The Nightmare Before Christmas: Has The Age Old Debate Been Answered?

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic holiday film, the problem is people can’t decide which holiday movie it is. Some people think it’s a Christmas movie with the whole plot centering around Christmas, while others say that all the Characters, including the protagonist, are Halloween type characters, and think it’s a Halloween film. Well, I’m here to give you the answer, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie.

For people who haven’t seen The Nightmare Before Christmas, it follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King who puts on a show every year on Halloween in his hometown, Halloween Town. He grows bored of the same thing every year and stumbles upon a portal into a strange new world called Christmas Town. He then plots a plan to take over this new holiday by kidnapping Santa Claus and pretending to be him.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie for many reasons. One of which is because the film is mainly set in a place called HALLOWEEN Town, where most of the characters are from, including our main character Jack as well as Sally, Zero, Oogie Boogie, the Mayor, and many others. Not only are the characters from Halloween town, they also take pride in it by singing about Halloween multiple times.  In fact 14 out of the 21 songs are related to Halloween. Not to mention the film came out two days before Halloween.

Although there is a lot of evidence to suggest that this movie is a Halloween movie, there is some evidence that The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie. Part of the reason is because the climax takes place on Christmas Eve, and the holiday spirit is contagious considering the fact that the Halloween Town locals have no idea about Christmas, yet still help Jack in his plot to take it over.

These are convincing arguments, however there is still stronger evidence to support the notion that The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie. The strongest evidence comes from the music writer and singing voice of Jack Skelington, Danny Elfman, who  said “It’s obviously about Christmas, but for me, it’s a Halloween movie.” Even the director Henry Selick had four words to say when asked the question,” It’s a Halloween Movie,” 

So what do you think? Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas Movie to you?  Let us know in the comments!