The Nightmare Before Christmas (DVD, 2000)

Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is not your grandma’s holiday film (unless you have a really cool grandma).
The story centers around Jack Skellington, a well respected citizen of Halloween-town who stumbles into Christmas-town by accident and becomes smitten with all that is Christmas.
He brings his newfound knowledge back to his fellow citizens who promptly devise a plot to kidnap Santa, feed him to the oogey boogie man and take over the Christmas holiday.
The film was shot in stop-action animation, meaning the characters and props were moved frame by frame, which really brings the characters to life. The towns and their inhabitants are intricately detailed and make for an easy escape into the story.
In the end, Jack realizes the error of his ways and after a few tense moments he is successful in rescuing Santa from the oogey boogey man and viewers experience the only conventional aspect of this film—a happy ending.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is rated PG and although some have argued that it may be too scary for young children, my two little ones love it. This surprisingly heart-warming tale is good for the entire family. It is original, expertly animated, imaginative and fun. And that is why it is my all-time favorite holiday film.