ParaNorman Sequel Announced: But There’s a Twist!

At the Annecy Animation Festival in Annecy, France, Laika Studios excited fans by revealing plans to re-release their beloved cult film, “ParaNorman,” and a sequel. The Annecy Festival is where animation studios and other companies showcase major animated projects. For instance, Disney shared a preview of “Zootopia 2” at the festival, along with news that the original director will return. Laika specifically announced at the event that their stop-motion horror film for kids, “ParaNorman,” will get a new short titled “ParaNorman: The Thrifting.” Actress Anna Kendrick is set to reprise her role as Norman’s older sister, Courtney, in “The Thrifting.

Finn Wolfhard from “Stranger Things” is teaming up with Kendrick for a new short film titled “The Thrifting“. Originally, Sam Fell and Chris Butler directed the feature-length film, but only Chris Butler is back this time as a writer. The new short will be helmed by director Thibault LeClerq instead. The premiere of “The Thrifting” will coincide with a fresh 3D release of “ParaNorman“, set to hit theaters worldwide on October 23rd, 2025, and in the U.S. specifically on October 25th. Fathom Entertainment will manage distribution within the United States, and Laika has unveiled a new poster celebrating the 3D re-release event.

ParaNorman Is One of Laika’s Best

ParaNorman, a chilling animated film for kids, premiered in cinemas on August 17th, 2012. Despite a production budget of $60 million, it managed to rake in just $107 million at the box office. However, this stop-motion movie struck a chord with a dedicated fanbase, who appreciated its distinctive mood, humor, animation, and profound themes. With the rise of streaming platforms, ParaNorman became a beloved Halloween tradition for some. Interestingly, ParaNorman served as a sequel to Laika’s initial motion picture, Coraline, another horror-themed animated feature. Remarkably, Coraline was re-released in theaters by Laika in 2024, earning an impressive $29 million worldwide, making it one of Fathom Entertainment’s most successful re-releases.

It’s anticipated that “ParaNorman” will achieve similar levels of success with its Halloween rerelease, as the spooky season provides an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy this movie, which serves as an engaging introduction to horror for children. Lately, Laika has unveiled a video showing Mitch’s boyfriend from “ParaNorman” for the first time. The original film garnered attention for featuring a queer character among its main cast, even though Mitch’s boyfriend wasn’t introduced until the movie’s conclusion. It remains uncertain if this new video and Mitch’s boyfriend will appear in “The Thrifting,” but it certainly generates excitement ahead of the upcoming rerelease.

Laika Studio is in the process of adapting “Wildwood,” a novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis into a film. Strangely, this project was initially absent from Laika’s release schedule, but later confirmed to be set for release in 2026. Kasi Lemmons will pen the screenplay, while Travis Knight, co-founder and co-owner of Laika, will direct it. Travis Knight is recognized primarily for his work on “Kubo and the Two Strings” produced by Laika, as well as the live-action Transformers film, “Bumblebee.” The upcoming film “Wildwood” boasts an impressive cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, and Maya Erskine.

2025-06-14 03:09

ParaNorman Is One of Laika’s Best

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