• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast
You are here: Home / Activities / Movies Reviews / Movie Review: ParaNorman

Movie Review: ParaNorman

August 16, 2012 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes

Release Date: August 17, 2012

Child-friendly? While the ghouls and goblins featured in this animated comedy-thriller might spook the youngest of the young, ParaNorman mixes in plenty of paranormal humor to show kids that those things that go bump in the night may not be so scary after all.

SPOILER ALERT! Remember how at the end of the Sixth Sense… Wait, you know what? I take that spoiler alert back. If you haven't seen the Sixth Sense by now and MIRACULOUSLY still haven't heard the twist ending, there's nothing more I can do for you. That flick came out more than a decade ago – get with the program already!

Anyway, Bruce Willis plays a psychiatrist who helps a young boy (played by little Haley Joel Osment – what's he been up to lately?) who can apparently see and talk to ghosts. Oh yeah, and it turns out Bruce Willis is a ghost too. SURPRISE. Well, ParaNorman clearly takes a page out of M. Night Shyamalan's book of extra creepy stuff. Throw in some cool stop-motion animation and a goofy-haired protagonist, and you've got the Sixth Sense for kids.

Let me start by saying I'm a sucker for ParaNorman's style of animation. CGI is cool, but stop-motion provides an old-school authenticity that you just don't see enough of anymore. This is the same studio that did the super creepy Coraline film, so you can expect good things.

On to the story. We find our hero in the quaint New England town of Blithe Hollow, where, despite the normalcy of his surroundings, misunderstood Norman Babcock (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee) lives a not-quite-normal existence. Just like Haley Joel-Osment, Norman has the ability to speak to the dead, which puts him in the line of fire for all manner of ghosts, witches, zombies and monsters.

While his usual interactions with the dead and undead tend to revolve around bantering with the local spirits, Norman soon discovers that an ancient witch's curse plagues Blithe Hollow – unleashing a horde of ghouls on the all-too-oblivious townsfolk. With Bruce Willis nowhere to be seen, it falls on Norman to save the day – that is, if the grownups don't get in the way first.

Child-friendly? If your kids loved Coraline or Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, you can bet they'll be begging you to see ParaNorman. And you know what, there's a good chance you'll find yourself wavering between white-knuckled kung-fu grips on your seat and fits of laughter too, because this film is a winner for children and adults alike. Just be sure to warn those little ones with overactive imaginations that it's all make believe… isn't it?

Filed Under: Movies Reviews

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

Decoding Dad’s Mental Load with Zach Watson
byPaul Banas

In this episode of Great Dad Talks, guest Zach Watson dives deep into the often-misunderstood topic of “mental load” in modern partnerships and parenting. Zach, known for his educational and relatable takes on invisible labor in relationships, shares how the mental and emotional workload disproportionately impacts women—often in ways that go unrecognized by men.

Whether you’re struggling with household challenges, feeling disconnected from your partner, or just want to strengthen your role as a dad and partner, this episode is for you. 

Check out Jim’s website at zachthinkshare.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC  

50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50

Decoding Dad’s Mental Load with Zach Watson
Decoding Dad’s Mental Load with Zach Watson
July 8, 2025
Paul Banas
152. Building Men’s Character and Legacy with Jim Tracy
July 1, 2025
Paul Banas
151. The Power of Playful Parenting with Dr. Larry Cohen
June 24, 2025
Paul Banas
150. The Power of Humor in Parenting with Gavin Bellour
June 17, 2025
Paul Banas
149. Winning College Applications with Hamada Zahawi
June 10, 2025
Paul Banas
148. Healing Generational Trauma with Dr. Sasha Reiisi
June 3, 2025
Paul Banas
147. Discovering Dad’s Purpose with Adam Landrum
May 27, 2025
Paul Banas
146. Balancing Business and Family with Dr. Travis Parry
May 20, 2025
Paul Banas
145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
May 13, 2025
Paul Banas
144. Exploring Mindful Fatherhood with Odeani Mc Bean
May 6, 2025
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

5 Best Earhook Earbuds That Don’t Fall Out 2025

July 2, 2025 By Paul Banas

smart sprinkler controllers

10 best weather-based smart sprinkler controllers in 2025

July 1, 2025 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2025 . GreatDad