There is provided a dimensionally stable laminated paperboard material having a tear-resistant polymer film core. The tear-resistant paperboard laminate is a multi-layer paperboard laminate with an integral polymer core having a tear resistance a thickness of at least 1 mil and a tear resistance of at least 350 grams of force in machine direction and 400 grams of force in cross direction, as measured by the Elmendorf tear propagation test. Two paperboard substrates are bonded on respective opposite sides of the polymer core, to provide printability, facilitate adherence and prevent frictional resistance. The multi-layer paperboard-polymer-paperboard laminate is particularly useful for child-resistant, senior-friendly and pilfer-proof packaging and may be printed on, hot-stamped, embossed, die-cut and glued using conventional printing and converting techniques. An adhesive laminating process and an extrusion laminating process for manufacturing the laminate are also disclosed.