What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedParaNorman
Film · 2012
If you loved ParaNorman, start with Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (Guillermo del Toro, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to ParaNorman across media.
What hooked you in ParaNorman was the way it centers misunderstood outsiders navigating supernatural mysteries within their own small, quirky communities.
Books on the same thread
The Twilight Saga
Stephenie Meyer · Book
Explores: Supernatural Destiny, High School Drama, Protective Love.
Much like ParaNorman, this story explores the high school experience through a supernatural lens, focusing on the intense emotional stakes that arise when teenagers are thrust into extraordinary, destiny-driven circumstances.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
If you appreciated the social alienation felt by the protagonist in ParaNorman, you will find this exploration of teenage angst and the struggle to fit in deeply resonant and relatable.
The Invisible Man
H. G. Wells · Book · 2007
Explores: Invisibility, Mad Scientist, Social Isolation.
The suspicion and isolation experienced by the main character in ParaNorman mirrors the plight of the protagonist here, who must navigate a village that fears his secret and unusual nature.
Goosebumps
R. L. Stine · Book · 1992
Explores: Monsters, Supernatural, Fear.
This series captures the same blend of youthful exploration and supernatural suspense found in ParaNorman, placing young characters into eerie situations where they must rely on their courage to survive.
Series on the same thread
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with ParaNorman: Coming of Age.
Fans of ParaNorman will recognize the journey of a young, unlikely hero who must balance a mundane life with the heavy responsibility of protecting his world from hidden supernatural threats.
Naruto
Series · 2002
Shares a thread with ParaNorman: Coming of Age.
Similar to the protagonist of ParaNorman, Naruto is an underdog who seeks recognition from his peers while grappling with a unique destiny that separates him from the rest of society.
South Park
Trey Parker · Series · 1997
Explores: Social Commentary, Political Satire, Child Protagonists.
If you enjoyed the small-town setting and satirical tone of ParaNorman, this show provides a similarly irreverent look at the eccentricities and dysfunctions of life within a quiet, isolated community.
Rick and Morty
Dan Harmon · Series · 2013
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Existentialism, Dark Humor.
This series shares the dark humor and complex family dynamics present in ParaNorman, as it follows characters who are constantly pulled into bizarre, interdimensional adventures that disrupt their everyday lives.
Podcasts on the same thread
Para Normal Podcast
Podcast
Shares a thread with ParaNorman: Paranormal.
If the ghost stories and supernatural lore of ParaNorman captivated your imagination, this podcast offers a deeper dive into the very mysteries of the paranormal that define Norman's world.
Encuentro Paranormal Podcast
Podcast
Explores: paranormal events, ghost encounters, supernatural experiences.
This podcast continues the exploration of the supernatural events and haunting encounters that made ParaNorman so compelling, grounding these eerie experiences in personal stories shared by real-life guests.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is ParaNorman about a boy who can talk to ghosts?
Yes, ParaNorman follows a boy named Norman Babcock who lives in the town of Blithe Hollow. He possesses the unique ability to speak to the dead, though most of the townspeople do not believe that his supernatural talent is actually real.
What is the primary conflict in ParaNorman?
The conflict in ParaNorman centers on a centuries-old curse cast by a witch. Norman must perform a specific ritual, as instructed by his eccentric uncle, to protect the town of Blithe Hollow from the consequences of this ancient curse.
Does Norman Babcock have any allies in ParaNorman?
In ParaNorman, Norman Babcock is largely isolated because others doubt his abilities. However, he does find support from an eccentric new friend who is the only person in Blithe Hollow that believes his power to communicate with the dead is genuine.
Is ParaNorman set in a real location?
ParaNorman is set in a fictional town called Blithe Hollow. The story follows Norman Babcock as he navigates the challenges of his supernatural gift while attempting to save this specific town from a dangerous curse cast by a witch long ago.