As anniversary screenings broughtCoralineback to theaters, the dark fantasy stop-motion animated feature achieved a new record with its global box office takings.The Nightmare Before Christmasdirector Henry Selick helmed the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2002 novella, which tells the story of a young girl who discovers a doorway to a fantastical parallel reality. Despite being charmed by the idealistic world,Coraline (Dakota Fanning)soon learns that something sinister has lured her into this realm, and that she is in grave danger.
Colliderreports thatCoralinewas able to hit an impressive milestone with its international box office takings. While it had already become one of the top ten most successful stop-motion features at the United States box office,Coralinemanaged to raise its international earnings to surpass $50 million, making it one of the highest-performing stop-motion movies released internationally. Altogether, as of its 2024 rerelease,Coralinehas a total gross of $228 million, just falling short of earning over four times its $60 million budget by roughly $48 million.
Coraline’s Legacy Goes Beyond Box Office Records
Coraline Is A Unique Entity Among Animated Movies
With audiences returning to theaters to celebrateCoraline’s anniversary, it is clear thatthe movie has continued to have an impacteven over a decade since its release. Upon release in 2009, the movie managed to strike a positive note with critics and audiences alike, earning favorable reviews while grossing a healthy $124 million worldwide despite humble expectations by media analysts. While this success alone is enough to celebrate,Coralinehas also earned another impressive status in pop culture.
Coraline Review: 15 Years Later, This Stop-Motion Masterpiece Is Still The Perfect Gateway Horror Movie
With Coraline returning to theaters, I’d like to make the case for a whole new generation of kids being taken to experience its traumatic delights.
Coralineis a perfect entry-level horror moviefor young audiences, striking a balance between a family feature and a dark thriller. From its haunted house-esque setting to its suspenseful build-up,Coralinetakes its time to lure audiences into a false sense of security before the true nature of the Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) is revealed. As such, the animated feature’s mature handling of its tone without going too dark can give young viewers their first taste of what theatrical scary stories can offer.
Coraline’s box office takings prove that few can resist revisiting the movie at any opportunity.
With its enduring legacy, it is unsurprising that audiences are still eager to seethe remasteredCoralinein theaters fifteen years later. Not only is there a generation of fans who may want to revisit an influential childhood classic, but newcomers who have only watched the movie at home may want to see Laika’s still impressive animation on the big screen.Coraline’s box office takings prove thatfew can resist revisiting the movie at any opportunity.
Coraline
Cast
Based on Neil Gaiman’s novella, Coraline follows Coraline Jones, a lonely young girl who, after moving to a new house with her inattentive parents, discovers a portal to another, more sinister alternate reality behind one of the house’s many doors. Written and directed by Henry Selick, the film uses stop-motion animation and stars Dakota Fanning as Coraline.
