Overview: After 30 years, discover the inspirations behind Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and its legacy as a certified pop-culture experience.

Verdict: What is it about Jack Skellington that is so compelling? Why does the love between Sally and Jack resonate with so many? The feature-length, stop-motion movie about the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who becomes obsessed with celebrating Christmas is a fascinating musical and love story that has transcended the original film and captivated the world.

From the improbable tale to the lovable characters, Tim Burton’s creation has turned into a lifestyle, branching into fashion, video games, card and board games, live-action concerts, themed celebrations at Disneyland, and even cameos in other movies.

Featuring an original foreword by Tim Burton himself, Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town celebrates the film and the culture that has grown around it with exclusive and original interviews from:

• Author and creator, Tim Burton
• Animators, sculptors, and other artists of the film
• Musical talent behind Jack Skellington
• The iconic voice of Sally, comic actress Catherine O’Hara
• Musicians on the Nightmare Revisited album

Delve into the magic of Halloween and Christmas in a story told through unlikely heroes that started 30 years ago. This beautifully designed coffee-table book is sure to captivate die-hard and casual fans alike.

In what is a most luxuriant, veritably sumptuous and overall endearing new hardcover, if you are a Tim Burton / The Nightmare Before Christmas fan (in in the slightest) you will simply adore this enthralling, conversation-starting coffee table book.

Chock full of colorful, expressive and gorgeously detailed pages, let alone a seemingly neverending plethora of seen and, for my money, previously unseen photos, all the quotes, teased tidbits, production notes, behind-the-scenes views, stop-motion inspirations, the music and songs, live performances, and general facts about the actors, processes, sets, all the subsequent Jack and Sally dolls, fandom, cosplay, weddings, and more, make this, quite possibly, the best book written on the subject to hand to date.

Inclusive of a Foreword from the man himself, Tim Burton, he brings us the strange tale of how The Nightmare came to fruition in 1982, spawned from a poem he had written of the same name, which was itself influenced by his favorite children’s author Dr. Suess.

At the same time he was working as an animator at Walt Disney Studios, making films such as Vincent and Frankenweenie, and thinking he should also adapt this poem into a short film or even a television special.

His one-page introduction continues onward with how he did a number of drawings, storyboards, and concept are and even had Rick Heinriche sculpt some character models (although Disney didn’t get it and thought it was too weird, too dark at the time).

But perseverance and self-belief pushed him forward, and even though many avenues, dead ends, and more were hit/explored, we know how it all eventually turned out, of course.

Not only is it a magnificent Christmas gift, but it is something, as aforementioned, that you can simply lay out on your coffee table (as it is a large-styled, old school hardcover) for guests to peruse, and then just sit back, or lean in from the kitchen and smugly acknowledge the fact that you have enlightened the masses.

Super informative, super creative and super addictive, Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town: The Story, the Characters, and the Legacy is brought to us by author Emily Zemler (The Art and Making of Aladdin and Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara), and we caught up with Emily to get a little more insight into just how the book came together in this EXCLUSIVE interview!

Who came up with the idea for this beautiful book? - “I previously wrote Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara for Epic Ink. After I finished that book, the former publisher there, Delia Greve, suggested we continue the Beyond series with another Disney property. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas seemed like a great idea since it would be celebrating its 30th anniversary. The idea was to look at what inspired the film as well as what the film has since inspired and its enduring cultural legacy.”

And why was the time right for it to come out this year? - “2023 is the 30th anniversary of the film, so it was the perfect time to release a book looking back on its legacy.”

Can you remember when you watched the movie for the first time and what thoughts it left you with? - “I don’t remember the first time I watched the film, but I am a long-time fan of Tim Burton’s work and I watched all of his movies growing up. I loved his singular, unique vision and the darker tones he explored, both visually and thematically. I eventually owned this movie on DVD and watched it all the time. To me, it’s a Halloween movie, so that’s usually when I rewatch it. I always wondered how they made the film and what inspired Tim Burton.”

Were any of those questions purposely answered in this book? - “This book explores a lot of aspects of the film, from Tim Burton’s initial inspirations to the making of process to how it was promoted when it came out in theaters. I wouldn’t say I went in with specific questions. It was more about pulling all of this information together in a way that gives the reader new insight into how the film has impacted pop culture. It was really fun to interview people involved with the movie, as well as cosplayers, fans, and musicians who have reinterpreted the songs.”

Were you ever in direct contact with Tim Burton? - “Tim Burton was gracious enough to do an interview for the book. We spoke over Zoom and he answered many of my questions. He also wrote the book’s foreword, which I love.”

How long did the book take you to research and pull together to then get finalized? - “It took several months to research, interview, and write the book. That was just a small part of the process, however. There were hundreds of photos to collect, sort, and pick from, and then a lengthy editing and layout process. A book like this, which is both images and text, requires a lot of work. Luckily, I had great help from a photo researcher and several editors.”

Looking at it today, what have since become your own personal favorite sections within it? And why? - “I am proud of the entire book, but I especially love the fan chapter. Tim Burton has always said he loves to put his work into the world and let the fans have it. It was important to show the different ways they’ve loved and honored the film. I also think the merchandise chapter is fun because you can see all kinds of crazy themed items people can buy, including a crockpot and a cheeseboard.”

Lastly, how much more could have gone into this book, that you decided to emit, due to one reason or another? - “Not much was omitted. We had to cut a few photos for space, but generally everything I wanted in the book is in there.”

About the Authors - Emily Zemler is a writer and journalist based in London. She is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, among other prestigious outlets. Emily is the co-author of A Sick Life, with TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and the author of The Art and Making of Aladdin and Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara.

Tim Burton, director and artist, is widely regarded as one of cinema’s most imaginative and visual filmmakers. Both his live-action and animated films have earned Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and many other industry accolades, cementing his status as one of the greatest filmmakers of our time.

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