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The Nightmare Before Christmas

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    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.

updated 02.03.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

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

About The Nightmare Before Christmas

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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? Also, 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?
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Nightmare Before Christmas?
  •  I think this movie is

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  •  Any concerns?

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See all 39 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

      • My highlights are:
      • Positive messages
      • Good role models

      Great movie, a bit too much for preschoolers

      The story in genius, the characters amazing. Must be watched by anyone over the age of five.

    • Parent Reviewer
      Lives in North Carolina
      Kids ages: 2, 3, 4, 11, 11, 15
      I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
      My concerns are:
      • Excessive violence
      • Excessive consumerism
      • Negative message

      i have a 10 month old and she loves it her name is alison

      i have a ten month old and she loves it her name is alison

    • Parent Reviewer
      Lives in
      Kids ages: 4, 4
      I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
      My concerns are:
      • Excessive violence
      • Negative message

      This is Halloween!

      I never enjoyed this movie as much as I did when watching it alongside my 4-yr old twins. I was iffy on what they'd think about it. I knew there was some questionable subject matter within, the kids were pretty mean, Jack had a few situations where he got pretty nasty towards others and the obvious of Jack getting shot out of the sky and Oogie Boogie shooting at Jack with his contraptions. However, I was willing to risk it, sit with my girls and explain the situation. In the end, it was worth it. I think they appreciated that the kids there were being nasty. That Oogie Boogie was bad, and that Jack was just confused about what he really wanted. I know there are some things they don't FULLY get, but as long as you're willing to sit, explain and stress that there are things inappropriate about the BAD things, there are SO many good things about the movie. The music, the end morals of wanting to be different, better and of course, the love story. Give it a try by yourself. You know your kids the best, and will know if this is right for them. But heck, if you haven't seen it... DO. It's great for adults, too!

    • Adult Reviewer
      Lives in
      I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

      Good movie for kids!

      Good Movie! Good for kids, but not for kids that get scared easily! Good for EMOS also!

    • Adult Reviewer
      Lives in
      I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

      Good Movie! Good for kids, but not for kids that get scared easily! Good for EMOS also!

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