--- title: "Coraline: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/coraline/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/coraline" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 15 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): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 15 reviews: 12 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. 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. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 March 2008. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/coraline-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Bill Weber Rating 3.5/4. 2 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/coraline/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-coraline6-2009feb06-story.html) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Rating 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 the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7vuxr4/coraline/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 4/5. 5 May 2009. 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 the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/coraline) ## IndieWire — Jeff Reichert Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/multi-dimensional-henry-selicks-coraline-70790/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/coraline-2009) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 May 2009. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/07/coraline-film-review) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2009. Festival review. 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 the review](https://www.screendaily.com/coraline/4042925.article) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2009. 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 the review](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 5 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.avclub.com/coraline-1798205627) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt 2 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/coraline-film-review-92831/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Rating Critic's Pick. 5 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/movies/06cora.html) ## Variety — Justin Chang 1 February 2009. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2009/digital/markets-festivals/coraline-1200473913/) ## HeyUGuys — David Sztypuljak Rating 9/10. 28 October 2009. 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 the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/review-coraline/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2009. 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 the review](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/coraline-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Paste — Sean Edgar Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 February 2009. 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 the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/neil-gaiman/coraline) ## Collider — Steven Weintraub Rating B. 4 February 2009. 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 the review](https://collider.com/review-coraline-by-matt/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2009. 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 the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a154241/coraline/) ## Den of Geek — Michael Leader Rating 4 out of 5. 29 April 2009. 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 the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/coraline-review-3/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/coraline.md