Credit: Inside the MagicThe Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is one of the most beloved holiday films of all time. But it’s one of the most unique, too, as it’s also, in equal parts, a Halloween movie.
But while the iconic stop-motion animation film — in which Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and schemes to hijack the holiday — remains a pop culture landmark, it remains without a sequel to its name — at least not on the big screen. Or even on the small screen, for that matter.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Is Getting a Sequel
But now, Dynamite Entertainment has announced (at NYCC) that an official follow-up to the iconic 1993 film is coming in the form of a brand-new comic book titled “Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town”.
Here’s the plot synopsis for the upcoming four-part miniseries:
“The enigmatic Dr. Finkelstein, Sally’s creator, has another creation in the works. When he debuts an unusual, yet unexpectedly adorable creature as a new pet, Sally is tasked with taking care of it. Only for the three resident trick-or-treaters of Halloween Town to have it in tow as they embark on their journey to Christmas Town.”
However, some fans may be disappointed to learn that Jack Skellington is nowhere in sight, as the story focuses only on Sally, Lock, Shock, and Barrel. But there’s every chance he’ll show up in some sort of cameo — after all, he remains the figurehead of the entire franchise.
Related: ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Director Announces Four Other Films for Jack Skellington
“The Shiver of Christmas Town” Is a True Sequel
The new series comes from writer Torunn Grønbekk (“Red Sonja”, “Thor”, “Venom”), artist Edu Menna (“Army of Darkness”), Adriano Augusto, and Taylor Esposito, and will be published by Dynamite.
“Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a feast of imagination and dark delights, and it has been a joy to play in and contribute to this world,” Grønbekk said.
“In our story, little goes to plan: tricks are played, treats are had, and along the way, Dr. Finkelstein’s new creation Shiver discovers the true magic of Halloween. Artist Edu Menna captures the gothic, whimsical atmosphere of the movie so beautifully, and I hope the book will introduce a new generation of readers to the enchanting world of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Will We Get a Movie Sequel?
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a multimedia franchise that includes video games, merchandise, a Disney Parks presence, and, most recently, the New York Times best-selling YA novel “Long Live The Pumpkin Queen” by Shea Ernshaw, which was also later adapted into a comic book.
However, we’re yet to see a proper follow-up to the 1993 film. While director Henry Selick and actor Chris Sarandon have each expressed an interest in returning, producer Tim Burton has suggested that it’s unlikely to happen. In an interview with People in 2023, he explained:
“To me the movie is very important. I’ve done sequels, I’ve done other things, I’ve done reboots, I’ve done all that sh*t, right? I don’t want that to happen to this. It’s nice that people are maybe interested [in another one], but I’m not. I feel like that old guy who owns a little piece of property and won’t sell to the big power plant that wants to take my land.”
“Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town” #1 arrives in January 2026. You can check out some artwork here, courtesy of Screen Rant.
Are you excited about this new Nightmare Before Christmas sequel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!