Tim Burton and Henry Selcik's 1993 stop-motion animated classic is a perennial favorite for end-of-year festive viewing, but an intense debate rages: Is The Nightmare Before Christmas has a bevy of catchy songs that diehard fans know by heart.

One of the most popular of these songs is "This Is Halloween", which isn't just a catchy tune but a rallying cry for Nightmare Before Christmas fans who decree the film a definitively spooky season movie. However, the definition of what can be considered a Christmas film grows increasingly broader with every year, with the once popular "Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" debate now considered e, with many accepting John McClane as part of their holiday festivities. But in the case of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the film's major creatives have weighed in on the debate.

Henry Selick Says The Nightmare Before Christmas Is A Christmas Movie

The Director Knows Which Holiday You Should Watch Jack Skeleton and Sally.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a rare film that prominently features both Halloween and Christmas. While the film was released on October 29th, just in time for Halloween, and mostly takes place in Halloween Town, the film's biggest plot points, as well as its climax, revolve around Christmas. While both sides of the debate have their merits, the film's director, Henry Selick, recently settled the argument once and for all. In a 2024 interview with New York Post, The Nightmare Before Christmas director said,

"Tim’s idea to combine Halloween with Christmas — where, unlike the miserable Grinch, a well-intentioned Jack Skellington takes over the Christmas holiday — is pure genius. Thirty years after I directed the film, beneath its candy corn coating, skeletons and vampires, corpse child and witches, I know ‘Nightmare’ at its heart is a Christmas movie."

In Selick's opinion, because everything in the plot revolves around Christmas — including rescuing Santa, replacing the scary gifts with puppies, and bringing snow to Halloween Town. Jack Skellington's entire character sees him moving toward the Christmas spirit, so there is zero doubt in Selick's mind about how the film should be classified.

Sellick Cites The Nightmare Before Christmas' Cultural Impact In His Argument

The Director Believes The Film's Popularity Is Why Christmas Is Marketed So Early

But Selick saved his most persuasive Team Christmas Movie argument for last when he said, “It used to be people would complain when Christmas decorations, carols, and advertising began before Thanksgiving. ‘Nightmare’s’ cultural impact is now so big, they start selling Christmas BEFORE Halloween.”

It's hard to argue with that logic. Once Jack Skeleton discovers Christmas Town, everything in the film revolves around him scheming to take over the holiday. From Jack and Lock, Shock, and Barrel kidnapping Santa to Jack delivering terrifying presents, almost all of the most memorable set pieces in the film center around Christmas. While you'd think that would end the debate once and for all, Selick's earlier statements seem to contradict his argument.

Henry Selick Previously Said Nightmare Before Christmas Was A Halloween Film

The Nightmare Before Christmas Director Keeps Changing His Opinion

While Selick's comments to the New York Post seem very definitive, the director has changed his opinion over the years. In 2015,, Selick appeared at the Colorado Telluride Horror Show film festival and was asked whether Nightmare should be classified as a Christmas film or a Halloween film. According to people in the audience (via Vulture), Selick responded, "It's a Halloween film."

Although it is common for filmmakers to alter their opinions about aspects of their art over time, it does seem strange that a director would change their mind about something that is so central to the film's core. Perhaps, like Jack Skellington, HenryS Sellick simply found the Christmas spirit.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Composer Danny Elfman Weighs In On The Debate

Elfman Is Tam Halloween

The Nightmare Before Christmas composer Danny Elfman was involved with the film from the beginning, as hye and Tim Burton wrote the music chronologically together before there was even a script. So, Elfman is clearly knowledgeable about the subject, being one of the film's key architects.

"It's obviously about Christmas, but for me, it's a Halloween movie."

During a 2019 interview with USA Today, Elfman was asked where he stood in the debate. In Elfman's mind, "It's obviously about Christmas, but for me, it's a Halloween movie."

Elfman went on to describe his affinity for Halloween and how Christmas was a troubling time for him growing up. He related to Jack Skellington's plight of being king of one world yet still wanting something different in his life. He sums up his thoughts on the subject succinctly, "I felt very close to the holiday of Halloween, but also very close to Jack and what he was going through."

Elfman's arguments are of a very personal nature, but perhaps therein lies the answer to the debate. Maybe The Nightmare Before Christmas isn't a definitive Halloween movie or a Christmas movie, but whatever the viewer wants it to be.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Should Be Watched At Halloween And Christmas

Tim Burton And Henry Selick's Film Is So Great You Should Watch It During Both Holidays.

Whether it's Halloween or Christmas, people tend to have their favorite holiday movies that they rewatch every year, from Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown to Elf, Love Actually, and yes, Die Hard. But while most people tend to only rewatch these movies once a year, The Nightmare Before Christmas is so good that it can be watched twice — at both Christmas and Halloween.

While it is fun to debate whether it is a Halloween film or a Christmas movie, based on logical arguments or personal ones, the truth is that it can be both. Its eerie score and the film's most memorable song "This is Halloween," are perfect to blast while carving pumpkins in October. Two months later, families can queue up the film and drink hot cocoa as they wait for "Sandy Claus" to arrive with presents.

There is a reason why people are still talking about The Nightmare Before Christmas after three decades — it's the perfect film to get you in the holiday spirit, no matter what time of year you prefer.