The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Debbie Dessert T/ Greg Props
Genre: Drama / Fantasy / Animation
Region: United States
language: English
Released: 1993-10-29 (USA)
Length: 76 minutes
Also known as: Odd Town Night (Hong Kong)
Rating: IMDB 7.9 / Rotten Tomatoes 95%

Movie Synopsis
All the ghosts in Halloween Town are used to haunting and messing around on Halloween every year. They are completely simple-minded creatures who only know how to scare people. But Jack the Pumpkin Prince is a very different one. He was tired of things that scare people, and he wanted to make some changes. Accidentally opened the gate of Christmas Town, which made his eyes light up, and Jack’s determination to lead his brothers to make Christmas joy was kindled in Jack’s heart.
However, these ghosts in Halloween Town don’t seem to understand the meaning. Jack kidnaps chubby Santa and tells the guys to get down to making Christmas presents. How can the brothers in Halloween Town, who are full of scary ideas, escape the inertia of thinking and make a joyful gift? As a result, horrible and frightening gifts will be thrown to the children on Christmas Eve. When Jack delivers the gifts in a man-made deer cart, an anti-aircraft gun is aimed at this poor man who has done bad things with good intentions.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a 1993 stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton. The story follows Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who becomes bored with the annual routine of Halloween and accidentally discovers Christmas Town. Enamored with the new holiday, he tries to bring Christmas to his own town, but his well-intentioned plan goes awry.

The film has become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the best stop-motion animated films of all time. Its visual style, music, and characters have all contributed to its enduring popularity.

The film’s stop-motion animation was a time-consuming and difficult process. Each character was made up of a series of models, with different faces and bodies for different expressions and movements. The sets were also incredibly detailed and meticulously crafted, with everything from the cobblestone streets of Halloween Town to the glittering ice palace of the film’s climax brought to life through intricate miniature designs.

The film’s music, composed by Danny Elfman, has also become iconic. The songs “This Is Halloween” and “What’s This?” are beloved by fans and have been covered and parodied countless times. The film’s soundtrack has been re-released multiple times and continues to be popular with fans of the film.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” has also had a significant impact on popular culture. Its influence can be seen in everything from fashion to music to theme park attractions. The film has inspired a wide range of merchandise, including clothing, toys, and home decor. It has also been adapted into a stage musical, a comic book series, and a video game.

Overall, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Its blend of macabre humor, stunning animation, and catchy music has made it a timeless holiday favorite.