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“The Nightmare Before Christmas” has become a beloved holiday classic for many, yet its journey from concept to screen was a lengthy one. Tim Burton originally conceived the idea in 1983, a full decade before the film finally premiered in 1993. This extended timeline offers fans a chance to identify cameos of the film’s protagonist, Jack Skellington, in Burton’s earlier works, including the 1988 horror comedy “Beetlejuice.”
In “Beetlejuice,” during a pivotal scene, Lydia, played by Winona Ryder, calls upon the mischievous Beetlejuice, portrayed by Michael Keaton, to assist the Maitland ghosts against her family’s attempts at exorcism. As Beetlejuice emerges, he sports a quirky carnival-themed headpiece, and if you look closely, you’ll notice the skull on top bears a striking resemblance to Jack Skellington, complete with bat wings reminiscent of Jack’s signature tie. This detail highlights Burton’s long-standing fascination with the design that would later become iconic with “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Jack’s likeness also appeared earlier in Burton’s 1982 stop-motion short film, “Vincent.” The short follows a young boy named Vincent who harbors dark fantasies of being like horror icon Vincent Price, who narrates the film. In the story’s haunting finale, one of Vincent’s visions eerily mirrors Jack’s skeletal form. Although Price was initially slated to lend his voice to Santa in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” he eventually collaborated with Burton on “Edward Scissorhands.”
Since its theatrical debut, Jack Skellington has made appearances in various projects. Henry Selick, who directed “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” has continued to include Jack-themed Easter eggs across his works. For instance, in “James and the Giant Peach,” skeleton pirates resemble Jack’s design, and in “Coraline,” his face is creatively depicted in an egg yolk. The Pumpkin King even sneaks into the end credits of Selick’s 2022 film “Wendell and Wild.”
However, the connection between “Beetlejuice” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” feels particularly strong, possibly due to shared cast members and creative ideas. Catherine O’Hara, who plays Delia Deetz in “Beetlejuice,” lends her voice to Sally in “Nightmare.” Glenn Shadix is another shared talent, appearing as Otho in “Beetlejuice” and the Mayor of Halloweentown in “Nightmare.” Additionally, the black-and-white snake in “Nightmare Before Christmas” echoes the Saturn sandworms seen in “Beetlejuice,” highlighting Burton’s consistent thematic elements.
Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas have many connections
Warner Bros.
The relationship between these films continues to evolve, as seen in the 2024 sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” where Delores, played by Monica Belluci, humorously stitches herself together in a manner reminiscent of Sally. With skeleton men and ragdoll women making recurring appearances in Tim Burton’s projects, these motifs have become a signature of his unique storytelling style.
But “Beetlejuice” and “Nightmare Before Christmas” feel the most like kindred spirits, likely due to the familiar faces and voices appearing in both. Catherine O’Hara, who plays Lydia’s mother, Delia Deetz, in “Beetlejuice,” voices Sally in “Nightmare.” Glenn Shadix pops up in both “Beetlejuice” as Delia’s friend Otho and “Nightmare’s” Mayor of Halloweentown. Additionally, “Nightmare Before Christmas” sees a black and white snake moving through the holes of Oogie Boogie’s (Ken Page) die, lifting its pattern and shape from the Saturn sandworms in “Beetlejuice.”
The connections even continued into 2024’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” as seen when Delores (Monica Belluci) sews herself together when all of her body parts are disassembled similarly to Sally. At this point, skeleton men and ragdoll women showing up in a Tim Burton project is practically a given.
