Best movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 368000
Genere: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: gothic, dark fantasy, dark, cult classic, claymation, fairy tale, atmospheric, surreal, scary, visual
Best tv shows and movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993):
Similar in 78%
The Haunted Pumpkin of Sleepy Hollow (2002)
Plot Summary:
It's Halloween, and friends Nick and Kate are on a mission to find the biggest and best pumpkin in the patch. Unfortunately, the pumpkin thy chose is haunted by the ghost of the Headless Horseman...and he wants his head back! Aided by the skittish spirit Nathaniel, the two kids have to keep the Headless Horseman from getting his pumpkin head back before midnight. Inspired by the classic Washington Irving tale, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", the whole town of Sleepy Hollow gets involved in the exciting and thrilling race towards midnig.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 133
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Horror, Musical
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
The Toy Shop (1996)
Plot Summary:
Locked in a deserted old English toy shop, Katherine and her stuffy cousin Matthew meet some very special friends. Their fantasy world becomes a nightmare when Master Jack, the evil jack-in-the-box casts a spell and shrinks Katherine to the size of a doll.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 47
Genere: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: Canada
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: crying
Similar in 81%
Babes in Toyland (1997)
Plot Summary:
Everyone's favorite nursery rhyme characters come magically and musically to life in this animated adventure based on the classic holiday tale.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 610
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: mysterious, anime, independent film, fairy tale, touching, humorous, semi serious, christmas special
Similar in 87%
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Plot Summary:
Two brothers find themselves lost in a mysterious land and try to find their way home.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 68000
Genere: Animation, Short, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: dark fantasy, atmospheric, enigmatic, period piece, adult animation, captivating, anime, cult classic, entertaining, philosophical
Similar in 89%
Frankenweenie (2012)
Plot Summary:
When a car hits young Victor's pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them that Sparky's still the good, loyal friend he was.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: gothic, scary, black and white, claymation, spooky, fairy tale, disturbing, humorous, sad, 3d animation
Similar in 80%
ParaNorman (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: gothic, dark fantasy, surreal, claymation, witty, semi serious, funny, grindhouse, creepy, cult classic
Similar in 75%
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
Plot Summary:
When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy, Zak, down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home, the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak and his new friends fight to defend FernGully from lumberjacks -- and the vengeful spirit they accidentally unleash after chopping down a magic tree.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, touching, feel good, humorous, sentimental, colorful, mystical, inspirational, uplifting, independent film
Similar in 83%
The Pagemaster (1994)
Plot Summary:
Tyler knows a lot about accidents. So much so, he is scared to do anything that might endanger him, like riding his bike, or climbing into his treehouse. While in an old library, he is mystically transported into the unknown world of books, and he has to try and get home again. Along the way he meets some interesting characters, like Fantasy, Adventure, and Horror... Written by Colin Tinto.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, feel good, melancholic, touching, semi serious, stylized, sentimental, inspirational, epic, cult classic
Similar in 87%
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
Plot Summary:
When the young orphan boy James spills a magic bag of crocodile tongues, he finds himself in possession of a giant peach that flies him away to strange lands.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 73000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: surreal, dark fantasy, feel good, touching, humorous, entertaining, visual, visually stunning, stylized, sweet
Similar in 86%
Corpse Bride (2005)
Plot Summary:
Set in a 19th-century european village, this stop-motion animation feature follows the story of Victor, a young man whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious corpse bride, while his real bride Victoria waits bereft in the land of the living.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 294000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 77 min
Plot tags: gothic, dark fantasy, gothic horror, melancholic, captivating, romantic, dark, offbeat, visual, lyrical
Similar in 89%
The Book of Life (2014)
Plot Summary:
The journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 76000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Country: Mexico, USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, exciting, romantic, suspenseful, stylized, atmospheric, colorful, computer animated, entertaining, 3d animation
Similar in 83%
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Plot Summary:
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, touching, exciting, computer animated, witty, colorful, 3d animation, clever, cute, intense
Similar in 82%
Monster House (2006)
Plot Summary:
Monsters under the bed are scary enough, but what happens when an entire house is out to get you? Three teens aim to find out when they go up against a decrepit neighboring home and unlock its frightening secrets.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 135000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Mystery
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: scary, dark, 3d animation, computer animated, semi serious, captivating, fairy tale, funny, suspense, creepy
Similar in 78%
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Plot Summary:
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best friends to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 275000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: 3d animation, humorous, computer animated, fairy tale, absurd, gothic, anime, horror comedy, melancholic, scary
Similar in 79%
The Addams Family (2019)
Plot Summary:
Plot unknown.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 44000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror
Country: Canada, USA, UK, Vietnam
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: gothic, humorous, funny, 3d animation, fairy tale, spooky, captivating, entertaining, satirical, computer animated
Similar in 80%
Epic (2013)
Plot Summary:
A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world -- and ours.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: feel good, exciting, humorous, computer animated, stylized, entertaining, intense, funny, light, epic
Similar in 85%
Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)
Plot Summary:
Rudolph must find Happy, the baby new year, before the midnight of New Year's Eve.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: christmas special, claymation, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, fairy tale, crying
Similar in 89%
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
Plot Summary:
When the mysterious Toy Taker grabs all of Santa's toys, it looks like the children will miss out on Christmas. But everyone's favorite reindeer, Rudolph, comes to the rescue with his lovable friends: Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the grizzly prospector, the abominable snow monster Bumbles and Rudolph's very special friend Clarice. Together, they promise Santa they'll track down Toy Taker and rescue Santa's toy. Their incredible quest takes them on a wild adventure with Rudolph's red nose leading the way! This new family holiday favorite features the voices of Jamie Lee Curtis, Richard Dreyfuss and Rick Moranis. The soundtrack includes seven new holiday songs and features the classic original song performed by Tony Bennett. With amazing state-of-the-art animation and great new songs, kids of all ages will treasure this musical adventure forever.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Canada, Hong Kong
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: christmas special, feel good, touching, humorous, stylized, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 77%
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)
Plot Summary:
Long ago the Lady Borealis placed the evil Winterbolt under a magic spell, and put the last of her magic into the nose of a newborn reindeer: Rudolph. But now Winterbolt's awake. He gives Frosty's family magic amulets to keep them from melting until the Fourth of July so that Frosty and Rudolph can help Lilly's circus and Milton can marry his girlfriend on the high-wire, and Santa will use his sleigh to make sure everybody gets back to the North Pole in time...which leaves Winterbolt alone at the North Pole on the Fourth.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: christmas special, claymation, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 75%
Jack Frost (1979)
Plot Summary:
In this delightful animated tale, Pardon-me Pete (Buddy Hackett), the official groundhog of Groundhog Day, tells the story of Jack Frost, who falls in love with a beautiful young woman and begs Father Winter to make him human so that she can see him. His request is granted, but only on the condition that by the spring he has a house, a bag of gold, a horse and a wife--a tall order! But Jack finds that life as a human is more complicated then he thought. The girl he loves is kidnapped by the evil Cossack who is threatening to destroy the entire town. But the only way that he can save her and the town is to have his magic powers back. Jack Frost is a heartwarming tale that is sure to entertain the whole family!.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 48 min
Plot tags: christmas special, claymation, exciting, touching, feel good, humorous, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 79%
Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
Plot Summary:
After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must deal with an evil postman who's tired of handling all the extra Christmas mail. Will Martini the penguin be able to help Olive realize her dream?.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, christmas special, computer animated
Similar in 88%
The Grinch (2018)
Plot Summary:
The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: France, USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: light, 3d animation, touching, entertaining, fairy tale, humorous, computer animated, sad, anime, smart
Similar in 83%
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Plot Summary:
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 126000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: feel good, christmas special, 3d animation, colorful, light, computer animated, humorous, sentimental, fairy tale, motion capture
Similar in 90%
Coraline (2009)
Plot Summary:
When Coraline moves to an old house, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. She finds a hidden door with a bricked up passage. During the night, she crosses the passage and finds a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, with caring parents and all her dreams coming true. When the Other Mother invites Coraline to stay in her world forever, the girl refuses and finds that the alternate reality where she is trapped is only a trick to lure her.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 257000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: gothic, surreal, dark fantasy, dark, scary, stylized, bleak, offbeat, disturbing, visually appealing
Similar in 86%
The Boxtrolls (2014)
Plot Summary:
An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: exciting, dark fantasy, feel good, colorful, surreal, entertaining, 3d animation, humorous, stylized, computer animated
Similar in 88%
The Lorax (2012)
Plot Summary:
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 127000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, France
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: entertaining, feel good, computer animated, colorful, 3d animation, fairy tale, funny, humorous, inspirational, intellectual
Similar in 79%
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2013)
Plot Summary:
In Scotland 1874, Jack is born on the coldest day ever. Because of the extreme cold, his heart stops beating. The responsible midwife in Edinburgh finds a way to save him by replacing his heart with a clock. So he lives and remains under the midwife's protective care. But he must not get angry or excited because that endangers his life by causing his clock to stop working. Worse than that, when he grows up, he has to face the fact he cannot fall in love because that too could stop his delicate heart.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, gothic, touching, exciting, surreal, stylized, serious, romantic, feel good, fairy tale
Similar in 76%
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Plot Summary:
James Sullivan and Mike Wazowski are monsters, they earn their living scaring children and are the best in the business... even though they're more afraid of the children than they are of them. When a child accidentally enters their world, James and Mike suddenly find that kids are not to be afraid of and they uncover a conspiracy that could threaten all children across the world.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 960000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, entertaining, sweet, funny, fairy tale, touching, 3d animation, light, witty
Similar in 90%
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Plot Summary:
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. So disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. The village is sure to have a sad Christmas this year.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 57000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: christmas special, colorful, atmospheric, feel good, semi serious, sweet, cult classic, humorous, fairy tale, sentimental
Similar in 86%
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Plot Summary:
Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville, live the Whos, an almost mutated sort of Munchkin-like people. All the Whos love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature that hates Christmas, and plots to steal it away from the Whos, whom he equally abhors. Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriending the Grinch.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 279000
Genere: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, funny, stylized, humorous, light, sweet, entertaining, absurd, semi serious, parody