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Figure 1. Corpse bride dance of the dead scene (2005) - (Ten years ago, 2015)

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Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, this stop-motion film tells the story of a man on the eve of his wedding to an aristocratic woman, who accidentally marries a dead woman and is dragged into the world of the dead where he discovers the tragic past of his now-dead bride. This film, suitable for all audiences, deals with themes such as love and friendship, but also deals with dark themes such as marriages of convenience, greed, and death, which are not very common topics in children's stories. In addition to this, the film is particularly dark on a visual level since it has a rather dull and cold color palette. It also uses quite stylized puppets with large and very expressive eyes that give the impression of being sad most of the time. Thanks to this, the film creates a rather gloomy atmosphere but also plays with contrasts because most of the cold colors are seen in the world of the living, while warm colors and songs are shown in the world of the dead, where many characters who previously suffered in the world of the living become happier by reuniting with their loved ones who have already passed away, transmitting the clear message that death is not always necessarily bad or at least giving hope that loved ones who have already passed away are in a better place.

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Figure 2. Monster house escape scene (2006) - (Female first, 2021)

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Directed by Gil Kenan, monster house is a movie made with the motion caption about a couple of children obsessed with a house in the neighborhood whose owner is a grumpy old man who threatens the children and steals their toys every time they step on his lawn. When one of the children loses his ball in the house's lawn and goes to retrieve it, the old man confronts them and suffers a heart attack, leaving the house empty. In the following days, the children begin to observe the house and discover that it has a life of its own. After this, the plot consists of confronting the house so that it doesn't eat the innocent children who don't know the truth about the house. Finally, they reveal a rather tragic but understandable background for the story that leads us to the destruction of the house, thus achieving the release of the old man so he can be happy since he was never bad in the first place. This film deals with themes such as bullying and loneliness, in addition to directly telling a horror story without ceasing to be comical, which allows children and adults to enjoy it, thus exposing the little ones to suspense stories without necessarily being evil, leaving a nice reflection on enjoying childhood and not rushing to grow up.

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Figure 3. Coraline chase scene (2009) - (Medium,2024)

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Arguably the most highly regarded on this list, Coraline has firmly cemented its place in society as a must-watch for both children and adults alike. Director Henry selick is no stranger to creepy films, having previously directed both James and the giant peach and a nightmare before christmas, Two films that have helped pioneer the kids horror genre. Laika studio adapted this Neil Gaiman story as the first film from its stop-motion focused production company. This movie was in no way an easy feat to create with pre production taking two years and shooting an extra 18 months. During its production Coraline was worked on by approximately 450 people with around 30 animators and 250 technicians. Coraline follows the story of a young girl grappling with the monotony of her day to day life. She wishes for something different, something exciting, but as she will come to find out,different doesn't always mean better.  Coraline discovers a portal to a world that mirrors her own through the walls of her new home. Everything within this world is brighter, better, more fun. Her ‘Other’ parents are more caring and attentive, showering her with eye-popping foods and grand gestures of their love. Although on the surface this world seems like a ‘dream come true’, The ‘Other mothers’ true intentions are revealed when she insists that coraline must sew buttons into her eyes in order to continue living in this parallel dreamscape. This request is the catalyst for Coraline's discovery of the other mother or ‘Beldams’ previous victims. Three ghost children who were fooled by her promise and sewed buttons in their eyes, now trapped eternally in this other nightmare world. Upon confrontation, The beldam transforms into her true form, A haunting spider silhouette that will ensure Coraline never leaves her world. Narrowly escaping, Coraline is aided by the ‘Other father’ and is able to free the ghost children and return to her original world. Despite its dark aesthetic, this film aims to teach children that we should be grateful for the people and privileges we have in life, instead of longing for something better - Often if something seems too good to be true, it is. This lesson, although simple, is a key lesson for children and equally impactful reminder for adults.

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Figure 4. 9 Burial scene (2009) - (Film purgatory, 2022)

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This movie is perhaps the most mature and underrated of this list. Directed by shane acker, 9  somehow slipped under the majority of peoples radar upon its release, Despite big names like producer tim burton and actor Elijah wood being on board. Set in a post apocalyptic world void of human life, a band of living ragdolls must work together to defeat the 1984-esque government plaguing their world. The movie is littered with real-life references to oppressive regimes and the consequences of human greed, rather dark and complex ideas for a kids film. Despite the film’s  fictional nature, 9’s anti-government sentiment and ai centered storyline serves as an ominous warning for adults and thrilling tale for children.

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Figure 5. Paranorman (2012) - (Movie freak, 2012)

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Another Laika Studios film, Paranorman follows young outcast Norman Babcock as he navigates being blessed with the ability to speak with the dead. Often ridiculed for his gifts, Norman has become isolated from his peers and often opts for friendships with ghosts rather than real people.

Upon its release in 2012, Focus features named it ‘The biggest stop-motion animation production of all time’ and only the third to be shot in stereoscopic 3d. Inspired by the deeper social commentary often present within adult horror films, Writer and co-director Chris Butler saw value in applying this premise to a children's film. Weaved seamlessly between intricate stop motion and scarier scenes, this film aims to teach children to embrace difference and treat those around us with kindness.