Coraline is atop tier work of children’s horror. Admittedly, that category isn’t as well-populated as it deserves to be, but even if it were, this story by legendary writer Neil Gaiman would still probably be one of the all-time greats. It’s just so delightfully creepy! It has a powerful fairy tale vibe, which is understandable, given that that’s the most common kind of screwed-up children’s story, but it’s leaning into that element more than those old stories normally do.
The movie was recently re-released in a bunch of theaters in celebration of its 15th anniversary, and we’re celebrating the same thing by bringing you a list of the best merch this story has to offer.
Bioworld Coraline Black Graphic Tee
Tons of cool details
This t-shirt features one of the most common images associated with the film, which was used as its primary poster. It’s simple, but contains a ton of cool details foreshadowing parts of the movie.
T-shirts are perhaps the most fundamental kind of merch. If a franchise only has one kind of item available, this is usually it. Coraline is blessed with quite a bit more than that, but it still has plenty of good shirts to recommend.
This first one is simple in concept. It’s a black t-shirt featuring the image used on the film’s original poster, which shows Caroline walking at night about to be grabbed by a creepy tree whose spindly form is reminiscent of the film’s villain. She stands in front of a moon that, if you look closely, is actually a button. This imagery is fun and creepy on its own, but those who know the story know of its significance.
Bioworld Coraline Family Charcoal Heather Nightshirt
So creepy!
This comfy night shirt features an image that is somehow even creepier than the last one, showing Coraline in front of a slightly less abstract representation of the story’s monster.
This t-shirt somehow manages to be creepier than the last one, and by quite a bit, too. This representation of the monster is still a bit veiled, probably for the sake of avoiding spoilers, but it’s the least abstract one so far, which is what allows it to be more openly creepy. Honestly, the only thing wrong with this t-shirt is that, for a night shirt, it’s too creepy to actually sleep in.
Coraline Jones Oversized Plush Throw Blanket
Amazingly (suspiciously?) comfortable
This cozy throw blanket is large and soft, with a design that shows one of the most important moments in the story; Coraline crawling through the tunnel that leads to the other world.
Coraline is a story all about comfort. Full of temptation and indulgence, the story’s theme ultimately argues that we should be suspicious of easy comforts offered by people whose motives we don’t understand. Well, by that logic, we should all be very suspicious of this blanket, because it’s super comfortable, very big and very warm, and has a great design any fan of the film is sure to love.
Trends International Coraline Be Careful Poster
Gets its point across
This poster from Trends International brings us another high-quality representation of the crucial moment when Coraline crawls through the door to the other world. It spoils little, but is alight with creepy energy.
Another depiction, with a different angle, of the same moment from the last product, this poster, which contains more light and a less surreal environment, is somehow far more unsettling than that blanket’s surreal tunnel. Though some might consider the text on the wall behind Coraline to be a bit on the nose, that’s precisely what makes it suit the fairy tale vibe of the story, and there are some other fun details, likethe doll lying limply behind her.
Coraline Special Snow Globe
Hold a memory in your hand
This working snowglobe is identical to the one featured in the movie, as it was when it had Coraline’s parents trapped inside it, all embodying a poignant memory that reminds Coraline what she’s fighting for.
It’s always fun to have a bit of merch that’san exact replica of something from the story it’s based on. Rather than just reminding you of something from the narrative, it lets you feel like you’re holding a piece of it in your very own hand. In horror, this can be taken in especially morbid, but also fun, directions.
For instance, this snowglobe appears to be the very object used by the Beldam to imprison Coraline’s parents in the movie. It’s actually pretty screwed up when you think about it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun.
Loungefly Coraline Laika House Womens Double Strap Shoulder Bag Purse
A great design with tons of cool details
This two-strapped bag contains a highly intricate design featuring the location of Coraline, the Pink Palace Apartments that serve as the Beldam’s haunt, and contain structures fundamental to how the monster functions.
Loungefly is a company that makes a ton of high-quality collectible bags. They made a bunch of fresh ones in the days leading up to the anniversary of Coraline’s release, so much so thatwe did an entire list just about them. The best item on that list was this bag here. It features an incredibly detailed depiction of the house where the story takes place. There are so many cool things about this design, including the fact that it has a 3D effect and glows in the dark.
FAQ
Is Coraline scary for 14-year-olds?
Coraline is a horror story written with children in mind. Younger children, those not ready to handle any horror at all, probably can’t handle it, but teenagers, and even kids a few years younger than that, should be fine.
Who owns Coraline?
The novel was written by Neil Gaiman, and the film was made by the company Lakia, which is responsible for a number of similar movies, such as The Corpse Bride.
Are they making Coraline 2?
Nope. The upcoming film The Ocean at the End of the Lane has a lot of the same creatives behind it, will have a similar vibe, and is an adaptation of another one of Gaiman’s books, but it is not a sequel to Coraline.
