Tim Burton's Halloween Cult Film Achieves Monumental Box Office Success Three Decades Later

Article Overview

The Nightmare Before Christmas has now surpassed $100 million globally at the box office, thanks to its recent 30th anniversary theatrical re-release.

The re-release of the movie has generated an extra $9.8 million, increasing the film's domestic earnings to $87.2 million. In addition, the movie has amassed $13.8 million in international markets, resulting in a total of $101 million. Tim Burton's storytelling talent is evident in the film's distinctive concept and awe-inspiring stop-motion animation, both of which have played a significant role in its enduring popularity.

The Nightmare Before Christmas, a beloved Tim Burton classic, has achieved a significant milestone at the box office more than three decades after its original release. Debuting in 1993, this dark and enchanting film was written and produced by Burton and directed by Henry Selick. Despite Disney's concerns about its darkness, the movie was a critical and commercial success, leading it to be released under Disney's Touchstone Pictures banner.

According to Box Office Mojo (via Slash Film), The Nightmare Before Christmas recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a theatrical re-release, propelling its worldwide earnings past the $100 million mark. The recent weekend alone brought in $889,000, and even with the availability of streaming on Disney Plus, the re-release has generated an additional $9.8 million domestically. This pushes the film's North American total to an impressive $87.2 million. Accompanied by an international box office collection of $13.8 million, the movie's worldwide earnings now stand at an impressive $101 million. Despite this achievement, it is disappointing to note that there are no plans for The Nightmare Before Christmas 2.

Why The Nightmare Before Christmas Remains A Tim Burton Favorite

The story of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' originally started as a poem by Burton in 1982. It follows Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon a portal leading to different holiday-themed worlds, including Christmas Town. Halloween Town portrays a dark and macabre atmosphere, while Christmas Town is vibrant and colorful. Skellington tries to bring some of the magic from Christmas Town back home, resulting in confusion and him struggling to balance his responsibilities for both Halloween and Christmas.

The movie's longevity can be attributed to its imaginative premise, showcasing Burton's dark yet humorous and charming storytelling style. The songs in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' further enhance the story, with composer Danny Elfman's score breathing life into Halloween Town, Christmas Town, and the unique journeys of the characters.

Apart from composing the movie, Danny Elfman also lends his voice to the character of Jack Skellington. Discussing the Burton cult classic would be incomplete without acknowledging its impressive animation. The story is brilliantly brought to life through the use of stop-motion animation, which led to the film being nominated for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award – a first for an animated feature. With The Nightmare Before Christmas recently surpassing this milestone many years after its release, it has solidified its position as a beloved holiday classic that is enjoyed during two different seasons.

Source: Box Office Mojo (via Slash Film)

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I grew up watching Tim Burton's movies, and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is one of my favorites. I love the dark and whimsical atmosphere, the catchy songs, and the unique stop-motion animation. I think it's a timeless classic that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

I'm so glad that the movie has achieved such monumental box office success, even 30 years after its original release. It shows that there is still a strong demand for high-quality, imaginative films that are not afraid to push the boundaries. I hope that this success will encourage more filmmakers to take risks and create more original content.