Coraline (2009) - full transcript

When Coraline moves to an old house, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. She finds a hidden door with a bricked up passage. During the night, she crosses the passage and finds a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, with caring parents and all her dreams coming true. When the Other Mother invites Coraline to stay in her world forever, the girl refuses and finds that the alternate reality where she is trapped is only a trick to lure her.

(BOBINSKY COUNTING IN RUSSIAN)

(CAR HONKING)

(BOBINSKY CURSES IN RUSSIAN)

MOVER: We're here!

Time to muscle up.

(BOTH GRUNT)

(GIGGLES)

(GROANS)

(DOOR CREAKING)

(PEBBLES CLATTERING)

Hello?

CORALINE: Who's there?

(CAT SCREECHES)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

(GASPS)

(MEOWS)

(SCREAMS)

You scared me to death,

you mangy thing.

I'm just looking for

an old well. Know it?

Not talking, huh?

Magic dowser,

magic dowser...

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Show me the well!

(HONKING)

(SCREAMING)

Get away from me!

(CORALINE GRUNTS)

Ooh.

Let me guess.

You're from Texas or Utah,

someplace dried-out

and barren, right?

I heard about

water witching before,

but it doesn't make sense.

I mean, it's just

an ordinary branch.

It's a dowsing rod.

Ow!

And I don't like

being stalked,

not by psycho nerds

or their cats!

He's not really my cat.

He's kind of feral.

You know, wild.

Of course,

I do feed him every night,

and sometimes

he'll come to my window

and bring me

little dead things.

Look, I'm from Pontiac.

Huh?

Michigan.

And if I'm a water witch,

then where's

the secret well?

You stomp too hard

and you'll fall in it.

Oh!

See?

(HOLLOW THUDDING)

It's supposed to be so deep,

if you fell to the bottom

and looked up,

you'd see a sky full of stars

in the middle of the day.

Ha.

Surprised she

let you move in.

My gramma, she owns

the Pink Palace.

Won't rent to

people with kids.

What do you mean?

(STAMMERING)

I'm not supposed

to talk about it.

I'm Wybie.

Wybie Lovat.

Wybie?

Short for Wyborne.

Not my idea,

of course.

What'd you

get saddled with?

I wasn't saddled

with anything.

It's Coraline.

Caroline what?

Coraline.

Coraline Jones.

(SCOFFS)

It's not

real scientific,

but I heard

an ordinary name

like Caroline

can lead people to have

ordinary expectations

about a person.

(GRUMBLING)

LOVAT: Wyborne!

I think I heard

someone calling you, Wyborne.

What?

I didn't hear anything.

I definitely heard someone,

Why-Were-You-Born.

LOVAT: Wyborne!

Grandma!

(CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY)

Well, great to meet

a Michigan water witch,

but I'd wear

gloves next time.

Why?

'Cause that

dowsing rod of yours,

it's poison oak.

(EXCLAIMS)

(BLOWING RASPBERRY)

(SPLASHING)

I almost fell down

a well yesterday, Mom.

Uh-huh.

I would've died.

That's nice.

Hmm.

So, can I go out?

I think it's perfect

weather for gardening.

No, Coraline.

Rain makes mud.

Mud makes a mess.

But, Mom,

I want stuff growing

when my friends

come to visit.

Isn't that why

we moved here?

Something like that.

But then

we had the accident.

It wasn't my fault

you hit that truck.

I never said it was.

I can't believe it.

You and Dad get paid

to write about plants,

and you hate dirt.

Coraline, I don't have time

for you right now,

and you still

have unpacking to do.

Lots of unpacking.

That sounds exciting!

Oh. Some kid left this

on the front porch.

WYBIE: Hey, Jonesy.

Look what I found

in Gramma's trunk.

Look familiar? Wybie.

(GROANS)

CORALINE: Huh.

A little me? That's weird.

What's his name,

anyway?

Wybie. And I'm way

too old for dolls.

Hey, Dad.

How's the writing going?

Dad!

Hello, Coraline

and Coraline doll.

Do you know where

the garden tools are?

It's... It's pouring

out there, isn't it?

(SCOFFS)

It's just raining.

What'd the boss say?

"Don't even think

about going out,

Coraline Jones!"

Then you won't

need the tools.

(GROANS)

(SQUEAKS)

(SQUEAKING)

(GROANS)

You know, this house

is 150 years old.

So?

So explore it.

Go out and count all

the doors and windows

and write that down on...

List everything

that's blue.

Just let me work.

(TYPING)

Ew!

(EXCLAIMS)

(SQUEAKS)

(SCREAMING)

No. No, no, no. No.

(SCREAMING)

One boring blue boy

in a painfully

boring painting.

Four incredibly

boring windows

and no more doors.

All right, little me.

Where are you hiding?

Huh?

Hey, Mom.

Where does this door go?

I'm really, really busy.

CORALINE: I think it's locked.

CORALINE: Please!

(GROANS)

Will you stop pestering me

if I do this for you?

(WHIMPERING)

Fine.

Bricks?

I don't get it.

They must've closed

this off when they

divided up the house.

You're kidding.

And why is the door so small?

We made a deal!

Zip it!

You didn't lock it.

(MOM EXCLAIMING

IN FRUSTRATION)

(SINGING)

Oh, my twitchy-witchy girl

I think you are so nice

I give you bowls of porridge

And I give you

bowls of ice cream

(GROANS IN DISGUST)

Why don't you

ever cook, Mom?

Coraline, we've been

through this before.

Your dad cooks,

I clean, and you

stay out of the way.

I swear I'll go

food shopping soon as

we finish the catalog.

Try some of the chard.

You need a vegetable.

It looks more

like slime to me.

Well, it's slime

or bedtime, fusspot.

Now what's it gonna be?

Think they're

trying to poison me?

(SIGHS)

Don't forget about me, guys.

Okay?

Good night, little me.

(MOUSE SQUEAKING)

(CONTINUES SQUEAKING)

(CORALINE GASPS)

Whoa!

Huh?

Mmm. Something smells good.

(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)

Mom? What are you doing here

in the middle of the night?

You're just in time

for supper, dear.

You're not my mother.

My mother doesn't have...

(STAMMERS)

(MIMICS STAMMERING)

Buttons? Do you like them?

I'm your other mother, silly.

Now go tell your other father

that supper's ready.

Well, go on.

He's in his study.

CORALINE: Hello?

Hello, Coraline.

Wanna hear my new song?

My father

can't play piano.

No need to.

This piano plays me.

(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)

(SINGING) Making up

a song about Coraline

She's a peach, she's a doll

She's a pal of mine

She's as cute as a button

in the eyes of everyone

Who ever laid

their eyes on Coraline

When she comes

around exploring

Mom and I will never,

ever make it boring

Our eyes will be on Coraline

I'm sorry,

but she said to tell

you the food's ready.

Mmm.

Who's starving?

Raise your hand.

Whoa!

(CLEARS THROAT)

We give our thanks

and ask to bless

our mother's

golden chicken breast.

(OTHER FATHER LAUGHING)

Mmm!

CORALINE:

This chicken is good.

Hungry, aren't you?

Do you have any gravy?

Well, here comes

the gravy train.

Choo, choo!

Huh.

Another roll? Sweet peas?

Corn on the cob?

I'm real thirsty.

Of course.

Any requests?

Mango milkshake?

Home?

We've been waiting

for you, Coraline.

For me?

OTHER FATHER: Yep.

Wasn't the same here

without you, kiddo.

I didn't know I

had another mother.

Of course you do.

Everyone does.

Really?

OTHER MOTHER: Uh-huh.

And soon as

you're through eating,

I thought we'd play a game.

You mean like hide-and-seek?

Perfect.

Hide-and-seek in the rain.

What rain?

(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)

What about the mud?

We love mud here.

Mud facials,

mud baths, mud pies.

It's great

for poison oak.

How'd you know I...

I... I'd love to play,

but I better get

home to my other mother.

But I'm your other mother.

I mean my other,

other mother.

Mom number one?

(EXCLAIMS)

I think I should

get to bed.

Of course, sweetheart.

It's all made up.

But...

Come along, sleepyhead.

(CORALINE GASPS)

Wow.

DRAGONFLY: Hello, Coraline.

DRAGONFLIES: Hello, hello,

hello, hello.

What's shaking, baby?

Hello.

GIRL: Hey.

How's it going, Loper?

Where's your

swampers and chook?

Cripes almighty!

How are my best trolls?

I can't wait till summer.

You're both coming, right?

We're already here,

Coraline.

Gone to Oregon.

CORALINE: Oh.

The mud.

See you soon.

See you soon.

(YAWNS)

It's gone.

My poison oak! It's gone!

Huh.

(KETTLE WHISTLING)

It was incredibly real, Mom.

Only you weren't

really you.

You were

my other mother.

Buttons for

eyes, huh?

Coraline, you only dreamed

you ate all that chicken.

Take your

multivitamin at least.

You were in

the dream, too, Dad.

You had wild-looking pajamas

and orange monkey slippers.

(LAUGHS)

Orange?

My monkey slippers are blue.

Psst.

Can you get me

some of that magic mud

you were talking about?

Because I have

a terrible case

of writer's rash on my...

(MOM CLEARS THROAT)

If the real Charlie Jones

wants his pages edited,

he better wrap them up ASAP.

Coraline,

why don't you go

visit downstairs?

I bet those actresses

would love to

hear your dream.

Miss Spink and Forcible?

But you said

they're dingbats.

Mmm-hmm.

Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky.

(SNIFFS)

(GROANS)

(EXCLAIMS IN DISGUST)

Hello?

I think our mail

got mixed up.

Should I leave

it outside, or...

(EXCLAIMS)

(CLUCKING)

CORALINE: Hmm.

Secret!

(GASPS)

Famous jumping

mouse circus not ready,

little girl.

Circus?

Oh, uh...

I brought this for you.

(SNIFFING)

(SIGHS CONTENTEDLY)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

Huh?

New cheese samples.

(BOBINSKY GRUNTS)

Very clever using this mix-up

to sneak my home

and peek at mooshkas?

Mooshkas?

The mice!

Oh!

Sorry. I'm Coraline Jones.

And I am

the Amazing Bobinsky.

But you call me Mr. B

because amazing I

already know that I am.

(GRUNTS)

(GASPS)

Ha!

You see, Caroline,

the problem is...

My new songs go

oompah, oompah,

but the jumping mice

play only toodle-toot,

like that.

Is nice but not

so much amazing.

So now,

I switch to stronger cheese

and soon, watch out!

Here, have beet.

Make you strong.

Do svidaniya, Caroline.

Coraline.

Oompah, oompah.

Toodle-toot.

Hey, Caroline!

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

Wait!

No!

(BOBINSKY GRUNTS)

The mice asked me

to give you message.

The jumping mice?

They are saying

do not go

through little door.

Do you know such a thing?

The one behind the wallpaper?

But it's all bricked up.

Bah.

So sorry. Is nothing.

Sometimes the mice

are little mixed-up.

(GRUNTS)

They even get your

name wrong, you know?

They call you Coraline

instead of Caroline.

Not Caroline at all.

Maybe I work them too hard.

(DOGS BARKING)

Cease your

infernal yapping.

How nice to see you,

Caroline.

Would you like

to come in?

We're playing cards.

Still Coraline,

Miss Spink.

Miriam!

Put the kettle on!

April, I think

you're being followed.

It's the new neighbor,

Miriam. Caroline.

SPINK: She'll be having

the oolong tea.

FORCIBLE: No! Oh, no, no.

I'm sure she'd

prefer jasmine.

No, oolong.

Ah. Jasmine it is, then.

(SIGHS)

Come on, boys.

Are those dogs real?

Our sweet departed angels.

Couldn't bear to

part with them,

so we had them stuffed.

SPINK: Now, there's

Hamish the third...

Go on. Have one.

It's hand-pulled

taffy from Brighton.

Best in the world.

SPINK... the third,

the ninth, yes.

The fourth, I'm right.

And Jock Jr., Jock Sr.,

Jock the third, the fourth,

and that's

Jock's second cousin

thrice removed.

I'll read them

if you like.

Read what?

Your tea leaves, dear.

They'll tell me your future.

Drink up then. Go on.

No, not all of it.

Not all of it.

That's right.

Now hand it over.

Oh!

Oh, Caroline.

Caroline, Caroline, Caroline.

You are in

terrible danger.

Oh, give me

that cup, April.

Your eyes are going.

My eyes?

You're blind as a bat.

Well, not to worry, child.

It's good news.

There's a tall,

handsome beast

in your future.

A what?

Miriam, really.

You're holding it wrong.

See? Danger.

CORALINE: What do you see?

SPINK: I see

a very peculiar hand.

FORCIBLE: I see a giraffe.

Giraffes don't just

fall from the sky, Miriam.

Oh, Lord.

(DOG YIPS)

Well, what should I do?

Never wear green in

your dressing room.

Acquire a very

tall stepladder.

And be very, very careful.

(GASPS)

Now, was there something

you came to tell us?

No. I guess not.

Thanks for the tea, though.

FORCIBLE: Toodle-oo.

SPINK: Cheery-bye.

FORCIBLE: Do you have any

nice queens for Mummy?

(DOG YIPS)

Danger?

(RATTLES)

(EXCLAIMS)

Great! The village stalker.

Ow!

I wasn't stalking you.

We're hunting banana slugs.

What do you mean "we?"

(CAT MEOWS)

Ha! Your cat's not wild.

He's a wuss puss.

What? He hates to

get his feet wet. Jeez.

Wuss puss.

So, that doll.

Did you make it

look like me?

Oh, no. I found it that way.

It's older than Grandma.

Old as this house,

probably.

Come on. Blue hair,

my swampers and raincoat?

Dang! Check out Slugzilla.

You're just like them.

Huh?

I meant my parents.

They don't

listen to me either.

Uh-huh. You mind?

(MIMICS CHOMPING)

(GRUNTS)

(SCREAMS)

Hmm.

Ew!

You know,

I've never been inside

the Pink Palace.

You're kidding.

Grandma'd kill me.

Thinks it's dangerous

or something.

Dangerous?

Well, she had

a twin sister.

So?

When they were kids,

Grandma's sister

disappeared.

She says

she was stolen.

CORALINE: Stolen?

(MEOWS)

Well, what do you think?

I don't know.

Maybe she just ran away.

LOVAT: Wyborne!

Look, I gotta go.

Wait a minute.

(SQUEAKS)

(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)

Welcome back, darling.

Hi.

So thoughtful of you

to send this nice cheddar,

Coraline.

Cheddar? Oh!

The mice bait.

Would you go

fetch your father?

I bet he's hungry

as a pumpkin by now.

You mean my other father.

Your better father, dear.

He's out in the garden.

But my parents don't

have time to garden.

(SHUSHING)

Mmm!

Go on.

(CORALINE GASPS)

(LAUGHS)

Hey.

I love your garden!

Our garden, Coraline.

(LAUGHING)

Stop tickling me!

Daughter in distress.

Tickle no more,

you dragon snappers.

Well, she says

it's time for dinner,

breakfast, food.

Hop on, kiddo.

I wanna show you something.

CORALINE: I can't believe

you did this.

OTHER FATHER:

Mother said you'd like it.

Boy, she knows you

like the back of her hand.

Mmm. So good.

I love

dinner-breakfast-food.

Coraline,

Mr. Bobinsky

has invited you

to come see

the jumping mice

perform after dinner.

Really?

That know-it-all Wybie

said it was all

in Mr. B's head.

I knew he was wrong.

Well, everything's

right in this world, kiddo.

Your father and

I will clean up

while you and your

friend head upstairs.

My friend?

CORALINE:

Great. Another Wybie.

Hello,

Why-Were-You-Born.

CORALINE: Hello!

I thought you'd like him more

if he spoke a little less.

So I fixed him.

So he can't talk at all?

Nope.

Hmm.

I like it.

Now, run along,

you two, and have fun.

You're awful cheerful

considering you

can't say anything.

It didn't hurt,

did it, when she...

(LAUGHS)

CORALINE: Whoa!

CORALINE: Cool!

(CLUCKING)

(CANNONS BOOMING)

CORALINE: Look at you!

(CORALINE LAUGHS)

OTHER BOBINSKY: Lady

and gentleman, for to

tickle your eyes and ears

and making hearts to thump,

I, Sergei Alexander Bobinsky,

am introducing

my astoundishing,

stupendulous and amazing

jumping mouse circus!

My name!

(FANFARE PLAYING)

(CIRCUS MUSIC PLAYING)

It's wonderful, Wybie.

Wow!

Yahoo!

That was great!

Very, very thank you,

lady and gentleman.

We loved it, Mr. B.

It was so... So...

Ah...

Amazing!

You are very welcome

anytime you like.

You and also your

good friend there.

Do svedaniya, Coraline.

(KISSES)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTS)

CORALINE: There were

garden squash like

balloon animals

and snapdragons.

Oh, and upstairs,

I saw a real mouse circus.

Not pretend like

the crazy man's

in our house.

You sure

you won't come?

Don't fret, Charlie.

They'll love

the new catalog.

At least they'll

love my chapters.

I did not call

him crazy, Coraline.

He's drunk.

Well, I guess I'll see you

around, you dizzy dreamer.

Dad! I'm not five anymore.

(GEARS CRANKING)

(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)

My kingdom for a horse!

(CRASHING)

Put them back.

But, Mom,

the whole school's

gonna wear

boring gray clothes.

No one will have these.

Put them back.

My other mother

would get them.

Maybe she should

buy all your clothes.

CORALINE: So what do you think

is in the other apartment?

I don't know.

Not a family of

Jones imposters.

Then why'd you

lock the door?

I found some rat crap,

and I thought

you'd feel safer.

They're jumping mice, Mom,

and the dreams

aren't dangerous.

They're the most fun

I've had since

we've moved here.

Your school

might be fun.

With those stupid uniforms?

Right.

Had to give it a try.

How do you feel

about a mustard,

ketchup, salsa

wrap for lunch?

Are you kidding me?

Had to go food shopping,

anyway.

Dad's planning

something special.

Grossgusting.

You wanna come along?

You can pick out

something you like.

Oh. Like the gloves.

(SIGHS)

Look, Coraline,

if things go well today,

I promise I'll make it up.

That's what

you always say.

Won't be long.

But I might be.

I knew it was real.

(PURRS)

OTHER MOTHER:

Dearest Coraline,

Miss Spink and Miss Forcible

have invited you

downstairs after lunch.

I hope you like

the new outfit I made you.

Love, Mother.

(BURPS)

(CAT MEOWS)

Wybie's got a cat

like you at home.

(MEOWS)

Not the quiet Wybie.

The one that talks too much.

You must be the other cat.

No, I'm not

the other anything. I'm me.

Um... I can see you

don't have button eyes,

but if you're the same cat,

how can you talk?

I just can.

Cats don't talk at home.

No?

Nope.

Well, you're clearly

the expert on these things.

After all,

I'm just a big fat wuss puss.

Come back. Please?

I'm sorry I called you that.

I really am.

How'd you get here?

I've been coming

here for a while.

It's a game we play.

She hates cats and

tries to keep me out,

but she can't, of course.

I come and go

as I please.

The other mother

hates cats?

Not like any mother

I've ever known.

What do you mean?

She's amazing.

You probably think this world

is a dream come true,

but you're wrong.

The other Wybie told me so.

That's nonsense.

He can't talk.

Perhaps not to you.

We cats, however,

have far superior senses

than humans,

and can see and smell and...

Shh!

I hear something.

Right over...

(MEOWS)

(SNIFFING)

(ORCHESTRA TUNING)

Hey, Wybie.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

She's practically naked!

(SINGING)

I'm known as the siren

of all seven seas

The breaker of

hearts by the bay

So if you go swimming

With bowlegged women

I might steal

your weak heart away

(DOGS BARKING)

Oh, my God.

(SINGING)

A big-bottomed sea witch

May bob through the waves

And hope to

lead sailors astray

But a true ocean goddess

Must fill out her bodice

To present

an alluring display

(DOGS BARKING)

Beware of old oysters

too large in the chest

Let's banish them

from the buffet

I'm far more nutritious

You smell like

the fishes

Did I hear a banshee?

You're sea green

with envy

This mermaid enchantress

No, I, Birth of Venus

BOTH: Will send

sailors swooning...

(SCREAMS IN PAIN)

Will send sailors

swooning all day

(BOTH EXCLAIMING)

(DOGS BARKING)

I can't look.

Ready to break

a leg, Miriam?

Our lives for

the theater, April.

(DOGS BARKING)

OTHER FORCIBLE: "What

a piece of work is man!

"How noble in reason!"

OTHER SPINK:

"How infinite in faculty."

"In form, in moving

how express and admirable!"

"In action

like an angel."

OTHER SPINK:

"In apprehension

how like a god!"

(SCREAMS)

OTHER FORCIBLE:

"The beauty of the world!"

(CORALINE LAUGHING)

OTHER SPINK:

"The paragon of animals!"

Yeah!

(SCREAMING)

(LAUGHING)

(DOGS BARKING)

Hey, there.

Was it wonderful, dear?

Oh, yeah. They swooped down

and pulled me

right out of my seat,

Spink and Forcible,

only they weren't old ladies.

That was

just a disguise.

But then, I was flying

through the air, and it was...

It was magic.

You do like it here,

don't you, Coraline?

Uh-huh.

Good night, Wybie.

You could stay here

forever if you want to.

Really?

Sure.

We'll sing and play games,

and Mother will cook

your favorite meals.

There's one tiny

little thing we need to do.

What's that?

Well, it's a surprise.

For you,

our little doll.

OTHER MOTHER:

Black is traditional.

But if you'd prefer pink

or vermillion

or chartreuse...

OTHER MOTHER: Though you might

make me jealous.

No way!

You're not sewing

buttons in my eyes!

But we need a "yes"

if you want to stay here.

So sharp

you won't feel a...

Ow!

There, now.

It's your decision,

darling.

We only want

what's best for you.

I'm going to bed.

Right now!

Bed?

Before dinner?

I'm really,

really tired. Yeah.

(YAWNING)

I just need to

sleep on things.

Well, of course

you do, darling.

I'll be happy

to tuck you in.

Oh, no, thanks.

You've done so much already.

You're welcome. And I...

We aren't worried

at all, darling.

OTHER MOTHER: Soon you'll

see things our way.

DRAGONFLIES:

What's wrong, Coraline?

Don't you wanna play?

Yeah! I wanna hug your face!

GIRAFFE DOLL:

Get a grip, soldier!

GIRL: Hey!

BOY: Hey!

Where's your buttons,

Loper?

You want to stay,

don't you?

Going home tonight, robots,

and I won't be back.

Go to sleep.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

OTHER MOTHER: A tiny

little thing we need to do.

CORALINE: Go to sleep.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

OTHER FATHER: So sharp

you won't feel a thing.

CORALINE:

Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

OTHER MOTHER: Soon

you'll see things our way.

Mom! Dad!

(GASPS)

Oh, God. I'm still here?

(PIANO PLAYING)

Hey, you!

CORALINE:

Where's the other mother?

I wanna go home.

All will be swell,

soon as Mother's refreshed.

Her strength is our strength.

Mustn't talk when

Mother's not here.

If you won't even

talk to me,

I'm gonna find

the other Wybie.

He'll help me.

No point.

He pulled a long face,

and Mother didn't like it.

(GRUNTS)

(GASPS)

(CAT MEOWS)

And what do you

think you're doing?

Well, I'm getting

out of here.

That's what I'm doing.

Huh?

Something's wrong.

Shouldn't

the old well be here?

Nothing out here.

It's the empty

part of this world.

She only made

what she knew

would impress you.

But why?

Why does she want me?

She wants

something to love, I think.

Something

that isn't her.

Or maybe she'd just

love something to eat.

Eat? That's ridiculous.

Mothers don't

eat daughters.

I don't know.

How do you taste?

(LAUGHING)

CORALINE: Huh?

But how can you walk

away from something

and still come back to it?

Walk around the world.

Small world.

(FANFARE PLAYING)

Hang on.

(MOUSE SQUEAKING)

Stop!

He's one of the circus mice!

(SQUEAKING)

(GASPS)

I don't like rats

at the best of times,

but this one was

sounding an alarm.

Good kitty.

They say even

the proudest spirit

can be broken with love.

(CHUCKLES)

Of course, chocolate

never hurts. Like one?

They're cocoa beetles

from Zanzibar.

(EXCLAIMS IN DISGUST)

I want to be with

my real mom and dad.

I want you to let me go.

Is that any way to

talk to your mother?

You aren't my mother.

Apologize at once, Coraline!

No!

I'll give you to

the count of three.

One.

Two.

Three!

Ow!

What are you doing?

Ow! That hurts!

You may come out

when you've learned

to be a loving daughter.

(SCREAMS)

(PANTING)

(GHOSTLY MOANING)

(GASPS)

Who's there?

TALL GIRL GHOST: Hush!

And shush.

For the beldam

might be listening.

You... You mean

the other mother?

Who are you?

Don't remember our names,

but I 'member my true mommy.

Why are you all here?

GHOST CHILDREN: The beldam.

She spied on

our lives through

the little doll's eyes.

And saw that

we weren't happy.

So she lured us

away with treasures.

And treats.

SWEET GIRL GHOST:

And games to play.

BOY GHOST:

Gave all that we asked.

SWEET GIRL GHOST:

Yet we still wanted more.

TALL GIRL GHOST: So we

let her sew the buttons.

BOY GHOST:

She said that she loved us.

But she

locked us here.

GHOST CHILDREN:

And ate up our lives.

Well, she can't keep me

in the dark forever.

Not if she wants

to win my life.

Beating her is

my only chance.

Perhaps, if you do

win your escape,

you could find our eyes.

Has she taken those, too?

Yes, miss.

And hidden them.

BOY GHOST: Find our eyes,

mistress, and our souls

will be freed.

I...

I'll try.

(GASPS)

(CORALINE GRUNTING)

Wybie?

(CORALINE GASPS)

Did she do this to you?

I hope that feels...

Shh!

(CORALINE GRUNTS)

OTHER MOTHER:

Coraline? Is that you?

Let's go!

OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!

Come on!

She'll hurt you again.

OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!

How dare you

disobey your mother!

(GASPS)

OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!

(PANTING)

I'm home!

Anybody here?

Hello? Hello, hello!

Real Dad?

Real Mom?

Oh, Mom's groceries!

Ugh!

(FLIES BUZZING)

That's disgusting.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

I missed you guys so much,

you'll never...

Oh. The Wybie that talks.

Huh?

Yeah, so, you know

that old doll I gave you?

Um...

My grandma's real mad.

Says it was her sister's.

The one that disappeared.

You stole that doll,

didn't you?

Well, it looked just

like you, and I figured...

It used to look

like this pioneer girl,

then Huck Finn Jr.,

then it was this

Little Rascals chick

with all these

ribbons and braids and...

Grandma's missing sister.

I think I just met her.

Come on.

Listen, I'm really

not supposed to...

Whoa!

She's in there.

Can you...

Can you unlock it?

Not in a million years.

But it wouldn't matter.

She can't escape

without her eyes.

None of the ghosts can.

(EXCLAIMS IN DISBELIEF)

Yeah. So I really

need to get that doll.

Great! I'd love to

get rid of it.

Where are you hiding,

you little monster?

You and Grandma been talking?

The doll's her spy.

It's how she watches you,

finds out what's wrong

with your life.

The doll is my grandma's spy?

No. The other mother.

She's got this whole world

where everything's better.

The food, the garden,

the neighbors.

But it's all a trap.

Yeah, I think I heard

someone calling me, Jonesy.

Don't believe me?

You can ask the cat.

The cat?

I'll just tell Grandma

that you couldn't

find the doll.

Ow!

You're not listening to me!

That's 'cause you're crazy!

(WYBIE SCREAMING)

(CORALINE SCREAMING

IN FRUSTRATION)

(PANTING)

CORALINE: You creep!

Crazy!

CORALINE: Crazy?

You're the jerk wad

that gave me the doll!

Mom! Dad!

(PHONE RINGING)

Pick it up, Dad. Pick it up.

DAD ON ANSWERING

MACHINE: Hi!

Dad! Where...

I'm digging in

my garden right now,

but leave a message

and I'll get

right back to you.

Where have you gone?

(WHIMPERS)

(SPINK GRUNTS)

Uh... Don't you only

make wings for the dead ones?

Just looking ahead, dear.

Angus hasn't been

feeling very well of late.

FORCIBLE: April?

Aren't you getting ready?

We've lost our ride, Miriam.

Caroline says

her parents have vanished

quite completely.

What?

We've waited months

for those tickets.

I suppose we could walk.

With your gammy legs?

It's nearly two

miles to the theater.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Oh, yes.

Your missing parents.

SPINK: We know

just what you need.

Miriam, get...

That's right.

How is 100-year-old

candy gonna help?

(DOGS WHIMPERING)

(SCREAMING)

There you go, sweetie.

What's it for?

Well, it might help.

They're good for

bad things sometimes.

No. They're good

for lost things.

SPINK: It's

bad things, Miriam.

Lost things, April.

Bad.

Lost.

(WHISPERS) Bad things.

Lost.

Bad.

Lost!

Good night, Mom.

Good night, Dad.

(SNIFFLES)

(SOBBING)

(CAT PURRING)

CORALINE: Hello.

How did you get in?

Do you know where

Mom and Dad are?

(GASPS)

Mom? Dad!

(GLASS SQUEAKING)

(GASPS)

(GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

(PANTING)

(MEOWS)

How did this happen?

(CORALINE GASPS)

She's taken them.

They're not

coming back, are they?

Mom and Dad.

Not on their own.

Only one thing to do.

(CLATTERING)

You know,

you're walking

right into her trap.

I have to go back.

They are my parents.

Challenge her, then.

She may not play fair,

but she won't refuse.

She's got a thing for games.

Hmm.

Okay.

(WIND WHISTLES)

OTHER MOTHER: Coraline?

Mom?

Coraline!

You came back for us.

Mom!

Darling, why would

you run away from me?

(GASPS)

(LAUGHING)

Where are my parents?

Gosh, I have no idea

where your old parents are.

Perhaps they've

grown bored of you

and run away to France.

They weren't bored of me.

You stole them!

Now, don't be

difficult, Coraline.

Have a seat, won't you?

(GARBLED CHATTERING)

(RAT SQUEAKING)

Mmm.

Why don't you

have your own key?

(GARBLED) Only one key.

Shh!

The garden squash

need tending,

don't you think, pumpkin?

(GARBLED) Squish-squash,

pumpkin sauce.

(GLASS SQUEAKING)

Mom?

Dad?

(GLASS SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

Where'd she hide you?

(BELL TINKLING)

OTHER MOTHER: Breakfast time!

CORALINE: Be strong, Coraline.

(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)

Why don't we play a game?

I know you like them.

Everybody likes games.

Uh-huh.

What kind of

game would it be?

An exploring game.

A finding things game.

And what is it you'd

be finding, Coraline?

My real parents.

Too easy.

And the eyes of

the ghost children.

Huh.

What if you

don't find them?

If I lose, I'll stay

here with you forever

and let you love me.

(CORALINE SIGHS)

And I'll let you sew

buttons into my eyes.

Hmm.

And if you

somehow win this game?

Then you let me go.

You let everyone go.

My real father and mother,

the dead children,

everyone you've trapped here.

(EXCLAIMS)

Deal.

Not till you give me a clue.

Oh, right.

In each of three wonders

I've made just for you,

a ghost's eye is

lost in plain sight.

And for my parents?

(CHUCKLES)

Fine. Don't tell me.

(SIGHS)

It's a deal.

(SIGHS)

What does she mean,

"wonders?"

Hmm.

(CROAKS)

Ugh!

No!

(GRUNTS)

(BUZZING)

Stop!

Why steal this?

(CORALINE GASPS)

Wow!

That must be it!

(GARBLED) Sorry.

So sorry.

Mother making me.

Don't wanna hurt you!

Take it!

(PANTING)

Bless you, miss.

You found me!

But there's two

eyes still lost.

Don't worry.

I'm getting the hang of it.

(OTHER SPINK SINGING)

(RUSTLING)

(GROWLS)

The pearl.

(SCREAMS)

Thief!

Thief!

Give it back!

Give it back!

Thief!

Thief!

OTHER SPINK: Give it back!

Thief!

Thief!

Give it back!

Thief!

Thief!

Give it back!

Give it back!

Thief!

Give it back!

Give it back!

Thief!

Thief!

Thief!

Stop! Stop! Thief! Thief!

OTHER FORCIBLE:

Thief! Stop!

Hurry on, girl.

Her web is unwinding.

Oh, Wybie.

Evil witch! I'm not scared!

(CREAKING)

Hello, galoobooshka.

I'm Coraline.

Is this what

you're looking for?

Uh-huh.

You think winning

game is good thing?

You'll just go home and

be bored and neglected,

same as always.

Stay here with us.

We will listen to you

and laugh with you.

If you stay here, you

can have whatever you want.

Always!

You don't get it, do you?

I don't understand.

Of course you

don't understand.

You're just a copy she made

of the real Mr. B.

(DISTORTED)

Not even that anymore.

(SQUEAKS)

(GASPS)

No!

(SCREAMING)

(GRUNTS)

No!

(GROANS)

Oh, God. I've lost the game.

I've lost everything.

(SOBBING)

(CAT MEOWS)

I think I mentioned

that I don't like rats

at the best of times.

I think you might have said

something like that.

It looked like you

needed this one, however.

Thank you.

I'm heading inside.

I still have to

find my parents.

Come on, quickly!

(CAT GROWLS)

So you're back.

And you brought

vermin with you.

(MEOWS)

No. I...

I brought a friend.

You know I love you.

(SIGHS)

You have a very

funny way of showing it.

So where are they?

The ghost eyes?

Hold on. We aren't

finished yet. Are we?

No, I suppose not.

After all,

you still need to find

your old parents, don't you?

Too bad you won't have this.

Be clever, miss.

Even if you win,

she'll never let you go!

I already know where

you've hidden them.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, produce them.

They're behind that door.

Oh, they are, are they?

(GLASS SQUEAKING)

(WHISPERS) There.

Mom. Dad.

(OTHER MOTHER COUGHING)

Go on. Open it.

They'll be there, all right.

You're wrong, Coraline.

They aren't there.

Now you're going to

stay here forever.

No, I'm not!

(CAT SCREECHING)

(OTHER MOTHER SCREAMS)

(CAT SCREECHING)

OTHER MOTHER: No!

(MEOWS)

You horrible cheating girl!

(GASPS)

(SCREAMS)

(OTHER MOTHER CACKLING)

(MEOWING)

(OTHER MOTHER CACKLING)

No! Where are you?

You selfish brat!

(GRUNTS)

(LAUGHING)

You dare

disobey your mother?

(CORALINE GRUNTS)

(GROWLING)

Please shut it!

(SCREAMING)

(GRUNTING)

(OTHER MOTHER SCREAMING)

OTHER MOTHER: Don't leave me!

Don't leave me!

I'll die without you!

(SCREAMS)

(PANTING)

(EXCLAIMS)

(DOOR OPENING)

MOM: Coraline, we're home.

Mom! Dad!

I missed you so much!

(CHUCKLES)

Missed us?

Oh, no. You broke my

favorite snow globe.

I didn't break it.

It must've broke

when you escaped.

And cut your knee.

Coraline, I asked you

to count all the windows,

not put your knee

through them.

But...

Well, get yourself

cleaned up.

We're going out tonight.

(EXCLAIMS)

We got a lot to celebrate.

You're talking about

your garden catalog?

Of course. What else?

CORALINE: But look at

the snow on your...

What's gotten

into you, Coraline?

(DAD EXCLAIMING)

(CORALINE LAUGHING)

So, gonna

order the tulips?

What's that?

For the garden party?

I have no idea what

you're talking about.

Dad! So, Ma, invitations?

Don't forget

the invitations.

Even Bobinsky?

Mr. B.'s not drunk,

Mom. He's just eccentric.

(LAUGHING)

Good night, Coraline.

(MEOWS)

Oh.

Hello again.

You still mad?

I'm really sorry

I threw you at her,

the other mother.

It was all I could think of.

I think it's time,

don't you?

To set them free?

It's a fine, fine thing

you did for us, miss.

Well, I'm glad

it's finally over.

It is over and

done with for us.

What about me?

You're in

terrible danger, girl!

But how? I locked the door!

It's the key, miss.

There's only one,

and the beldam will find it.

'Tain't all bad, miss.

Thou art alive.

Thou art still living.

(GASPS)

I gotta hide this somewhere,

somewhere she can never...

(MEOWS)

Out of my way!

CORALINE: (SINGING)

Oh, my twitchy-witchy girl

I think you are so nice

I give you bowls of porridge

and I give you

bowls of ice cream

I give you lots of kisses

And I give you lots of hugs

But I never

give you sandwiches

Wth grease and

worms and mung...

(GRUNTS)

...beans

(SCREAMS)

(POUNDING)

(HORN HONKING)

(SHOUTING)

(COUGHING)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPS)

(GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

(CORALINE EXCLAIMS)

(SCREAMS)

(PANTING)

(BOTH GRUNT)

(SPLASHING)

(PANTING)

I'm really sorry

I didn't believe you

about all this

evil stuff, Coraline.

Why did you change your mind?

Well, Grandma showed me

this picture after

I called you crazy.

It's her and her sister,

before she disappeared.

The Sweet Ghost Girl.

LOVAT: Wyborne! Come home!

Oh, man.

What am I gonna tell her?

Just bring her by

the house tomorrow.

We can tell her together.

We... We can?

You know, I'm glad

you decided to stalk me.

(CHUCKLES)

(LAUGHS UNCERTAINLY)

It wasn't my idea.

(MEOWS)

CORALINE:

Thanks for helping me,

Miss Spink, Miss Forcible.

Oh, look, April.

Pink ladies!

Actually, it's just lemonade.

How's Angus doing?

Oh, much better, dear,

but he can't duck

his wings forever.

DAD: Here comes a burp.

(DAD BURPS)

MOM: Charlie!

Excusez-moi, but that pizza,

that was delicious.

CORALINE: Cold drinks?

Oh, yeah. Great.

You were right, Coraline.

I really hate dirt!

But the tulips look nice.

CORALINE: Thanks, Mom.

(BOBINSKY MUTTERING)

That is possible.

(CORALINE CLEARS THROAT)

CORALINE: How are

the mooshkas, Mr. B?

They tell me that you

are savior, Caroline.

And soon as they are ready,

they wish to give special

thanks you performance.

LOVAT: Wyborne,

I know where I'm going.

I grew up here.

CORALINE: Welcome, Miss Lovat!

Oh. Hello.

I'm Coraline Jones.

I've got so much to tell you.

MOM: Here.

DAD: Thanks.

SPINK: Do you want to pop

a little gin in it, dear?

FORCIBLE: Of course.

(PURRS)