---
title: "Frankenweenie"
year: 2012
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/frankenweenie"
fi1m_id: "frankenweenie"
imdb_id: "tt1142977"
tmdb_id: 62214
wikidata_id: "Q1051023"
fi1m_score: 79
critics_score: 71
critics_reviews: 28
published: "2026-10-01T21:57:45.419034+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-01T21:57:46.937835+00:00"
region: "TH"
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."
---

# Frankenweenie (2012)

Directed by Tim Burton · 1h 27m · Animation, Comedy, Family, Horror, Science Fiction

## Identity

Frankenweenie

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/frankenweenie
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** frankenweenie
- **IMDb ID:** tt1142977
- **TMDB ID:** 62214
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1051023
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142977/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/62214, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1051023

**Fi1m score: 79** · Critics 71 from 28 reviews

*In a sentence:* We would also have broken the laws of nature for that dog

> A boy and his dog give this handmade horror comedy more feeling than its parade of monsters suggests. The crowded middle gets in their way, but the affection and the animation make it worth an evening.

## Synopsis

Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) lives in New Holland with his mother, Mrs. Frankenstein (Catherine O’Hara), his father, Mr. Frankenstein (Martin Short), and his dog, Sparky. When Victor loses Sparky, he turns to science to bring the animal back to life. The boy’s experiment attempts to reverse a loss he cannot accept. Around the family are Mr. Rzykruski (Martin Landau), Elsa Van Helsing (Winona Ryder) and Edgar ‘E’ Gore (Atticus Shaffer). Victor wants his companion back, and reanimation offers a way to try, with consequences for the boy and the creatures around him.

## Review

Tim Burton’s *Frankenweenie* is a warm, funny family horror film that gets its boy and his dog right, then occasionally lets the surrounding monsters take up too much space. Its black-and-white stop-motion suits a story in which bringing back a beloved pet seems a reasonable response to losing him. There is enough affection here to make the experiment matter. We recommend it with one reservation: the film sometimes expects recognition of an old horror convention to do the work of a good scene.

Charlie Tahan voices Victor Frankenstein without making the boy’s attachment to Sparky feel like a speech about loving animals. We were surprised by how much we cared about the dog. The animators make his movements so expressive that the reanimation becomes something to worry about, even while we enjoy the ingenuity of the scene. John August’s screenplay is strongest when it stays close to Victor’s need to have Sparky back; the extra horror references keep interrupting it.

Peter Sorg’s monochrome cinematography gives the handmade figures weight and depth, with lighting that keeps their peculiar shapes readable in the dark. Rick Heinrichs’s production design rewards a look around the frame; the detail helps this strange community feel inhabited. The use of 3D works because the sets already seem to occupy real space. Much of the pleasure comes from examining the puppets and their surroundings, and the care spent on them remains visible even when the story becomes busy.

Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short give the supporting voices a welcome comic variety, each taking several roles without making the film feel like a display of impersonations. Martin Landau voices Mr. Rzykruski, another of the film’s agreeably peculiar presences. Yet too many of the people around Victor remain easier to identify by their appearance than by anything they want. The grotesque character designs are funny, but John August does not always give those characters enough to do beyond filling out the neighbourhood.

Chris Lebenzon and Mark Solomon’s editing keeps the animated movement clear, though the middle stretch has less urgency than the opening. The story starts to feel crowded without becoming much more surprising, and its detours put distance between us and Sparky. Danny Elfman’s score helps hold the comedy and unease together, giving the affection enough room to register. It is useful support through the changes between tenderness and creepiness, particularly when the story has too many supporting characters competing for attention.

As family horror, *Frankenweenie* gets something important right: a child’s attachment to an animal deserves to be taken seriously, even in a film full of odd faces. The PG certificate should not be mistaken for a guarantee that every small child will be comfortable with its scares or its interest in death. It runs 87 minutes, but the subject may need more discussion afterwards than its length suggests. For a family evening, check how everyone feels about a dog needing to be brought back from the dead.

*Fi1m score 79, published 1 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics welcome Frankenweenie as a warm, funny return to Tim Burton’s strengths, with praise clustering around its handmade black-and-white stop-motion. The detailed sets, eccentric creatures and expressive animation of Sparky receive particular attention. Many reviews also find tenderness in the bond between boy and dog, while the affectionate references to classic horror supply much of the humour. Several critics single out the 3D as a useful addition to the carefully built miniature world.

The disagreement centres on how much story there is beneath that craft, and the spread of verdicts is wide. Even favourable reviews find the pacing uneven: Variety identifies a predictable, inert middle section. The AV Club sees underdeveloped characters and horror references carrying too much of the film. The Hollywood Reporter is more firmly opposed, admiring the detailed animation but finding Burton’s familiar material tedious rather than revitalised.

## Straight answers

**Is Frankenweenie worth watching?**

*Frankenweenie* is worth watching for its expressive stop-motion animation and the affection between a boy and his dog; we score it 79 out of 100. We recommend it for families comfortable with macabre comedy, though the crowded middle and extra horror references sometimes get in the way of the relationship that makes it matter.

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

*Frankenweenie* runs 1h 27m. It is an animation and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Frankenweenie in Thailand?**

*Frankenweenie* is not on any streaming or rental service in Thailand at the moment. It is available in 48 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Frankenweenie, and is it suitable for children?**

*Frankenweenie* has a UK PG certificate, but its scares and focus on a beloved dog’s death and reanimation may upset younger or sensitive children. We would judge suitability by how a child handles stories about losing a pet, rather than assuming the animation and comedy make it comfortable viewing for everyone.

**How does Frankenweenie compare to ParaNorman?**

*Frankenweenie* offers a more concentrated boy-and-dog attachment, while [*ParaNorman*](https://film.one/film/paranorman) gives its young outsiders more space within another handmade neighbourhood nightmare. We favour *Frankenweenie* for the affection behind its macabre comedy and *ParaNorman* for its treatment of those outsiders. Both have weaker middle stretches, though *ParaNorman* earns its detours with a particularly strong final stretch.

**What should I watch after Frankenweenie?**

After *Frankenweenie*, try [*ParaNorman*](https://film.one/film/paranorman) (2012, Fi1m 76): Another handmade neighbourhood nightmare, with more space for its young outsiders. Then [*Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*](https://film.one/film/wallace-and-gromit-the-curse-of-the-were-rabbit) (2005, Fi1m 87): For more lovingly made monsters, with vegetable theft replacing childhood bereavement; and [*My Life as a Courgette*](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini) (2016, Fi1m 84): Small puppets carry difficult childhood feelings without making grief tidy or easy.

### Reviews we read (28)

- **Empire**, Angie Errigo (90/100, inferred): Errigo finds the film sweet, funny, and emotionally affecting. She especially praises its exquisitely handmade stop-motion artistry and lovingly detailed design. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/frankenweenie-review/)
- **Sight and Sound**, Mar Diestro-Dópido (90/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a ravishing return to form, rich in Burton’s familiar themes and dark magic. She particularly praises its handmade black-and-white stop-motion and the way its sets and lighting make 3D feel purposeful. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-frankenweenie)
- **The Guardian**, Philip French (88/100, inferred): French finds the film funny, charming and an affectionate homage to gothic horror. He especially praises its playful references to classic horror films, while noting that the ending briefly falters. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/21/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton)
- **Radio Times**, Stella Papamichael (4/5): Papamichael finds the film joyful and life-affirming, with subtle deadpan humour. She praises Burton’s polished monochrome stop-motion and its affectionate B-movie horror references. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-34ejq9/frankenweenie/)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (4/5): Time Out’s review gives the film four out of five stars. The available page text does not reveal what the critic specifically praises or criticizes. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/frankenweenie)
- **Total Film**, Kevin Harley (4/5): Harley finds the film a warm, witty success that refreshes Burton’s creative spark. He especially praises its affectionate characterisation and well-integrated 3D. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/frankenweenie-review/)
- **Evening Standard**, The Standard (75/100, inferred): The review finds the film an entertaining, affectionate return to Burton’s roots, though less ambitious than his best work. It praises the finely crafted stop-motion puppets and the lovingly imagined creatures. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/frankenweenie-3d-cert-pg-87-mins-review-8218019.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (★★★): Ebert praises the film as an affectionate, skillfully made homage to classic monster movies. Its handmade visual style and playful horror references are singled out as especially effective. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/frankenweenie-2012)
- **The New York Times**, A. O. Scott (75/100, inferred): Scott views the film as a warmly effective homage to classic horror. He particularly praises its loving, inventive stop-motion craft. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/movies/frankenweenie-tim-burtons-homage-to-horror-classics.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (70/100, inferred): Sharkey sees the film as a return to form, praising its stop-motion artistry and distinctive character designs. She finds the story weakened by too many horror references and says its tale keeps falling apart. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-oct-04-la-et-mn-frankenweenie-review-20121005-story.html)
- **Variety**, Justin Chang (70/100, inferred): Chang finds the film charming and artistically coherent, despite an inert, predictable middle section. He particularly praises its beautifully designed stop-motion world and the puppeteers’ creepy creature work. [Read](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/frankenweenie-1117948379/)
- **Film Comment**, Sarah Mankoff (64/100, inferred): The available text does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst singles out the film’s referential horror-movie humor. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/frankenweenie-tim-burton-review/)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but its assessment is inaccessible behind the paywall. The critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be determined from the visible text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/frankenweenie/5046879.article)
- **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/3/3): Woodward finds the film hugely likable and lovingly crafted, but ultimately antiquated rather than simply old-fashioned. He praises its monochromatic stop-motion aesthetic and the wonderfully composed reanimation scene. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/frankenweenie)
- **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (C): Robinson finds the film a pleasant but insubstantial tour through horror references that lacks a story with weight. She praises the fluid, elaborately wrought stop-motion, while faulting the puppets’ limited expressiveness and the underdeveloped characters. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/frankenweenie-1798174437)
- **IndieWire**, Todd Gilchrist (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film merely pretty good, despite seeing it as a modest return to form for Burton. He praises the top-notch animation and the affecting bond between Victor and Sparky, while faulting the crowded narrative and intense scares. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/fantastic-fest-review-with-frankenweenie-tim-burton-revives-pet-project-returns-to-form-201821/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (1.5/4): Schager finds the film visually alluring but ultimately stale, bland, and lacking meaningful purpose. He praises its black-and-white visuals and singles out Mr. Whiskers’s strange meows as the funniest element. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/frankenweenie/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film imaginative but tedious, familiar, and drained of Burton’s distinctive energy. He praises the detailed stop-motion work, production design, monochromatic cinematography, and score, while faulting the film’s derivative feel. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/frankenweenie-film-review-372720/)
- **NME**, Dan Stubbs (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the film funny, sweet and moving, calling it brilliantly weird and crafted. They praise its affectionate, inventive nods to classic horror movies. [Read](https://www.nme.com/blogs/the-movies-blog/frankenweenie-shows-tim-burtons-still-got-it-760607)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (4/5): Lambie calls the film a true return to form for Tim Burton. He especially praises its tactile, handmade stop-motion animation and expressive creature design. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/frankenweenie-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (4/5): Papamichael finds the film a gleefully ghoulish, heartwarming success. She praises its grotesquely funny characters and richly textured black-and-white animation. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/bfi-london-film-festival/a414919/frankenweenie-review-bfi-london-film-festival-2012/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jon Lyus (4/5): Lyus calls the film a triumphant return and Burton’s best work in years, while noting its familiarity. He praises the near-flawless animation and the tenderness that runs through the story. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/frankenweenie-review/)
- **The Skinny**, Nicola Balkind (★★★★): The review says Burton has returned to form with a story that should delight both longtime fans and younger viewers. It praises the blend of 3D and black-and-white animation and the creepy supporting cast. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/frankenweenie)
- **The Wrap** (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a welcome return to form for Tim Burton. They especially praise its embrace of children’s creativity and its dark, eccentric sensibility. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton-returns-form-very-young-frankenstein-59146/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B): Goldberg finds the film a lively, heartfelt return to Burton’s earlier strengths, though its scattershot themes and uneven pacing weaken it. He especially praises the stop-motion animation’s expressive depiction of Sparky, while noting that the dog should have appeared more often. [Read](https://collider.com/frankenweenie-movie-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Amber Wilkinson (75/100, inferred): Wilkinson finds the film a satisfying, adorable adventure that makes strong use of Burton’s distinctive imagination. She praises its creepy-comic monsters and engaging blend of childhood grief, difference, and classic horror influences, while objecting to a racial stereotype and an overly sugary ending. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/frankenweenie-2012-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson)
- **The Playlist** (75/100, inferred): The headline signals a positive verdict, calling the film a return to form. The accessible text offers no further detail about what the critic praises. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/fantastic-fest-review-tim-burtons-frankenweenie-is-a-rousing-return-to-form-20120920/)
- **/Film**, Russ Fischer (7/10): Fischer finds the film charming and pleasing, though overly safe and not fully satisfying. He praises the stop-motion animation and the expressive detail given to the animals, especially Sparky. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/523069/frankenweenie-review-tim-burtons-fond-minor-return-to-personal-and-career-roots-fantastic-fest-2012/)

## Details

- **Director:** Tim Burton
- **Director:** Tim Burton
- **Screenplay:** John August
- **Cinematography:** Peter Sorg
- **Editor:** Chris Lebenzon, Mark Solomon
- **Music:** Danny Elfman
- **Production design:** Rick Heinrichs
- **Producer:** Tim Burton, Allison Abbate
- **Cast:** Charlie Tahan as Victor Frankenstein (voice); Catherine O'Hara as Mrs. Frankenstein / Weird Girl / Gym Teacher (voice); Martin Short as Mr. Frankenstein / Mr. Burgemeister / Nassor (voice); Martin Landau as Mr. Rzykruski (voice); Atticus Shaffer as Edgar 'E' Gore (voice); Winona Ryder as Elsa Van Helsing (voice); Robert Capron as Bob (voice); James Hiroyuki Liao as Toshiaki (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 27m
- **Release (Thailand):** 18 October 2012
- **Genres:** Animation, Comedy, Family, Horror, Science Fiction
- **Budget:** $39 million
- **Box office:** $81 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e1_XxakM-I

## Where to watch in Thailand

Not streaming, renting or buying in Thailand at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2013: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- BAFTA Film Awards 2013: Best Animated Film (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2012: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2012: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Golden Globes 2012: Best Animated Feature Film (nominated)
- Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature 2012: Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *ParaNorman* (2012), Fi1m 76: Another handmade neighbourhood nightmare, with more space for its young outsiders. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md)
- *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* (2005), Fi1m 87: For more lovingly made monsters, with vegetable theft replacing childhood bereavement. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/wallace-and-gromit-the-curse-of-the-were-rabbit.md)
- *My Life as a Courgette* (2016), Fi1m 84: Small puppets carry difficult childhood feelings without making grief tidy or easy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini.md)
- *The Spirit of the Beehive* (1973), Fi1m 87: A quieter, stranger meeting of childhood and screen monsters, for patient adults. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-spirit-of-the-beehive.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: A child’s improbable friendship supplies another science-fiction tale with its emotional weight. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)

---
© 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/frankenweenie