Review

Hotel Transylvania

Common Sense Media says

Father-daughter comedy works as intro to monster movies.
Age
7
Quality
 
  • Educational value0
    Kids just being introduced to "horror" movies will meet some iconic genre characters.
  • Positive messages3
    Sweet messages about a father's love for his daughter and his promise to her (and his deceased wife) that he'll keep her safe at all costs. The idea that parents need to eventually step back and let their kids grow up, take risks, and find adventure is the main theme of the story.
  • Positive role models3
    Jonathan is an adventurous spirit who learns to see beyond the monsters' freaky/creepy exteriors and discover that they're pretty cool. He encourages Mavis to travel and find her own way in the world. The monsters -- with the exception of Dracula -- can see that Jonathan's a great guy. Mavis, despite being holed up at the hotel, is a well-loved daughter and "niece" to all of her parents' dearest associates. Dracula is a protective, loving father who just wants to keep Mavis safe.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Dracula has a frightening face that he flashes whenever he can't control his anger. It's definitely the scariest thing in the movie except for the mob scene when the zombies dressed as humans try to torch Mavis. Instead, they catch fire, but the audience knows it's not really humans. The monsters at the hotel aren't really scary. There is a flashback to when humans attacked Dracula and his wife, which resulted in her death. The mother's absence is mentioned frequently, but handled delicately.
  • Sexy stuff1
    Lots of googly eyes and flirtation between Mavis and Jonathan, who eventually kiss. Some mild innuendo.
  • Language1
    Insults like "idiot," "shut up," "jerk," "stupid," plus scatological jokes about all of the "poop"/"waste"/"filth" that Wanda and Wayne's werewolf kids make.
  • Consumerism1
    No product placements in the movie, but McDonald's is selling movie-tie-in Happy Meals.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Hotel Transylvania is a good introductory "monster movie" for little kids -- the monsters are tame, and the story focuses on Dracula and his daughter as she comes of age (118!). The only potentially frightening elements are Dracula's "angry face," which he flashes when he can't control his rage (it only lasts a few seconds, but it's a bit demonic looking), and a mob scene that puts a central character in danger. There's also a backstory that involves humans killing the main character's mother, but it's handled delicately. Language includes insults/rude words like "stupid" and "shut up," and there's some innuendo, flirting, and a quick kiss between a 118-year-old vampire hybrid and a 21-year-old guy (hey, it worked in Twilight!).

This review of Hotel Transylvania was written by
Age
6
Based on 27 parent & educator reviews:
  • 48% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Parent of 6 and 10 year old
September 29, 2012
7
OK for kids & up
 
Adorable
I thought this movie was adorable. I laughed as much or more than my 10 year old. My 6 year old was not scared a bit (she's hard to scare) but I think many of the jokes went over her head and she wasn't able to enjoy the jokes as much as an older child. Adorable movie. I'm generally very strict with what I allow my children to watch and I thought this movie was very cute.
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Adult
September 30, 2012
7
OK for kids & up
 
See this movie!
It is the best cartoon movie for families that we have watched in a few years. Usually there is something inappropriate, but this cartoon is both sweet and funny. I am sorry that so few people rated it highly. So much better than the last cartoon (recently in Sept.) we watched. I can't remember the name Abnorman or something like that..was perfectly awful.
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Parent of 16 year old
September 29, 2012
3
OK for kids & up
 
nice one..
This is good
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Kid, 8 years old
September 28, 2012
4
OK for kids & up
 
5 stars!!!!!!!!
Awesome movie!!! I'm going to see it!!!
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Helped me decide (81) | Had useful details (92) | Read my mind (103)
Parent
October 1, 2012
6
OK for kids & up
 
Cute and Clean!
This was a really cute and clean movie with a great message. Our whole family enjoyed it.
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Helped me decide (87) | Had useful details (94) | Read my mind (86)
Teen, 13 years old
October 2, 2012
4
OK for kids & up
 
Exceptionally great for kids, if they won't get scared by MILD scenes.
It is something you need to take your kids to IMMEDIATELY! Except for some name-calling and some scary Dracula rage scenes, the movie is exceptionally fine for kids. The film itself is actually quite entertaining. An all star cast really make the movie special and worth to look through. 4/5
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Helped me decide (94) | Had useful details (82) | Read my mind (89)
Kid, 9 years old
September 30, 2012
5
Pause for kids & under
 
Hotel Transylvania!
Very good. 2 words... SEE IT!!!!!!!
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Helped me decide (87) | Had useful details (80) | Read my mind (98)
Parent of 6 and 9 year old
October 1, 2012
6
OK for kids & up
 
Fabulous family movie!
We went as a whole family and we all loved it!! I have a 6 1/2 and 9 year old. My youngest was unsure of a couple of moments in the beginning but quickly saw that it wasn't scary for him. We all laughed out loud many times, it was a cute way to deliver a nice message.
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Helped me decide (81) | Had useful details (84) | Read my mind (97)
Kid, 9 years old
September 30, 2012
8
Pause for kids & under
 
Mild scary scenes and rude humour.
Consumer advice: Contains mild scary scenes and rude humour. My consumer advice: Contains mild scary scenes.
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Helped me decide (76) | Had useful details (81) | Read my mind (97)
Parent of 10 and 10 year old
September 29, 2012
5
OK for kids & up
 
Family Fun movie!
This was a great family movie! I enjoyed it and even laughed a little!
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Helped me decide (77) | Had useful details (85) | Read my mind (82)
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