Tim Burton may not have directed The Nightmare Before Christmas but it is still one of his most beloved movie projects and one that has constantly been the subject of discussion around whether there should be a sequel or not. After more than 30 years, the dark Christmas tale is finally getting a new direct sequel – but not as a movie or TV show.
The Nightmare Before Christmas was directed by Henry Selick, but has often been mistaken for a Tim Burton project simply on the basis that it looks and feels exactly like a Burton movie. In a way, it is, because the Beetlejuice director may not have been behind the camera on the stop-motion classic, but he conceived the story and characters, and also produced the movie.
Although the story of Jack Skellington and his desire to find a new role as the lord of Christmas Town was a box office hit (taking $108 million from a $18 million budget), the movie seemed destined to slip into obscurity when it vanished into the churn of home video releases and TV airings. However, a decade after its release, something peculiar happened, and suddenly merchandising started to sell in huge numbers and people began to rediscover the film until it transformed into an annual watch for many fans, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated movies of all time.
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is Getting a Comic Book Continuation
One thing that has been made clear by Burton is that he does not believe everything needs a sequel. In fact, with just a few notable exceptions, including the recent return of Beetlejuice, Burton has mostly avoided sequels. When it comes to The Nightmare Before Christmas, he truly believes that the film is one of those projects that should be allowed to stand as a one-off story. While promoting Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024, Burton said:
“I didn’t want to have a sequel for The Nightmare Before Christmas because it also felt like a one-off thing. Certain things are best left on their own and that for me is one of them.”
However, Dynamite Comics are bringing back the twisted and endearing characters of Burton’s world in a brand new comic run that was announced at NYCC. Under the title of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town, the new story will send several classic characters on a new adventure into Christmas Town. The synopsis for the comic run reads:
“The enigmatic Dr. Finkelstein, Sally’s creator, has another creation in the works. When he debuts an unusual, yet unexpectedly adorable creature as a new pet, Sally is tasked with taking care of it. Only for the three resident trick-or-treaters of Halloween Town to have it in tow as they embark on their journey to Christmas Town.”
The new four-issue miniseries will be released in January, and enlists previous Dynamite Comics writer Torunn Grønbekk (Red Sonja, Thor, Venom), artist Edu Menna (Army of Darkness), Adriano Augusto, and Taylor Esposito. Speaking of his joy at being involved in the project, Grønbekk said:
“Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a feast of imagination and dark delights, and it has been a joy to play in and contribute to this world. In our story, little goes to plan: tricks are played, treats are had, and along the way, Dr. Finkelstein’s new creation Shiver discovers the true magic of Halloween. Artist Edu Menna captures the Gothic, whimsical atmosphere of the movie so beautifully, and I hope the book will introduce a new generation of readers to the enchanting world of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Although it seems that The Nightmare Before Christmas is screaming out for a movie sequel, this could be the closest that we ever get to seeing one. Although it has been hinted that some kind of short film could possibly happen, no one seems in any rush to potentially ruin the reputation of one of the greatest holiday movies ever made.
- Release Date
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October 29, 1993
- Runtime
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76 minutes
- Writers
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Caroline Thompson
