Like most of visionary filmmaker Tim Burton's efforts, The Nightmare Before Christmas defies singular definition. It's a Halloween movie that's also about Christmas. It's a kids' film that adults enjoy in equal measure. And it's an animated movie that few would ever dare call a cartoon. With Halloween just around the corner and the holiday season now firmly upon us, here's how to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas online.
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the story of Jack Skellington, aka the Pumpkin King, who oversees Halloween celebrations in the fantasy world of, wait for it...Halloween Town.
Release date: October 13, 1993
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens
Director: Henry Selick
Run time: 76 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch now: stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney Plus from just $7.99/£7.99/AU$11.99 a month
After discovering a portal to neighboring Christmas Town, Jack joins forces with Santa Claus in an attempt to bring Christmas cheer to Halloween Town for the first time.
Needless to say, some of Halloween Town's citizens, specifically its resident bogeyman Oogie Boogie, are slightly joy-averse, and so Santa - along with Jack's secret love, the beautiful rag doll Sally (voiced by Catherine O'Hara), end up held hostage.
The film was a critical success upon its release, winning an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. This marked a first for an animated film and was a major achievement, not only for Burton but also for the film's director, Henry Selick - the movie's use of stop-motion animation now widely recognized as a landmark for the technique.
Read on for full details of how to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas online and stream the Tim Burton holiday classic. OK, we will let loose one spoiler: all you need to do is sign-up for Disney Plus!
How to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas online with Disney Plus
How to save money on Disney+
Disney Plus is already cheaper than competing streaming services like Netflix but you can save even more when you sign up for an annual subscription which gives you 15% off the monthly price. Obviously you have to splash the cash at the start, but with so much content to get stuck in to we very much doubt you'll run out of things to watch before the 12 months are up. You're looking at $79.99/£79.90/AU$119.99 for the year.
Or if your interests are farther reaching (and you're in the US), then we'd seriously suggest looking at the fantastic value bundle package. It adds Hulu and ESPN Plus to your subscription price. The Hulu element opens up a world of Hulu Originals such as The Great, Upload, Helstrom and Normal People. While ESPN+ brings tonnes of exclusive live sport, highlights and documentaries. The combined bundle costs just $13.99 a month.
The Nightmare Before Christmas rating: is it suitable for children?
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is rated PG in the US and UK, with the slightly spooky fairytale generally regarded as a family friendly flick.
Common Sense Media's review deeming it suitable for ages 7+, though parents should obviously do what they feel is appropriate for their children - a good rule of thumb is to watch the film yourself if at all in doubt.
What else should I know about Disney+?
Disney Plus just gets better and better with its original content, on top of old favorites. It's the place to watch Loki, which is just one in the latest in a string of recent blockbuster releases exclusive to the platform, including Luca, Cruella, and MCU's latest, Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings.
The streaming service has apps for iOS and Android (of course), and is available to watch online via the likes of Amazon Fire TV Stick, PS4, Xbox One and Roku streaming devices.
And finally, there's the Star on Disney Plus payload that most global markets get to enjoy and sees the amount of content available through Disney Plus more than double, with a particular eye to shows grown-ups are going to enjoy. It costs a tiny bit more, but is worth it based on our initial impressions - and you can still save big by going with an annual subscription.
Read more:
- Head to our Disney Plus guide for all the information you need
- Make sure you get the best value with our Disney Plus price guide
- How to watch WandaVision online
