27 Movies to Watch if You Loved Coraline

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Film expert Lexi Amoriello shares animated & non-animated movies like Coraline

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Corpse Bride (2005)

2 James and the Giant Peach (1996)

3 Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

4 Spirited Away (2001)

5 ParaNorman (2012)

6 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

7 Wendell & Wild (2022)

8 Monster House (2006)

9 Frankenweenie (2012)

10 Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

11 The Boxtrolls (2014)

12 9 (2009)

13 Rise of the Guardians (2012)

14 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

15 Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

16 The Princess and the Goblin (1991)

17 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

18 MirrorMask (2005)

19 Edward Scissorhands (1990)

20 Labyrinth (1986)

21 The NeverEnding Story (1984)

22 A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

23 Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

24 Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

25 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

26 Alice in Wonderland (2010)

27 Matilda (1996)

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Co-authored by Lexi Amoriello and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: March 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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Coraline is one of the most beloved children’s films of all time, and for good reason. The movie is equal parts spooky, unsettling, and beautiful to look at, so it’s no wonder it has captured the imaginations of viewers for over a decade! If you’ve been craving more movies with Coraline’s gothic and fantastical vibes, you’ve come to the right place. A film expert partnered with wikiHow to compile the ultimate list of movies that are similar to Coraline, including both animated and non-animated options. Keep reading to find your next watch!

What are some movies like Coraline?

Film expert Lexi Amoriello says movies like Corpse Bride, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Pan’s Labyrinth, Where the Wild Things Are, Matilda, and ParaNorman share a similar vibe and aesthetic as Coraline. Other related movies include Spirited Away, Wendell & Wild, and James and the Giant Peach.

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1

Corpse Bride (2005)

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1. 
   With its Victorian Gothic aesthetic, stop-motion animation, and spooky themes, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride evokes a lot of the same emotions as Coraline. The story follows Victor, the son of a wealthy merchant, who is about to marry Victoria, the daughter of snobbish aristocrats. Victor and Victoria instantly connect, but there’s one problem—while practicing his wedding vows in the woods, Victor accidentally “marries” a corpse named Emily, and a whirlwind adventure ensues. The movie has a dark, animated aesthetic, notes Amoriello, just like Coraline!

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Lexi Amoriello is a film expert, writer, and editor. She is also the founder of the New Jersey Film Critics Circle and Movie Recs By Lex, where she specializes in personalized movie recommendations.
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2

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

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1. 
   Using a blend of live-action and stop-motion animation, James and the Giant Peach is a truly unique viewing experience. Based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl, the story follows a young orphan who escapes living with his cruel aunts when he discovers an enormous peach and steps inside. He then begins a fantastical journey, accompanied by some friendly talking insects. Amoriello highlights that the movie was directed by Henry Selick (who also directed Coraline). So, it’s no surprise that they have very similar vibes!

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.

3

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

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1. 
   Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio tells the classic story of a wooden puppet who comes to life after a lonely woodcarver wishes for a child, but this version of the story features some truly gorgeous stop-motion animation and a darker tone than Disney’s version. It’s got some deep themes, but also a healthy dose of whimsicality and charm. Amoriello says it has a similar vibe to Coraline.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Netflix.
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4

Spirited Away (2001)

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1. 
   This classic is one of the most beloved Studio Ghibli films out there. It follows a 10-year-old named Chihiro who gets trapped in a fantastical spirit realm after coming across an abandoned amusement park with her parents, who are transformed into pigs by a witch. There are tons of similarities to Coraline, since it’s also an animated fantasy film with a young female protagonist, notes Amoriello. It also has unsettling imagery and deep themes, so if you’re a Coraline fan, you’ll probably love this one!

   • How to watch: Available to stream on HBO Max.

5

ParaNorman (2012)

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1. 
   ParaNorman follows a young boy whose power to communicate with the dead leads to the discovery of a dark secret about his town. The film has a similar aesthetic to Coraline, according to Amoriello. It features stunning stop-motion animation and leans into dark and unsettling themes, even though it’s technically a children's film. Both movies also come from the same production company, Laika, so it’s no wonder they’ve got a lot in common!

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
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6

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

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1. 
   Another Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is probably the first movie that comes to mind when you think of dark and spooky children’s films. It tells the story of Jack Skellington of Halloween Town. Despite being the beloved Pumpkin King, Jack is dissatisfied and longs for more than the same old spooky routine. When he unexpectedly stumbles upon a door to Christmas Town, Jack thinks hijacking the holiday is the key to eradicating his boredom, but chaos naturally ensues. Like Coraline, this movie is also directed by Henry Selick, notes Amoriello.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.

7

Wendell & Wild (2022)

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1. 
   Wendell & Wild is another film by Coraline’s director, Henry Selick, and it also features a screenplay by Selick and horror genius Jordan Peele. The story follows a punk rock-loving teen named Kat who has experienced a lot of tragedy. When she meets a pair of demons named Wendell and Wild, Kat makes a deal with them in the hopes of bringing her parents back to life. The movie is filled with eerie vibes and imagery, as well as dark and poignant themes, making it a great option if you’re looking for something like Coraline.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Netflix.
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8

Monster House (2006)

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1. 
   Monster House is an animated film with dark themes and spooky vibes. In fact, one could argue that it’s actually a whole lot darker than Coraline. The story follows three pre-teens who discover that their neighbor’s home is actually a sentient haunted house that’s terrorizing the neighborhood. The trio sets out to investigate and hopefully stop the house, leading to the discovery of the tragic secret that created it in the first place. This one’s pretty heavy, but it’s also very entertaining and unique!

   • Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.

9

Frankenweenie (2012)

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1. 
   Yet another Tim Burton entry on this list, Frankenweenie tells the story of a young boy who attempts to bring his recently deceased dog back to life through his impressive technological skills. With its gothic aesthetic and eerie imagery, it’s a great option if you’re looking for something with classic spooky vibes.

   • Where to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.
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10

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

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1. 
   In this critically-aclaimed movie, a young boy named Kubo goes on a quest to find his deceased father’s enchanted armor so he can defeat his mother’s evil twin sisters, as well as his grandfather, the Moon King. It features stop-motion animation and complex themes, just like Coraline. Oh, and it’s also produced by Laika Studios, says Amoriello!

   • Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix.

11

The Boxtrolls (2014)

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1. 
   Another Laika film (the same production company behind Coraline), The Boxtrolls is a fantasy tale that follows an orphan named Eggs, who lives underground in a fictional cheese-obsessed Victorian town with a group of creatures called Boxtrolls. As you may be able to tell from that plot summary, this movie is totally quirky, whimsical, and one-of-a-kind, which makes it an awesome choice for any Coraline lover.

   • Where to watch: Available to stream on PlutoTV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel.
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12

9 (2009)

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1. 
   This science fiction animated film follows 9, a rag doll who comes to life in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity has been wiped out. He discovers a community of others like him, who are all hiding from terrifying machines that are trying to eradicate them. Despite being new to the group, 9 convinces his newfound friends to stop hiding and go on the offensive to figure out why the machines want to destroy them.

   • Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.

13

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

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1. 
   This story follows Jack Frost in his fight against an evil boogeyman named Pitch, who’s attempting to overthrow and destroy a group of magical, immortal beings, including Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. With its dark yet magical animation style, Rise of the Guardians has a similar vibe to Coraline, even if its plot is pretty different!

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.
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14

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

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1. 
   If you’re looking for a movie that’s similar to Coraline in its stop-motion animation style, but falls more on the cozy side versus the scary side, this is the one for you. It’s a lighthearted parody of monster movies, following Wallace and Gromit as they investigate a giant, fuzzy creature who has been stealing their town’s produce.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Netflix.

15

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

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1. 
   Directed by Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr. Fox is both visually stunning and eerie, which makes it perfect for Coraline fans. Based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl, the movie is filled with offbeat charm and whimsy, as well as some high stakes, as the titular fox attempts to outsmart three animal-killing farmers.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.
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16

The Princess and the Goblin (1991)

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1. 
   Based on the Victorian children’s novel of the same name, The Princess and the Goblin tells the tale of a young princess who must contend with an army of attacking goblins when her father leaves her in charge of the kingdom. With its whimsical dark fairytale vibes, it’s a lesser-known option that’s sure to win over any Coraline lover.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on The Roku Channel.

17

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

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1. 
   Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the tale of a young boy named Charlie who gets the chance of a lifetime when he wins a contest to tour Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory. This may sound like a sweet, lighthearted tale, but the movie is actually surprisingly eerie and dark—it is directed by Tim Burton, after all! With its wix of whimsicality and unsettling energy, it’s sure to be a hit with any Coraline fan.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on HBO Max.
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18

MirrorMask (2005)

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1. 
   With a screenplay by the author of Coraline, it makes sense that MirrorMask is a favorite among Coraline fans. This dark and surreal fantasy movie follows Helena, a child of circus performers who ends up being cast into a strange realm filled with dark shadows after arguing with her mother. It’s filled with eerie (and even disturbing) imagery that is sure to scratch an itch for unsettling or existential vibes.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on The Roku Channel.

19

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

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1. 
   And now for our final Tim Burton suggestion on this list: Edward Scissorhands. In this beloved classic, an inventor creates a man with scissor blades for hands, but he suddenly dies, leaving his creation (Edward) to fend for himself. Edward ends up getting taken in by a suburban family and makes a deep connection with the family’s daughter, Kim. The movie is gothic and unsettling, yet also nostalgic and somehow cozy, just like Coraline.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.
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20

Labyrinth (1986)

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1. 
   This cult classic follows a young girl named Sarah who must rescue her baby brother after her wish for him to be taken by goblins horrifyingly comes true. The movie stars a young Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and none other than music legend David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King and prime antagonist. It has a similar tone to Coraline, where it’s family-friendly but also on the scarier side, notes Amoriello. It’s also another “fantasy film with a young female protagonist.”

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Tubi, and The Roku Channel.

21

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

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1. 
   Another ‘80s fantasy classic, The NeverEnding Story follows a young outcast who reads a magical book about the mystical realm of Fantasia, which is slowly being overcome by an evil force called The Nothing. As he reads, he realizes that he may actually be the key to saving Fantasia and defeating the Nothing.

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.
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22

A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

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1. 
   One of the defining characteristics of Coraline is its ability to create an unsettling mood and sense of existential dread, while also providing a totally entertaining kids' movie. A Series of Unfortunate Events does exactly that, too! With its heavy themes, gothic vibes, and amazing cast of actors (Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Jude Law, Catherine O’Hara, etc.), it’s a truly unique and worthwhile watch.

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.

23

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

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1. 
   On the one hand a fantastical adventure movie and on the other a drama that confronts the realities of grief and loss, Bridge to Terabithia could be the movie for you if you’re looking for a tear-jerker. With its blend of whimsical elements and heavy themes, its effect ends up being pretty similar to Coraline, though it is a fair amount sadder.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.
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24

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

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1. 
   Based on the classic picture book of the same name, Where the Wild Things Are follows a young boy named Max who runs away from home to an island inhabited by strange and wonderful creatures called “Wild Things” who end up declaring Max their king. Like Coraline, this movie has a similar vibe, telling the story of a child entering a fantasy world, says Amoriello. If you’re a fan of Coraline, you should definitely give it a try!

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Tubi and SlingTV.

25

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

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1. 
   Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth’s blend of dark fantasy elements and heavy themes is sure to resonate with Coraline fans. The film centers around Ofelia, a young girl in post-Civil War Spain who is led into a fantasy world that ends up being as grim and perilous as the real world she leaves behind. Despite its fairytale-like elements, this movie is actually pretty dark and mature (it’s rated R), so beware that it’s not suitable for younger audiences. If you’re feeling a dark fantasy film with a young female protagonist, though, Amoriello recommends this one!

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
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26

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

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1. 
   Tim Burton’s take on this beloved Disney classic blends dark fantasy, adventure, and surreal, quirky elements. The film follows Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska, as she returns to the magical “Underland” that she visited as a child. She reunites with old friends, such as the Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit, to overthrow the Red Queen’s terrifying reign. Amoriello says it has a similar vibe to Coraline because it’s an animated film about a young girl entering a fantasy world.

   • How to watch: Available to stream on Disney+.

27

Matilda (1996)

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1. 
   Based on the 1988 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda is the story of a gifted girl with telekinetic powers. Once she discovers her magical ability, she fights back against her abusive parents and evil school principal, with the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey. According to Amoriello, it has a similar vibe to Coraline because it’s a fantasy film where a young girl longs to escape.

   • How to watch: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.
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• If you're looking for a TV show similar to Coraline, Amoriello suggests Over the Garden Wall. She says it has a similar vibe and aesthetic, as it's an animated show with an autumnal theme.
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