MovieChat Forums > The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Discussion > A Kids' Film?

A Kids' Film?

posted 10 years ago by mongoose_mania
14 replies | jump to latest

I think it's been going on for years: there's many of us who, as children, were brought up on this movie. Then there's others who believe this movie shouldn't be shown to children at all; that's it immoral and shouldn't be viewed until their teenagers and far less impressionable.
Me, I first saw this movie when it was first released on VHS (I still have my copy). I was three. It's been my favorite movie ever since. I think it's a fine movie for kids. It's not scary; all the creepy images are more humorous than anything. And none of the characters (sans Oogie Boogie) are really mean or have ill-intent. They mean well, they're just misguided.
So what does everything here think? Would you let your kids watch this movie or not? Why?
Discuss.

[–] MarblesLove 10 years ago

Like you, I was pretty young when I first saw this movie, maybe about five years old, and I loved it and I love it still. I will absolutely let my future kids (if I happen to be blessed with any) watch it as kids. It really isn't that scary. I watched it as a kid and turned out all right. Honestly, the movie Labyrinth freaked me out more as a kid than this did, and I don't even know if that movie's supposed to be scary. I love Labyrinth but it scared me a little. This movie did not.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] claydog311-694-858749 10 years ago

Literally watching the movie right now with my two year old boy and three year old girl...they absolutely love it. Nothing bad or anything that scares them...and when they have questions about what's going on I explain it

[–] number1212 10 years ago

I think it would be good for ages seven and up.

[–] poet515 10 years ago

I keep reminding people that it's a kids film. I just had a son not that long ago, and his nursery is Nightmare Before Christmas, and one Tim Burton filmography poster. Lots of people thought I was crazy and acting like I put scary pictures of the devil up.

I saw this when it came out, I was 6 and fell in love with it. I was already crazy about Beetlejuice and anything else Tim Burton. I still have the toys... TOYS people!!! And plan to have my son play with them.

[–] FrankBooth_DeLarge 10 years ago

I have vague memories of seeing it in theaters when it first came out, though it wasn't until I rediscovered it as a young teenager about 10 years ago that I appreciated it much more. I think this is a great movie for kids and is the type of film that sparks a kids' imagination. It has dark imagery and mildly violent horror references, but like others have said, most of the characters are just tricksters and not genuinely dangerous. Aside from some of the images that might scare very young or sensitive kids, there's really nothing else that would be inappropriate for kids.

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[–] RachRidingHood 9 years ago

I don't have children, but will definitely be introducing my nieces to the movie this Halloween. They're 5 and 8 years old. I got them hooked on movies like Labyrinth which has more adult context and themes by comparison. They don't pick up on all them yet...and the ones they do get...well, it's ok. It's normal to question and to be curious about what is considered creepy and/or off limits.

I think this movie is fine for kids of all ages. It's dark and a bit twisted but it isn't truly frightening. It's more darkly whimsical. I loved it as a child and ran my VHS into the ground rewatching it as much as I did.

[–] GreenGoblinsOckVenom86 9 years ago

I saw it at age 7 and was fine. For some reason my cousin won't let his boys watch it. In fact he seems to think it's really bad for kids. Which is funny cause he's let his kids watch Star Wars which has way more graphic stuff in it.

Green Goblin is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L4ZuaVvaw

[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 9 years ago

I didn't see it until rather recently. A few years back. I didn't grow up watching it when I was little because, judging from the trailers, it looked scary. That said, I think it's a film that appeals to both kids and adults. If I ever have kids, I would let them watch it.

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