I enjoyed the hell out of the Nightmare Before Christmas. I thought it was obscenely creative and just an all around blast to watch. And Jack Skellington was a friggin delight. But I have to say, Coraline has challenged it for the spot in my heart.
I think the very first thing that struck me about this movie is it's hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. The very first scene is something sinister doing some sinister sewing in time with an equally sinister, playful little tune that lulls you into a false sense of security before it starts freaking you out with little childlike sighs and chanting. Brrrrr! Great character designs, great movement, great 3D, superb writing, and freaky/lovely music all tie together to make a great/freaky/lovely film that I think (or maybe DEMAND) should give Pixar a run for it's money at next year's academy awards. I liked this better than Wally. I liked this better than just about any damn movie I've seen in the past year and a half, barring Dark Knight. I used to come out of CG movies say "That was no Monster's Inc", but now, when I came out of Monsters Vs. Aliens, I said, "That was no Coraline."
Oh Coraline. Even the idiots screaming in ... well, idiocy, several seats behind me could not draw me out of that magical, terrifying world. That is one thing I will say for certain, regarding it's standing next to Nightmare. Coraline was scarier. Dang scary, in fact. I spent the next week telling my coworkers not to take their kids but go see it themselves.
I'd love to go into more detail, but dangit! Go see it!