Coraline

Coraline

Year: 2009

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Henry Selick

AdventureFantasyAnimationFamily

A young girl's boredom with her new home leads her to discover a hidden portal to an alternate world. This seemingly perfect parallel life appears initially inviting, with attentive "other" parents and endless treats. However, Coraline soon realizes that this idyllic realm hides a dark secret and a sinister agenda. To save her real family and escape, she must use her bravery and ingenuity to confront the Other Mother and unravel the mystery of this strange, captivating world.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Coraline (2009)

Trace every key event in Coraline (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Relocation to a New Home

Coraline Jones and her family move into a vintage house that is divided into several flats. The quirky atmosphere is enriched by the eccentric residents including Miss Spink, Miss Forcible, and Mr. Bobo, who claims to be training a mouse circus.

Vintage House
2

Discovery of the Locked Door

One rainy afternoon, Coraline's curiosity leads her to a mysterious, sealed door in her living room. Despite having been plastered over, she feels an irresistible urge to investigate it.

Rainy Afternoon Coraline’s Flat
3

Warning from Mr. Bobo

After visiting her neighbors, Mr. Bobo warns Coraline through a cryptic message from his mice. He advises her not to go through the locked door, hinting at the dangers that lie beyond.

Mr. Bobo’s Flat
4

Forewarning from Miss Spink

During tea with Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, Coraline receives a stark warning through tea leaves. Miss Spink gives her a lucky adder stone, claiming it could protect her from bad things.

Miss Spink and Miss Forcible's Flat
5

Entering the Other World

Despite warnings, Coraline unlocks the door and discovers a passage leading to an identical apartment, where her Other Mother and Other Father await. They are eerie doppelgängers of her real parents, appearing with button eyes.

Other World
6

Life in the Other World

In the Other World, Coraline experiences enchantment as she revels in the attention from her Other Parents. Animated toys and cabaret performances from the Other Miss Spink and Miss Forcible captivate her, blinding her to the lurking dangers.

Other World
7

The Other Mother's Proposition

The Other Mother offers Coraline an enticing deal to stay in this perfect realm forever, but with a dark twist—she must allow buttons to be sewn into her eyes. Horrified, Coraline refuses and makes her escape back through the door.

Other World
8

Parents Go Missing

Upon returning to her reality, Coraline finds her real parents have mysteriously vanished. An unsettling realization dawns on her that the Other Mother has trapped them as a means to control her.

Coraline’s Flat
9

Desperate Plea for Help

The Black Cat leads Coraline to a mirror where her trapped parents have inscribed a desperate message. They plead for help, revealing the true nature of the Other Mother’s intentions.

Mirror
10

Confrontation with the Other Mother

Determined to rescue her parents, Coraline returns to the Other World to confront the Other Mother. She engages in a game, where the stakes are not just her freedom, but also the fate of the ghost children she encounters.

Other World
11

Meeting the Ghost Children

Trapped behind a mirror, Coraline meets three ghost children who reveal their tragic fate. They implore her to help reclaim their souls, warning her about the consequences of allowing buttons to replace her eyes.

Mirror World
12

Wager for Freedom

Coraline proposes a high-stakes wager: if she can find the lost souls and her parents, they all gain freedom. But if she fails, she will have to surrender to the Other Mother's dark desires.

Other World
13

Climactic Showdown

Using her wit and Miss Spink’s lucky stone, Coraline faces numerous challenges set by the Other Mother to locate her parents and the lost souls. The tension escalates as the final moments draw near.

Other World
14

Clever Escape Plan

Coraline realizes her parents are trapped in a snow globe and devises a ruse to trick the Other Mother. She uses clever distractions to snatch the snow globe and makes her grand escape back to reality.

Other World
15

Final Confrontation

In a moment of triumph, Coraline manages to sever the Other Mother's hand while escaping. She ultimately emerges victorious but learns the battle may not be over as the severed hand continues to haunt her world.

Coraline’s Flat
16

The Ongoing Threat

Returning home, Coraline discovers her parents are safe but unaware of the danger she faced. Later, she dreams of the ghost children who remind her that the threat of the severed hand remains, keeping her on alert.

Coraline’s Flat
17

Casting the Hand to the Well

In a final act of courage, Coraline lures the Other Mother's severed hand to an old well. She cleverly traps it there, ensuring her victory and preserving her newfound appreciation for her ordinary life.

Old Well in the Woods

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:30

Unlock the Full Story of Coraline

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Coraline Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Coraline, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Coraline Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Coraline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Coraline

More About Coraline

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More About Coraline

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