If you’re a fan of the delightfully dark and whimsical stop-motion classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, you’re probably always on the lookout for more movies that capture a similar gothic fantasy vibe. From quirky animated films to spooky family favorites, there are plenty of great movies out there that evoke the same enchanting spirit as the timeless tale of Jack Skellington and his quest to bring Christmas to Halloween Town.
To help you find your next favorite flick, we’ve rounded up 18 of the best movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether you’re in the mood for more stop-motion magic, a creepy adventure, or just something a little off-beat, these films are sure to put you in a Nightmare Before Christmas state of mind. Let’s dive in!
1. Corpse Bride (2005)
Corpse Bride is another stop-motion masterpiece from the mind of Tim Burton. Set in a 19th-century European village, the film follows the story of Victor, a shy groom who accidentally finds himself whisked away to the Land of the Dead and married to a mysterious corpse bride named Emily. Meanwhile, his real bride Victoria waits bereft in the land of the living.
With its gothic sensibilities, dark romantic tone, and trademark Burton style, Corpse Bride is a must-watch for any Nightmare Before Christmas fan. The film’s hauntingly beautiful visuals, memorable musical numbers, and tale of love that transcends the grave will captivate you from start to finish.
2. Frankenweenie (2012)
Another Burton film, Frankenweenie is a heartwarming horror homage that centers on a boy named Victor and his beloved bull terrier Sparky. After Sparky is hit by a car and dies, a devastated Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life. But when the bolt-necked “monster” dog gets out and terrifies the neighbors, Victor must convince everyone that Sparky is still the good loyal pup he’s always been.
Shot in black and white and expanded from Burton’s 1984 short film of the same name, Frankenweenie is a clever and affectionate send-up of classic monster movies with Burton’s signature mix of spooky and sweet. It’s a tale of love, loss, and devotion that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a special bond with a pet.
3. Coraline (2009)
Based on Neil Gaiman’s beloved novella, Coraline is a stunning stop-motion fantasy from Nightmare Before Christmas director Henry Selick. The film follows the adventures of the titular Coraline, a curious young girl who discovers a parallel version of her life behind a secret door in her new home. At first, this other world seems marvelous and magical, with attentive parents and whimsical delights around every corner. But when her otherworldly mother tries to keep her there forever, Coraline must find a way to return home and save her real family.
With its dazzling animation, eerie imagery, and powerful themes of bravery and self-reliance, Coraline is a mesmerizing fairy tale with an edge. Much like Nightmare, it builds an immersive fantasy world and packs an emotional punch beneath its eye-popping visuals.
4. ParaNorman (2012)
In the quirky comedy-thriller ParaNorman, a misunderstood boy named Norman uses his ability to speak with the dead to save his small town from a centuries-old curse. As a horde of zombies rises from their graves, Norman must harness his paranormal gifts to protect the townspeople who have always ostracized him for being different.
Beautifully crafted with stop-motion animation and a unique visual style, ParaNorman is a spooky yet heartfelt adventure about learning to embrace what makes you special. Its witty humor, creepy set-pieces, and ultimate message of acceptance give it a sensibility reminiscent of Nightmare Before Christmas.
5. The Addams Family (1991)
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky – they’re The Addams Family! This 1991 live-action adaptation of Charles Addams’ classic cartoons follows the delightfully macabre misadventures of Gomez, Morticia, and their ghoulish brood as they deal with a con artist claiming to be a long-lost relative.
With its all-star cast, morbid humor, and gleefully gothic aesthetic, The Addams Family is a fiendish delight that revels in the same kind of playful perversity as Nightmare Before Christmas. If you love the way Nightmare celebrates the sinister and subverts the saccharine, the Addams are your kind of people.
6. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s first collaboration, Edward Scissorhands is a modern fairy tale about an artificial man with scissors for hands who is taken in by a kindly Avon lady and her family. As Edward falls in love with the family’s teenage daughter Kim, his startling appearance and gentle spirit become the talk of their pastel-colored suburban neighborhood.
Alternately whimsical and melancholy, Edward Scissorhands showcases Burton’s knack for finding magic in the monstrous and exploring themes of isolation and otherness through fantasy. Like Nightmare, it’s an offbeat fable with style, soul, and a keen understanding of what it feels like to be an outsider.
7. Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle– well, you know how it goes. This ghost-with-the-most comedy classic stars Michael Keaton as a crude, rude spirit hired by a recently deceased couple to scare away the obnoxious new owners of their beloved home. But when Beetlejuice’s “help” gets out of hand, the couple teams up with the owners’ strange, death-obsessed daughter Lydia to stop his reckless haunting spree.
Directed by Tim Burton, Beetlejuice established many of the kooky, spooky trademarks that would later define The Nightmare Before Christmas, from its colorful netherworld inhabitants to its darkly comedic take on the afterlife. It’s a wild, irreverent ride that will leave you in stitches.
8. Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins is a horror comedy that doubles as a twisted Christmas movie, making it perfect for Nightmare Before Christmas fans seeking holiday scares. The film follows a young man who receives an unusual pet called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift. But when he accidentally breaks the three crucial rules for Mogwai care, his cuddly friend spawns a pack of mischievous, dangerous creatures that terrorize his small town on Christmas Eve.
Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins is a clever, creepy-cute creature feature with a satirical bite. Its manic energy, macabre mayhem, and merry-scary vibes make it a kindred spirit to Nightmare Before Christmas.
9. The Boxtrolls (2014)
From the studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls is a charming stop-motion fantasy about a human boy named Eggs who is raised by a community of quirky, cave-dwelling creatures known as Boxtrolls. When an evil exterminator hatches a plan to get rid of the Boxtrolls for good, Eggs ventures aboveground to save his adoptive family.
The Boxtrolls builds a richly imagined steampunk universe populated by endearingly odd characters, much like the wondrously weird worlds of The Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s a warm, funny fable about family and belonging that should resonate with anyone who has ever felt like a misfit.
10. The Addams Family Values (1993)
In this gleefully ghoulish sequel to The Addams Family, everyone’s favorite macabre clan welcomes a new baby boy into the fold. But when Uncle Fester falls for the infant’s seemingly perfect nanny, her presence threatens to tear the delightfully dysfunctional family apart.
Featuring a fiendishly funny turn by Joan Cusack as the “black widow” nanny, Addams Family Values is that rare sequel that’s as good as (if not better than) the original. Its subversive humor, iconically creepy characters, and celebration of the strange make it a perfect pick for Nightmare Before Christmas fans.
11. The Corpse Bride (1996)
Not to be confused with the Tim Burton film of the same name, this 1996 Corpse Bride is a 25-minute animated short by Russian director Svyatoslav Ushakov. Inspired by a 19th-century Russian-Jewish folktale, it tells the eerie story of a bridegroom who inadvertently weds a dead woman after placing his ring on what he thinks is a stick in the woods.
With its strikingly surreal stop-motion visuals and ghostly plot, Ushakov’s Corpse Bride is a fascinating forebear to the later Burton production. It’s a must-see for stop-motion enthusiasts and anyone intrigued by the darker side of folklore.
12. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween-themed Disney comedy that has become a seasonal staple since its release in 1993. The film follows a trio of witches known as the Sanderson Sisters who are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem by a teenage boy. As the sisters scheme to achieve immortality by sucking the life force out of children, the boy and his friends race to stop them before the sun rises on November 1st.
Bolstered by spirited performances from Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the witchy siblings, Hocus Pocus is a spellbinding brew of slapstick, spookiness, and silliness. Its lively Halloween hijinks and family-friendly frights make it a fitting companion piece to The Nightmare Before Christmas.
13. The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Inspired by the iconic Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion stars Eddie Murphy as a workaholic realtor who takes his family to stay in a spooky old estate that turns out to be – you guessed it – haunted. As the family attempts to break the mansion’s curse and free its ghostly inhabitants, they find themselves drawn into a world of spectral surprises.
While The Haunted Mansion may not reach the heights of Nightmare Before Christmas, it’s a fun, family-friendly ghost story with plenty of eye-catching special effects and goofy gags. Its supernatural slapstick and heartfelt themes of togetherness make it a solid pick for Nightmare fans.
14. Monster House (2006)
Monster House is a computer-animated horror comedy that follows three young friends who discover that their neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster. As Halloween approaches, the trio must find a way to destroy the demonic dwelling before innocent trick-or-treaters fall prey to its wrath.
Executive produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, Monster House features stunning motion-capture animation that brings its titular terror to vivid life. But beyond its technical achievements, the film is a loving homage to classic haunted house flicks with a surprisingly poignant story about facing your fears at its core.
15. Paranorman (2012)
Another stop-motion marvel from Laika, the studio behind Coraline and The Boxtrolls, Paranorman centers on a young boy named Norman who has the ability to communicate with the dead. When his small town is overrun by zombies, Norman must use his paranormal powers to save the day and learn to embrace what makes him unique.
Combining humor, heart, and genuine horror movie thrills, Paranorman is a delightfully spooky adventure that celebrates individuality and the power of being different. Its dazzling visuals, clever scares, and ultimate message of acceptance make it a perfect companion piece to The Nightmare Before Christmas.
16. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
In this charming claymation comedy from Aardman Animations, the beloved British duo of Wallace and Gromit run a humane pest control service called “Anti-Pesto”. But when a giant rabbit begins terrorizing the town’s vegetable gardens, the pair must track down the mysterious beast before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition.
Packed with sly humor, lovingly crafted stop-motion animation, and affectionate nods to classic horror movies, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a delightful romp for all ages. Its quirky characters, clever sight gags, and cozy autumnal atmosphere make it a perfect film to pair with The Nightmare Before Christmas.
17. Casper (1995)
Based on the friendly ghost of cartoon fame, Casper is a live-action/CGI hybrid that follows the adventures of the titular spirit and his friendship with a teenage girl named Kat. When Kat and her paranormal expert father move into Casper’s haunted mansion, the lonely ghost falls for Kat and tries to bring himself back to life to win her love.
While Casper may be lighter and more sentimental than The Nightmare Before Christmas, it still offers plenty of supernatural fun and a sweet story about the power of friendship. Its colorful ghost characters and Halloween-y setting should appeal to fans of Nightmare‘s more family-friendly frights.
18. The Halloween Tree (1993)
Based on a story by legendary sci-fi author Ray Bradbury, The Halloween Tree is an animated TV movie that explores the history and traditions of Halloween. The film follows a group of trick-or-treating friends who must travel through time to save the soul of their friend Pip from a sinister spirit.
Narrated by Bradbury himself, The Halloween Tree is a fascinating journey through the cultural roots of everyone’s favorite spooky holiday, touching on everything from ancient Celtic rituals to the Mexican Day of the Dead. Its eerie atmosphere, autumnal imagery, and informative approach make it a great choice for Nightmare Before Christmas fans looking to dive deeper into the origins of Halloween.
Whether you’re in the mood for more stop-motion magic, creepy comedy, or Halloween-themed adventures, these 18 movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas are sure to satisfy your craving for the delightfully dark and whimsical.
From Tim Burton classics like Corpse Bride and Beetlejuice to modern marvels like Coraline and ParaNorman, these films capture the same spirit of spooky fun and offbeat imagination that makes Nightmare such an enduring favorite. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to revisit the thrillingly twisted worlds of these Nightmare-esque gems. Happy haunting!
