---
title: "Coraline"
year: 2009
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/coraline"
fi1m_id: "coraline"
imdb_id: "tt0327597"
tmdb_id: 14836
wikidata_id: "Q632668"
fi1m_score: 85
critics_score: 75
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:21.430790+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Coraline (2009)

Directed by Henry Selick · 1h 40m · MPA PG · Animation, Family, Fantasy

## Identity

Coraline

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/coraline
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** coraline
- **IMDb ID:** tt0327597
- **TMDB ID:** 14836
- **Wikidata ID:** Q632668
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327597/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14836, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q632668

**Fi1m score: 85** · Critics 75 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* The button-eyed mother is a useful reminder that being ignored by your parents has its advantages

> Henry Selick’s *Coraline* is a frightening, carefully made fantasy that takes a child’s dissatisfaction seriously. We recommend it warmly, with a warning: the button-eyed parents may outstay bedtime by several hours.

## Synopsis

Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is bored with the life she knows. A secret door offers an escape into an alternative world, where things initially seem more appealing. There she encounters doubles of her parents, voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman, with buttons where their eyes should be. As she explores, the attraction of this other place becomes harder to separate from her unease. Henry Selick writes and directs this animated fantasy, with Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French voicing Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, and Keith David as the Cat.

## Review

*Coraline* is a fine family fantasy, confident enough to let its heroine be difficult and its horrors be frightening. Henry Selick, writing and directing, takes a bored girl’s discovery of a secret door seriously. The alternative world initially looks preferable, which gives her curiosity some sense. She has reason to be tempted. We recommend the film warmly, though its idea of family entertainment allows for a disturbed night’s sleep.

Dakota Fanning voices Coraline Jones without making her impatience merely cute. We need not approve of every complaint. There is enough annoyance in the character to make her recognisable, and enough resolve to keep us interested when the fantasy becomes threatening. Selick’s screenplay does not require her to be sweet before taking her troubles seriously. That makes the journey easier to enter: we can share her curiosity while distrusting the place she has found.

Pete Kozachik’s cinematography makes the stop-motion world feel worth exploring, with depth that draws attention into the spaces rather than simply towards the nearest spectacle. The production design supplies the necessary temptation: this other place has to be appealing before it can become alarming. The intricate sets reward looking, and the 3D helps us appreciate how those spaces fit together. Selick gives us time to enjoy the strangeness, so Coraline’s decision to explore does not depend entirely on our accepting that children will go through any door.

Teri Hatcher voices both Mel Jones and the Other Mother, keeping the ordinary parent and her unsettling double closely connected. We were unnerved by the mother’s button eyes; replacing such a familiar part of a parent’s face makes the whole promise of a nicer world feel suspect. The idea is simple enough for a child to grasp, and nasty enough to trouble an adult. Hatcher’s double casting helps because the threat comes with a voice that already belongs in Coraline’s life.

Bruno Coulais’s score sustains that unease without flattening the fantasy into a single ominous mood. Its delicacy matters, because the film needs room for wonder as well as dread. Editors Ronald Sanders and Christopher Murrie allow the exploration to breathe, resisting the assumption that animation must keep hurrying to hold our attention. At 100 minutes, the film has time to let us inspect its strange world, and that patience makes the moments of menace more effective.

The supporting characters are less consistently rewarding. Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French voice Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, and there is pleasure in the casting, but the surrounding eccentricity can feel busy beside the direct appeal of Coraline’s predicament. Selick sometimes seems more interested in another oddity than in giving the people already here more to do. It is a limited weakness, though noticeable in a film whose central child and parental double are so sharply conceived.

This is family fantasy that allows children to encounter something they may not feel ready for. Selick respects their ability to be frightened, but not every child will enjoy the experience. The PG certificate is useful information; the button eyes give a clearer idea of the sort of evening being offered. Choose it for a child who likes being scared, not merely one who likes animation.

*Fi1m score 85, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Coraline, with praise centred on the intricate stop-motion animation, imaginative sets and use of 3D to draw viewers into its unsettling fantasy. The reviews repeatedly credit Henry Selick with combining fairy-tale charm and childhood unease, making the strange surroundings enticing before they become threatening. Several also value the attention to loneliness and imagination, while the Other Mother stands out as a source of fear.

The main divide concerns how much pleasure that fear allows, particularly for younger children. Supportive critics generally see the darkness as part of the appeal, though some question the supporting characters or the heroine’s independence. The dissent is sharper: Screen Daily finds brittle characters and too little humour beneath the accomplished animation, while The Independent argues that nightmare logic weakens the storytelling. Agreement on the craft is broad; enthusiasm for the story is less secure.

## Straight answers

**Is Coraline worth watching?**

*Coraline* is worth watching for families who want a fantasy that takes fear seriously, and we scored it 85. Henry Selick's stop-motion world is patient and intricate, and the button-eyed Other Mother is unsettling enough to trouble adults as well as children. Choose it for a child who likes being scared, not merely one who likes animation.

**How long is Coraline, and what is it rated?**

*Coraline* runs 1h 40m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is an animation and family film.

**Where can I watch Coraline in the US?**

*Coraline* is streaming on Hulu, The Roku Channel and Disney+ in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Coraline compare to Spirited Away?**

*Coraline* is the more frightening of the two, while [*Spirited Away*](https://film.one/film/spirited-away) is the warmer and more wandering. Both follow a resourceful girl through a strange world where adults offer little comfort, but Selick's film is tighter and more direct, built around a single nasty idea. Miyazaki's asks for more patience and gives back more feeling.

**What should I watch after Coraline?**

After *Coraline*, try [*Spirited Away*](https://film.one/film/spirited-away) (2001, Fi1m 92): A resourceful girl navigates an unfamiliar world where adults offer little reassurance. Then [*The Secret of NIMH*](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-nimh) (1982, Fi1m 74): Another animated adventure that trusts children to cope with danger and uncertainty; and [*My Life as a Courgette*](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini) (2016, Fi1m 84): Stop-motion gives lonely children room to be awkward, angry and worth knowing.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (90/100, inferred): The review praises the film's terrifying yet charming blend of horror and fairy tale, highlighting its gorgeous stop-motion visuals, strong protagonist, and empowering story as one of the best children's films in years. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/coraline-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Bill Weber (3.5/4): The critic finds the 3D stop-motion visually enticing and kinetically stimulating, with strong integration of the technology and a compelling villain in the Other Mother. It notes some uneven supporting characters and a less independent heroine than in the book but overall strong craft and climax. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/coraline/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (85/100, inferred): Turan calls the 3-D stop-motion a remarkable feat where the technology feels intrinsic to the story, delivering a magical yet genuinely sinister tale through Selick's craftsmanship. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-coraline6-2009feb06-story.html)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4/5): The review finds the stop-motion version darkly original and comparable to Selick's earlier work. It singles out the eye-popping set design and menacing parallel universe for creating thrills and excitement. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7vuxr4/coraline/)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (4/5): The critic praises Selick's adaptation as an original and entrancing fairy tale that adds childhood angst to gothic elements. The intricate 3D visuals and transformation into a phantasmagoria with a terrifying villain are highlighted as strengths, though it may be too scary for some children. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/coraline)
- **IndieWire**, Jeff Reichert (75/100, inferred): The critic examines the film's multi-dimensional stop-motion animation and its expansion of Gaiman's story into a visually rich fantasy. It notes the blend of wonder and unease in the alternate world. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/multi-dimensional-henry-selicks-coraline-70790/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (75/100, inferred): Ebert finds the stop-motion animation visually striking and unconventional but notes the story is disturbing for young children, centering on an unpleasant girl encountering sinister parental doubles with button eyes. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/coraline-2009)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (75/100, inferred): The critic calls it an enjoyable creepy animation fantasy in 3D from Henry Selick. It follows a bored girl who discovers a secret door leading to an alternative universe that initially seems nicer before revealing its full horror. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/07/coraline-film-review)
- **Screen Daily** (45/100, inferred): This festival review notes the exquisite stop-motion animation and 3D visuals as highlights but criticizes the brittle characters, lack of humor, and frightening tone that may alienate audiences. The dark surrealness is seen as both asset and commercial obstacle. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/coraline/4042925.article)
- **The Independent** (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the stop-motion animation visually impressive and surreal but criticizes the film for being more nightmarish than fun, with dream-like logic that weakens the storytelling. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/coraline-henry-selick-100-mins-pg-cheri-stephen-frears-92-mins-15-little-ashes-paul-morrison-112-mins-15-1682051.html)
- **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson: The review lauds Selick's return to stop-motion with a magical, meticulously crafted film that exceeds expectations. It singles out the stunning visual art, blend of whimsy and dread, and faithful yet expanded adaptation of Gaiman's tale. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/coraline-1798205627)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt: The review praises Henry Selick's charming adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel as a terrific children's story and the first stop-motion feature in 3-D. It highlights the imaginative sets, puppets, and intelligent use of 3-D effects that bring the fantasy world to life, calling it smart family entertainment. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/coraline-film-review-92831/)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (Critic's Pick): Scott praises the film's creepy, contemplative atmosphere and inventive stop-motion visuals that linger on loneliness and imagination rather than rushing through action. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/movies/06cora.html)
- **Variety**, Justin Chang: Chang hails the eccentric fantasy as a dark delight with ghoulish whimsy and inventive stop-motion that scales new heights for Selick, buoyed by a haunting score, though it may be too frightening for very young children. [Read](https://variety.com/2009/digital/markets-festivals/coraline-1200473913/)
- **HeyUGuys**, David Sztypuljak (9/10): The critic is blown away by the complex stop-motion animation and praises Selick's creative take on the story, noting it appeals to both adults and children despite some freaky elements. The standout is the innovative animation style. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/review-coraline/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (85/100, inferred): The critic highlights how the film perfectly captures the eerie atmosphere of Gaiman's story and praises Dakota Fanning's performance as the relatable heroine. The animation and pacing keep viewers engaged, making it a potential classic despite some disturbing elements. [Read](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/coraline-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **Paste**, Sean Edgar (85/100, inferred): The review hails Coraline as a kinetic stop-motion tour de force that updates Alice in Wonderland with gothic flair and psychedelic visuals. The film's original mix of dread and whimsical creativity is praised as proving animated excellence beyond Pixar. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/neil-gaiman/coraline)
- **Collider**, Steven Weintraub (B): The critic praises the film as a hard-PG dark fantasy that safely unnerves young viewers and celebrates its stop-motion animation as gorgeous and immersive. The Other Mother's world is singled out for its creepy payoff and visual detail. [Read](https://collider.com/review-coraline-by-matt/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (55/100, inferred): The film offers rich visual splendour and an immersive 3D approach but recycles familiar fantasy tropes from predecessors like Alice in Wonderland without narrative innovation or fresh ideas. It is seen as an odd curiosity rather than a must-see, with its morbid tone potentially tricky for younger viewers. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a154241/coraline/)
- **Den of Geek**, Michael Leader (4 out of 5): Selick's stop-motion adaptation of Gaiman's tale is praised as a macabre, imaginative triumph of craft that excites and challenges audiences like the best classic children's literature. It is called a spooky treat for its beautiful surreal visuals, nuanced score, and subtle use of 3D. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/coraline-review-3/)

## Details

- **Director:** Henry Selick
- **Director:** Henry Selick
- **Screenplay:** Henry Selick
- **Cinematography:** Pete Kozachik
- **Editor:** Ronald Sanders, Christopher Murrie
- **Music:** Bruno Coulais
- **Costume design:** Margaret Meyer
- **Producer:** Harry Linden, Henry Selick, Mary Sandell
- **Cast:** Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones (voice); Teri Hatcher as Mel Jones / Other Mother (voice); Jennifer Saunders as Miss April Spink / Other Spink (voice); Dawn French as Miss Miriam Forcible / Other Forcible (voice); Keith David as The Cat (voice); John Hodgman as Charlie Jones / Other Father (voice); Robert Bailey Jr. as Wyborne 'Wybie' Lovat (voice); Ian McShane as Mr. Sergei Alexander Bobinsky / Other Bobinsky (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 40m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 6 February 2009
- **Genres:** Animation, Family, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $60 million
- **Box office:** $186 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlv4yzsmwyI

## Where to watch in the US

- Hulu: streaming, hd
- The Roku Channel: free, hd
- Disney+: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy $12.99, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IL, IT, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PL, PT, SE, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2010: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Annecy Cristal for a Feature Film 2009: Annecy Cristal for a Feature Film (won)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2009: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- BAFTA Film Awards 2009: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film (won)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2009: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Spirited Away* (2001), Fi1m 92: A resourceful girl navigates an unfamiliar world where adults offer little reassurance. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/spirited-away.md)
- *The Secret of NIMH* (1982), Fi1m 74: Another animated adventure that trusts children to cope with danger and uncertainty. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-nimh.md)
- *The Innocents* (1961): For adults: domestic unease, watchful children and terror that needs no hurry.
- *My Life as a Courgette* (2016), Fi1m 84: Stop-motion gives lonely children room to be awkward, angry and worth knowing. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini.md)
- *Return to Oz* (1985): Another children’s fantasy prepared to make its strange inhabitants difficult to forget.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/coraline