LAIKA's ParaNorman Returns to Theaters for Halloween in Remastered RealD 3D with New Short Film Starring Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard

LAIKA's stop-motion animated film ParaNorman returns to theaters for a one-week run this Halloween in remastered RealD 3D. The film, originally released in 2012, garnered multiple awards and nominations. The re-release will feature a brand-new CG short film starring Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard. The short, ParaNorman: The Thrifting, was directed by Thibault LeClercq and written by Chris Butler.

LAIKA, the renowned stop-motion animation studio, has announced the return of its critically acclaimed film, "ParaNorman," to theaters this Halloween. The film, originally released in 2012, will be shown in remastered RealD 3D and 2D formats for a one-week engagement. This re-release coincides with the 20th anniversary of LAIKA, marking a year-long celebration of the studio's achievements.

The re-release of "ParaNorman" follows the success of LAIKA's 2024 re-release of "Coraline," which grossed $56M worldwide, making it one of the biggest global film re-releases of the past decade and the highest-grossing stop-motion movie of all time. The success of "Coraline" indicates a strong audience desire for repertory cinema, particularly for older horror titles that families can enjoy together.

"ParaNorman" was directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell, and written by Butler. It garnered multiple awards, including Oscar®, BAFTA®, and Golden Globe nominations, as well as multiple ANNIE Awards®. The film's return will feature a brand-new CG animated short film, "ParaNorman: The Thrifting," directed by Thibault LeClercq and written by Chris Butler. The short film stars Finn Wolfhard and Anna Kendrick, reprising her role as Norman's older sister, Courtney Babcock.

The re-release will be distributed by Trafalgar Releasing internationally and Fathom Entertainment in the US. Fathom Entertainment's Chief Executive Officer, Ray Nutt, stated, "Fathom is very pleased to extend our distribution partnership with LAIKA and bring the critically acclaimed ParaNorman back to US audiences this Halloween in both 2D and RealD 3D and with the exclusive consumer added value feature, ParaNorman: The Thrifting." The short film will be attached to the re-release screenings, offering an additional attraction for moviegoers.

LAIKA's Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, David Burke, commented, "ParaNorman was a breakthrough film for LAIKA -- emotionally rich, visually daring, and proudly weird in all the right ways. Bringing it back to theaters in stunning remastered 3D, paired with a brand-new short film, is an invitation for audiences to rediscover the heart and humor of Norman’s world -- or experience it for the first time."

The success of "ParaNorman" and "Coraline" demonstrates LAIKA's ability to captivate audiences with its unique blend of stop-motion animation and engaging storytelling. The re-release of "ParaNorman" is expected to generate significant revenue, further solidifying LAIKA's position as a leading force in the animation industry.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/AMC/laika-s-para-norman-returns-to-the-big-screen-in-remastered-real-d-efg630r9pbb3.html