Frankenweenie (2012)
Kernel Score: 77% · 3,574 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family
Released: 2012-10-04
Runtime: 87 minutes
Is Frankenweenie worth watching?
Worth watching. Burton's black-and-white stop-motion story about a boy who brings his dog back to life is charming, affectionate and a little spooky. The monster-movie gags are fun for parents too, and it's gentle enough for most kids.
Watch it if you
- love stop-motion and gothic charm
- want a family film with a spooky edge
- are a Tim Burton fan
Skip it if you
- have very young or easily scared kids
- want a fast, noisy cartoon
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Frankenweenie
- Stream: Disney+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When a car hits young Victor's pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them that Sparky's still the good, loyal friend he was.
Frankenweenie parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that Frankenweenie is a PG animated Tim Burton film about a boy who brings his dead dog back to life, involving mild scares.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes the death of a pet dog and mild horror-monster imagery typical of a Tim Burton film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Frankenweenie
If you liked Frankenweenie, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Corpse Bride (2005) — 86%: Burton's other stop-motion romance, with the same macabre charm.
- Vincent (1982) — 87%: Burton's own earlier short about a boy with a spooky imagination.
- Frankenweenie (1984) — 75%: The 1984 live-action short that Burton later reworked.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990) — 86%: Burton's tender outsider story with a gothic touch.
- Isle of Dogs (2018) — 87%: Stop-motion adventure about dogs, with a quirky tone.
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) — 85%: Cozy stop-motion comedy with a loyal canine and inventive gags.
Director
Cast
- Catherine O'Hara as Mrs. Frankenstein / Weird Girl / Gym Teacher (voice)
- Martin Short as Mr. Frankenstein / Mr. Burgemeister / Nassor (voice)
- Martin Landau as Mr. Rzykruski (voice)
- Charlie Tahan as Victor Frankenstein (voice)
- Atticus Shaffer as Edgar 'E' Gore (voice)
- Winona Ryder as Elsa Van Helsing (voice)
- Robert Capron as Bob (voice)
- James Hiroyuki Liao as Toshiaki (voice)
- Conchata Ferrell as Bob's Mom (voice)
- Tom Kenny as New Holland Townsfolk (voice)
Frankenweenie FAQ
Is Frankenweenie worth watching?
Worth watching. Burton's black-and-white stop-motion story about a boy who brings his dog back to life is charming, affectionate and a little spooky. The monster-movie gags are fun for parents too, and it's gentle enough for most kids.
Where can I watch Frankenweenie?
In the US you can stream Frankenweenie on Disney+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Frankenweenie OK for kids?
Frankenweenie is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Frankenweenie is a PG animated Tim Burton film about a boy who brings his dead dog back to life, involving mild scares.
What movies are like Frankenweenie?
If you liked Frankenweenie, try Corpse Bride, Vincent, Frankenweenie and Edward Scissorhands.