‘ParaNorman’ Rises Again with New Short and 3D Re-Release

Thirteen years after its original release, LAIKA’s stop-motion masterpiece ParaNorman is heading back to the big screen this October in a fully remastered 3D and 2D re-release that promises to rekindle its mix of humour, heart and horror for a new generation of filmgoers. The return of the Oscar-nominated feature marks a key moment in LAIKA’s 20th anniversary celebrations and arrives on the heels of last year’s record-breaking Coraline reissue, which proved that audiences are more eager than ever to revisit the studio’s richly detailed worlds.

Originally released in 2012, ParaNorman follows Norman Babcock, a misunderstood boy who can speak to the dead, as he battles a centuries-old curse threatening his small town. Blending coming-of-age themes with affectionate nods to classic horror cinema, the film was praised for its emotional depth and technical artistry, earning nominations from the Academy Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globes, along with multiple Annie Awards. Co-directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell, ParaNorman cemented LAIKA’s reputation for pushing stop-motion to new creative and emotional frontiers.

To make the re-release even more special, LAIKA has paired the feature with a brand-new short, ParaNorman: The Thrifting. Directed by the studio’s lead character designer Thibault LeClercq and written by Butler, the short sees Finn Wolfhard join the cast alongside Anna Kendrick, who returns to voice Norman’s sister, Courtney. The film offers fans a fresh peek into the ParaNorman universe, expanding its quirky humour and supernatural charm.

The newly restored version will screen globally through partnerships with Trafalgar Releasing and Fathom Entertainment, launching in international markets on 23 October and across the United States from 25 October. Like Coraline’s anniversary re-release, ParaNorman will be available in both 3D and 2D formats, with digital restoration work highlighting the handcrafted details and intricate textures that make LAIKA’s stop-motion animation so distinctive.

The studio’s decision to reissue ParaNorman follows the unprecedented success of Coraline’s 15th anniversary run, which grossed $56 million worldwide and became one of the most successful re-releases of the decade. With audiences increasingly drawn to nostalgic and family-friendly horror, LAIKA’s commitment to celebrating its back catalogue through theatrical events appears to have struck a chord.

Founded in 2005 by Travis Knight, LAIKA has built a legacy defined by innovation and artistry, combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Over the past two decades, the studio’s films – including The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link – have earned five Oscar nominations and numerous accolades for their groundbreaking animation techniques.

The studio continues to expand beyond stop-motion with an ambitious slate of upcoming projects, including Wildwood, The Night Gardener and an adaptation of Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi. LAIKA has also moved into live-action development, with projects from filmmakers such as Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel) and Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

With ParaNorman returning to cinemas in time for Halloween, LAIKA is once again inviting audiences to rediscover one of its most beloved stories. More information can be found at: ParaNorman.com

ParaNorman trailer