Tools for this page
Print

The Nightmare Before Christmas

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Tim Burton magic with just a touch of scariness.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, honesty, materialism
updated 09.21.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The main character, Jack Skellington, wants to take over Christmas, but learns the lesson that the grass isn't always greener. It advocates thinking before you act and being grateful for what you have.
  • Role models:

    The hero, Jack Skellington, is a kind hearted and likable character. He makes mistakes but through the course of the film learns from them and corrects them. He doesn't act out of malice and he is enduringly innocent. Sally, Jack's love interest, is the only character to speak out against his plan to take over Chrismas and she also helps Jack to correct his mistakes at great risk to herself.


What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Characters take off their own heads and limbs.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Nightmare Before Christmas was written by Liz Perle

Parents need to know that this offbeat, stop motion-animated movie is one of the great family films for all ages. That said, it does have scary Halloween creatures in it -- characters take off their own heads and limbs, and there are skeletons, nasty toys, and a creepy villain named Oogie Boogie. A Christmas tree even burns up. Some little kids who aren't old enough to distinguish this fantasy from the goings on at Halloween (or those prone to nightmares) might steer clear, although you can always pause the TV and talk about what's scaring them. The special 3D version is identical in content and storyline to the original, but the enhanced visuals may add marginal spookiness and could further blur the line between fantasy and reality for some younger kids.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about why we celebrate the holidays we do. What does your favorite holiday mean to you? Has anyone ever tried to ruin one of your holiday experiences, and how did you overcome that? When you get tired of something, what are some creative ways to bring excitement back into it?
  • Why did Jack's experiment fail? Is it fair to expect people who have done something the same way for a long time to change quickly? Could Jack have tried his ideas a different way?
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on The Nightmare Before Christmas

What’s the Story?

Made in stop-motion animation, Tim Burton's holiday fantasy centers around Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King (voiced by Chris Sarandon) -- a creature who is to Halloween what Santa is to Christmas. When Jack becomes bored with staging yet another frightnight for the sketchy members of Halloweentown, he wanders away from town one night and stumbles across Christmastown and becomes immediately entranced. Jack decides he needs to bring Christmas to Halloweentown and he is willing to do just about anything to make it happen -- even it if means kidnapping Santa himself. Unfortunately for Jack, his plans don't exactly come out right. The holidays just don't translate. Whether it's a coffin-shaped sled pulled by skeletal robo-reindeer to gifts that terrify their recipients or shrunken heads, or snakes that devour Christmas trees (all done in a way that isn't too scary for kids), the effects just don't come out the way Jack wishes. At one point, the military is called out to shoot down Jack's sled from the Christmas Eve skies.

Is It Any Good?

Burton's movie is a magical marvel. With a nod to Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Burton has fashioned a funny, darkish tale that pokes a bit of fun at kids' two favorite holidays (indeed, only the Easter Bunny is spared).

The movie is twisted in the way of Roald Dahl or even Maurice Sendak, are slightly off kilter. By changing the perspective on something we all take for granted, Burton makes us see these special holidays anew. And, of course, he does provide a happy ending. It's pure Tim Burton -- utterly weird and totally enchanting.

Movie Details

Studio: Touchstone Pictures, Director: Henry Selick
Run time: 76 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/19/2006, DVD release: 10/3/2000
MPAA Rating: PG for some scariness

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about The Nightmare Before Christmas?

or

to post a review

See all 65 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    good

    love it good for kids but if they scared of monsters and stuff like that then no dont let them watch it

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for everybody

    best movie ever not scary at ALL im a total adict

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    On For Ages 8 and Up

    One of my favorite movies! A movie fro the whole family on Halloween or Christmas! Jack is a good role model and so is Sally. On for ages 8 and up

  4. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    wow!! That's creepy!!!!

    if you saw the trailer for this movie the last thing u would think about is chriamstmas! It's terribly creepy but at the same time it is a good movie (well atleast somewhat bad)

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Fantastic, Fun, Frightening Fable is Not For Under 10.

    This is a fine achievement in film making. It is fun, witty, and has a great soundtrack. But, PARENTS: this is a frightening film; there are many scary images of demons and gouls, and one especially scary and gross called the Boogeyman (he's made of bugs). But, other than the creepy tone and some scary images, this should be a fun treat for you and your family (over 10). Thanks for reading - Movie Man

  6. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    fine

    just ok fine. But there is plenty of scary images.

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great, but a little creepy...

    Great! Teens will also like it, mainly because of the creepy characters. This movie is great! But may be scary for younger kids.

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    its a very good movie but little kids might be scared because the bones are alive

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    its a very good movie but little kids might be scared because the bones are alive

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models

    LOVE IT

    My brothers (4 & 5 years old) LOVE this movie. It's not scar at all.This is probobly their favorite movie. Me and my mom love it too, because it shuts them up, and they sometimes fall asleep!!! In fact, their watching it right now!

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    now its time for halloween

    this movie is awsome every day i watch it tim is my favorite director so it has to be good

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    now its time for halloween

    this movie is awsome every day i watch it tim is my favorite director so it has to be good

  13. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Fun and fascinating, but too spooky for preschoolers.

    Love this film. It's a bit on the scary side for very small kids, so I'd say it's for elementary age and up.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title for age 0 and give it 0.0

    Great Movie

    This movie is great i love all of the details and bright and weird colors to look at. Just to let those nightmare before christmas lovers know this movie will be in theaters for 3-D

  17. I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    ewwwwww but good :) a bit scary for say 4 year olds

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great Tim Burton film. Some good soundtrack sings in it with some amazing animation. Kids may be freaked by some parts but it's good to show them no all cartoons are light and funny.

  19. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    This is a fave in my house. my youngest son who is 3 almost 4 loves this movie. Its dark but if you let your kids watch it, it actually helps them see that scary cartoons are just that cartoons.. Its not cartoons we should worry about making them scared of its the REAL monsters in the world. I am talking about sick people.. Sometimes we focus on the wrong things. Anyways we love it!!! I love all Tim Burton films.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Great for nearly all ages

    There is really nothing wrong with this movie. It's cute, it depicts a fun holiday, the songs are adorable, there's no profanity, no nudity, nothing adult in the slightest. The only thing that might bother LITTLE kids is the characters taking off their own body parts, and the torture-ish scenes in Oogie's dungeon. I mean LITTLE kids people, like, under six. Maybe even under five.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    foursquare

    foursquare

    Is this social network too risky for your child?

  • Advice for Parents

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    New gadget gifts? Get help setting limits.

  • Book of the Week

    All the World

    All the World

    Endearing art, rhythmic poem celebrate the flow of life.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Fantastic folk favorites perfect for family road trips.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name