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ParaNorman

Play trailer Poster for ParaNorman PG Released Aug 17, 2012 1h 36m Kids & Family Comedy Fantasy Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 190 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Young Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) has the ability to speak with the dead -- and he often prefers their company to that of the living. Norman receives word from his strange Uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman) that a centuries-old witch's curse on their town is real and about to come true -- and that only Norman can stop it. When zombies rise from their graves, Norman must summon all his courage and compassion and push his paranormal abilities to the limit to save his fellow townspeople.
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ParaNorman

ParaNorman

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Critics Consensus

Beautifully animated and solidly scripted, ParaNorman will entertain (and frighten) older children while providing surprisingly thoughtful fare for their parents.

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Critics Reviews

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Edward Porter Times (UK) The movie has life in its veins and a good heart: the story becomes a delicate fairytale. Oct 31, 2022 Full Review Tara Brady Irish Times Anyone who's robust enough to enjoy Roald Dahl will surely appreciate ParaNorman's playfully PG undead action. Rated: 4/5 Sep 14, 2012 Full Review Chris Blohm Little White Lies There's no meat on the bone of this skeleton. Witty and fast-paced, sure, but the film lacks substance. Rated: 3/5 Sep 13, 2012 Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk Successfully balancing knockabout comedy and spooky chills, this stop-motion-animation fantasy... is a treat for kids and horror buffs alike and contains a heartening message: don’t mistreat misfits. Aug 9, 2024 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Not only an effective gateway-horror for kids, it has genuine laughs and genuine frights, making for a spooky enough adventure for audiences of all ages. Rated: 4/5 Sep 22, 2023 Full Review Rendy Jones them. It has deservedly become a go-to movie for horror fans of all ages to watch together during spooky season. Oct 27, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay W "ParaNorman" is Liaka Studio's second major film. It didn't receive the same critical nor box office success of their previous film, "Coraline". But "ParaNorman" remains an all-time great Halloween film. The movie has more of a harsh edge compared to most animated films. Keep that in mind when I say that this film is a good time for viewers of all ages. Liaka Studios continues to raise the bar in showing what the medium of stop motion can do. The tone of the story matches the style of the animation perfectly. Everything is just the right bit off. The voice acting is spot on, all characters have voices that match their characters perfectly. The music is well used, pumping up the excitement one scene, and giving the characters time to breath in another. The ending was something that took some getting used to. I appreciate the fact that it leaves the audience with something to think about. But admittedly, I don't love the ending. Without giving anything away, they take an odd detour as they approach the finale. If you are looking for a good family friendly animated horror film, then I recommend this ParaNorman activity. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Audience Member This is one I like to watch every year. Before I mention its good points, I wanna give solid kudos to the score. Simple and very effective, poignant even. Norman has a gift and it sets him apart from - well - everyone. It's cool to see a movie put a kid who can talk with spirits front and center while surrounding him with quirky and flawed supporting players that provide laughs and work very well with the narrative. Terrific animation throughout especially when things start getting "witchy." Great work from all the actors here but Kodi Smit-McPhee is extremely winning as the title character. He expertly captures a kid trying to be true to himself while everyone around him gives him lots of flack. The penultimate scene - between Norman and the character creating all of the trouble - is at turns violent, sad and then, well, watch the movie. It's absolutely worth your time. 4 Stars. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review John D It was okay…..But being a kids show said way too much suggestive things like uses of the a word and calling someone horny and other things like that should have brought it up to pg-13 like a woman on a casino billboard with a dollar bill in her cleavage. The word boob is metioned too like this is for kids take the bad stuff out- Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/28/24 Full Review Michael V It's all fun and games until someone raises the dead. ParaNorman is a 2012 American animated comedy horror film directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler (the latter's feature directorial debut) 🧟 It’s very good! 😀 I’d definitely recommend it 👍🏼 In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review Julian S “Paranorman” is a charming fairytale that balances humor and dark themes well, making it a worthy counterpart to “Coraline,” though it doesn’t quite reach the same greatness. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review matthias s *ParaNorman* is a delightful blend of charm and chills, earning a solid 3.5 stars. The film's stunning claymation brings its quirky characters to life, immersing viewers in a world that's both hauntingly beautiful and cleverly crafted. The premise—focusing on a young boy who can communicate with ghosts—sets the stage for a perfect family-friendly scare that’s spooky without being terrifying. With plenty of clever references to classic horror films, *ParaNorman* strikes a balance between humor and heart, making it an entertaining watch for all ages. The witty dialogue and comedic moments provide laughter, while the underlying themes of acceptance and courage resonate deeply. Overall, *ParaNorman* is a perfect pick for those looking to get spooked without the nightmares, offering a memorable experience that will keep the whole family entertained. Its blend of humor, horror, and heartfelt moments makes it a modern classic in animated storytelling. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Young Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) has the ability to speak with the dead -- and he often prefers their company to that of the living. Norman receives word from his strange Uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman) that a centuries-old witch's curse on their town is real and about to come true -- and that only Norman can stop it. When zombies rise from their graves, Norman must summon all his courage and compassion and push his paranormal abilities to the limit to save his fellow townspeople.
Director
Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Producer
Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight
Screenwriter
Chris Butler
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Laika
Rating
PG (Scary Action|Language|Scary Images|Some Rude Humor|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 17, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 19, 2015
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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