Coraline

What’s it about?

Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) is a curious and bold young girl who stumbles upon a hidden door in her new home, leading to an eerily perfect version of her life. In this strange, alternate world, her button-eyed "other" parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) shower her with affection and serve up her favourite meals. But as Coraline revels in this seemingly ideal reality, she begins to uncover a darker, more sinister truth lurking beneath the surface.

The facts

• Directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach)
• Other voice actors in the film include Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David and Ian McShane.
• English language
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Based on the 2002 Novella Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• The film won Annie Awards for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production, Best Character Design in an Animated Feature Production, and Best Production Design in an Animated Feature Production, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
• The film has developed a cult following and is widely recognised as one of the greatest animated films of all time.

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Scary scenes

In true Henry Selick fashion, Coraline maintains a dark and eerie atmosphere from start to finish. The unsettling music, sound effects, and peculiar characters all contribute to the film’s creepy tone, with the stop-motion animation style amplifying its strange, otherworldly feel.

The "Other Mother" is especially disturbing, starting with her sweet, sing-song voice and unsettling button eyes, eventually transforming into a terrifying, spider-like creature that chases Coraline. Her sinister minions also pursue Coraline and her cat. It’s implied that the "Other Mother" has killed at least three children, whose spirits are trapped in snow globes.

There are some intense moments, including a brief scene where a character is strangled and another where a character loses a hand.

Mild language

Occasionally insults are thrown around like “jerkwad”, “idiot” and “evil witch”. Other words such as “crap” are also used. Coraline playfully teases Wybie about his name, referring to him as "Why-were-you-born".

Tips for parents

Coraline strikes a balance between its spooky scenes and a heartwarming message: it’s okay for life to be imperfect, and those imperfections can be what make it special. The film highlights the importance of spending time with loved ones and embracing the quirks that make people unique. This also creates a great opportunity for parents to talk with their children about the film's deeper themes—like appreciating the real world, with all its flaws, over an idealised fantasy.

What young people say about the film

We often ask New Zealanders, "What was the first film, video game, or series that scared you as a child?" A common response, especially from younger audiences, is Coraline. While many agree that the film's eerie charm is what makes it so memorable, they still recall the lasting impact it had on them as kids. We frequently hear this from our Youth Advisory Panel and students who participate in our Censor for a Day events.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau? - Blog
• Through the Ages: Tim Burton Films - Blog
• Horror films, scary sounds and pesky sleepovers – Blog
• Screen Rant: Coraline Review: 15 Years Later, This Stop-Motion Masterpiece Is Still The Perfect Gateway Horror Movie - Article