ParaNorman

In the town of Blithe Hollow, a young boy named Norman Babcock discovers he possesses a unique ability to communicate with the dead. His gift allows him to converse with his late grandmother and various spirits, but it alienates him from his family and friends who do not understand or accept his talent.

Despite his remarkable ability, Norman faces ridicule and bullying from his peers, leading to deep feelings of isolation. This challenging social environment hinders his ability to connect with others, making the supernatural encounters he experiences even more significant.

Amidst the bullying, Norman finds an unexpected ally in Neil Downe, an eccentric and kind-hearted boy who also faces his own struggles. Their friendship blossoms as they bond over their shared experiences and the acceptance of their unique qualities.

During a school play rehearsal intended to honor the historical witch trials of their town, Norman experiences a haunting vision of himself being chased by a mob. This vision serves as a chilling reminder of the town's dark past and foreshadows the challenges he will soon face.

Following the distressing vision, Norman’s estranged Uncle Mr. Prenderghast arrives with a dire warning about the need for a sacred ritual to protect the town from its cursed history. Initially skeptical, Norman soon realizes the urgency of his uncle's message.

After a series of distressing events, Norman encounters the spirit of Uncle Prenderghast who emphasizes that a special book is necessary for the ritual. Determined to save the town, he heads to his uncle's home to retrieve the book, believing his friend Neil would not grasp the seriousness of the situation.

At the graves of the town’s original founders, Norman finds out that the book he sought is merely a collection of fairy tales. This revelation comes just as they are disrupted by Alvin, a local bully, and a storm invoked by the witch, leading to chaos as the undead rise.

As the zombie chaos unfolds, Norman’s sister, Courtney, and Neil join him in a terrifying fight for survival. Together, they devise a plan to seek assistance from Salma, a fellow classmate who can help them uncover the location of the witch's grave.

Navigating through the storm and the chaos of the undead, the group breaks into the archives of Town Hall, searching for crucial information. However, they face mounting pressure as the zombie mob threatens their safety and time runs short.

After being momentarily separated from his friends, Norman loses consciousness due to a lightning strike summoned by the witch. In this state, he discovers through a vivid dream that the witch was actually Agatha Prenderghast, an innocent girl wrongly accused and condemned by the town.

Determined to make amends, Norman searches for Agatha’s grave with the help of the zombies. As he confronts the angry mob once more, hope dwindles until Courtney steps forward, advocating for her brother and revealing their bond to the crowd.

With Judge Hopkins' guidance, Norman enters the forest to confront Agatha's spirit at her grave. Displaying courage and understanding, he tries to connect with her pain as an outcast, urging her to recall the kindness she once knew.

Through Norman's heartfelt empathy, Agatha eventually confronts her own bitterness and recognizes the importance of letting go. This transformation allows her spirit to find peace, enabling the storm and the chaos to subside as the zombies retreat.

As the sun rises and calm returns to Blithe Hollow, the townspeople begin to see Norman as a hero for his bravery. His acceptance of his gift transforms his relationships, and he no longer hides from his unique abilities.

In a heartwarming conclusion, Norman embraces his friendship with Neil, enjoying a horror film alongside the ghost of his grandmother. Surrounded by support from his family and friends, Norman finds solace in his gift, ready to face whatever the future brings.