Tim Burton Shuts Down Edward Scissorhands and Nightmare Before Christmas Sequels

Tim Burton is drawing a firm line in the sand when it comes to some of his most beloved films. The iconic director has made it clear that sequels for Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas aren’t in the cards—ever.

“There are certain films I don’t want to make a sequel to,” Burton told fans during a Q&A session in Marrakech, as reported by IndieWire. “I didn’t want to make a sequel to [Edward Scissorhands] because it felt like a one-off thing. I didn’t want to have a sequel for The Nightmare Before Christmas because it also felt like a one-off thing. Certain things are best left on their own, and that for me is one of them.”

Burton’s decision might be disappointing for fans hoping for more Jack Skellington or a return to Edward’s world, but the director has consistently pushed back against sequels for these classics. He even criticized Disney, which owns the rights to both properties, comparing working on Dumbo to being trapped in a circus.

That said, Burton is open to other projects. His recent Beetlejuice 2—the long-awaited sequel to his 1988 hit—grossed an impressive $450 million globally. And while the filmmaker joked he’d be “over 100” before a Beetlejuice 3 comes to life, he’s left the door slightly ajar for more Michael Keaton-led antics.

Burton is reportedly returning to Warner Bros. for a remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, although he’s quick to temper excitement. “Until I’m actually on a set doing something, I don’t know if I’m doing it,” he said, referencing past projects like Superman Lives that never got off the ground.

As for The Nightmare Before Christmas, Burton stands firm. “I’ve done sequels, I’ve done other things, I’ve done reboots, I’ve done all that sh-t, right?” he told fans in 2023. “I don’t want that to happen to [The Nightmare Before Christmas].”