Don’t Expect Tim Burton to Make a ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Sequel Anytime Soon, Says Danny Elfman

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved Disney classic and features great music from composer Danny Elfman. While Burton and Elfman have worked on several other projects together, they have yet to make a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Unfortunately, a sequel may never be coming, according to Elfman himself.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is a great collaboration between Tim Burton and Danny Elfman

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion animated musical created by Burton and directed by Henry Selick. Elfman composed the music and songs for the movie, along with providing the singing voice for the lead character, Jack Skellington.

Jack is the leader of Halloween Town and begins to become bored with his annual routine. When he uncovers a magical world called Christmas Town, Jack decides to create his own version of Christmas, combining the two holidays to create a merry and scary abomination. 

Over the years, this movie has garnered a cult following, especially because of its soundtrack that includes songs like “This is Halloween,” “What’s This,” and “Kidnap the Sandy Claws.” While many debate whether this is a Halloween or Christmas movie, the characters are mostly associated with Halloween and have become very popular with guests who visit Disney parks during the holidays. 

Danny Elfman says Tim Burton will most likely not make a sequel

Elfman has collaborated with Burton on many projects including Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Batman, and Edward Scissorhands. Speaking with Comicbook.com to promote Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Elfman spoke about the possibility of a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas and said it isn’t likely. 

“I don’t think so. I think Tim has always felt that no, this is what it was.” Elfman said. “But you know, it wouldn’t totally shock me if he came back with… If he had a fresh take on it, I would certainly go for the ride with him. But he’s never expressed any interest in that. I think he felt like this was a pure thing and it was what it was and that to try to do sequels on it would, I think it’s just not inspired him. But I won’t ever speak for Tim. It’s his universe.”

It would be interesting to see what has happened between Jack and Sally (Catherine O’Hara) over the years, but sometimes lightning can’t strike twice. 

Elfman and Burton continue to work together

Similar to John Williams and Steven Spielberg, Elfman and Burton frequently work together. A movie directed by Burton would feel incomplete without music from Elfman. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two will work together once more on Wednesday, a Netflix coming-of-age series based on Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family. 

The upcoming project is being directed and written by Burton whose last movie was Disney’s Dumbo remake. There is no release date for this series yet, but Jenna Ortega will be starring in the lead role. Meanwhile, The Nightmare Before Christmas is currently streaming on Disney+.