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Our take
Hotel Transylvania is a bright animated comedy set in Dracula's hotel for monsters. Its silly scares and cartoon danger may startle the youngest children, but nothing is graphic. There is a sweet teen crush, a little kissing, and a sad backstory about a parent who died. The film's message about looking past appearances is gentle and clear. We put it at 10 and up, with a parent nearby if monster faces still feel scary.
Uplifting themes
Acceptance runs all the way through, from looking past appearances to trusting the people you love with their own choices. Letting go and saying sorry both get real room here Dracula starts out controlling and fearful, then learns to listen and let his daughter live her own life. His growth, and Mavis's curiosity and kindness, give kids good people to follow
Story (may spoil tone)
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best friends to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!
Details
Violence The action is cartoon-style, with chases, slapstick tumbles, and comic…
The action is cartoon-style, with chases, slapstick tumbles, and comic talk of monsters wanting to bite or eat people. A torch-waving crowd and a few mild shocks appear, but no one is really hurt
Sex / nudity There is a tender teen romance between Mavis and a human traveller, bui…
There is a tender teen romance between Mavis and a human traveller, built on a crush and a couple of light kisses. It stays innocent and age-appropriate for a family cartoon
Drugs / alcohol A quick gag has a character point out that someone is smoking, and ther…
A quick gag has a character point out that someone is smoking, and there is some party-style drinking in the background. It all passes in a blink
Frightening Monsters fill every scene, and while they are friendly and funny, some…
Monsters fill every scene, and while they are friendly and funny, some big faces, a witch, and a couple of loud, dark moments can unsettle under-sixes. Older kids will find it far more goofy than scary
Bullying / discrimination Monsters and humans distrust each other, and Dracula must confront his…
Monsters and humans distrust each other, and Dracula must confront his own prejudice. A brief racism joke also appears. The story favours looking past those divisions
Grief / bereavement Mavis's mother died when she was a baby, helping explain Dracula's prot…
Mavis's mother died when she was a baby, helping explain Dracula's protectiveness. The backstory is sad but handled gently, with no frightening images
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Dracula is terrified of letting Mavis explore the world. When does protecting someone tip over into holding them back?
- Monsters fear humans and humans fear monsters. How does the film show that first impressions can be wrong?
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Hotel Transylvania
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