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.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 180

72%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 83,009

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Movie Info

The new 3D stop-motion comedy thriller from animation company LAIKA, reteaming the company with Focus Features after the groundbreaking Academy Award-nominated Coraline. ParaNorman is, following Coraline, the company's second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D. In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. -- (C) Focus

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Cast

Kodi Smit-McPhee
as Norman Babcock
Tucker Albrizzi
as Neil
Casey Affleck
as Mitch
Anna Kendrick
as Courtney
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
as Alvin
Leslie Mann
as Sandra Babcock
Jeff Garlin
as Perry Babcock
John Goodman
as Mr. Prenderghast
Elaine Stritch
as Grandma
Bernard Hill
as The Judge
Alex Borstein
as Mrs. Henscher
Tempestt Bledsoe
as Sheriff Hooper
Hannah Noyes
as Salma
Jodelle Ferland
as Aggie
Jack Blessing
as Slob Guy/Civil War Ghost
Ranjani Brow
as Movie Lady
Michael Corbett
as Movie Zombie
David Cowgill
as Greaser Ghost
Emily Hahn
as Sweet Girl
Bridget Hoffman
as Crystal/Parachutist Ghost/Librarian
Wendy Hoffman
as Gucci Lady
Holly Klein
as Hair Dryer Ghost
Alicia Lagono
as Female Tourist
Scott Menville
as Deputy Dwayne/Rapper Guy
Nick Petok
as Blithe Hollow Kid
Alicia Lagano
as Female Tourist
Ariel Winter
as Blithe Hollow Kid
Jeremy Shada
as Pug
Steve Alterman
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Kirk Baily
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Jacob Bertrand
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Liz Bolton
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Ava Benavente
as Bilthe Hollow Townsperson
Cam Clarke
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Lara Cody
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Caitlin Rose Cutt
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Susan Dudeck
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Denise Faye
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Eddie Frierson
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Matthew Fold Holt
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Rif Hutton
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
David Joliff
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Ashley Lambert
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Donna Lynn Leavy
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Evan Mehta
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Edie Mirman
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Juan Pacheo
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Kelsey Rootenberg
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Joshua Michael Stern
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Dave Zyler
as Blithe Hollow Townsperson
Jon Brion
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Critic Reviews for ParaNorman

All Critics (180) | Top Critics (37)

View All Critic Reviews (180)

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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