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Parents' Guide to

Hotel Transylvania

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Father-daughter comedy works as intro to monster movies.

Movie PG 2012 92 minutes
Hotel Transylvania Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 6+

Based on 45 parent reviews

age 8+

Some creepy scenes but more funny

(Written by 8yo boy) When I first watched this movie I didn't really pay attention to it or know whether I liked it or not. But the second time I watched it, I thought it was a little creepy and I think it may bore some kids or be creepy for younger kids. It is a little bit long for young kids to handle especially if you watch it in the evening. It's not really gross but some scenes are a little and it has a lot of comedy. And there is one scene with a creepy flashback about how dracula's wife died. But if you are 7 or 8 I think it will be enjoyable, fun, and funny.
age 7+

Dumbs it down for children

I think kids are a bit smarter than these reductive examples of parental figures. Presenting an over-the-top version in order to gain some laughs I do not think does justice to what children integrate and understand. It is a shame, because there is a lot of vocal talent in this film. The Jonathan character is interesting and I wanted to see how it resolved, but was not swayed by their rapping.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (45 ):
Kids say (75 ):

Although its premise is much better than the execution, this movie is just palatable enough to tolerate for parents. Little kids too young for the genuine spookiness of Monster House and ParaNorman will particularly enjoy how harmless the monsters are (save for Dracula's occasional rage face) and how sweet the relationship is between Dracula and his daddy's girl, Mavis. Gomez is well-cast as a naive adolescent daughter who just wants a chance to discover the world beyond the hotel, and Samberg is like a young Sandler as the bumbling-but-sweet human who ends up stealing not only Mavis' heart but befriending an entire circle of monster pals.

That's not to say that there aren't some issues with Hotel Transylvania; a Pixar masterpiece it's not. The word "zing" (as in the romantic spark between couples) quickly becomes tedious, as do some of the repetitive jokes about the werewolf cubs' poop and the Bride of Frankenstein's hen-pecking (she's voiced by Fran Drescher, of course). But despite the tiny missteps, kids -- and they, after all, are the movie's target audience -- will relate to Mavis, laugh at Dracula and his friends, and be completely invested in this monster mash of an animated comedy.

Movie Details

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