By: Andrea Lozano
There is a very popular classic that has always sparked a debate about which holiday it best fits into. "The Nightmare Before Christmas," is a film that has long been the subject of argument among fans and critics alike for decades. The question being: Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie?
A brief summary of the movie for those who aren’t familiar is that it takes place in "Halloweentown," where they celebrate Halloween every year in a spectacular event. The main character, Jack Skellington, known as the "Pumpkin King" and is associated with celebrating the holiday. The art and visuals are spooky and a signature style of the Director Henry Selick and Producer Tim Burton who has a lot of credit for this film. And it has musical numbers throughout the film.
At first glance, "The Nightmare Before Christmas” seems to be a Halloween film through and through. Jack finds himself very captivated by Christmas, a holiday that basically opposes Halloween. His obsession with how they celebrate begins and he tries to embody the "Christmas Spirit," but events happen that end with Jack accepting he is good at celebrating Halloween and not messing with other holidays. The movie was released just before Halloween on October 13, 1993, it has become a tradition to watch it during the Halloween season.
The holiday lesson learned by Jack is a theme typically found in Christmas movies. His transformation from the Pumpkin King of Halloween to a leader of the Christmas spirit is proof the holiday has the ability to reach the darkest hearts. This seems like the movie is inviting us to celebrate the Christmas cheer. The movie also reaches its climax on Christmas Eve, which points to it being a Christmas movie, doesn't it? This could go along with the comments of “Die Hard” being a Christmas movie.
So what opinion can be given with all of these details? It's easy to argue that "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is primarily a Halloween movie. However, it's equally valid to say that it's a Christmas movie. Henry Selick and Tim Burton are well known for directing and producing horror and fantasy films.
I believe it is both a Halloween movie and a Christmas movie, and that's what makes it a popular and rewatched film. Tim Burton's creation captures the core values of both holidays. It blends the spookiness of Halloween with the spirit of Christmas and should be enjoyed multiple times a year
What do you think? Is "The Nightmare Before Christmas" only a Halloween movie, a Christmas movie, or can it be both? Please leave your thoughts and opinions below, and let's keep this discussion going. After all, Halloween and the holidays are near!
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