The 35 Best Movies Like 'Coraline', Ranked By Fans
Vote on your favorite films that encapsulate the weird world of Coraline.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved Tim Burton-produced animation where Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, attempts to bring Christmas to his spooky hometown after accidentally stumbling upon Christmas Town. Similar to Coraline, the story revolves around a character exploring and grappling with a parallel universe, mixing elements of fear and delight, and ultimately finding their true identity and purpose.
- Photo: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Corpse Bride is a whimsical animated film by Tim Burton about a young man mistakenly marrying a deceased bride, leading him into the dark, yet also engaging world of the undead. Similar to Coraline, Corpse Bride delves into an alternate, eerie universe that the main character must navigate and negotiate with, dealing with themes of alienation, self-discovery, and the complexities of love.
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- Photo: Focus Features
ParaNorman is an animated film about a young boy, Norman, who has the ability to communicate with the dead and must use this gift to save his town from an ancient curse incurred by a centuries-old witch. Similar to Coraline, both films explore the supernatural, involve brave children embarking on perilous adventures to protect those they care about and use stop-motion animation to bring their unique, sometimes eerie worlds to life.
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Frankenweenie is a charming yet dark animated Tim Burton film that tells the story of a young boy, Victor, who uses the power of science to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life. Like Coraline, it portrays a young protagonist dealing with a supernatural adventure in a dark, alternative universe and reflects on themes of love, loss, and bravery.
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- Photo: Warner Bros
Beetlejuice is a classic Tim Burton film that follows the story of a deceased couple hiring an obnoxious, eccentric ghost to scare away the insufferable new living inhabitants of their beloved home. Like Coraline, it involves interaction with supernatural entities and parallel realities, while navigating dark humor, offbeat style, and a manifestation of the hereafter that's bizarrely charming.
- Photo: James and the Giant Peach
James and the Giant Peach is a fantastical film adaptation directed by Henry Selick of Roald Dahl novel about a young boy named James who embarks on an extraordinary journey inside a gigantic peach along with a group of talking insects. Just like Coraline, another one of Selick's unique stop-motion cinematic works, both films follow the journey of a young protagonist through bizarre and whimsical worlds that blend elements of darkness, adventure, and resilience.
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- Photo: Monster House
Monster House is a thrilling animated film about three children discovering their neighbor’s house is actually a sentient, monstrous entity and embarking on a mission to expose its malevolent nature. Just like in Coraline, both films present curious protagonists unraveling terrifying secrets about seemingly ordinary houses, leading to adventurous, spine-chilling journeys that blend horror with a childlike sense of wonder and bravery.
More Monster House- #138 of 452 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
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- Photo: 98
9 is an animated post-apocalyptic film that revolves around a sentient ragdoll named 9, who embarks on a perilous journey to save his fellow ragdolls from monstrous machines that have wiped out humanity. Much like Coraline, the film navigates through a dark, alternate world, with the protagonist relying on courage, resourcefulness, and friendship to confront and overcome the lurking evil.
- Photo: Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands is a romantic dark fantasy film by Tim Burton about an artificial man named Edward, who has scissor blades for his hands, attempting to find his place in suburban society after being taken in by a kind local family. Similar to Coraline, the movie explores themes of self-identity, isolation, and the challenge of fitting into a world that is often fearful and mistrustful of the unfamiliar or strange.
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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a dark comedy-drama series that chronicles the tragic and perilous lives of the three Baudelaire orphans as they try to uncover the secrets of their parents' mysterious death while escaping the nefarious clutches of the cunning Count Olaf. Similarly to Coraline, it encompasses children in a gloomy, alternate world that they must navigate with bravery and intelligence while they uncover deep family secrets and evade unsavory characters.
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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a dark fantasy film by Tim Burton, which follows the adventure of a young boy, Jake, who discovers a secret refuge for children with special powers and must protect them from dark forces. Comparable to Coraline, the movie blends eerie undertones with a sense of wonder, featuring a brave young protagonist uncovering a parallel universe and using courage and cleverness to protect their unconventional world from menacing threats.
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- Photo: The Boxtrolls
The Boxtrolls is a stop-motion animated film about a human boy, Eggs, raised by garbage-collecting trolls, who must save them from an evil exterminator obsessed with societal elevation. Similar to Coraline, it features a young character exploring a bizarre world beneath the surface of their town, both films showcasing heartfelt narratives filled with dark undertones, and themes related to identity, courage, and affectionate bonds formed in the most peculiar circumstances.
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- Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a stop-motion animation film featuring the quirky and charming duo, Wallace and his intelligent dog, Gromit, as they attempt to solve the mysterious transformation of a giant vegetable-gobbling rabbit that threatens their town's annual giant vegetable contest. Much like Coraline, the film mingles together an enchanting and quirky universe with supernatural occurrences featuring brave and resourceful characters, all delivered through the unique artistry of stop-motion animation.
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- Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing14
Matilda is a delightful film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel, following the story of a highly intelligent young girl who develops telekinetic powers and uses them to stand up against her neglectful parents and tyrannical school principal. Similar to Coraline, both stories center around a strong, independent young female protagonist who must use her wits and special abilities to overcome adults' negligence and cruelty in her life.
- Photo: 20th Century Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a witty stop-motion animated film directed by Wes Anderson, based on Roald Dahl's children's novel, chronicling the clever schemes of a fox to outwit three mean, wealthy farmers, leading to exciting adventures. Mirroring Coraline, both films utilize the charm of stop-motion animation to brightly paint a detailed world that contrasts the mundane and the fantastical, housing smart and brave protagonists who must overcome obstacles with strategy and courage.
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- Photo: Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is a whimsical film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's famous novels, documenting Alice's adventures after she falls into a rabbit hole, finding herself in a peculiar realm full of talking creatures and eccentric characters. Similar to Coraline, both tales involve a young, intrepid female protagonist who plunges into an absurd and surreal parallel world, challenging the boundaries of imagination and reality, and demonstrating courage and resourcefulness in extraordinary circumstances.
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- Photo: Tri-Star Pictures
Labyrinth is a cult classic fantasy film where 15-year-old Sarah traverses a maze to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, encountering a host of eccentric and magical creatures along the way. Like Coraline, it explores the journey of a young girl navigating a strange, alternate world, solving puzzles, and standing up to bizarrely charismatic villains, with themes of bravery, self-discovery, and the power of imagination central to both narratives.
- Photo: Pinocchio
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is a dark, musical adaptation of the classic story, set in 1930s Italy, featuring the wooden puppet's quest to become a real boy amidst political and societal turmoil. Much like Coraline, it is set to blend the lines between fantastical and real worlds, maintaining a subtle darkness balanced with an unforgettable adventure of self-discovery navigated by a resilient young protagonist.
- Photo: Focus Features
Kubo and the Two Strings is a visually stunning animated film about a one-eyed boy named Kubo who embarks on a mystical quest to discover his samurai father's legacy, armed with a magical musical instrument. Similar to Coraline, both films are crafted by Laika Studio using intricate stop-motion animation and feature young protagonists traversing through fantastical and dangerous journeys, guided by their courage and deep love for their family.
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- Photo: Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania is a lively animated film that showcases Dracula's extravagant, hidden resort where monsters can relax, be themselves, and escape human intrusion, but chaos ensues when a human ends up there and falls for Dracula's daughter. Much like Coraline, it presents a parallel universe teeming with supernatural creatures, and through engaging adventures, explores themes of acceptance, tolerance, and the enduring bond of family.
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- Photo: Nimona21
Nimona is an animated film based on the graphic novel by Noelle Stevenson, following a young, rebellious shapeshifter named Nimona who teams up with the villainous Lord Ballister Blackheart to expose the corruption of the kingdom's institution. Similar to Coraline, it incorporates elements of dark fantasy and the exploration of the unexpected (in more ways than one), led by a headstrong young female protagonist who proves to be more than meets the eye.
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- Photo: user uploaded image
MirrorMask is a vivid, fantasy film, penned by Neil Gaiman, where young Helena enters a dream world and must locate the MirrorMask to escape and rescue her ailing mother in the real world. Mirroring Gaiman's Coraline, both stories delve into alternate realities through the eyes of a courageous young female lead, who must face a series of eccentric and uncanny challenges with determination and ingenuity.
- Photo: Wolfwalkers
Wolfwalkers is an enchanting animated film that tells the tale of a young apprentice hunter, Robyn, who arrives in Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack of wolves and befriends a girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night. Parallel to Coraline, both films depict the transformative journey of a young female protagonist who bravely navigates an alternate, mystical world, discovering her strength and forming unlikely friendships along the way.
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- Photo: Netflix
Wendell and Wild is a stop-motion animation film by Henry Selick, featuring two demon brothers who escape the Underworld and wind up in a battle with a sinister nun and a pair of goth teenagers. Similar to Coraline, another Selick's creation, it is expected to continue his distinct blending of dark, whimsical fantasy with the real world, presenting adventurous journeys guided by unique and multifaceted characters.
- Photo: The BFG25
The BFG is a charming film adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, recounting the friendship between a young girl, Sophie, and a kindly giant, the BFG, as they embark on an adventure to stop other malevolent giants. Just like Coraline, both movies feature young and resolute female protagonists who, caught in fantastical worlds, form an unlikely bond with an otherworldly entity, while courageously dealing with chilling adversaries.
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- Photo: A Monster Calls
A Monster Calls is a deeply moving film about young Conor who, struggling with his mother's terminal illness and bullying at school, finds an unlikely ally in an ancient, storytelling tree monster who guides him toward truth and acceptance. Similar to Coraline, it explores a dark and fantastical world through the eyes of a child dealing with real-world fears, pain, and ultimately, resilience in the face of adversity.
- Photo: Oz the Great and Powerful
Oz the Great and Powerful is a fantasy adventure film that delineates the origin story of L. Frank Baum's iconic character, Oscar Diggs, transforms from a small-time circus magician into the great Wizard of Oz. Much like Coraline, both movies explore a fantastical parallel universe filled with surreal landscapes and eccentric characters, demonstrating the protagonist's journey from ordinary to extraordinary amidst adversities, driven by hope and audacity.
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The Spiderwick Chronicles is a fantasy adventure film about the Grace siblings who, after moving into the decrepit Spiderwick Estate, discover a hidden, mystical world filled with magical creatures and the menacing ogre who wishes to exploit it. Similar to Coraline, both movies reveal an unseen alternative reality bustling with supernatural entities and portray courageous young protagonists who must confront and resolve extraordinary circumstances.
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- Photo: Warner Bros.
The NeverEnding Story is a classic fantasy film that follows the journey of a shy and bullied boy, Bastian, who escapes into an enchanting world within a mysterious book, interacting with whimsical characters and saving the realm from the malevolent force, "The Nothing". Similar to Coraline, both films revolve around characters who retreat into fantastical realms filled with peculiar creatures, while courageously facing dangerous adversities, gradually growing in their sense of self and understanding of their real-world challenges.
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- Photo: Universal Pictures
The Dark Crystal is a ground-breaking, puppet-animation movie, narrating the epic quest of a Gelfling named Jen to restore balance in his alien world by returning a shard to the powerful Dark Crystal. Similar to Coraline, both films utilize distinctive, world-building, unraveling tales of courageous young individuals who must navigate through a complex, fantastical environment, confront ominous adversaries, and ultimately restore harmony in their worlds.
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