If you’re looking for a great way to spend the evening, there are few better options than watching a good movie. But if you’re looking for something a little bit outside the box – something that stands out from the usual Hollywood fare – then you should probably check out something by Tim Burton. His work has been captivating audiences for decades, and one of his most critically acclaimed releases is the stop motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Since its inception in 1993, it’s become a cult classic, standing the test of time as something beloved amongst fans of the genre.
That said, if the combination of Halloween, Dark Christmas Imagery, and Loosened Disney Gags clicked with you, then you may be wondering what movie to watch next. Here we’ve complied a list of some of the best movies to watch if you liked The Nightmare Before Christmas. All of these titles have the same darkly whimsical style and cover similar themes, so no matter your preferences you’re sure to find something that fits the bill.
Corpse Bride
The predecessor of the Nightmare Before Christmas was Burton’s Corpse Bride released in 2005. The story follows Victor, a young man who accidentally finds himself married to a corpse. Together the two embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning to discover the animal spirits and what it means to truly live a life of love.
The themes explored in the film are slightly darker than those found in Nightmare Before Christmas, while the style is very similar. It has the same trademark stop motion look, captivating musical score, and Burton’s signature style. It also offers a bit more depth than its predecessor as it dives even further into the monstrosity of love and life after death.
Beetlejuice
One of Tim Burton’s earlier successes was the horror-comedy Beetlejuice released in 1988. The film follows two newlywed ghosts trying to rid their home of an obnoxious human family. The two enlist the help of a misanthropic and mildly sinister figure, Beetlejuice, to evict the living.
What’s great about this movie is not just its comedic sensibilities, but its eccentric art style. Its otherworldly color palette, sound design, and supernatural creature design echo much of what The Nightmare Before Christmas brought to the screen.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
One of Burton’s most successful efforts was the 2005 remake of the classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The film stars Johnny Depp as the eccentric candy maker featured in the original, but with a darker twist. The world he creates is a magical one in every sense of the word, mixed with an eerie undercurrent that lingers throughout.
Similar to the classic film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory contains an eclectic mix of visuals and audio. Just as expected from Burton, the movie combines a bizarre mix of the real world and fantasy, creating a wonderland that’s both strange and wondrous.
Edward Scissorhands
On the opposite side of the whimsical spectrum, Burton released Edward Scissorhands in 1990. The fantasy film follows the eponymous character, an artificial man created by an inventor with scissors as hands. Upon his release into the outside world, Edward befriends a young woman who tries to help him fit in with the humans.
While the movie is certainly darker than the other options on this list, its themes of suffering, unwillingness to accept differences, and yearning to fit in are similar to those found in The Nightmare Before Christmas. While the two movies might not be similar at face value, they are similar at heart, both in their style and in their misanthropic take on the world.
The Addams Family Values
To round out this list, we have 1993’s The Addams Family Values. The comedy takes a slightly different approach to Burton’s signature style, jumping from 2D to 3D animation. That said, the film still contains plenty of macabre humor, gothic visuals, and strange characters, which is sure to keep Burton fans happy.
In addition, the movie also features a few nods to The Nightmare Before Christmas, with characters discussing Halloween and Jack Skellington’s infamous song playing in the background. It also contains several themes and takes similar approaches to darkly comedic situations.
Regardless of your preference for genres, it’s safe to say that Tim Burton’s titles form a unique brand of creativity. His move to stop motion techniques has resonated with fans since the release of The Nightmare and the creativity found in all of his titles is enough to draw any fan in. If you loved The Nightmare Before Christmas and you’re looking for something new to watch, look no further than these five movies. From Corpse Bride to The Addams Family Values, they’re sure to match any taste.
