Coraline (2009)
Kernel Score: 90% · 8,806 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Released: 2009-02-05
Runtime: 100 minutes
Is Coraline worth watching?
Must-watch. Henry Selick's stop-motion fantasy about a bored girl who finds a too-perfect parallel home is creepy, inventive and kind to its heroine. It really is scary for younger kids.
Watch it if you
- like dark fairy tales for all ages
- love handmade stop-motion animation
- enjoy spooky stories with a smart heroine
Skip it if you
- have very young or easily frightened children
- dislike creepy imagery
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Coraline
- Stream: Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max
- Free with ads: The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice.
Coraline parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that this PG animated dark fantasy is genuinely creepy 'horror for children,' with unsettling imagery and a frightening villain that may scare younger viewers.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Dark, frightening imagery including button-eyed doubles, a menacing female villain, and a 'frighteningly real sacrifice' make this scary for young children.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Coraline
If you liked Coraline, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) — 88%: Selick-linked stop-motion with spooky, handmade charm.
- Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) — 91%: Dark, handmade fairy tale with a Gothic edge.
- Song of the Sea (2014) — 90%: Folklore-based animated fantasy with striking, handmade visuals.
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: A girl's adventure in a strange spirit world.
- The City of Lost Children (1995) — 80%: Dark, eerie fantasy with strange imagery and child heroes.
- Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Classic animated adventure with a sense of wonder.
Director
Cast
- Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones (voice)
- Teri Hatcher as Mel Jones / Other Mother (voice)
- Jennifer Saunders as Miss April Spink / Other Spink (voice)
- Dawn French as Miss Miriam Forcible / Other Forcible (voice)
- Keith David as The Cat (voice)
- John Hodgman as Charlie Jones / Other Father (voice)
- Robert Bailey Jr. as Wyborne 'Wybie' Lovat (voice)
- Ian McShane as Mr. Sergei Alexander Bobinsky / Other Bobinsky (voice)
- Aankha Neal as Sweet Ghost Girl (voice)
- George Selick as Ghost Boy (voice)
Coraline FAQ
Is Coraline worth watching?
Must-watch. Henry Selick's stop-motion fantasy about a bored girl who finds a too-perfect parallel home is creepy, inventive and kind to its heroine. It really is scary for younger kids.
Where can I watch Coraline?
In the US you can stream Coraline on Hulu, Peacock and HBO Max, watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Coraline OK for kids?
Coraline is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that this PG animated dark fantasy is genuinely creepy 'horror for children,' with unsettling imagery and a frightening villain that may scare younger viewers.
What movies are like Coraline?
If you liked Coraline, try The Nightmare Before Christmas, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Song of the Sea and Spirited Away.