The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town. Unsatisfied by a life dominated by Halloween and scaring people, Jack finds himself enamored with Christmas and Christmas Town. Fascinated by the lights, the presents, and Santa Claus, Jack attempts to steal Christmas and recreate it for himself and his town. Released in 1993, the film has become a cult classic, a yearly tradition for audiences of all ages. In the face of ever-improving animated films from major studios, the staying power of The Nightmare Before Christmas may at first seem surprising. However, within the first musical number, the magic of this film becomes evident. Through its 90s style stop-motion animation, beautifully haunting visuals, and curiously catchy songs, the film is notably unique. It lacks the polish, perfection, and production value of today’s major animated films, but does so in a way that only elevates its fascinating eeriness. Despite grim depictions fo Halloween Town and its many spooky characters, there is an unavoidable sense of warmth and nostalgia. The town prepares eagerly for their version of Christmas, wrapping horrifying presents in excitement and kidnapping Santa in order to experience the thrill of his Christmas Eve sleigh ride. Even Jack, a lanky skeleton, becomes a surprisingly likable character as he struggles with the highly-human experiences of self-doubt, questioning, and desire. He embodies the relatable archetype of a misunderstood dreamer, dissatisfied with his reality and searching for more. Even his romance with Sally, the human-like product of Dr.Frankenstein’s experiments, is full of passion and longing. The audience easily finds themselves enthralled by the emotional storylines of such seemingly gruesome creatures. Despite the eerie characters and grim setting, the film is surprisingly heartwarming, justifying its role as a strange, yet entirely merited holiday classic.