Children’s horror is often quite an underappreciated category when it comes to the genre. There are however, quite a few films that are spooky enough to be enjoyable to adults but still suitable for almost all ages. One of my personal favorites in this genre is Coraline. The film Coraline was written and directed by Henry Selick and released in the United States of America on February 5, 2009. It could easily be described as a similar film to Tim Burton films like Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. This animated film centers around a young girl named Coraline.
In the beginning of the film, Coraline, who is voiced by Dakota Fanning, is just minding her business enjoying her time playing at home. Then, everything she knows is suddenly challenged and turned upside down when she discovers an alternate reality based out of her own home. This alternate world appeals to the little girl’s imagination, but as you might expect, comes with a significant number of consequences as well. Her “other mother,” who is voiced by Teri Hatcher, has a devious plan in mind. She wants Coraline to stay in the dark alternate reality forever, never to see her family again.
Does Coraline manage to defy her “other mother’s” wishes and get back to reality or is she doomed to spend the rest of her life in a make believe land full of button eyes and half truths? Does the title character come to appreciate reality when faced with the threat of losing it? Only those who watch this animated horror film for all ages will find out the answers to these questions. Even though it is generally appropriate for most ages as far as content goes, it is still important to avoid showing spooky films to kids with nightmares. Keep this in mind when planning family movie nights that dip their toes into the horror genre.
