The Nightmare Before Christmas: 20 Behind-the-Scenes Facts

Thirty years on, The Nightmare Before Christmas still casts a spell on audiences with its eerie charm and groundbreaking artistry. What began as a whimsical poem transformed into a cultural icon, seamlessly blending dark fantasy, holiday magic, and dazzling stop-motion animation.

Ready to uncover 20 little-known facts behind the film’s enduring legacy?

1. The Origin Story

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Tim Burton conceived the story as a poem while working at Disney, drawing inspiration from seeing Halloween decorations being replaced by Christmas displays in stores. Initially intended as a children’s book or TV special featuring Vincent Price as narrator, publishers rejected the concept.

2. A Common Misconception

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Though commonly attributed to Tim Burton as director, Henry Selick actually directed the film while Burton was busy with Batman Returns. Burton spent only about 10 days on set during the two-year production period.

3. Painstaking Animation Process

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The production team could only complete approximately 70 seconds of finished footage each week. Each second required 24 individual frame adjustments, making this an incredibly time-intensive project.

4. Puppet Population

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The film featured 227 meticulously crafted puppets, with Jack Skellington alone having over 400 different heads to portray various expressions. Each puppet required multiple versions to show different emotions and movements.

5. The Voice of Jack

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Danny Elfman provided Jack’s singing voice, while Chris Sarandon handled speaking parts. Elfman was chosen because he felt a deep connection to Jack’s character, relating to the feeling of being successful yet unfulfilled.

6. The Battle over Eyes

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Disney executives pushed for Jack to have friendly eyes, but Burton and Selick insisted on keeping his empty eye sockets. This creative decision helped establish Jack’s unique character design and set him apart from other animated characters.

7. The Pinstripe Solution

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Jack’s iconic pinstripe suit wasn’t just a fashion choice. Director Henry Selick added the white stripes because Jack’s original black outfit was blending into the dark backgrounds of Halloween Town.

8. Hidden Passageways

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The elaborate set included 19 soundstages with over 200 model settings, featuring secret tunnels and trapdoors for animators to access different scenes. These hidden passages allowed for seamless animation across complex sequences.

9. Artistic Inspiration

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The film’s visual style drew heavily from the works of artists Ronald Searle and Edward Gorey. The production team created detailed cross-hatching and textures to mimic their distinctive illustration style.

10. The Alternate Ending

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Originally, Oogie Boogie was meant to be revealed as Dr. Finkelstein in disguise. Burton so strongly disliked this idea that he reportedly punched a hole in the wall, leading to the ending being changed.

11. Musical Evolution

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The film wasn’t initially planned as a musical. After creative differences with the original screenwriter, Burton transformed it into a musical, bringing in Danny Elfman who described it as one of his easiest jobs.

12. Holiday Doors

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The forest clearing features seven different holiday doors, including portals to Independence Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Each door represents a distinct holiday world.

13. Protective Gear Required

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Animators working in Oogie Boogie’s lair had to wear protective eyewear and sunscreen due to extended exposure to black lights. This unique working condition showcases the physical demands of stop-motion animation.

14. Hidden References

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The children seen on Christmas morning wear pajamas featuring Mickey and Donald. This subtle Disney reference adds a layer of interconnectivity to the film’s universe.

15. Sequel Protection

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Burton successfully prevented Disney from making a computer-animated sequel in 2001. He wanted to preserve the original film’s purity and prevent ideas like “Jack visits Thanksgiving world.”

16. Challenging Cinematography

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The most difficult shot to film was Jack reaching for the Christmasland doorknob, due to the complex forest reflection in the ornament. This technical achievement demonstrates the film’s attention to detail.

17. Casino Theme

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Oogie Boogie’s lair features elaborate casino-themed decorations, including a roulette wheel floor with unlucky symbols and skeleton dice. The gambling motif adds to the character’s unpredictable nature.

18. Production Scale

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The film took over two years to complete with a crew of 120 people working consistently. This lengthy production schedule reflects the intricate nature of stop-motion animation.

19. Character Names

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Oogie’s henchmen – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – were named after parts of a gun, playing on the phrase “lock, stock, and barrel”. Their names reflect their inseparable nature as troublemakers.

20. Artistic Details

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Jack’s house features distinctive architectural elements, including metal window frames shaped like bats and jack-o’-lanterns. These small details help establish the film’s cohesive visual style.

The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a testament to the power of innovative filmmaking and artistic dedication. Three decades later, this masterpiece continues to prove that sometimes the most extraordinary stories emerge from unconventional ideas.

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.