Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved musical masterpiece that pays tribute to the charm of Halloween and Christmas. But is this Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? To answer this question, I juxtaposed the film's Halloween feel with its Christmas-like feel and came up with what I believe is the definitive answer to this age-old debate.
From the very beginning The Nightmare Before Christmas Certainly Seems like in the movie Halloween. The first song is literally called “This Is Halloween,” which is a pretty strong indication that this movie is all about fall, ghosts, and all things spooky.
The opening number is certainly a big reason why the Halloween movie argument holds weight. Admittedly, watching This Is Halloween before or during Christmas is almost like opening Halloween candy on Christmas Eve or wearing a skeleton onesie to church—there's something about it. off.
Another win for the Halloween camp: Jack Skellington is the main character, and he's a Halloween character after all.
The film also did The premiere will take place on October 29, right before Halloween.
The soundtrack is also clearly reminiscent of Halloween.
On the other hand, most of the film does revolve around Christmas.
The director himself spoke about this The Nightmare Before Christmas it's a Christmas movie. “Thirty years after I made that movie, underneath its cornflakes and skeletons and vampires and dead children and witches, I know that at its core, Nightmare is a Christmas movie,” said Henry Selick. New York Post in 2024.
One thing is clear: many people on the Internet have strong opinions on this issue.
Many argue that this is a Halloween movie, and some say that Jack never learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Some people insist that this is a Christmas movie.
Some argue that the film follows the classic trajectory of Christmas movies, citing Jack's transformation.
Most people seem to say that the film is just both, some call it a Thanksgiving movie that's perfect for watching between holidays.
The debate raises a fundamental question: what is a Halloween movie and what is a Christmas movie?
In short, Your Honor, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie because of its overall mood and charming atmosphere, and also because it spends most of its time focusing on Christmas and preparing for Christmas Eve.
What do you think? Can we finally put an end to this centuries-old dispute?
