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ParaNorman

ParaNorman

It's all fun and games until someone raises the dead.

201292 minPGMidcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Directors
Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Starring
Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck

In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago.

Where to watch

Where can I watch ParaNorman?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists ParaNorman streaming on HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock and The Roku Channel (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about ParaNorman?

ParaNorman earns 9 badges, led by Visual feast and Atmospheric.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is ParaNorman worth watching?

ParaNorman's Midcredits score is the 85th percentile of all films, from 508K ratings across 6 sources. 71% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

85th percentile

Better received than 85% of films

78th percentile among Animation85th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)87th
Approval (how many liked it)80th

73 /100

87th percentile of all films

81st percentile among Animation86th percentile among 2010s

Critics 72 · Audience 73

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

71% liked it

80th percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Animation81st percentile among 2010s
71% rated it 7–1029% rated it 1–6

Critics 89% · Audience 73%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 18 wins / 46 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Animated Feature
  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Animated Film

98th percentile

508K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 14% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$60M
Opening weekend$14M
Domestic gross$56M
Worldwide gross$107M

Returned 1.8× its budget — 86th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually stunning stop-motion horror-comedy that blends spooky elements with a message about accepting outsiders.

Fans praised

  • gorgeous stop-motion animation and meticulous craft
  • surprisingly mature themes of empathy, bullying, and forgiveness
  • clever horror homages and self-aware genre humor

Detractors panned

  • tonally uneven and too scary or dark for young children
  • preachy, heavy-handed moralizing and clichéd plot

What stands out

Cinematography88

visually stunning with incredible detail and lighting

AtmosphereDivisive85

creepy New England setting with genuine spooky mood

Effects and spectacle82

impressive zombie designs and witch storm visuals

CharactersDivisive75

stereotypical archetypes given unexpected depth and likability

OriginalityDivisive72

fresh take on zombie/witch tropes despite familiar beats

HumorDivisive72

mix of witty dialogue and slapstick, some misses

Emotional impactDivisive72

heartfelt message about empathy, but can feel preachy

Plot and storyDivisive70

engaging premise but predictable structure and sagging middle

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is ParaNorman like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It is intense, has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
TenseBittersweetHopefulMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film balances spooky, horror-tinged adventure with heartfelt emotion and a knowing wit, treating its supernatural premise with both sincerity and a playful, self-aware sense of fun.
The rideThe mood shifts from spooky and tense action to a deeply emotional, cathartic resolution in the final act.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly from Norman's discovery of his uncle's ritual through the zombie attack to the emotional confrontation with the witch's ghost.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves an upbeat but gently melancholic feeling, as Norman finds connection and the witch's tragic story is resolved with empathy.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeNorman must stop a witch's curse that raises the dead and threatens his town, but the true monster is the cycle of fear and misunderstanding; his journey also involves personal growth and healing old wounds.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% (this title) · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% (this title) · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 13% of filmsIsolation · 5% of filmsForgiveness · 1% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how fear and superstition can lead to injustice, and how understanding and empathy can break cycles of vengeance.
StanceThe film questions the fairness of scapegoating and fear-driven justice, but ultimately affirms the power of empathy to break cycles of revenge.

The world

ContemporaryRuralUrbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · Jon Brion
SettingBlithe Hollow, a small New England town with a witch-hunt history, blending everyday suburban life with a gothic supernatural underside.
MusicJon Brion's score mixes quirky, folk-inflected melodies with orchestral textures, reinforcing the film's blend of whimsy and emotional depth.

Content guide

Is ParaNorman okay for kids?

PG

ParaNorman is rated PG: “Rated PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (53/100), sexual content at moderate (38/100), language at moderate (35/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (9/100) and frightening material at moderate (59/100). Overall it is heavier than 85% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 22 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12A
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil10
  • Argentina+13
  • Belgium12
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceΚ-12
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands9
  • Poland12
  • Russia6+
  • SingaporePG13
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 36% of all filmsHeavier than 85% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 83%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 81%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 70%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 16%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 88%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 88% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does ParaNorman have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in ParaNorman?

Cast

Kodi Smit-McPhee
as Norman Babcock
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Tucker Albrizzi
as Neil
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Anna Kendrick
as Courtney Babcock
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Casey Affleck
as Mitch
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
as Alvin
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Leslie Mann
as Sandra Babcock
Jeff Garlin
as Perry Babcock
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Elaine Stritch
as Grandma
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Bernard Hill
as The Judge
Jodelle Ferland
as Aggie

Crew

More like this

What are movies like ParaNorman?

Movies like ParaNorman include Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023) and The Haunted Mansion (2003). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Chris Butler, and several are stories about ghosts.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with ParaNorman?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, up against: undead. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.