The Nightmare Before Christmasis better off without a sequel, but thanks to one often-forgotten detail, it can still have a future. Tim Burton is the mind behind some of the most popular stop-motion animated movies of the last two decades, and one of his most beloved and successful works isThe Nightmare Before Christmas. Directed by Henry Selick with a story by Tim Burton,The Nightmare Before Christmastakes the audience to a fantasy universe where each holiday has its own world, and the movie focuses on Halloween Town.
There, viewers meet Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), the town’s Pumpkin King who has grown tired of doing the same Halloween stuff over and over again every year. While wandering, he comes across the trees that lead to other holidays and is drawn to Christmas Town, where he’s fascinated by everything Christmas. Jack decides to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, but his efforts have disastrous consequences.The Nightmare Before Christmas’ success has led to speculation about a possible sequel, but it doesn’t need one – however, it can still have a future in a different style.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Can Continue As An Anthology Holidays Series
The Nightmare Before Christmas Left Some Unexplored Holidays
The Nightmare Before Christmashas a satisfying ending that leaves almost no loose ends. After unleashing chaos by kidnapping Santa, posing as him, and delivering terrifying toys, Jack returns to Halloween Town with his love for Halloween reignited and defeats Oogie Boogie, rescuing Santa and Sally (Catherine O’Hara) as well. Although annoyed and displeased with Jack for what he did, Santa makes amends with him and saves Christmas, while also bringing a snowfall to Halloween Town, thus also bringing the Christmas spirit. Right at the end ofThe Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack and Sally declare their love for each other.
The Nightmare Before Christmasdoesn’t need a sequel, but it can continue as an anthology movie series thanks to the rest of the unexplored holidays.
SinceThe Nightmare Before Christmaswas released, there have been other related media, most notably books and comics, which have tried to expand this world in different ways – however, only the 2022 novelLong Live the Pumpkin Queenis canon, and it revealed that Jack and Sally got married.The Nightmare Before Christmasdoesn’t need a sequel, but it can continue as an anthology movie series thanks to the rest of the unexplored holidays teased at the beginning of the movie.
All 8 Towns In The Nightmare Before Christmas Explained
The world of The Nightmare Before Christmas is incredibly imaginative as it brings the holidays to life, but what’s behind each of the holiday doors?
Leaving the real world aside, the universe of The Nightmare Before Christmas has seven holidays in total: Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Independence Day, Valentine’s Day, and Saint Patrick’s Day.Each of them would have unique stories and issues that can make way for interesting and fun movies, and they don’t have to repeat Jack’s crossover journey to be entertaining. These movies wouldn’t even have to mention Jack and Sally at all, simply being set in the same universe.
Will The Nightmare Before Christmas 2 Ever Happen?
The Nightmare Before Christmas Is Unlikely To Ever Get A Sequel
Asequel toThe Nightmare Before Christmaswas considered back in 2003, but Disney planned to use computer animation rather than stop-motion. However, Burton convinced Disney to drop the idea, tellingMTVthat he was always very protective ofThe Nightmare Before Christmasbecause he felt there’s a purity to it. Since then, there have been rumors and reports about a sequel toThe Nightmare Before Christmasbeing in development, the latest one being in 2023.
In November 2024, Burton reiterated toIndieWirethat he doesn’t want a sequel toThe Nightmare Before Christmasas it’s a “one-off thing.” It’s unlikelyThe Nightmare Before Christmaswill get a proper sequel, but it did get continuations in video games and books, even if they’re not as well-known as the movie.
Source:IndieWire,MTV.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Henry Selick directs The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion fairytale from the mind of Tim Burton. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween and one of Halloweentown’s most beloved citizens, but he longs for something more. When he stumbles across a magical door that leads him to discover Christmas, he makes it his mission to replace Santa Claus and bring festive cheer to his perpetually spooky hamlet.
