The Nightmare Before Christmas

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" - the only animation movie in our list of the best Santa Claus movies, since it was made by the famous director Tim Burton - tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Despite his fame and success in overseeing Halloween festivities year after year, Jack grows tired and disenchanted with the same routine. Feeling a void in his life, he stumbles upon a portal that leads him to Christmas Town. Completely captivated by the joy and wonder of Christmas, Jack becomes determined to take over Christmas and infuse it with his own spooky twist.

Movies have the power to transport us to new worlds, but it's a rarity to come across a film like "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" where every landscape feels entirely unfamiliar. The visuals are strange and haunting, even Santa Claus would be unrecognizable without his iconic red-and-white attire.

Unlike traditional movies, this film utilizes stop-action animation, where the characters are constructed and moved frame by frame, creating a three-dimensional world that feels tangible. The animators of "Nightmare" have meticulously built every element from scratch, from houses to sticks and stones, providing a unique playground for their skeletal and somewhat pitiful characters.

While "The Nightmare Before Christmas" bears the stamp of Tim Burton's creative vision, it is director Henry Selick, a seasoned stop-action master, who brings it all to life. With the collaboration of talented artists and designers, Selick has crafted a world that is as fresh and awe-inspiring as the first glimpses of "Metropolis," "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and "Star Wars." Its intricate details are scattered throughout the frames, beckoning viewers to revisit the film multiple times to truly grasp and appreciate the depth of its visual storytelling. Each corner holds hidden surprises and artistic inspirations.

Release: 1993
Director: Tim Burton
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%