Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas returns to AMC and Regal in early October and Cinemark on Oct. 16. A new light-up Jack Skellington popcorn bucket is coming with it.
Jack Skellington is heading back to the big screen, and this time he’s bringing a night-light.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to theaters in October. AMC Theatres and select Regal locations start showing it Friday, Oct. 2, and Cinemark follows on Oct. 16, according to MickeyBlog.
Fandango lists the re-release as starting Oct. 1, so some theaters may open early. Advance tickets are on sale now at all three chains.
When is The Nightmare Before Christmas in theaters in 2026?
Here’s how it shakes out:
AMC Theatres: starting Oct. 2
Select Regal theaters: starting Oct. 2
Cinemark: starting Oct. 16
MickeyBlog calls it a “limited fall engagement,” so don’t expect it to stick around through Christmas. Showtimes and participating theaters vary, so check your local listings before you go.
The movie is rated PG and runs 1 hour and 16 minutes.
What does the new Jack Skellington popcorn bucket look like?
The new bucket is shaped like Jack wearing his Sandy Claws hat, and his grin lights up with an LED. It holds 85 ounces of popcorn.
Swan Drive-In Theatre in Blue Ridge, Georgia, started selling it online Sept. 18 for $35.95, marked down from $39.99. The drive-in said it would ship by Sept. 28.
Where can I buy the Jack Skellington popcorn bucket?
More places are coming.
Food and collectibles creator Markie Devo posted Monday night that the bucket is online now at Marcus Theatres’ shop. The post also says AMC, Regal, Harkins, Cinemark and other chains are set to carry it in early October.
The chains themselves haven’t posted it yet. It’s a good idea to call your theater before you go, since popcorn buckets like this tend to sell out quickly.
Is this the same Jack popcorn bucket from 2024?
No.
AMC sold a different Jack Skellington bucket for $29.99 when the movie came back to theaters on Oct. 11, 2024, ComingSoon reported at the time. Posts about that bucket are going around again this week.
The 2026 version is the one with the Sandy Claws hat and the glowing grin. If a listing shows Jack without his Santa hat, you’re probably looking at the old one.
How often does The Nightmare Before Christmas come back to theaters?
It’s turned into a fall tradition.
The movie came back for its 30th anniversary in 2023 and again in 2024. It first hit theaters in October 1993, and it’s been a Halloween and Christmas staple ever since.
That’s part of why Jack sells so much merch. He works for two holidays, so fans can leave him up from September to January.
Who made The Nightmare Before Christmas?
Tim Burton came up with the story and produced it, and Henry Selick directed it. It’s a stop-motion movie, which means every scene was built by moving puppets a tiny bit at a time.
Danny Elfman wrote the songs and sang as Jack. Chris Sarandon provided Jack’s speaking voice.
Can you stream The Nightmare Before Christmas?
Yes. It’s on Disney+ year-round.
But a big screen, surround sound and a glowing Jack in your lap is a different experience. If you’ve never seen “This Is Halloween” in a theater, early October is your chance.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
MickeyBlog (Sept. 20, 2026), the re-release dates by chain and ticket availability
Fandango (accessed Sept. 21, 2026), the Oct. 1 listing, rating and runtime
Fantasy Land News (Sept. 18, 2026), the Swan Drive-In bucket, price, size and shipping
Markie Devo on X (Sept. 21, 2026), the Marcus listing and theater chain rollout
ComingSoon (Oct. 11, 2024), the 2024 AMC Jack bucket
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