The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Starring: Danny Elfman (as Jack Skellington), Chris Sarandon (as Jack Skellington’s speaking voice), Catherine O'Hara (as Sally), William Hickey (as Dr. Finkelstein), Glenn Shadix (as Oogie Boogie), Paul Reubens (as Lock), and others.
Director: Henry Selick
Genre: Animated, Fantasy, Musical
Rating: PG

Summary:

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated film that tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who becomes bored with his routine of scaring people every year. One day, Jack stumbles upon Christmas Town, a world full of joy, light, and festive cheer. Inspired by the holiday, Jack decides to take over Christmas and put his own spooky twist on it.

Jack kidnaps Santa Claus and attempts to deliver Halloween-themed gifts to children, but his plans quickly go awry. His misinterpretation of Christmas and his attempt to control the holiday causes chaos, and he soon learns that his desire to bring Halloween to Christmas was a mistake. Meanwhile, Jack’s love interest, Sally, a ragdoll-like character, warns him about the dangers of his plan and tries to save both him and Christmas.

The film is a whimsical blend of dark fantasy and holiday magic, featuring a memorable cast of characters, a unique visual style, and catchy songs. It explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the importance of appreciating what you have.