The Nightmare Before Christmas – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1993

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tim Burton's stop-motion gothic masterpiece where Halloween tries to steal Christmas—visually stunning, genuinely spooky, and surprisingly deep.

7.9/10

95%

7.8

→

The Nightmare Before Christmas

movie

PG, 1993

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tim Burton's stop-motion gothic masterpiece where Halloween tries to steal Christmas—visually stunning, genuinely spooky, and surprisingly deep.

7.9

95%

7.8

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7.9/10

95%

7.8

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this movie has earned its cult classic status. The stop-motion is breathtaking, the music slaps, and the story actually has layers about identity and belonging that give kids something to chew on.

But let's be clear—this is a movie where the protagonist kidnaps Santa, a character literally unscrews his own head for fun, and the villain explodes into a pile of bugs. It's PG spooky, not R-rated horror, but it's deliberately creepy from start to finish. If your kid melts down at slightly scary content, this isn't the move.

For the right kid—one who's ready for Tim Burton's particular brand of beautiful weirdness—this is fantastic. It holds up shockingly well for a 1993 film, and kids who connect with it often become obsessed. Just make sure they know what they're signing up for, because "family film" doesn't mean "cozy" here.

Age Fit

Best for kids 8-14 who are ready for spooky-but-not-horror content. Younger kids who love Halloween might be fine, but sensitive viewers of any age should skip it. Teens might find it nostalgic or appreciate the artistry, but it's really in that sweet spot for tweens who want something edgier.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jack's journey shows creativity and ambition but also the importance of understanding consequences and respecting boundaries (he kidnaps Santa, after all). Sally demonstrates loyalty and courage. The emotional tone is quirky rather than mean-spirited, though the Halloween Town residents are inherently creepy. Relationships model genuine care, but the pacing can be intense and the aesthetic is deliberately unsettling.

Imaginative

Tim Burton's stop-motion masterpiece is visually stunning and wildly original. The concept of holiday worlds colliding is brilliantly inventive, and the film's gothic aesthetic, memorable musical numbers, and creative character designs have inspired decades of fan art, cosplay, and imaginative play. It invites kids to think about different perspectives and world-building in unique ways.

Safe

This is where parents need to know their kid. The film is deliberately spooky with creepy imagery throughout: characters unscrew their heads, a mad scientist opens his skull, Oogie Boogie is full of bugs when he's defeated, and there are frequent references to death, dismemberment, and fear. No gore or sexuality, but the entire aesthetic is designed to be unsettling. For a kid expecting a cozy family film, this could be genuinely frightening. For a kid who loves spooky stuff, it's tame. The kidnapping plot and scary imagery aren't hidden—they're the point.

Enriching

Beneath the macabre surface are thoughtful themes: identity (Jack questioning his purpose), cultural understanding (Halloween trying to comprehend Christmas), consequences of good intentions gone wrong, and finding where you truly belong. The Danny Elfman soundtrack is legitimately excellent and introduces kids to sophisticated musical storytelling. It's entertaining and has stuck around for 30+ years because it offers real substance alongside the style.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Absolutely gorgeous stop-motion animation that still holds up 30+ years later—kids who love art and filmmaking will be mesmerized
Explores identity, belonging, and cultural understanding through a wildly creative lens
Danny Elfman's soundtrack is legitimately excellent and introduces sophisticated musical storytelling
Perfect gateway for kids who are ready to graduate from cutesy content to something with more edge
Spawned a massive cultural phenomenon—your kid will finally understand all those Hot Topic references

⚠

What to Watch For

The entire film is designed to be creepy: characters remove body parts, there's a villain made of bugs, and scary imagery is constant—not for sensitive kids
Jack literally kidnaps Santa Claus, which might require some unpacking about intentions vs. actions
Some kids find Oogie Boogie genuinely frightening, and his demise (falling apart to reveal bugs) can be disturbing
The Halloween aesthetic means this isn't a cozy family film—it's intentionally unsettling

Conversation Starters

"Jack was bored with his job and wanted to try something new. Have you ever felt like that? What did you do?"
"Why do you think Jack didn't understand that his version of Christmas was scary to other people?"
"Sally knew Jack's plan was going to go wrong. Why do you think she had a hard time getting him to listen?"
"If you could visit any holiday world besides Halloween and Christmas, which would you pick and why?"
"What's the difference between being inspired by someone else's thing and taking it over like Jack did?"

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