Just in time for spooky season, LAIKA's fan-favorite stop-motion film ParaNorman is headed back to the big screen for a limited one-week theatrical engagement this October, complete with a brand-new short and a fresh remaster.
Following the record-breaking success of the 2024 re-release of Coraline, which earned $56 million globally and became the highest-grossing stop-motion re-release of all time, LAIKA is reintroducing ParaNorman—its acclaimed second feature originally released in 2012—in both stunningly remastered 2D and RealD 3D formats. The special event is being rolled out internationally by Trafalgar Releasing starting , and will debut in the U.S. through Fathom Entertainment beginning .
Written by Chris Butler and co-directed by Butler and Sam Fell, ParaNorman earned accolades upon its initial release, including Oscar®, BAFTA®, and Golden Globe nominations, along with multiple ANNIE Awards®. The film tells the story of Norman, a young boy with the ability to see and speak to the dead, who becomes his town's unlikely hero when a centuries-old curse threatens his community.
To celebrate the studio's 20th anniversary, LAIKA is also premiering a brand-new CG animated short titled ParaNorman: The Thrifting, which will screen exclusively alongside the re-release. The short is directed by LAIKA's lead character designer Thibault LeClercq and penned by original ParaNorman writer Chris Butler. It features voice talent from Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and Anna Kendrick, who reprises her role as Norman's older sister, Courtney.
ParaNorman
was a defining moment for LAIKA—an emotionally rich, visually bold film that wasn't afraid to embrace its weirdness,
said David Burke, LAIKA's Chief Marketing & Operations Officer. Reintroducing it in remastered 3D with a brand-new companion short is the perfect opportunity for longtime fans and newcomers alike to experience the humor and heart of Norman's world. It's a gateway into horror storytelling that's both spooky and deeply meaningful.
Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, emphasized the momentum following Coraline's re-release: We're excited to deepen our collaboration with LAIKA to bring
ParaNorman
back to U.S. theaters in both 2D and RealD 3D, complete with the added value of
The Thrifting
. Last year,
Coraline
viewers showed up in force—70% of U.S. ticket sales came from 3D screenings. We expect
ParaNorman
to be a similarly thrilling success.
Kymberli Frueh, SVP of Programming and Content Acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, echoed the excitement: After witnessing the overwhelming response to
Coraline
, it's a joy to partner with LAIKA again to reintroduce
ParaNorman
. This visually arresting and emotionally layered film deserves to be seen on the big screen, especially in its newly remastered form. We're eager for audiences worldwide to rediscover this beloved stop-motion gem.
From its humor and horror to its heartfelt themes, ParaNorman remains a modern classic—and its Halloween return is set to delight a new generation while giving longtime fans a fresh chance to walk among the ghosts again.