When the residents of Halloween Town tried to take over Christmas in the 1993 animated classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” it gave us a spooky version of our favourite holidays. The “Nightmare Before Christmas” is one of the best examples of the labor- and time-intensive stop-motion animation, and even though the movie is only 76 minutes long, it manages to cram a lot of world-building and incredible storytelling into its succinct runtime. It was created by writer, producer, and director Tim Burton and director Henry Selick.
Thanks to Tim Burton’s singular visionary flair, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” not only has a distinct style but is also packed of memorable characters, captivating melodies, and fantastically inventive locales. The film’s creators allowed their imaginations go wild when it came to designing the creatures and characters who would inhabit the unique worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town, as well as the “real world.”
The major cast of characters, whose distinctive personalities and traits actually make them stand out amid the crowd, will be the emphasis of this list even if there are numerous supporting characters that only have a little role in the movie. How does your preferred perform? Continue reading for our list of the top ten characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Dr. Finkelstein
The wheelchair-bound mad scientist from Halloween Town is an intriguing character because he has traits that allow him to exist on the border between good and evil. He is a clever and wise guy on the one hand, and he has proven to be a valuable ally to Jack by lending him some scientific apparatus and by creating the reindeer that will drive the sleigh Jack is making. Dr. Finkelstein unfairly shelters Sally from the outside world while also keeping her behind bars and portraying himself as her protector because he created her.
The movie shows that Dr. Finkelstein didn’t necessarily intend for Sally to have an independent thought, but that his motivations for creating her were at least honourable. Though he has his sidekick Igor for companionship, it is clear that something is still lacking from his life. In light of this, the character comes off as extremely depressing because, despite his dubious behaviour, he is actually just lonely.
Dr. Finkelstein subsequently decides he’s had enough and creates himself a new companion as Sally keeps outwitting and eluding him. He flips open his own head and takes half of his brain in one of the best visual jokes in the movie in order to bring to life a buddy who is much more similar to him. Whatever you may think of it, it is undoubtedly one technique to ensure that you “have discussions worth having,” as Finkelstein himself puts it.
Jack Skellington
Jack Skellington, also known as the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is adored by the locals and appears to have greater influence over the town’s plans to make each Halloween scarier than the previous. After one particularly prosperous Halloween season, Jack experiences an identity problem and wonders if life is only about the ghastly and the macabre.
Jack is an endearing and indubitably likeable character, and the innocent delight he feels at discovering Christmas Town is genuinely contagious. Despite succeeding in persuading the people of Halloween Town to try their hand at something a little more festive and posing himself as the skeleton to achieve it, Jack’s vanity ultimately proves to be his doom. Jack’s heart was always in the right place, and his goals were ultimately good, even though it ended in disaster. He just wasn’t able to get rid of the spookiness long enough to create the Christmas he had imagined.
The fact that Jack is flawed and acknowledges this when his Christmas goes wrong is what makes him such a fantastic and unforgettable character. In an effort to make things right, Jack triumphs over Oogie Boogie and releases the imprisoned Sally and Sandy Claws. Jack may have made mistakes, but he should always be recognised for attempting something different because it was through this that he discovered a renewed zest for what he was so well-known for.
Lock, Shock & Barrel
This trio, who were introduced as “Halloween’s greatest trick-or-treaters,” have gained notoriety for their naughty actions and loyalty to the infamous villain Oogie Boogie. They initially appear when Jack is giving out jobs to the locals, and just their presence is enough to make The Mayor fearful. But when Jack discovers their abilities, he gives them one of the most crucial assignments of all: capturing Sandy Claws and delivering him to Halloween Town so that Jack can take his place.
These willing tricksters appear to be on Jack’s side at first, despite their fighting and bickering amongst themselves. They eventually succeed in bringing Sandy to Jack despite a setback involving the Easter Bunny. But they quickly reveal their cunning ways when they hand-deliver Sandy to their boss, breaking their pledge to Jack to not involve Oogie Boogie.
The wonderfully catchy song “Kidnap The Sandy Claws” features these tiny pranksters discussing their suggested scheme, showcasing their cleverness. Although it is unclear how these kids gained access to traps, cannons, and several other lethal weapons, they are clearly very good at what they do, and as Oogie Boogie’s dependable henchmen, we wouldn’t want to cross them either.
Oogie Boogie
Oogie Boogie is an example of a very scary enemy that instils fear in our hearts before they are ever seen. Mr. Oogie Boogie, who is concealed beneath Halloween Town, relies on his devoted henchmen Lock, Shock, and Barrel to carry out his evil whims and provide for him. Jack and Oogie have a history, and the Pumpkin King appears particularly motivated to keep Oogie Boogie out of his Christmas plans.
Oogie is revealed to be a character who relies on fate and chance and has a propensity to wager on the lives of those he has captured because his lair resembles a dangerous casino. Making judgments based on the outcome of a dice roll shows the character’s insanity because he is incredibly creative but also totally willing to make reckless and random decisions and views the destiny of his prisoners as a game.
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Oogie Boogie sings his own number since he is such an iconic villain that not only does a song about him exist, but it also has Ken Page’s great vocal performance. The moment he ultimately dies, when the burlap sack covering his body is ripped away to show the plethora of bugs underneath, is equally remarkable. Even though it is a terrifying sight, the guy is very likeable despite his delighted malevolence. Without him, the movie wouldn’t be the same.
Sally
Sally, the sentient doll with a golden heart and the indisputable hero of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” is voiced by the amazing Catherine O’Hara. Sally lives out her days under the watchful eye of her creator and keeper, Dr. Finkelstein, while secretly plotting Jack Skellington’s death and giving the Pumpkin King important assistance. Sally is secretly in love with Jack Skellington.
Sally is willing to do everything for Jack because she isn’t satisfied with serving the guy who saved her life. She even went so far as to throw herself out the window then casually stitch herself back together in order to give him a gift. Even though Jack is portrayed as the film’s major protagonist, it is obvious that he could not succeed without Sally’s assistance. Sally frantically tries to warn Jack after seeing the horrific vision that his attempt to take over Christmas will end in smoke and fire. He is listening, but he is in too deep and doesn’t really appreciate the gravity of what he is doing.
When most people would give up attempting to reason with Jack, Sally is tenacious and tries to stop him to the very end, even going up against the formidable Oogie Boogie to save Sandy Claws. Sandy summed it up best when he stated, “She’s the only one who makes any sense around this lunatic institution!” Jack doesn’t realise it until the very last second.
Sandy Claws
Although he may be more well-known as Santa Claus, Sandy Claws is his new name in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” He is a rather brazen and fierce version of the renowned character despite lacking any claws. However, it is reasonable that he feels a little irate after being forcibly put into a sack and hauled to Halloween Town — and on the eve of his big night, no less — without any formalities.
When the cunning trick-or-treaters Lock, Shock, and Barrel plan to take Sandy to see the evil Oogie Boogie, Sandy quickly finds himself in a serious situation. There is a glimmer of hope for Sandy when Sally shows up to try and save him, but despite a brave effort, she also finds herself captured. Sandy is being subjected to various sinister-looking torture devices.
The narrative has a pleasant conclusion despite some eerie antics. Naturally, Sandy is able to immediately make things right and salvage Christmas when Jack comes back to save them. The Nightmare Before Christmas’ version of the well-known holiday character stands out for showing some uncharacteristic anger and, perhaps most importantly, realising that the wonderful Sally is the one who is making the most sense in Halloween Town. Other movies may have more memorable versions of the iconic holiday character. His experience might have left him bitter, but Sandy is made of tougher stuff, and in the movie’s final seconds, she manages to bring snow to Halloween Town and spread some holiday cheer.
The Mayor
The Mayor of Halloween Town’s distinctive, head-spinning design allows him to seamlessly transition between pleased and frightened, so you can always tell what kind of mood he’s in. When it comes to formulating their Halloween plans, the Mayor is totally dependent on Jack, despite the fact that he may appear to be a fine leader. He famously exclaims, “Jack, please, I’m only an elected official here, I can’t make decisions by myself!”
The Mayor is a fantastic example of the “two faces” of political figures, with the public-facing façade emanating control and command and the other face possibly being a more accurate reflection of their shortcomings and defects. We notice the smile less and less as the movie goes on, especially when Jack isn’t in the town, and it becomes obvious how much he depends on Jack’s support to rule.
However, the Mayor is still a fantastic character, and what he lacks in judgement, he more than makes up for in personality. He obviously loves deeply for Jack and isn’t scared to express his feelings in front of others when it is known that the Pumpkin King has died. When it comes to planning the spooktacular pranks every year, Jack serves as the brains and The Mayor serves as the mouthpiece, making for a very formidable team.
Zero
One of “The Nightmare Before Christmas'” unsung heroes is the ghostly companion to Jack Skellington, who makes a significant impression despite just speaking in a succession of endearing barks and yaps. Despite not having a physical body, Zero still takes part in all the typical dog behaviours, such as fetch. Thankfully, his master, the “Bone Daddy,” has plenty of bones to throw for his cherished pet.
Zero, who is speechless but is unusually insightful, is one of the few people who voice opposition to Jack’s holiday plans, along with Sally. While Zero is devoted to his master and never leaves his side, his expressive small face cannot mask his worries. When Jack is attempting to figure out what Christmas is all about, his helpful friend tries to remind him of his strengths by pointing out the image of him as the Pumpkin King.
Sally tries to stop Jack from flying on his improvised sleigh with some fog juice after she has visions that reveal Jack’s Christmas plans will go horribly wrong. You may debate whether or not this is a good thing based on what actually happens, but Zero is the ideal dog to lead the column of skeletal reindeer and illuminate Jack’s path because of his distinctive luminous jack-o-lantern nose. Zero may have expressed reluctance, but because of his loyalty, he is willing to step in and assist Jack, proving that he always has the best interests of his master in mind.
