View source for Frankenweenie (2012 film)



{{Infobox film
| name           = Frankenweenie
| image          = Frankenweenie (2012 film) poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Tim Burton]]
| screenplay     = [[John August]]
| based_on       = {{based on|''[[Frankenweenie (1984 film)|Frankenweenie]]''|Lenny Ripps (screenplay)|Tim Burton (story)}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Tim Burton
* [[Allison Abbate]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing-->
* [[Catherine O'Hara]]
* [[Martin Short]]
* [[Martin Landau]]
* [[Charlie Tahan]]
* [[Atticus Shaffer]]
* [[Winona Ryder]]
}}
| cinematography = Peter Sorg
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Chris Lebenzon]]
* Mark Solomon
}}
| music          = [[Danny Elfman]]
| production_companies = [[Walt Disney Pictures]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=68998|title=Frankenweenie|work=[[American Film Institute]]|access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref><br />[[Tim Burton Productions]]
| distributor    = [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Walt Disney Studios<br />Motion Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|2012|09|20|[[Fantastic Fest]]|2012|10|05|[[United States]]}}
| runtime        = 87 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 86:51 --><ref>{{cite web|title=''FRANKENWEENIE'' (PG)|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/AFF292630/|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=August 21, 2012|archive-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927231048/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/AFF292630/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $39 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|title=Frankenweenie (2012)|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=frankenweenie.htm|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=February 4, 2013|archive-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211210536/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=frankenweenie.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $81.5 million<ref name="BOM"/>
}}
'''''Frankenweenie''''' (also known as '''''Tim Burton's Frankenweenie''''') is a 2012 American [[Stop-motion|stop-motion animated]] [[Gothic film|Gothic]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[Tim Burton]], written by [[John August]], and featuring the voices of [[Catherine O'Hara]], [[Martin Short]], [[Martin Landau]], [[Charlie Tahan]], [[Atticus Shaffer]], and [[Winona Ryder]]. A co-production between [[Walt Disney Pictures]] and [[Tim Burton Productions]], it is a feature-length remake of [[Frankenweenie (1984 film)|the 1984 short film]]. The film follows a boy named Victor Frankenstein who uses the power of electricity to resurrect his dead dog Sparky, but his peers discover what he has done and reanimate their own deceased pets and other creatures, resulting in mayhem.

''Frankenweenie'' initially began development in November 2005, with a script written by [[Josann McGibbon]] and Sara Parriott. In December 2007, Burton was asked to direct two 3D films for Disney, including a 2010 [[Live-action|live-action adaptation]] of ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]''. Filming began at [[3 Mills Studios]] in July 2010. The [[tongue-in-cheek]] film contains numerous references to and [[parodies]] of ''Frankenstein'' and past film versions of it, other literary classics, various horror and science-fiction films, and other films which Burton has directed or produced.

''Frankenweenie'' premiered at [[Fantastic Fest]] on September 20, 2012, and was released in the United States on October 5, to generally positive reviews for its visuals and story. It was a moderate box office success, grossing $82 million against a $39 million budget. It won the [[Saturn Award for Best Animated Film]], and was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Academy Award]], a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film|Golden Globe]], a [[BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film|BAFTA]], and an [[Annie Award for Best Animated Feature|Annie Award]] for Best Animated Film.

== Plot ==
[[Victor Frankenstein]], a young scientist and amateur filmmaker, lives with his parents, Susan and Edward, and his beloved [[Bull Terrier|bull terrier]], Sparky, in the quiet town of New Holland. He does not interact much with his classmates, who include his somber next-door neighbor Elsa Van Helsing, the mischievous Edgar "E" Gore, the naive Bob, the pretentious Toshiaki, the sinister Nassor, and an eccentric "Weird Girl". Concerned with Victor’s isolation, Edward encourages him to take up [[baseball]]. When Victor hits a [[home run]] at his first game, Sparky [[Fetch (game)|chases the ball]], but is struck and killed by a car, leaving Victor despondent.

Inspired by his science teacher Mr. Rzykruski's demonstration of [[Galvanism|the effect of electricity on dead frogs]], Victor digs up Sparky, brings him to a makeshift laboratory in his attic, and reanimates him with a bolt of lightning. Victor is elated by Sparky's revival, but keeps him hidden in the attic. While Victor is at school the next day, Sparky escapes the attic to chase the Weird Girl's cat, Mr. Whiskers, and explore the neighborhood. He is recognized by Edgar, who blackmails Victor into teaching him how to raise the dead. Together, the two resurrect a dead [[goldfish]], which inexplicably becomes invisible. Edgar brags about the fish to his classmates, but the fish disappears when he tries to show it to a skeptical Nassor.

Fearful of losing the upcoming science fair, Toshiaki and Bob create a jetpack from soda bottles, but their test ends with Bob falling off his roof and breaking his arm. The townsfolk blame Mr. Rzykruski for the incident, accusing him of negatively influencing their children. When Susan and Edward call upon Mr. Rzykruski to speak in his defense, he gives a tactlessly insulting and threatening speech which results in his dismissal, and the gym teacher replaces him. Before Mr. Rzykruski leaves the school, Victor learns from him that the differing outcomes of his experiment were influenced by his emotional attachment. Edgar accidentally reveals Victor's role in reviving the fish and Sparky to Toshiaki, Nassor, and Bob, inspiring them to conduct their own reanimation experiments.

Victor's parents are shocked to discover Sparky in the attic, causing the dog to flee. Although upset by the gravity of Victor's actions, they set out with him to find Sparky. When the family leaves, Victor's classmates invade the lab and discover Victor's reanimation research. When they perform their experiments separately, their competitive sentiment turns each of their dead animals into a monster: Mr. Whiskers holds a dead bat while he is electrocuted, resulting in both animals being fused into a vampiric feline; a dead rat Edgar found in the garbage turns into a wererat; Nassor's [[Mummy (undead)|mummified]] hamster Colossus comes back to life; Toshiaki's turtle Shelley is covered in [[Miracle-Gro]] and becomes a [[kaiju]]; and Bob's expired [[Sea-Monkeys]] grow into amphibious humanoids similar to Gremlins. The monsters converge on the town fair and wreak havoc.

After finding Sparky at the town's pet cemetery, Victor is alerted to the monster attacks and goes to help his classmates: the Sea-Monkeys explode after eating salted popcorn, Colossus is stepped on by Shelley, and the wererat and Shelley both return to their original, deceased forms after getting electrocuted. During the chaos, Persephone, Elsa's pet poodle, is grabbed by Mr. Whiskers and carried to the town [[windmill]], with Elsa and Victor giving pursuit. The townsfolk blame Sparky for Elsa's disappearance and chase him to the windmill, which Elsa's uncle accidentally ignites with his torch. Victor and Sparky enter the burning windmill and rescue Elsa and Persephone. However, Victor ends up being trapped inside. Sparky rescues Victor, only to be dragged back inside by Mr. Whiskers, who is fatally impaled by a flaming piece of wood just before the windmill collapses, killing Sparky again.

The townsfolk, moved by Sparky's heroism, gather and revive Sparky with their car batteries. Persephone runs to Sparky and they touch noses, producing a spark.

== Voice cast ==
[[File:Frankenweenie premiere at the Fantastic Fest, Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan 2.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Tim Burton]], [[Winona Ryder]], [[Martin Landau]], [[Charlie Tahan]], and [[Allison Abbate]] at the film's premiere at the [[Fantastic Fest]] in Austin, Texas.]]
* [[Charlie Tahan]] as [[Victor Frankenstein]], a young scientist who brings his dog (and best friend), Sparky, back to life.
* [[Catherine O'Hara]] as:
** Susan Frankenstein, Victor's mother.
** Weird Girl, Victor's unnamed eccentric classmate who is obsessed with the psychic predictions of her cat Mr. Whiskers.
** The Gym Teacher who replaces Mr. Rzykruski as science teacher when he gets fired and has no knowledge of science.<ref name="Deadline1" />
* [[Martin Short]] as:
** Edward Frankenstein, Victor's father.
** Mr. Burgermeister, the grumpy Mayor of New Holland who is the Frankenstein family's next-door neighbor and Elsa's uncle. Burgermeister is an homage to the villainous Burgermeister Meisterburger from the 1970 [[Rankin/Bass]] television special ''[[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (TV special)|Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town]]''.<ref name="sfgate1">{{cite news |last=Biancolli |first=Amy |url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Frankenweenie-movie-review-3919349.php |title='Frankenweenie' movie review |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222040925/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Frankenweenie-movie-review-3919349.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Nassor, Victor's classmate who was the owner of Colossus the hamster. Nassor has a flat head inspired by [[Frankenstein's monster]] and his voice and face resemble that of [[Boris Karloff]], who played Frankenstein in the 1931 ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]'' film.<ref name="Deadline1" />
* [[Martin Landau]] as Mr. Rzykruski, the eccentric, but wise, science teacher at Victor's school who has a thick Eastern European accent. His teachings inspire Victor's effort to resurrect Sparky and he acts as a mentor to Victor.<ref name="Deadline1" /> Rzykruski was inspired by Burton's childhood icon [[Vincent Price]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/03/frankenweenie-martin-landau-is-part-vincent-price-part-slob/ |title='Frankenweenie': Martin Landau is part Vincent Price, part 'Slob' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105215735/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/frankenweenie-martin-landau-is-part-vincent-price-part-slob/ |archive-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Atticus Shaffer]] as Edgar "E" Gore, Victor's [[kyphosis|hunch-backed]] classmate who is the first to discover Victor brought Sparky back to life. Edgar was inspired by the [[Igor (character)|Igor]] [[stock character]].<ref name="Collider1">{{cite news|last=Bettinger|first=Brendan|title=The Official Synopsis and Production Notes for Tim Burton's 3D Stop-Motion FRANKENWEENIE|url=https://collider.com/frankenweenie-synopsis-tim-burton/|access-date=August 21, 2011|newspaper=Collider|date=February 14, 2011|archive-date=October 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028151803/http://collider.com/frankenweenie-synopsis-tim-burton/76265|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Winona Ryder]] as Elsa Van Helsing, Victor's kind classmate and next-door neighbor, Burgermeister's niece, and Persephone's owner.<ref name="Deadline1">{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Tim Burton Finds His 'Frankenweenie' Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2010/09/burton-finds-his-frankenweenie-cast/|access-date=August 21, 2011|newspaper=Deadline|date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=August 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815224846/http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/burton-finds-his-frankenweenie-cast/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Robert Capron]] as Bob, Victor's overweight classmate and Toshiaki's science fair partner.<ref name="ComingSoon1">{{cite news|title=D23 Expo: First Look at the Frankenweenie Logo|url=https://comingsoon.net/news/d23exponews.php?id=81292|access-date=August 21, 2011|newspaper=ComingSoon|date=August 20, 2011|archive-date=October 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030123109/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/d23exponews.php?id=81292|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[James Hiroyuki Liao]] as Toshiaki, Victor's most competitive classmate, Bob's science fair partner, and the former owner of Shelly the turtle.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lloyd|first=Kenji|title=Three Brilliant New Photos From The Set Of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie|url=http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/12/14/three-brilliant-new-photos-from-the-set-of-tim-burtons-frankenweenie/|website=heyuguys.co.uk|access-date=December 20, 2011|date=December 14, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201052816/http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/12/14/three-brilliant-new-photos-from-the-set-of-tim-burtons-frankenweenie/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Conchata Ferrell]] as Bob's Mom, an overweight and stereotypical suburban housewife who dotes upon her son. She believes in the status quo and that her misguided actions are in Bob's best interest.<ref name="ComingSoon1" />
* [[Tom Kenny]] as the New Holland Towns Folk, the ones that speak are the fire chief, a soldier, and a man in the crowd during Mayor Burgermeister's town meeting revolving around Mr. Rzykrusi's teachings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schaefer|first=Sandy|title='Frankenweenie' Images Reveal Tim Burton's Latest Stop-Mo Project|url=https://screenrant.com/frankenweenie-images-tim-burton-sandy-137839/|website=Screen Rant|access-date=December 20, 2011|date=October 27, 2011|archive-date=December 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228095833/http://screenrant.com/frankenweenie-images-tim-burton-sandy-137839/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Actor [[Christopher Lee]], who had worked with Tim Burton on five earlier films, makes an appearance via the inclusion of a live-action clip from his 1958 film ''[[Dracula (1958 film)|Dracula]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Breznican |first1=Anthony |title=Tim Burton's tribute to Christopher Lee |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/06/16/tim-burton-tribute-christopher-lee/ |access-date=April 8, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 16, 2015 |quote=Even in the animated Frankenweenie, I stuck in a shot from 1958’s Horror of Dracula, the only live-action piece in the movie, just because Lee was an inspiration.}}</ref>

== Production ==
=== Development ===
Although [[Tim Burton]] signed with [[Walt Disney Pictures]] to direct two films in [[Disney Digital 3-D]] (2010's ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' and this film), development of a full-length stop motion ''Frankenweenie'' dates as far back as November 2005, when scripts had been written by [[Josann McGibbon]] and Sara Parriott.<ref>{{cite news | last = Martin | first = Denise | url = https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/usa-eyes-grazer-s-wife-1117933003/ | title = USA eyes Grazer's ''Wife'' | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = November 15, 2005 | access-date = August 15, 2008 | archive-date = November 7, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107075614/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117933003 | url-status = live }}</ref> [[John August]] was approached to do a rewrite in 2006,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/frankenweenie | title = Frankenweenie | work = [[John August]].com | date = November 27, 2007 | access-date = October 31, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101124114650/http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/frankenweenie | archive-date = November 24, 2010 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> but was not hired until January 2009.

Like the original short film, this feature version was shot in [[black-and-white]]. Many of the animation artists and crew from ''[[Corpse Bride]]'' (2005) were involved in the production of the film.<ref name=release>{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=John August tackling two film projects|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-august-tackling-two-film-78026|access-date=January 23, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 21, 2009|archive-date=March 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315013918/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-august-tackling-two-film-78026|url-status=live}}</ref> Burton borrowed heavily from his design for the titular character of ''[[Family Dog (TV series)|Family Dog]]'' (1993) for Sparky.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smithson|first=Sean|title=NEW ONE SHEET FOR TIM BURTON'S FRANKENWEENIE|url=http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/02/new-one-sheet-for-tim-burtons-frankenweenie.php|access-date=March 6, 2012|newspaper=Twitch Film|date=February 2, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229052907/http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/02/new-one-sheet-for-tim-burtons-frankenweenie.php|archive-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Filming began at [[3 Mills Studios]] in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news | last = de Semlyen | first = Nick | title = Exclusive: The Lion King To Go 3D! | url = https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-lion-king-go-3d/ | work = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = June 22, 2010 | access-date = March 18, 2022 | archive-date = May 29, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190529172853/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-lion-king-go-3d/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The crew created three giant sound stages, including Victor's cluttered family attic, a cemetery exterior, and a school interior. The sound stages were then divided into 30 separate areas to deal with the handcrafted, frame-by-frame style of filmmaking. Compared to other stop-motion animation sets, ''Frankenweenie''{{'}}s set was much larger.

As ''[[IGN]]'' noted, the main character Sparky had to be {{"'}}dog-size' compared to the other human characters, but also large enough to house all the elements of the mechanical skeleton secreted within his various foam and silicon-based incarnation". The mechanics were small and delicate, and in some instances the filmmakers had to have Swiss watchmakers create the tiny nuts and bolts. Around 200 separate puppets were used in the film, with roughly 18 different versions of Victor. The puppets had human hair, with 40–45 joints for the human characters and about 300 parts for Sparky.<ref name=IGN>{{cite news|last=Singer|first=Leigh|title=The Magic of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/13/the-magic-of-tim-burtons-frankenweenie|access-date=March 18, 2022|newspaper=IGN|date=December 13, 2011|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024415/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/13/the-magic-of-tim-burtons-frankenweenie|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Babble>{{cite news|title=Tim Burton Brings Frankenweenie Back to Life & We Got to Witness the Resurrection!|url=http://blogs.babble.com/famecrawler/2011/12/14/tim-burton-brings-frankenweenie-back-to-life-we-got-to-witness-the-resurrection/|access-date=December 16, 2011|newspaper=Babble|date=December 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507115725/http://blogs.babble.com/famecrawler/2011/12/14/tim-burton-brings-frankenweenie-back-to-life-we-got-to-witness-the-resurrection/|archive-date=May 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Hollywood.com">{{cite news|last=Hubschman|first=Daniel|title=Frankenweenie Set Visit Report Pt. 1|url=https://www.hollywood.com/movies/frankenweenie-set-visit-report-pt-1-57316949|access-date=March 18, 2022|newspaper=Hollywood.com|date=December 13, 2011|archive-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307022744/https://www.hollywood.com/movies/frankenweenie-set-visit-report-pt-1-57316949/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Frankenweenie (soundtrack)}}
In early 2011, it was announced that [[Danny Elfman]] would score ''Frankenweenie'', with work already started on pre-production music.<ref>{{cite web|title=MUSIC INTERVIEW: DANNY ELFMAN Q&A - PART 3 OF 3|url=http://www.buzzinemusic.com/interviews/music-interview-danny-elfman-tim-burton-25th-anniversary-music-box-grammy-museum-part-3-06142011|website=Buzzine|access-date=October 2, 2012|date=June 14, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908052947/http://www.buzzinemusic.com/interviews/music-interview-danny-elfman-tim-burton-25th-anniversary-music-box-grammy-museum-part-3-06142011|archive-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref>

Prior to the film's release, both an "inspired by" soundtrack album, ''Frankenweenie: Unleashed!'', and Elfman's ''Frankenweenie: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' were released by [[Walt Disney Records]] on September 25, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Morin|first=Natalie|title=Album Art Exclusive: 'Frankenweenie Unleashed'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-art-exclusive-frankenweenie-unleashed-20120803|access-date=August 10, 2012|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=August 3, 2012|archive-date=August 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807121327/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-art-exclusive-frankenweenie-unleashed-20120803|url-status=live}}</ref> The download of ''Frankenweenie: Unleashed!'' contained bonus content, including a custom icon and an app that loaded a menu to view more bonus content, provide input, or buy more music from [[Disney Music Group]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Frankenweenie Unleashed|url=http://dmgecd.com/frankenweenie/unleashed/bonuscontent/|website=dmgecd.com|access-date=September 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100731/http://dmgecd.com/frankenweenie/unleashed/bonuscontent/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Release ==
[[File:Tim Burton by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|175px|Tim Burton, the director of ''Frankenweenie'', promoting the film at the 2012 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]

=== Marketing ===
In the lead-up to the film's release in October 2012, there was a traveling art exhibition detailing the work that went into creating the film. During the exhibition, it was possible to see sets and characters that were used for this [[stop motion]] feature film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Brian|title=Disney Announces the Art of Frankenweenie Travelling Exhibition|url=https://movieweb.com/disney-announces-the-art-of-frankenweenie-travelling-exhibition/|website=MovieWeb|access-date=March 18, 2022|date=June 11, 2012|archive-date=May 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505025822/https://movieweb.com/disney-announces-the-art-of-frankenweenie-travelling-exhibition/|url-status=live}}</ref>

From September 14 to November 5, 2012, [[Disney California Adventure]] offered exclusive scenes from the film during nighttime operating hours of [[Muppet*Vision 3D]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Tully|first=Sarah|title=10 Disney attractions closing for rehab|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-370044-disneyland-sept.html|access-date=September 15, 2012|newspaper=The Orange County Register|date=August 30, 2012|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185928/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-370044-disneyland-sept.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[Disneyland]], Sparky's tombstone was added to the pet cemetery outside of [[Haunted Mansion Holiday]], a seasonal attraction that features characters from Burton's ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findingmickey.squarespace.com/blog/2012/10/22/hidden-disneyland-details-sparkys-empty-grave-from-frankenwe.html |title=Hidden Disneyland Details - Sparky's Empty Grave from Frankenweenie |website=findingmickey.squarespace.com |date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025820/http://findingmickey.squarespace.com/blog/2012/10/22/hidden-disneyland-details-sparkys-empty-grave-from-frankenwe.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>

The free version of ''[[Where's My Water?]]'' received a level pack called 10 Days of Frankenweenie. It was only available for a limited time, from September 27 to October 6, 2012 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awWyISfYjrI | title="The 10 Days of Frankenweenie" — Where's My Water? Free | website=[[YouTube]] | date=September 27, 2012 }}</ref>

Victor's mad scientist outfit and some clothes with designs inspired by the film were added to the Xbox 360 Avatar store along with an interactable Sparky prop.<ref>{{cite web | title=Frankenweenie Avatar Collection Xbox 360 | website=YouTube | date=2012-10-04 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHQ_4ub-AO8 | access-date=2025-08-06}}</ref>

=== Premiere and theatrical release ===
The film’s world premiere took place on September 20, 2012, on the opening night of [[Fantastic Fest]], an annual film festival in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Opening Day' To Open At Fantastic Fest Surprise Screening|url=https://deadline.com/2012/06/frankenweenie-fantastic-fest-opening-night-film-tim-burton-disney/|access-date=July 12, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=June 29, 2012|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108113242/http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/frankenweenie-fantastic-fest-opening-night-film-tim-burton-disney/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also opened the 56th [[BFI London Film Festival]], on October 10, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk//news/frankenweenie-european-premiere-opens-56th-bfi-london-film-festival |title=Frankenweenie European premiere opens the 56th BFI London Film Festival |website=BFI |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222023342/http://www.bfi.org.uk/news/frankenweenie-european-premiere-opens-56th-bfi-london-film-festival |url-status=live }}</ref>

Initially set for theatrical release in November 2011, [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] moved the film twice, first to March 9, 2012,<ref name=release/><ref name=indy>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/burton-casts-frankenweenie-2086007.html | title = Burton casts 'Frankenweenie' | date = September 22, 2010 | work = [[The Independent]] | access-date = December 27, 2010 | location = London | archive-date = January 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180104013645/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/burton-casts-frankenweenie-2086007.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and then, in January 2011, to October 5, 2012, with ''[[John Carter (film)|John Carter]]'' taking the March 9 release date.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=changes&p=.htm |title=Schedule: 'The Dictator,' 'John Carter of Mars,' 'Frankenweenie' |website=Box Office Mojo |date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=January 19, 2011 |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127074138/http://boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=changes&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The film was released by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] on [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], and Blu-ray 3D on January 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Landy|first=Tom|title='Frankenweenie' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Dated and Detailed|url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disc_Announcements/DisneyBuena_Vista/Frankenweenie_Blu-ray_and_Blu-ray_3D_Dated_and_Detailed/10650|access-date=December 4, 2012|newspaper=High-Def Digest|date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204200527/http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disc_Announcements/DisneyBuena_Vista/Frankenweenie_Blu-ray_and_Blu-ray_3D_Dated_and_Detailed/10650|url-status=live}}</ref> The Blu-ray releases included the original live-action ''[[Frankenweenie (1984 film)|Frankenweenie]]'' short and a new two-minute animated short, titled ''Captain Sparky vs the Flying Saucers'', as bonus features.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: ''Frankenweenie'' 3D Blu-ray to Feature Brand New Short|url=http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-frankenweenie-3d-bluray-58488/|access-date=November 17, 2012|newspaper=Stitch Kingdom|date=November 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117212558/http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-frankenweenie-3d-bluray-58488/|archive-date=November 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Frankenweenie'' grossed $35,291,068 in North America and $46,200,000 in other countries for a worldwide total of $81,491,068.<ref name="BOM" /> In North America, it earned $11,412,213 its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office (behind ''[[Taken 2]]'', ''[[Hotel Transylvania (film)|Hotel Transylvania]]'', ''[[Pitch Perfect]]'', and ''[[Looper (film)|Looper]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=40&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 5-7, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407015421/http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=40&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Its second weekend, the film dropped to seventh place, grossing an additional $7,054,334.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=41&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 12-14, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222183942/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=41&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Its third weekend, it dropped to ninth place, grossing $4,329,358,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=42&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 19-21, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222183850/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=42&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and its fourth weekend, it dropped to twelfth place, grossing $2,456,350.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=43&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for October 26-28, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222183848/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=43&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. Based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, it holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} on [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}; the website's critical consensus reads: "''Frankenweenie'' is an energetic stop-motion horror movie spoof with lovingly crafted visuals and a heartfelt, oddball story."<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=frankenweenie_2012/ |type=m |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[weighted average]] score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, it has a score of 74, based on 38 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=frankenweenie |type=m |access-date=April 23, 2022}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Taken 2' hijacks No. 1 with excellent $50-million debut|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/la-et-ct-box-office-taken-2-frankenweenie-20121007-story.html|last=Kaufman|first=Amy|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 10, 2020|date=October 7, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318020936/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/la-et-ct-box-office-taken-2-frankenweenie-20121007-story.html|archive-date=March 18, 2022}}</ref>

Justin Chang of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reacted positively to the film, saying that it "evinces a level of discipline and artistic coherence missing from the director's recent live-action efforts".<ref>{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Justin|title=Variety Reviews - Frankenweenie|url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117948379?refcatid=31|newspaper=Variety|access-date=October 2, 2012|date=September 20, 2012|archive-date=October 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009051249/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948379?refcatid=31|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' gave it a mediocre review, explaining that, while the various creative elements "pay homage to a beloved old filmmaking style", the film mostly feels "like second-generation photocopies of things Burton has done before".<ref>{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Frankenweenie: Film Review|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com//review/frankenweenie-movie-review-tim-burton-films-372720|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 2, 2012|date=September 20, 2012|archive-date=September 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924234904/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/frankenweenie-movie-review-tim-burton-films-372720|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three out of four stars, writing that it is "not one of Burton's best, but it has zealous energy" and "the charm of a boy and his dog retains its appeal".<ref>{{cite news | last=Ebert | first=Roger | url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/frankenweenie-2012 | title=Frankenweenie review | date=October 3, 2012 | access-date=March 18, 2022 | website=RogerEbert.com | archive-date=March 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024415/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/frankenweenie-2012 | url-status=live }}</ref> Chris Packham of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying: "''Frankenweenie'', scripted by John August, and based on a screenplay by Lenny Ripps from Burton's original story, is tight and brief, hitting all the marks you'd expect from an animated kid's film, and enlivened by Burton's visual style. The man should make more small movies like this one."<ref>{{cite web |last=Packham |first=Chris |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2012/10/03/frankenweenie-awakens-the-pleasures-of-reanimation/ |title=Frankenweenie Awakens the Pleasures of Reanimation - Page 1 - Movies - New York |newspaper=The Village Voice |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024415/https://www.villagevoice.com/2012/10/03/frankenweenie-awakens-the-pleasures-of-reanimation/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Christy Lemire of the [[Associated Press]] gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "Revisiting the past - his own, and that of the masters who came before him - seems to have brought this filmmaker's boyish enthusiasm back to life, as well."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lemire |first=Christy |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2012/10/04/burton-revisits-roots-in-frankenweenie/8077891007/ |title=Review: Burton revisits roots in 'Frankenweenie' |newspaper=The Ledger |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024158/https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2012/10/04/burton-revisits-roots-in-frankenweenie/8077891007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kerry Lengel of ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' gave the film three out of five stars, saying: "It's all perfectly entertaining, but never really reaches the heights of hilarity, perhaps because everything about the plot is underdeveloped."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lengel |first=Kerry |url=https://azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/2012/10/03/20121003frankenweenie-movie-review-lengel.html |title=Frankenweenie |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=December 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229225620/http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/2012/10/03/20121003frankenweenie-movie-review-lengel.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lisa Schwarzbaum of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film an A−, saying: "The resulting homage to ''Frankenstein'' in particular and horror movies in general is exquisite, macabre mayhem and a kind of reanimation all its own."<ref>{{cite news |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/10/19/frankenweenie-2/ |title=Frankenweenie Review |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024159/https://ew.com/article/2012/10/19/frankenweenie-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Michael Phillips of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying: "The monster-movie component of ''Frankenweenie'' stomps all over the appeal of the original 30-minute version."<ref>{{cite news |last=Phillips |first=Michael |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-1002-frankenweenie-20121004,0,2191458.column |title='Frankenweenie' Review: It's alive! Or is it? |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222085710/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-1002-frankenweenie-20121004,0,2191458.column |url-status=live }}</ref> Linda Barnard of the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "High-concept and stylish, ''Frankenweenie'' is a playlist of films and characters from Burton's movie-loving childhood."<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnard |first=Linda |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2012/10/04/frankenweenie_review_its_alive.html |title=Frankenweenie review: It's alive! |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134443/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2012/10/04/frankenweenie_review_its_alive.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ''[[ReelViews]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "Even as the narrative becomes progressively more ghoulish and a Godzilla wannabe shows up, ''Frankenweenie'' never loses its heart."<ref>{{cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2530 |title=Frankenweenie |website=Reelviews.net |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222185957/http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2530 |url-status=live }}</ref> Joe Williams of the ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "Some audiences might feel that ''Frankenweenie'' is creaky, but those on the same wavelength as Burton will gratefully declare it's alive."<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Joe |url=https://stltoday.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/frankenweenie-is-a-flashback-delight/article_065e7806-0caf-11e2-95ef-001a4bcf6878.html |title='Frankenweenie' is a flashback delight |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020043408/http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/frankenweenie-is-a-flashback-delight/article_065e7806-0caf-11e2-95ef-001a4bcf6878.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Alonso Duralde of ''[[The Wrap]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying: "Fans of Tim Burton 1.0, rejoice: ''Frankenweenie'' hearkens back to the director's salad days and, in turn, to the old-school horror classics that inspired him in the first place."<ref>{{cite web|last=Duralde |first=Alonso |url=https://thewrap.com/movies/column-post/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton-returns-form-very-young-frankenstein-59146 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004235426/https://thewrap.com/movies/column-post/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton-returns-form-very-young-frankenstein-59146 |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |title='Frankenweenie' Review: Tim Burton Returns to Form With a (Very) Young Frankenstein |date=October 3, 2012 |website=The Wrap |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> [[Claudia Puig]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out of five, saying: "''Frankenweenie'' is enlivened with beguiling visuals and captivating action sequences. The science is murky at best, but the underlying themes are profound, and the story is equal parts funny and poignant. It's Burton's most moving film."<ref>{{cite news |author-link=Claudia Puig |first=Claudia |last=Puig |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2012/10/03/frankenweenie-review/1608451/ |title='Frankenweenie' revives Burton's allure, emotion |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225135419/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2012/10/03/frankenweenie-review/1608451/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rafer Guzmán of ''[[Newsday]]'' gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying: "It's a quintessential Burton film, but also more Disney than a lot of Disney films."<ref>{{cite web |last=Guzmán |first=Rafer |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton-resurrects-disney-dog-1.4069362 |title='Frankenweenie' review: Tim Burton resurrects Disney dog |newspaper=Newsday |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223024047/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/frankenweenie-review-tim-burton-resurrects-disney-dog-1.4069362 |url-status=live }}</ref> Amy Biancolli of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' gave the film four out of four stars, saying: "The overall effect is great cinema, good fun, a visual feast for pie-eyed Burton fans - and a terrifically warped reminder of just how freaky a PG film can be."<ref name="sfgate1"/>

Elizabeth Weitzman of the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' gave the film four out of five stars, saying: "Burton's extraordinary powers of imagination are in dazzling bloom, from the gorgeous stop-motion animation to the goofy, homemade horror movies the children direct."<ref>{{cite news |last=Weitzman |first=Elizabeth |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-frankenweenie-article-1.1174986 |title=Movie Review: 'Frankenweenie' |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225133620/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-frankenweenie-article-1.1174986 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying: "Only Tim Burton could envision this Frankenstein-inspired tale, and it's a honey, a dark and dazzling spellbinder that scares up laughs and surprising emotion."<ref>{{cite web |last=Travers |first=Peter |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/frankenweenie-20121004 |title=Frankenweenie &#124; Movie Reviews |newspaper=Rolling Stone |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411012118/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/frankenweenie-20121004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Colin Covert of the ''[[Star Tribune]]'' gave the film four out of four stars, saying: "The story brims with self-parody, social satire, horror, nostalgia, wit and emotional insight, with Burton keeping all the plates spinning."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/172682381.html?refer=y |title=Tim Burton's 'therapy' is a creepy keeper |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221235443/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/172682381.html?refer=y |archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> David Hiltbrand of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' gave the film two out of four stars, saying: "''Frankenweenie'' is the apotheosis of goth director Tim Burton's oeuvre: artistic yet sterile, incredibly meticulous and totally misbegotten."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hiltbrand |first=David |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20121005_Tim_Burton_s_elaborate_remake_of__84_short.html |title=Tim Burton's elaborate remake of '84 short |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224023437/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20121005_Tim_Burton_s_elaborate_remake_of__84_short.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Stephanie Zacharek of [[NPR]] gave the film a negative review, saying: "Burton half succeeds in making this revamped ''Frankenweenie'' its own distinctive creature, pieced together from the essential bits of the 29-minute original. But he just doesn't know when to stop, and his overgrown creation gets the better of him."<ref>{{cite web |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/10/04/161979163/frankenweenie-burton-revives-a-morbid-favorite?ft=1&f=1045 |title=Movie Review - 'Frankenweenie' - 'Frankenweenie': A Remake Needing Of A Jolt Of Life |website=NPR |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222191101/http://www.npr.org/2012/10/04/161979163/frankenweenie-burton-revives-a-morbid-favorite?ft=1&f=1045 |url-status=live }}</ref> Betsy Sharkey of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave the film three out of five stars, saying: "There are so many horror auteurs Burton wants to thank that the film is absolutely bursting at the seams with knowing nods."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-oct-04-la-et-mn-frankenweenie-review-20121005-story.html |title='Frankenweenie' a Tim Burton homage to horror classics: movie review |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |first1=Betsy |last1=Sharkey |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024159/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-oct-04-la-et-mn-frankenweenie-review-20121005-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film three out of five stars, saying: "While ''Frankenweenie'' is fun, it is not nearly strange or original enough to join the undead, monstrous ranks of the classics it adores."<ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/movies/frankenweenie-tim-burtons-homage-to-horror-classics.html |title='Frankenweenie,' Tim Burton's Homage to Horror Classics |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103043930/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/movies/frankenweenie-tim-burtons-homage-to-horror-classics.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Ty Burr]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' gave the film four out of four stars, saying: "''Frankenweenie'' is a mere 87 minutes long, which turns out to be just the right length; there's not enough time for Burton to go off the rails as he does in so many of his films."<ref>{{cite news |last=Burr |first=Ty |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2012/10/04/tim-burton-reinvented-frankenweenie-marvel-behold/Gro52TeDqTu9eVoFmKkhFK/story.html |title=Tim Burton's reinvented 'Frankenweenie' is a marvel to behold |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024158/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2012/10/04/tim-burton-reinvented-frankenweenie-marvel-behold/Gro52TeDqTu9eVoFmKkhFK/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Tom Long of ''[[The Detroit News]]'' gave the film a B+, saying: "''Frankenweenie'' may just be a wacky horror cartoon, but it's an awfully good wacky horror cartoon. Frighteningly good, you might say."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/frankenweenie_2012/reviews/?type=top_critics |title=Frankenweenie - Movie Reviews |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113052412/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frankenweenie_2012/reviews/?type=top_critics |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Richard Corliss]] of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying: "This 3-D, black-and-white 'family' comedy is the year's most inventive, endearing animated feature."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/10/04/tim-burtons-frankenweenie-a-re-animated-delight/ |title=Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' Movie Review: A Re-animated Delight |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> Stephen Whitty of the ''[[Newark Star-Ledger]]'' gave the film four out of four stars, saying: "The stop-motion animation - a favorite tool of Burton's - is given loving attention, and the character design is full of terrific touches, such as the hulking flat-topped schoolmate who looks a bit like a certain man-made monster."<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitty |first=Stephen |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/10/frankenweenie_review_tim_burto.html |title=It's electric: 'Frankenweenie' reanimates Tim Burton's vision with jolt of the macabre |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026172151/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/10/frankenweenie_review_tim_burto.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael O'Sullivan of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "Designed to appeal to both discriminating adults and older kids, the gorgeous, black-and-white stop-motion film is a fresh, clever and affectionate love letter to classic horror movies."<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Sullivan|first=Michael|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/frankenweenie,1170713.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908163611/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/frankenweenie,1170713.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=Frankenweenie Review and Showtimes, Catherine O'Hara in Frankenweenie |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> Moira Macdonald of ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying: "Older kids, horror-movie buffs and Burton fans will likely enjoy this oddly gentle tale of a boy and his dog."<ref>{{cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Moira |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/frankenweenie-tim-burton-stitches-together-a-weird-sweet-film/ |title='Frankenweenie': Tim Burton stitches together a weird, sweet film |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024415/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/frankenweenie-tim-burton-stitches-together-a-weird-sweet-film/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Awards and nominations ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|+List of awards and nominations
! Award
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! Result
|-
| [[85th Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscar">{{cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Oscar 2013: The nominations revealed...|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/01/10/oscar-nominations2013/|access-date=January 10, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 10, 2013}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
| [[Tim Burton]]
| rowspan="8" {{nom}}
|-
| [[American Cinema Editors]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners and Nominees for {{sic|6|3nd|nolink=y}} Annual ACE Eddie Awards|url=http://ace-filmeditors.org/ace-eddie-awards/nominees-recipients/|website=American Cinema Editors|access-date=February 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207184249/http://ace-filmeditors.org/ace-eddie-awards/nominees-recipients/|archive-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>
| Best Edited Animated Feature Film
| Chris Lebenzon, A.C.E., & Mark Solomon
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Annie Award]]s<ref>{{cite news|title=Annie Award Nominations Unveiled|url=https://deadline.com/2012/12/2012-annie-award-nominations/|access-date=December 3, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=December 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206013650/http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/2012-annie-award-nominations/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Beck|first=Jerry|title=Annie Award Winners|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/annie-award-winners-77380.html|access-date=February 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Cartoon Brew]]|date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206130709/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/annie-award-winners-77380.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Annie Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
|
|-
| Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
| Rick Heintzich
|-
| Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
| [[Atticus Shaffer]]
|-
| Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
| [[Catherine O'Hara]]
|-
| Writing in an Animated Feature Production
| [[John August]]
|-
| [[BAFTA Awards]]<ref name="BAFTA">{{cite news|last=Labrecque|first=Jeff|title='Lincoln' leads BAFTA race with 10 nominations|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/09/lincoln-bafta-nominations/|access-date=March 18, 2022|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 9, 2013|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318024415/https://ew.com/article/2013/01/09/lincoln-bafta-nominations/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
| rowspan="4"| Tim Burton
|-
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics]]
| Best Animated Film
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award|Critics Choice Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Hammond|first=Pete|title='Lincoln', 'Les Miserables', 'Silver Linings' Top List Of Nominees For 18th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards|url=https://deadline.com/2012/12/critics-choice-movie-awards-2012-nominations-lincoln/|access-date=December 11, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=December 11, 2012|archive-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212154941/http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/critics-choice-movie-awards-2012-nominations-lincoln/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Best Animated Feature
| rowspan="4" {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animated Feature
|-
| [[Cinema Audio Society]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures Animated
|-
| [[Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animated Film
| rowspan="10"| Tim Burton
|-
| [[Florida Film Critics Circle]]
| Best Animated Feature
| {{won}}
|-
| [[70th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|title=70th Golden Globe Awards Nominations|url=https://deadline.com/2012/12/golden-globe-awards-nominations-2013/|access-date=December 13, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=December 13, 2012|archive-date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214161426/http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/golden-globe-awards-nominations-2013/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film|Best Animated Feature Film]]
| rowspan="2" {{nom}}
|-
| [[Houston Film Critics Society]]
| Best Animated Film
|-
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle
| Best Animated Film
| rowspan="4" {{won}}
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animation
|-
| Nevada Film Critics Society
| Best Animated Movie
|-
| [[New York Film Critics Circle]]
| Best Animated Film
|-
| [[Online Film Critics Society]]
| Best Animated Feature
| rowspan="5" {{nom}}
|-
| Phoenix Film Critics Society
| Best Animated Film
|-
| [[Producers Guild of America]]
| Outstanding Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
| [[Allison Abbate]] & Tim Burton
|-
| [[San Diego Film Critics Society]]
| Best Animated Film
| rowspan="3"| Tim Burton
|-
| [[Satellite Award]]s<ref>{{cite news|last=Kilday|first=Gregg|title=Satellite Awards Nominates 10 Films for Best Motion Picture|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/race/satellite-awards-nominates-10-films-396865|access-date=December 4, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=December 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207025034/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/satellite-awards-nominates-10-films-396865|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[39th Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|title='The Hobbit' leads Saturn Awards with nine nominations|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/02/20/the-hobbit-saturn-awards-movie-tv-nominations/1933067/|access-date=June 27, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|date=February 20, 2013|first1=Brian|last1=Truitt|archive-date=February 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221044802/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/02/20/the-hobbit-saturn-awards-movie-tv-nominations/1933067/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Noelene|title=Saturn Awards winners list: 'Avengers,' 'Breaking Bad' and more|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/saturn-awards-winners-list-avengers-breaking-bad-and-more/#/0|access-date=June 27, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629040406/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/saturn-awards-winners-list-avengers-breaking-bad-and-more/|archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref>
| [[Saturn Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
| rowspan="2" {{won}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Music|Best Music]]
| [[Danny Elfman]]
|-
| Southeastern Film Critics Association
| Best Animated Film
| rowspan="4"| Tim Burton
| rowspan="4" {{nom}}
|-
| [[St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animated Film
|-
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animated Feature
|-
| [[Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association]]
| Best Animated Feature
|}

== See also ==

* [[List of films featuring Frankenstein's monster]]
* [[List of black-and-white films produced since 1966]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}

* {{Official website|http://movies.disney.com/frankenweenie-2012}}
* {{IMDb title|1142977|Frankenweenie}}
* {{TCMDb title|823689|Frankenweenie}}
* {{Mojo title|frankenweenie|Frankenweenie}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|frankenweenie_2012|Frankenweenie}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Frankenweenie}}

{{Tim Burton}}
{{Disney theatrical animated features}}
{{Frankenstein|collapsed}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Frankenweenie''
|list =
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Animated Film}}
}}
{{John August}}
<!---  --->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frankenweenie 2012}}
[[Category:2012 films]]
[[Category:2012 children's films]]
[[Category:2012 3D films]]
[[Category:2012 American animated films]]
[[Category:2010s monster movies]]
[[Category:2012 comedy horror films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:2010s stop-motion animated films]]
[[Category:2012 English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:2012 science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:3D animated films]]
[[Category:American 3D films]]
[[Category:American gothic horror films]]
[[Category:American monster movies]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:American animated horror films]]
[[Category:American science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:American comedy horror films]]
[[Category:American children's animated science fiction films]]
[[Category:Animated films about cats]]
[[Category:Animated films about dogs]]
[[Category:Animated films about fish]]
[[Category:Animated films about rats]]
[[Category:Animated films about rodents]]
[[Category:Animated films about turtles]]
[[Category:Animated films directed by Tim Burton]]
[[Category:American films about Halloween]]
[[Category:Animated films about Halloween]]
[[Category:Children's horror films]]
[[Category:Disney film remakes]]
[[Category:Features based on short films]]
[[Category:Films about pets]]
[[Category:Films about science]]
[[Category:Films based on adaptations]]
[[Category:Films produced by Allison Abbate]]
[[Category:Films produced by Tim Burton]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by John August]]
[[Category:Films scored by Danny Elfman]]
[[Category:Frankenstein films]]
[[Category:Giant monster films]]
[[Category:Horror film remakes]]
[[Category:American IMAX films]]
[[Category:Films about resurrection]]
[[Category:Halloween horror films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Supernatural comedy films]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Pictures animated films]]
[[Category:English-language comedy horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:American animated black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Animated films set in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Films set in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Tim Burton]]
[[Category:Animated films about zombies]]
[[Category:Film remakes directed by directors of the original films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Frankenweenie (2012 film)|access_date=2026-03-03}}