Tumbling Into 10 More Twisted and Creepy Movies
Coraline is a trippy and surreal animation, that manages to blend some pretty creepy visuals and a surprising twist into both a fable and a timeless modern classic that remains a solid watch to this day.
If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for similar picks, we’ve got you covered. We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top picks for alternate viewing. As usual, let us know your thoughts about our picks in the comments below!
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a unique title in that it’s both a great movie for Christmas and for Halloween too! It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and tries to bring Christmas to his home, with mixed results.
Both films are stop-motion animation features with a distinctive visual style. They share themes of exploring unknown worlds and the unintended consequences that follow. They’re both also infamous for their descent into horror on occasion, not to mention the imaginative world design.
James And The Giant Peach (1996)
James And The Giant Peach is about an orphan who escapes from his cruel aunts by entering a magical peach, where he meets friendly bugs and embarks on a fantastical journey. It’s an absolute classic from Roald Dahl and the adaptation is beautifully done.
Both movies share the same director, and feature a young protagonist entering a magical world that initially seems better than their troubled real lives but soon reveals darker aspects.
Fantasia (1940)
Produced by Walt Disney, Fantasia is essentially “acid for kids”. This collection of animated interpretations of great works of Western classical music is beautifully done. The sequences range from abstract to narrative, each differing in artistic style.
While quite different in content and style, both Fantasia and Coraline provide unique, artistic visual experiences that push the boundaries of their respective animation styles. They also blend elements of fantasy and magic, while diving into the unintended consequences of when magic goes wrong.
Return to Oz (1985)
Directed by Walter Murch, Return to Oz is a fantasy that follows Dorothy, who is taken back to Oz for another adventure where she must rescue her old friends from a wicked new villain, the Nome King.
Both films feature a young female protagonist who journeys to an alternative, fantastical world that is initially appealing but soon reveals a darker side. They both blend elements of fantasy and horror, all whilst exploring themes of bravery and self-reliance.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Hayao Miyazaki directs Kiki’s Delivery Service, a Japanese animated film about a young witch named Kiki who moves to a new town and uses her flying ability to earn a living.
Both films center on a young girl navigating a new environment with supernatural elements. The two films share themes of independence and resilience, something that the protagonists share in abundance. Although Kiki’s Delivery Service is generally lighter in tone, both films explore the challenges and dangers that come with growing up and venturing out on one’s own.
Monster House (2006)
Gil Kenan’s Monster House is an animated film about three kids who discover that their neighbor’s house is actually a real monster in disguise. Asa result, they’re forced to band together and find a way to destroy the house before it’s too late.
Both films feature young protagonists who uncover a dangerous secret in an apparently ordinary house. The two movies also share elements of fantasy, horror, and adventure, all whilst exploring an overarching theme of brave children facing supernatural dangers.
Spirited Away (2001)
Another Ghibli movie on this list, Spirited Away tells the story of a young girl called Chihiro who gets lost in a mysterious world of spirits and must find a way to transform her parents back from pigs and return to the human world.
Much like Coraline, Spirited Away features a young girl who finds herself in a strange and magical world that she must navigate to save her family. The two movies share themes of bravery, resourcefulness, and the struggle to maintain one’s identity in a changing and challenging environment.
Labyrinth (1986)
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth is about a teenage girl named Sarah who has to navigate a labyrinth to save her baby brother, Toby, who has been kidnapped by the Goblin King.
Both films share themes of a young protagonist entering an alternate, fantastical world to rescue a loved one, who’s being held captive by a treacherous foe with dangerous intentions. Both movies balance darker, more frightening elements with moments of whimsical humour, making this a great pick tonally.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
While we’re on the topic of Labyrinths, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is set in post-Civil War Spain where a young girl named Ofelia retreats into a labyrinthine fantasy world to escape her cruel stepfather.
Like Coraline, Pan’s Labyrinth centers around a young girl who retreats into a dark and twisted fantasy world as a means to escape from the challenges of their real lives. This does contain mature and often frightening thematic elements, but it’s undeniably similar to Coraline in the way it’s presented.
The House (2022)
The House is a delightfully bizarre medley of ideas and concepts, thrown together into a gem of a stop-motion movie anthology. Themes of corruption, greed and loneliness are rife right the way through this, but these allegories are cleverly disguised through some gorgeous imagery and three very different tales woven together.
Much like Coraline, The House revels in its abstract ideas, themes and twisted visuals. The two movies also share a similar tone and art style too, given The House is done entirely in stop-motion. It’s a hauntingly beautiful anthology and an absolute must-watch.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to Coraline. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below:
UMMM HELLO ????? where the heck is Paranorman !!!!!!