Dakota Fanning Explores Alternate Reality In Creepy Film That Will Give You Nightmares
Although Henry Selick has never quite stuck to making children’s movies, given that his productions are all stop-motion, many assume that they’re appropriate for a younger crowd. Such was certainly the case for his Dakota Fanning-led 2009 feature, Coraline, which, through trippy effects and a disturbing story, became a cult classic. Now, audiences can stream the critically celebrated film as it’s available on Max.
Based on Neil Gaiman’s novella of the same name, the movie introduces audiences to Dakota Fanning’s Coraline, a young girl who stumbles upon a door to an alternate universe. At first, everything is vibrantly wonderful with the titular character enjoying her time in this parallel home but under the sugar-coating is a world filled with danger and evil forces.
Known for his work behind classic titles including The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Monkeybone, Coraline would serve as the final film in Henry Selick’s credit sheet before he made a comeback in 2022.
With the help of a group of friends and a black cat, Coraline sets out on an adventure to find her way home.
Known for his work behind classic titles including The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Monkeybone, Coraline would serve as the final film in Henry Selick’s credit sheet before he made a comeback in 2022.
Perhaps missing the industry, after all those years away, the legendary artist and filmmaker teamed up with Netflix, Jordan Peele, and Keegan-Michael Key to bring fans the spooky film, Wendell & Wild. Having previously worked with Dakota Fanning on Coraline, and other names like Brendan Fraser, Wendell & Wild was yet another star-studded feature under the director’s belt.
Many of the vocal performances, including that of Dakota Fanning, earned critical praise with the film itself receiving incredibly positive reviews.
Along with Dakota Fanning, the voice cast for Coraline also included performances by Dawn French, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane, Robert Bailey Jr., Keith David, John Hodgman, and Jennifer Saunders. Known for adding an extra level of excellence to his films through their soundtrack (as he did with the help of Danny Elfman in The Nightmare Before Christmas), Selick did more of the same by collaborating with composer Bruno Coulais on Coraline.
A hit at the box office, the stop-motion flick would rake in $129.6 million against its $60 million budget proving that there was still a huge audience for Selick’s dark and fantastical projects. Many of the vocal performances, including that of Dakota Fanning, earned critical praise with the film itself receiving incredibly positive reviews. A shoo-in for that year’s award circuit, Coraline would find itself nominated at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and more.
As for Dakota Fanning, her career was still relatively fresh by the time her casting in Coraline rolled around. First breaking onto the scene in the Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer-led drama, I Am Sam, it was more than clear that Hollywood had an up-and-coming star on its hands. At the age of eight, Fanning earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance in the Jessie Nelson (Waitress) helmed film, becoming the youngest person to do so.
From there, Dakota Fanning’s star only continued to rise, proving to audiences that she had what it took to bring tears to the eyes of entire theaters. Starring alongside Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls, the young actress delivered a tear-jerking and heartfelt performance, followed by a thrilling appearance opposite Denzel Washington in 2004’s Man on Fire.
Equalizer 3 isn’t the only return to screen for Dakota Fanning this year as Coraline has found its way back into theaters for a limited run.
Prior to her appearance in Coraline, Fanning would also star in such titles as The Cat in the Hat, War of the Worlds, Dreamer, Hide and Seek, and Charlotte’s Web.
This year marks a reunion for Dakota Fanning and her Man on Fire co-star Denzel Washington, as the duo will once again appear alongside each other in the upcoming feature, Equalizer 3. The latest installment in the Washington-led franchise, many fans are looking forward to seeing the pair’s dynamic on the big screen again following their incredible performance nearly two decades ago. And, Equalizer 3 isn’t the only return to screen for Dakota Fanning this year as Coraline has found its way back into theaters for a limited run.
After a two-day-only event that saw the Dakota Fanning-led 14-year-old film gross nearly $5 million at the domestic box office, the folks behind the Coraline release have decided to give it another run. Keeping up with the heavy competition provided by Barbie and Oppenheimer, Henry Selick’s celebrated film held its own. As of right now, further information surrounding when and where audiences can expect to see the film again hasn’t been released but the gears are in motion.
For those who can’t wait to see Dakota Fanning and the rest of the talented voice cast in Coraline, you can head to Max, where the stop-motion feature is now streaming.
