Information for Parents

Coraline

Coraline

Common Sense Media Age 9

Parents Need To Know

Positive Messages
Coraline ultimately learns that sometimes imperfect, messy lives aren't as bad as they seem. She realizes that her imperfect real parents are better than perfect-seeming fake ones, and her parents realize that they don't spend enough time with their daughter. Themes include self-control and gratitude.
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence
The movie has a dark, creepy tone overall, and the Other Mother becomes witch-like and frightening. It's implied that she has more or less killed three other children. Some of her minions try to "get" Coraline and the Cat, but they don't succeed.
Sex
Nothing directly sexual, but the two very buxom elderly actresses wear barely-there costumes for their performance (one in a reference to Botticelli's famous Birth of Venus painting).
Language
Infrequent use of words like "crap" and "oh my God" and insults including "jerkwad," "idiot," "evil witch," and "stupid."
Consumerism
Not applicable
Education Value
Ease of Play
Privacy
None, even though Coraline's mother thinks Mr. Bobinksy is a drunk.
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