ParaNorman 2012

ParaNorman

Critics Consensus

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

89%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 183

72%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 83,076

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    PG (Scary Action|Language|Scary Images|Some Rude Humor|Thematic Elements)
  • Genre:
    comedy, kids and family, animation, adventure, fantasy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Chris Butler, Sam Fell
  • Producer:
    Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight
  • Writer:
    Chris Butler
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Laika
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby SRD

Cast & Crew

Kodi Smit-McPhee
Norman
Voice
Tucker Albrizzi
Neil
Voice
Anna Kendrick
Courtney
Voice
Casey Affleck
Mitch
Voice
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Alvin
Voice
Leslie Mann
Sandra Babcock
Voice
Jeff Garlin
Perry Babcock
Voice
John Goodman
Mr. Prenderghast
Voice
Elaine Stritch
Grandma
Voice
Bernard Hill
The Judge
Voice
Chris Butler
Director
Sam Fell
Director
Chris Butler
Screenwriter
Arianne Sutner
Producer
Travis Knight
Producer
Jon Brion
Original Music
Tristan Oliver
Cinematographer
Christopher Murrie
Film Editor
Allison Jones
Casting
Nelson Lowry
Production Design
Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for ParaNorman

All Critics (183) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (162) | Rotten (21)

View All Critic Reviews (183)

Audience Reviews for ParaNorman

  • Nov 01, 2014
    The film is really good. I missed seeing it in theaters, especially in 3D. It kind of reminded me of Monster House and Corpse Bride. I am glad to see that this wasn't a Tim Burton production. I thought all the actors in the voice roles were very good. I definitely recommend this film.
    Sol C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 18, 2014
    Strange. A little scary for most kids.
    Angela A Super Reviewer
  • Jan 31, 2014
    On the surface, Norman seems like just a normal kid who watches horror movies with his grandmother. But considering his grandmother is dead, being able to see her ghost and others like her might seem more than a little odd to other living human beings. But not to his friend Neil who Norman assists in reconnecting with his deceased pet dog. However, things are about to get a lot more serious than playing ghost whisperer when Norman's soon-to-be-dead uncle informs him of the oncoming apocalypse... "Paranorman" is a very entertaining animated film that is alternately creepy and funny with more than its share of twists and turns and a cool message about how it is okay for a kid to be a little weird and like horror films. In fact, the movie is more intelligent and thoughtful than it has any right to be. Sure, there are a couple of unfortunate minor characterizations, one character I would have liked to have seen more of and some gross out humor for the kiddies. That's all small potatoes considering how even the throw away jokes hit the mark, along with a great Shakespeare joke.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 28, 2013
    Basically horror films recap the Salem Witch trials through a kid who sees ghosts. And honestly, it is phenomenal. First off, the animation is just perfect simulating our actual world into a stop motion fantasy with perfect blemish touches on the people and the atmosphere carved out just as accurate too. Sure, there are things that we've seen before in these type of films. The weird kid, the parents who hate him, he's kind of an outcast, dumb teenage sister, the list goes on and on. But the way that is factored in is just the details of the characters and not the whole story itself. The actual tale reaches into a further dimension revolving around a little girl falsely accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death in a cruel way that angers her and causes her to be restless even in the grave. Even though it stretches the lines of comfort as far as storytelling goes, it's practically a scary story combined with historical accuracy and an inspiring sweet resolution. This is one of the more real "horror" themed flicks you will see, it's a real Halloween treat.
    Jackson W Super Reviewer
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