The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, The Nightmare Before Christmas is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 10,416 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Danny Elfman's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Nightmare Before Christmas earns its spot. The Nightmare Before Christmas treats its concept seriously enough to follow it all the way through. Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans. Danny Elfman and Chris Sarandon lead a cast that keeps the bigger ideas grounded in something human. It hit screens in 1993. The Nightmare Before Christmas resists the temptation to explain everything, trusting the audience to sit with ambiguity. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give The Nightmare Before Christmas a chance. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch for Danny Elfman in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.