and decides that Halloween Town will take over Christmas. Sally, a rag doll made by the mad scientist Dr. Finkelstein, loves Jack and has a vision of the plan ending in disaster. Jack has the town build toys, which come out monstrous, and sends three trick-or-treaters, Lock, Shock and Barrel, to kidnap "Sandy Claws". They hand Santa over to Oogie Boogie, a gambling bag of bugs. On Christmas Eve, Jack flies out in a coffin sleigh pulled by skeleton reindeer, guided by Zero, his ghost dog, and his presents terrify children everywhere.
The Nightmare Before Christmas ending explained
Jack is shot down by the army, realises he belongs in Halloween, rescues Santa from Oogie Boogie and helps him save Christmas. Sally has tried to free Santa and been caught too. Jack pulls Oogie Boogie's thread and the bugs spill out. Santa puts Christmas right, then sends snow to Halloween Town as a gift. Jack and Sally declare their love on the hill in the graveyard.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is streaming on Disney+ and fuboTV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 95%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Aladdin, before The Lion King.
- Chronological order: after The Lion King, before The Rescuers Down Under.
What to watch before The Nightmare Before Christmas
In release order, the essentials before The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) are The Little Mermaid (1989), The Rescuers Down Under (1990), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Aladdin (1992).
Cast
- Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice)
- Chris Sarandon as Jack Skellington (voice)
- Catherine O'Hara as Sally / Shock (voice)
- William Hickey as Dr. Finkelstein (voice)
- Glenn Shadix as Mayor (voice)
- Paul Reubens as Lock (voice)
- Ken Page as Oogie Boogie (voice)
- Edward Ivory as Santa Claus (voice)
- Susan McBride as Big Witch / WWD. (voice)
- Debi Durst as Corpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)
- Greg Proops as Harlequin Demon / Devil / Sax Player (voice)
- Kerry Katz as Man Under Stairs / Vampire / Corpse Dad (voice)
Directed by Henry Selick.