Guide To The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas was released by Touchstone Pictures--a division of Walt Disney Pictures--in 1993.   The film was inspired by a poem written by then-Disney animator Tim Burton.  Though the title features Burton's name, the film was actually directed by stop-motion expert Henry Selick.

The filming of the movie--as with all stop-motion animation--was arduous at best.  The Nightmare Before Christmas was the most ambitious stop-motion animation project to date.  It took over three years to complete shooting.  An average week produced approximately one minute of usable footage.  The cast featured the voice talents of Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, and Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman.

Though critically a success, it was an initial disappointment at the box office.  However, its second life in video and DVD has justified the efforts of the design and creative team.  Today, The Nightmare Before Christmas enjoys a passionately dedicated following.  In addition to the original film, the truly dedicated can play the video game, "The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge," and enjoy trading cards as well. 

A wide array of related merchandise is available.  Original items, like set pieces, puppets, and first-time round promotional materials fetch top dollar among a very competitive fanbase.  Reproduction fan-merchandise, like clothing and accessories, is considered controversial by the historically devoted, but are nonetheless appreciated by new appreciators of the film.