‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Almost Had a Very Different Twist Ending
What To Know
- Director Henry Selick revealed that The Nightmare Before Christmas almost had a twist ending where Oogie Boogie was actually Dr. Finkelstein in disguise, but Tim Burton rejected the idea.
- The film, which was not initially a box office hit, has since become a cultural phenomenon and a billion-dollar franchise, surprising even its creators with its enduring popularity.
- The final version of the movie, focusing on Jack’s redemption and Sally’s heroism, is widely credited for its lasting appeal, and the film is currently available to stream on Disney+ and other platforms.
If you’re someone for whom The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas film, you’re probably getting ready for your first watch of the season; if you think of it as a Halloween movie, you probably just finished your last watch of the year. But no matter when you schedule the classic stop-motion musical about Jack Skellington’s quest to take over Christmas, you probably won’t guess the way the film was originally supposed to end.
Director Henry Selick revealed in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment that he once pitched a twist: Oogie Boogie, the burlap villain full of bugs, would actually be Dr. Finkelstein in disguise, secretly operating the monster. Selick said, “Oogie Boogie was actually the evil scientist inside, operating him. Look, is it better? No, it was just another idea. That was probably the one thing I cooked up that Tim [Burton] rejected. And I didn’t fight that hard for it, because there wasn’t that much work put into it. It’s just a normal process. You’ve got to find the best solution to things. And that kind of covers the extent of any story issues.” Instead, the movie kept Oogie as his own grotesque creation.
Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
It’s fascinating to imagine how differently fans might view the film if the mad scientist behind Sally’s creation had also been revealed as the ultimate villain. That alternate ending could have shifted the whole tone, making the story less about Jack’s redemption and more about betrayal within Halloween Town. The final cut, with Jack learning humility and Sally stepping forward as the quiet hero, gave the movie its beauty. Looking back 25 years later, Selick is still amazed at its enduring legacy and popularity.
Would you have liked the alternate ending or do you prefer it as is?
Where to Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is currently streaming on Disney+. It’s also available to rent or purchase digitally on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube. Around Halloween, it frequently airs as part of Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” lineup.
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