The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.8

1993

1h 16m

FantasyAnimationFamily

Overview

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.

Trailer

The Nightmare Before Christmas - 1994 International Trailer (35mm 4K)

Cast

Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice)

Danny Elfman

Jack Skellington (singing) / Barrel / Clown with the Tear away Face (voice)

Jack Skellington (voice)

Chris Sarandon

Jack Skellington (voice)

Sally / Shock (voice)

Catherine O'Hara

Sally / Shock (voice)

Dr. Finkelstein (voice)

William Hickey

Dr. Finkelstein (voice)

Mayor (voice)

Glenn Shadix

Mayor (voice)

Lock (voice)

Paul Reubens

Lock (voice)

Oogie Boogie (voice)

Ken Page

Oogie Boogie (voice)

Santa Claus (voice)

Edward Ivory

Santa Claus (voice)

Big Witch / WWD. (voice)

Susan McBride

Big Witch / WWD. (voice)

Corpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)

Debi Durst

Corpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)

Harlequin Demon / Devil / Sax Player (voice)

Greg Proops

Harlequin Demon / Devil / Sax Player (voice)

Man Under Stairs / Vampire / Corpse Dad (voice)

Kerry Katz

Man Under Stairs / Vampire / Corpse Dad (voice)

Reviews

Andres Gomez

I suppose I missed watching it at the proper time so I will explain it as not surviving well after all these years. The idea is daring, the stop motion is OKish and Danny Elfman's OST is quite good but even being only 70 min they were still too many for me. Specially, the songs were to close one to the next.

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CinemaSerf

This is a cracking animation fantasy centring around "Jack Skellington" - the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. When he feels all just a bit deflated after one celebration, he happens upon Christmas Town and encounters Santa Claus preparing to bring jolity and happiness. "Jack" sends a few of his rather stupid henchmen to kidnap Santa, takes his place and proceeds to deliver Christmas gifts that... well... are not exactly typical. Can Santa be rescued in time?? The animation is wonderfully detailed, dark and enjoyable with plenty of characters including a mad scientist as well as a mummy, the two-faced mayor and plenty of witches and demons. Not for the first time, Tim Burton shows a visionary imagination that I couldn't help but smile at - and coupled with a marvellous score (and lead vocal) from Danny Elfman we are presented with a thoroughly engaging Christmas story with a bit of a twist. Interesting that in the cinema recently, it struggled to hold the attention of the youngsters which was a shame. Perhaps the intervening years have made this more suitable for adults now?

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