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The Nightmare Before Christmas - Does It Still Hold Up?

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In this Halloween-meets-Christmas episode, Jon and Donald tackle one of the most iconic stop-motion films ever made: The Nightmare Before Christmas. From Jack Skellington’s existential boredom to Oogie Boogie’s degenerate gambling habits, they unpack the film’s twisted charm, timeless animation, and odd moral compass.

The hosts debate lore inconsistencies (How do the holiday doors even work?), the unsettling obsession with capital punishment, and why the movie’s musical diction makes Jon wince. Donald confesses it’s his first full viewing—and delivers some hilarious first impressions about Lock, Shock, and Barrel’s questionable parenting supervision.

Together, they trace Tim Burton’s strange creative journey from Disney animator to gothic auteur, explore the movie’s musical highs and lows, and rate it on their Almost Classic scale.

Stick around for wild tangents about Festivus, Kingdom Hearts, and why Donald Duck probably fears Thanksgiving. It’s equal parts spooky and merry—perfect for the season when Christmas ads start in October.

Highlights include:

  • 🎃 Why Nightmare Before Christmas works as both a Halloween and Christmas movie
  • 💀 The underrated brilliance of stop-motion animation
  • 🎶 Why some musicals make Jon physically cringe
  • 🦴 How Tim Burton lost control of his own creation
  • 🧦 The most cursed Christmas crossover ideas ever pitched on the show

Before you disappear into the hinterlands of holiday chaos, follow Almost Classic Movies on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Rate it, share it, and spread the spooky cheer.

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Contact:
Email: almostclassicmovies@gmail.com
Instagram: @almostclassicmovies

Co-Hosts:
Jon K.
Donald S.

Podcast Production:
Wayfare Recording Co.

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