‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is not a Halloween movie: director

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is not a Halloween movie: director

It’s one of the biggest debates in film history.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is seemingly, as its title suggests, a Christmas movie.

But there’s many elements of Halloween folded into the animated musical film, as well.

And thus that sparks said debate: is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Christmas or a Halloween movie?

Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC./America

The 1993 film follows Jack Skellington, the lonely Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who wants more cheer in his life. So, after he accidentally discovers Christmas Town, Jack schemes to take over the December 25 holiday by kidnapping Santa — but things don’t go according to plan.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix and Ed Ivory voice the characters conceived by Tim Burton, who also co-produced the movie.

Tim Burton at the 16th Film Festival Lumiere in Lyon on Oct. 12, 2024. Corbis via Getty Images

Some fans believe the presences of Jack and the other spooky characters, the Halloween-centric town, and the Halloween songs make “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Halloween movie first.

Not to mention, the movie came out on October 29.

Lock (Paul Reubens), Barrel (Danny Elfman) and Shock (Catherine O’Hara) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
“The Nightmare Before Christmas.” ©Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy E

However, those on “Team Christmas” argue that the spirit of the red and green holiday is felt throughout the film. Plus, the climax of the action occurs on Christmas Eve, which is another point for that side of the debate.

Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Director Henry Selick exclusively spoke to The Post and chose a side between Team Halloween and Team Christmas.

“Tim’s idea to combine Halloween with Christmas — where, unlike the miserable Grinch, a well-intentioned Jack Skellington takes over the Christmas holiday — is pure genius. 30 years after I directed the film, beneath its candy corn coating, skeletons and vampires, corpse child and witches, I know ‘Nightmare’ at its heart is a Christmas movie,” he said.

Henry Selick. Paul McEvoy/NETFLIX

“The facts: Halloween is over when the film begins, Jack sick and tired of his holiday,” the 71-year-old director continued. “He soon discovers Christmas Town and the film’s focus shifts to the Pumpkin King’s total obsession with this new holiday. What does it mean? How does it work? He decides to take over the holiday, kidnapping Sandy Claws, enlisting Halloweeners to make Christmas presents, Dr. Finklestein to make flying Skeleton Reindeer, and Sally to make his Sandy Claws outfit.”

Sally (Catherine O’Hara) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

“It’s Christmas, Christmas, Christmas throughout his misadventures terrifying the world’s children with scary presents and being shot down, becoming extra Christmas-ey when he rescues Santa in time to make things right, replacing scary gifts with puppies and candy canes, finally bringing snow and Christmas to Halloween Town,” Selick added.

Tim Burton, Henry Selcik at the 10th anniversary screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in 2003. WireImage

“And finally, for self-centered Jack, appreciation for Sally, an unintended consequence (and final proof that Nightmare is a Christmas movie),” Selick went on. “It used to be people would complain when Christmas decorations, carols, and advertising began before Thanksgiving. ‘Nightmare’s’ cultural impact is now so big, they start selling Christmas BEFORE Halloween.”

Sally (Catherine O’Hara) and Jack (Chris Sarandon) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Sally (Catherine O’Hara) and Dr. Finkelstein (William Hickey) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The director has spoken — “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is, in his opinion, a Christmas movie.

Interestingly, Selick chose the other side nine years ago.

“It’s a Halloween movie,” he said in 2015 during a Q&A at Colorado’s Telluride Horror Show film festival, per EW.

Henry Selick at the BFI Southbank in London on August 11, 2024. PA Images via Getty Images

Composer Danny Elfman also declared he was Team Halloween in a 2019 interview with USA Today. “It’s obviously about Christmas, but for me, it’s a Halloween movie,” he said.

So, it seems that this debate may never be squashed.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is streaming on Disney+.

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