HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 5: MONSTER REUNION (2025)
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg
Genre: Comedy, Family, Animation
Rating: 8.2/10

“Family is spooky… and so is the chaos!”

The Hotel Transylvania series is back for another monstrous adventure with Hotel Transylvania 5: Monster Reunion. This time, the iconic Monster Hotel is hosting its first-ever Monster Family Reunion, and the results are as wild and chaotic as you’d expect! With a twist of magic gone wrong, Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Johnny (Andy Samberg) accidentally unleash an ancient curse, turning every guest into their worst nightmare version. As terrifying werewolves, menacing ghosts, and creepy creatures wreak havoc, Count Drac (Adam Sandler) and his gang must scramble to reverse the curse before it’s too late.

Plot Overview:

The Monster Hotel, always a safe haven for vampires, werewolves, and all things spooky, has never seen anything like this before. The occasion? The first-ever Monster Family Reunion. All the creatures of the monster world are coming together to celebrate their weird, wild, and wonderful lives, and everyone is invited. But when Mavis and Johnny accidentally disturb a long-forgotten ancient curse hidden within the hotel’s walls, the celebration turns into a nightmare.

In an instant, the guests transform into their most nightmarish forms — imagine a werewolf that’s even more terrifying than usual, a ghost that could send shivers down your spine, and monsters who are suddenly wreaking havoc with their new, exaggerated personalities. The once vibrant hotel is plunged into complete chaos, with everyone’s worst fears becoming reality.

With the hotel quickly turning into a monstrous battlefield, it’s up to Count Drac, Mavis, Johnny, and the gang to try and fix the mess before it’s too late. They must race against time to reverse the curse, navigating through twisted versions of their friends and loved ones, while also trying to keep the peace within the hotel. Will they manage to save the day and reunite the family before the curse consumes them all? z

Characters and Performances:

As always, the star-studded cast brings the beloved characters of the Hotel Transylvania franchise to life with their signature humor and heart.

Adam Sandler returns as the lovable Count Dracula, delivering his usual dose of comedic charm while stepping up as the leader of the gang in this chaotic adventure. Drac’s fatherly instincts and his quirky sense of responsibility shine through as he tries to corral his family and friends to undo the curse.

Selena Gomez brings her characteristic energy to Mavis, Dracula’s daughter, who’s always caught between her loving father and her adventurous spirit. Mavis finds herself in the middle of the mess, trying to fix the situation while keeping her cool and helping everyone navigate the madness.

Andy Samberg returns as Johnny, Mavis’ human husband, whose carefree and goofy nature often complicates things, but who also has a heart of gold. This time, Johnny’s playful personality plays a huge role in trying to figure out how to reverse the curse — despite making everything even more chaotic in the process.

The rest of the gang is back, with Kevin James as the hulking but lovable Frankenstein, Steve Buscemi as the quirky werewolf Wayne, and David Spade as the snarky invisible man, Griffin. Each character has their moment to shine, bringing their unique flavor of humor to the mix, as they navigate through this new, monstrous dilemma.

Visuals and Animation:

Hotel Transylvania 5 maintains the signature colorful, high-energy animation style that fans have come to love. The vibrant world of the hotel is brought to life with bright hues, zany designs, and lots of fun visual gags. From the chaotic transformations of the monsters into their worst-nightmare versions to the whimsical and exaggerated character designs, the animation is designed to appeal to both younger audiences and nostalgic parents. The dynamic visual style adds to the frenetic energy of the story, keeping the pace fast and the jokes coming in every frame.

The movie’s attention to detail is particularly striking when it comes to the curse-induced transformations. Each character’s nightmare form is exaggerated to comedic perfection, offering plenty of laughs and visual surprises along the way. The hotel itself, once again a magical and chaotic setting, is alive with whimsical details that make it a fun backdrop for the characters’ wild adventures.

Themes and Heart:

At its core, Hotel Transylvania 5: Monster Reunion is about family — the quirky, unpredictable, and sometimes terrifying nature of family. Despite the monsters and mayhem, the characters in this franchise have always been driven by a deep sense of love and loyalty to each other. This theme continues in the fifth installment, as Mavis and Johnny’s mistake (though hilarious and full of chaos) ultimately brings the family closer together. In the end, the hotel may be full of nightmares, but the heart of the film is about making amends, understanding each other, and embracing your weird, wonderful family.

The film also plays with the idea of identity and transformation, showing how the characters’ true selves come through, even when they are turned into their worst nightmares. It’s a clever exploration of the idea that we are more than just our fears and flaws, and it’s the relationships we build with those around us that truly matter.

Humor and Fun:

True to form, Hotel Transylvania 5 is packed with the slapstick humor, quick wit, and zany antics that fans of the franchise adore. The situations the characters find themselves in are both ridiculous and hilarious, from Johnny’s attempts to fit in with the monstrous crew to Drac’s ever-present desire to keep his hotel and family safe. The humor is light-hearted and family-friendly, making it perfect for audiences of all ages.

The jokes come thick and fast, with each character bringing their own unique comedic style to the table. Whether it’s Frankenstein’s bumbling antics, Griffin’s sarcastic one-liners, or Wayne the werewolf trying to control his nightmarish version, the film delivers non-stop laughs from start to finish.

Final Verdict:

Hotel Transylvania 5: Monster Reunion is a hilarious, spooky, and heartwarming return to the beloved world of Count Drac and his monstrous family. It’s a fun-filled adventure that combines wild animation, clever humor, and touching moments of family togetherness. With a stellar voice cast, dazzling visuals, and an engaging story, this latest installment is a fitting continuation of the franchise that fans young and old will love. Get ready for a monster-sized reunion that’s filled with laughs, love, and plenty of spooky surprises!