The character Wybie Lovat is not in Neil Gaiman's novel. He exists so Coraline would not have to talk to herself and so she would have a friend her age.
Over 130 sets were built across 52 different stages at the studios. Spanning 183,000 square feet, the 52 different stages were the most ever deployed for a stop-motion animated feature. That is roughly 4.22 acres.
The band They Might Be Giants wrote ten songs for the movie, but a change in tone from a musical to a darker production meant that all but one were cut: when Coraline's other father sings along with a piano, features John Linnell's voice. While the song during the end credits is often considered to be an additional song from the band, it was written by the film's composer, Bruno Coulais. Additionally, although the band has stated that they intend to release the other songs created for the movie in other projects and albums, only one song has been officially released by them that was originally written for the film, which is "Careful What You Pack" on "The Else" album. The only other song known to be written for Coraline e la porta magica (2009) is the "Ghost Children Song," released by LAIKA Studios on their official YouTube channel as a deleted animatic in August of 2024 for the 15th anniversary of the film. The other seven (demo) songs are currently considered to be lost media.
Mr. Bobinsky wore the Russian Hero Medal for Service at the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster on April 26, 1986. Which reads on the front, "Participant in the clean-up campaign." The "4A3C" indicates "Chernobilskaya Nuclear Power Plant." This medal is unique as it is the only medal in the world awarded for participation in a nuclear cleanup. That might explain his skin complexion and odd behavior.
The on-screen snow was made from superglue and baking soda.
Jerome Ranft: One of the movers who groaned after seeing the low pay they were given from the Joneses. The appearance of his character paid homage to his late brother, Joe.
Yona Prost: the boy in the store who rides on a stool quoting a William Shakespeare line before crashing into something leaving the stool with Coraline.
Marina Budovsky: The second friend of Coraline back in Michigan in a photo in her bedroom in the Other World. The character's appearance was based upon the real Budovsky.
Emerson Tenney: The dragonflies in Coraline's bedroom in the Other World. This is Teri Hatcher's real-life daughter. Teri said Emerson credits this experience for sparking an interest in animation that saw her eventually land a career scriptwriting for animation (BFI Q&A, August 2024).
Harry Selick: The first friend of Coraline back in Michigan in a photo in her bedroom in the Other World.