ParaNorman
ParaNorman

ParaNorman

2012Movie93 minEnglish

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.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users86%
Director: Sam Fell and Chris ButlerGenres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

Plot Summary

Norman Babcock is a boy who can see and talk to the dead, a talent his family and town dismiss as imagination. When a curse threatens his town, Norman must embrace his unique ability to save everyone from a vengeful witch's wrath. Along the way, he learns that being different can be a strength, and that understanding others, living or dead, is key to overcoming fear.

Critical Reception

ParaNorman was a critical and commercial success, earning widespread praise for its stunning stop-motion animation, witty humor, and surprisingly heartfelt story that tackles themes of prejudice and acceptance. It was particularly lauded for its visual artistry and its ability to appeal to both children and adults.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intricate and beautiful stop-motion animation.
  • Commended for its clever blend of humor, spooky elements, and genuine emotional depth.
  • Applauded for its progressive themes of tolerance and understanding.

Google audience: Audiences largely appreciated ParaNorman for its unique animation style and its heartwarming message about embracing differences. Many found it to be a fun and engaging film for the whole family, with a good balance of scares and laughs.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Fun Fact

ParaNorman was the first stop-motion animated film to use 3D technology and feature 3D printed faces for its characters.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

His parents think he's a bit bonkers, but "Norman" swears that he can communicate with his deceased grandmother (especially when she wants the central heating turned up!). When his uncle tells him that his unique skills might help with a ri...
Kamurai

Kamurai

Really good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. This is surprisingly dark, and underrated. While the animated characters are almost grosteque in their stylization, it serves fairly well when it comes to the undead. It also pus...
John Chard

John Chard

Mom, tell the Zombie to stop saying stuff about me! The medium of animated films has really gone through the roof in the last 20 years. There was a time when Disney was the only reliable source for such colourful frolics. Now we are bles...