Many critics found the show lacked suspense and affect. Ben Brantley described the original off-Broadway production in ''The New York Times'' as “droll"droll, dry, and very cerebral.”"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=2009-06-01|title=Better the Mother You Know than the Other One: THEATER REVIEW|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/theater/reviews/02cora.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-04|website=The New York Times}}</ref> In subsequent runs, critics echoed such negative criticisms. Robert Hurwitt wrote in the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', “Greenspan’s"Greenspan's make-believe approach undercuts the tale’stale's suspense.”"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hurwitt|first=Robert|date=2010-11-22|title='Coraline' at SF Playhouse review|url=https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Coraline-at-SF-Playhouse-review-3245015.php|access-date=2020-10-04|website=SFGate|language=en-US}}</ref> Kerry Reid wrote in ''The Chicago Tribune'', "There needs to be a greater sense of clammy danger...as the shadows fall over the world...Without it, we never quite identify with Coraline’sCoraline's growing maturity.”"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reid|first=By Kerry|title=REVIEW: 'Coraline' by Black Button Eyes Productions ★★½★★{{frac|1|2}}|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-coraline-musical-review-story.html|access-date=2020-10-04|website=chicagotribune.com}}</ref>
Critics also found the quirky musical score and instrumentation too indistinct and unmemorable. Matthew Murray wrote in ''TalkingBroadway.com'' that the show lacks “musical"musical necessity”necessity" and goes on to say, “It’s"It's not just that the songs give you nothing to take away, it’sit's that they take in nothing to give you.”"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Talkin' Broadway Off-Broadway - Coraline - 06/01/09|url=https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/ob/06_01_09.html|access-date=2020-10-04|website=www.talkinbroadway.com}}</ref> More generally, Toby Zinman wrote on ''BroadStreetReview.com'' that attendees may find “the"the songs were unmusical.”"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zinman|first=Toby|title=Coraline' off-Broadway|url=https://www.broadstreetreview.com/theater/coraline_off_broadway|access-date=2020-10-04|website=www.broadstreetreview.com}}</ref>
While the show received generally negative-to-mixed reviews, critics remained supportive of its creative team. Noting the strength of Gaiman's novel, Greenspan's inventive theatrical work, and Merritt's quirky, esoteric musicianship, David Rooney wrote in ''Variety'', “Whether"Whether or not the musical-theater crowd warms to this wildly unconventional piece, it succeeds fully in harnessing the essence of three distinctive talents.”"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rooney|first=David|date=2009-06-01|title=Coraline|url=https://variety.com/2009/legit/reviews/coraline-2-1200507100/#!|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Variety}}</ref> Additionally, Stephen Merritt received the Obie Award for Design/Music for ''Coraline'' in 2010.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=10|url=https://www.obieawards.com/events/2010s/year-10/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Obie Awards|language=en-US}}</ref>