The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Kernel Score: 88% · 10,209 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Fantasy, Animation, Family
Released: 1993-10-09
Runtime: 76 minutes
Is The Nightmare Before Christmas worth watching?
Must-watch. A stop-motion Halloween-meets-Christmas musical with great songs and a look nobody else has matched. It is strange, charming and short enough to rewatch every year.
Watch it if you
- love gothic, handmade animation
- want a Halloween or Christmas film with real charm
- enjoy Danny Elfman's songs
Skip it if you
- find spooky imagery too much for small children
- dislike musicals
Best for: Halloween or Christmas night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Stream: Disney+, Fubo
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
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.
The Nightmare Before Christmas parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion musical fantasy with spooky imagery that may frighten younger children.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Mild spooky/ghoulish imagery including skeletons and villains, but nonviolent and cartoonish.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas
If you liked The Nightmare Before Christmas, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Corpse Bride (2005) — 86%: Another gothic stop-motion musical with a macabre sense of humour
- Coraline (2009) — 90%: Dark, beautiful stop-motion fantasy from the same director
- Song of the Sea (2014) — 90%: A beautiful, handmade-feeling fantasy
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) — 85%: The classic Christmas TV special
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) — 85%: The classic cosy Halloween special
- Klaus (2019) — 92%: Handsome, modern Christmas story with a warm heart
Director
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)
The Nightmare Before Christmas FAQ
Is The Nightmare Before Christmas worth watching?
Must-watch. A stop-motion Halloween-meets-Christmas musical with great songs and a look nobody else has matched. It is strange, charming and short enough to rewatch every year.
Where can I watch The Nightmare Before Christmas?
In the US you can stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+ and Fubo and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Nightmare Before Christmas OK for kids?
The Nightmare Before Christmas is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion musical fantasy with spooky imagery that may frighten younger children.
What movies are like The Nightmare Before Christmas?
If you liked The Nightmare Before Christmas, try Corpse Bride, Coraline, Song of the Sea and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!.