“Coraline,” the first feature from the Hillsboro-based Laika animation studio, was successful when it opened, and the 2009 stop-motion animated movie seems to gain more fans as the years go on.

In 2023, Fathom Events re-released “Coraline” for two days, and the movie surprised industry observers when it ranked third in gross box office, behind “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” on Aug. 14-15. “Coraline” was first in per-screen average on both days, raking in $3,000-plus per screen.

Fathom Events brought “Coraline” back for two more theatrical dates in 2023, on Aug. 28-29. As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported, the four-day total in 2023 made “Coraline” the highest-growing Fathom Events re-release of all time, racking up $7.4 million.

Another indication of the enduring appeal of “Coraline” are events planned to celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary. The movie will return to theaters around the world in what press materials say is newly remastered 3D for a limited engagement that begins Aug. 15.

Tickets for those August dates are on sale beginning today. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.fathomevents.com/events/coraline-15th-anniversary/

Adapted from a novella by Neil Gaiman, “Coraline” was directed by Henry Selick (”The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Wendell & Wild”). The sometimes funny, sometimes spooky story revolves around 11-year-old Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning), who has moved with her parents into a house in Oregon.

While her parents are busy with work, the restless Coraline discovers a secret door in the house, and follows a pathway to what seems to be an alternate, superficially perfect version of her life.

But this shiny, happy version of her life turns out to be darker than it seems, and Coraline has to muster all her courage to find her way back to the real world.

The voice cast also features Teri Hatcher as Coraline’s mother and the “Other Mother,” and Keith David as The Cat. Other actors voicing characters include Ian McShane, John Hodgman, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

The “Coraline” re-release, a partnership between Laika, Fathom and Trafalgar Releasing, will also feature “an early glimpse of Laika’s upcoming film, ‘Wildwood,’” according to a statement by David Burke, Laika chief marketing and chief operations officer.

“Wildwood” is based on the novel by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis. Meloy and Ellis are married, and live in Portland.

Another “Coraline” 15th anniversary event is coming up. “Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail,” an installation of 30 nearly six-foot-tall cat sculptures, is scheduled to be placed in downtown Portland in August.

— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe