The acclaimed stop-motion animation studio Laika has unveiled plans to breathe new life into its 2012 masterpiece, "ParaNorman," with a special Halloween 2025 re-release. The film, which follows the adventures of a young boy who can converse with the deceased, will return to theaters in stunningly remastered RealD 3D and 2D formats for a limited, one-week engagement.
"ParaNorman," Laika's second film as a studio, has garnered an impressive array of nominations, including Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and multiple ANNIE Awards. Penned by Chris Butler ("Missing Link") and directed by Butler alongside Sam Fell ("Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget"), this haunting tale will now be accompanied by a brand-new CG animated short, "ParaNorman: The Thrifting." Helmed by Laika's lead character designer Thibault LeClercq and penned once again by Butler, this short will feature the vocal talents of "Stranger Things" star Finn Wolfhard and Anna Kendrick, reprising her role as Norman's older sister, Courtney Babcock. Produced by Passion Pictures, this companion piece promises to add an extra layer of enchantment to the cinematic experience.
This re-release comes on the heels of the record-breaking 2024 re-issue of Laika's 2009 gothic fantasy horror, "Coraline," which celebrated its 15th anniversary with a global re-release in 2D and RealD 3D. Once again partnering with Trafalgar Releasing for international markets and Fathom Entertainment for the US, Laika will premiere "ParaNorman" on October 25th.
The announcement of "ParaNorman's" re-release at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Friday marks the launch of a year-long celebration honoring Laika's 20th anniversary. The re-release of "Coraline" in 2024 signaled a strong appetite for repertory cinema, grossing an impressive $56 million worldwide and becoming one of the biggest global film re-releases of the past decade, as well as the highest-grossing stop-motion movie of all time.
Encouraged by this success, Laika has decided to bring "ParaNorman" back to the big screen. "ParaNorman" was a pivotal film for Laika—emotionally profound, visually daring, and delightfully eccentric," said David Burke, Laika's Chief Marketing & Operations Officer. "Reintroducing it in breathtaking remastered 3D, alongside a fresh short film, invites audiences to rediscover the heart and humor of Norman's world or immerse themselves in it for the very first time. Today, horror has evolved into a cherished family tradition, and 'ParaNorman' perfectly straddles the line between eerie and enlightening. It's the ideal 'starter horror'—a gateway into thoughtful and thrilling genre storytelling."
Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, who also handled the re-release of "Coraline," echoed this sentiment. "Fathom is thrilled to extend our distribution partnership," he said. "'Coraline' fans voted with their wallets last year, contributing to approximately 70% of the record-breaking $34+ million U.S. theatrical box office in 3D. 'ParaNorman' is the perfect, chilling sequel for audiences to savor on the big screen later this year."
Kymberli Frueh, SVP of Programming and Content Acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, also welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Laika once more. "Following the incredible global response to 'Coraline's' theatrical re-release, which surpassed its original box office run in some international markets, we're delighted to partner with Laika again to bring 'ParaNorman' back to the big screen this Fall," she said.
With this re-release, audiences will once again be enchanted by the haunting beauty and heartwarming humor of "ParaNorman," making this Halloween season even more memorable.
