Raising Coraline rating: is it too scary for kids 4–7?
Coraline rating: PG in the US (parental guidance suggested, no age limit) for thematic elements, scary images, some language, and suggestive humor; PG in the UK; 6 in Germany. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for 9 and up. The scary parts come from a witch-like "Other Mother" who traps children and wants to sew buttons over their eyes.
Coraline at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
MPA: PG, no age limit - –Violence in rating descriptors
None in official ratings found - ✓Scary content in rating descriptors
MPA: scary images - ✓Bad language in rating descriptors
MPA: some language; BBFC: language - ✓Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
MPA: suggestive humor - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
BBFC: PG; FSK: 6
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Stop-motion animated movie (Laika), 2009, directed by Henry Selick, based on Neil Gaiman's novella |
|---|---|
| US (MPA) | PG (parental guidance suggested; no age limit) — thematic elements, scary images, some language, suggestive humor |
| UK (BBFC) | PG (general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children) — mild scary scenes, rude humour, language source |
| Germany (FSK) | 6 (from age 6; per German listings) |
| Common Sense Media | 9+ (independent nonprofit): violence and scariness rated "a lot" |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What Coraline is about
Eleven-year-old Coraline moves into an old house and finds a small door to a parallel world, where her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" are kinder and more fun than her busy real parents. But everyone there has buttons for eyes, and the Other Mother wants Coraline to stay forever. It's a 2009 stop-motion film by Laika, directed by Henry Selick and based on Neil Gaiman's novella; it was re-released in theaters in 2024.
Coraline rating: what's scary in it
Short answer: It's rated PG in the US and the UK, and Common Sense Media rates its violence and scariness "a lot."
- US (MPA): PG, parental guidance suggested, no age limit.
- UK (BBFC): PG, general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
- Germany (FSK): 6.
The UK's BBFC describes a witch-like figure who traps children and replaces their eyes with buttons, creepy scenes eased by the heroine's bravery, a cat killing rats, mild swearing, and some rude humor. Common Sense Media adds that the Other Mother is implied to have killed at least three children, that there's brief strangling, and that a severed hand attacks Coraline. In a case study, the BBFC noted that some of the scares come from people or places that should feel safe to children, such as their homes and parents.
The habit kids may copy: the grass is greener
Coraline is bored and annoyed with her real parents, and the other world gives her everything she wants. Some kids copy the thought: "I want a different mom."
Try tonight: what's good right here
At bedtime, name one small good thing about your real day together: "Today I liked it when we…" In our program, this is the lesson "Enough": noticing what's already here.
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FAQ
What is Coraline rated?
PG in the US (parental guidance suggested, no age limit) for thematic elements, scary images, some language, and suggestive humor. It's PG in the UK and 6 in Germany.
Is Coraline scary for kids?
It has horror themes: a witch-like Other Mother who traps children and wants to replace Coraline's eyes with buttons, ghost children, and a severed hand. Common Sense Media lists it for 9 and up.
What age is Coraline for?
It's rated PG in the US and the UK and 6 in Germany. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 9 and up.
How long is Coraline?
About 100 minutes, according to Common Sense Media.
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