50 Best 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Quotes
Enjoy the best quotes from movie characters like Jack Skellington and Sally.
There's some debate about whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie. Let the film's composer, Danny Elfman, settle the score once and for all: “It’s obviously about Christmas, but for me, it’s a Halloween movie,” he told USA Today.
Elfman explained, “Growing up, Halloween was my favorite night of the year and Christmas was a troublesome time. Into my adult years, it was a time where a bit of a dark cloud would follow me around – probably carrying over from my childhood until I had my own kids – and then I developed a new, brighter view of Christmas.”
The film was based on a three-page poem Tim Burton wrote while working for Disney, and the story resonated with Elfman.
“I also felt very close to Jack Skellington’s plight because I knew what it was like to be the king of my own little world, and to want out of that world and want something else,” Elfman said. “So I felt very close to the holiday of Halloween, but also very close to Jack and what he was going through.”
Plus, there's also the obvious: The film's most famous song is "This Is Halloween!" Now that that's settled, you can feel comfortable settling in with some candy corn and pumpkin pie to tune in to The Nightmare Before Christmas to get into the Halloween spirit...but we won't judge you for also sneaking in a repeat viewing come December.
To get further into the Halloween spirit, enjoy these 50 Nightmare Before Christmas quotes, and get ready to get festive!
50 Nightmare Before Christmas Quotes
1. "'Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems, in a place that perhaps you've seen in your dreams. For the story that you are about to be told took place in the holiday worlds of old. Now, you've probably wondered where holidays come from. If you haven't, I'd say it's time you began." — Santa Claus
2. "Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can't believe it!" — Jack Skellington
3. "There's only 365 days left until next Halloween!" — The Mayor
4. "And I just can’t wait until next Halloween ‘cause I’ve got some new ideas that will really make them scream. And by God, I’m really gonna give it all my might!" — Jack Skellington
5. "Come with us and you will see, this, our town of Halloween!" — Shadows
6. "This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Pumpkins scream in the dead of night!" — Pumpkins
7. "This is Halloween, everybody make a scene!" — Ghosts
8. "Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King!" — Corpses
9. "I am the 'who' when you call, 'Who's there?'" — Ghoul
10. "Life's no fun without a good scare." — Kids
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11. "Say it once, say it twice, take a chance, and roll the dice. Ride with the moon in the dead of night." — Witches
12. "Oh, there's an empty place in my bones, that calls out for something unknown." — Jack Skellington
13. "Jack, please, I’m only an elected official here. I can’t make decisions by myself!" — The Mayor
14. "I might just spit a seam now if I don't die laughing first!" — Oogie Boogie
15. "My skull's so full, it's tearing me apart." — Jack Skellington
16. "I’m a master of fright, and a demon of light, and I’ll scare you right out of your pants." — Jack Skellington
17. "You know, I think this Christmas thing is not as tricky as it seems! But why should they have all the fun? It should belong to anyone! Not anyone, in fact, but me! Why, I could make a Christmas tree! And there’s not a reason I can find, I couldn’t have a Christmastime! I bet I could improve it, too! And that’s exactly what I’ll do!" — Jack Skellington
18. "Leave that no-account Oogie Boogie out of this!" — Jack Skellington
19. "Won’t they be impressed? I am a genius! See how I transform this old rat into a most delightful hat." — Demon
20. "I tromped through the pumpkin patch." — Mr. Hyde
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21. "That's twice this month you've slipped deadly nightshade into my tea and run off." — Dr. Finkelstein
22. "I am the shadow on the moon at night, filling your dreams to the brim with fright." — Oogie Boogie
23. "Why does nothing ever turn out like it should?" — Jack Skellington
24. "Nothing's more suspicious than frog's breath!" — Dr. Finkelstein
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25. "Since I am dead I can take off my head to recite Shakespearean quotations." — Jack Skellington
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26. "Did anyone think to dredge the lake?" — The Mayor
27. "There are children throwing snowballs, instead of throwing heads, they're busy building toys and absolutely no one's dead." — Jack Skellington
28. "My dearest friend, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you by your side, where we can gaze into the stars." — Jack Skellington
29. "I sense there's something in the wind, that feels like tragedy's at hand. And though I'd like to stand by him, can't shake this feeling that we have. The worst is just around the bend, and does he notice my feelings for him? And will he see how much he means to me? I think it's not to be." — Sally
30. "You’re jokin’, you’re jokin’! I can’t believe my ears! Would someone shut this fella up? I’m drowning in my tears!" — Oogie Boogie
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31. "What's this? What's this?" — Jack Skellington
32. "She’s the only one who makes any sense around this insane asylum!" — Santa Claus
33. "Nice work, Bone Daddy!" — Saxophonist
34. "What a joy to think of all we’ll have in common. We'll have conversations worth having." — Sally
35. "The sound of rolling dice to me is music in the air, ’cause I’m a gambling Boogie Man, although I don’t play fair!" — Oogie Boogie
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36. "I had the most terrible vision." — Sally
37. "But it seems wrong to me. Very wrong." — Sally
38. "Jack said we should work together. Three of a kind. Birds of a feather. Now and forever!" — Lock, Stock and Barrel
39. "I'm gonna do the best I can!" — Oogie Boogie
40. "If they only understood, he’d give it all up, if he only could." — Jack Skellington
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41. "No animal nor man can scream like I can, with the fury of my recitations!" — Jack Skellington
42. "What's this? What's this?" — Jack Skellington
43. "Well, well, well. What have we here?" — Oogie Boogie
44. "I really tasted something swell, that's right. And, for a moment, why, I even touched the sky and at least I left some stories they can tell." — Jack Skellington
45. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know." — Dr. Finklestein
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46. "The monsters are all missing and the nightmares can’t be found and in their place. There seems to be a good feeling all around." — Jack Skellington
47. "And on a dark cold night, under full moonlight, he flies into the fog like a vulture in the sky!" — Jack Skellington
48. "Jack! But they said you were dead. You must be double dead!" — Oogie Boogie
49. "Naughty children never get any presents!" — Santa Claus
50. "For it is plain, as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be." — Jack Skellington and Sally
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