Shuvrajit Das Biswas
Hotel Transylvania is one of the nicer animated movies to come out in recent times. A story which explores the possibility of otherness and fear of otherness being a two-way street than a one-way power structure that we assume it to be, the plot follows a world where monsters are afraid of humans just as much as humans seem to be afraid of monsters. The movie introduces a host of classic monster characters like Dracula, a werewolf, a mummy, and even Frankenstein’s monster. The movie shows how a human and Dracula’s daughter fall in love against all odds and overcome differences between the two communities.
With that said, we have tried to come up with a list of films similar to Hotel Transylvania that are our recommendations. If you are interested, you might be able to stream some of these movies like Hotel Transylvania on Netflix or Amazon Prime or even Hulu.
14. Monster House (2006)
If creepy animated stories are your forte, then Monster House is going to be enjoyable. A tale of love everlasting which gets twisted and makes the house a devouring monster, this story is about a bunch of kids who battle the monstrous house and save all the previously devoured people. A fine film, the storyline is spooky enough and the protagonists spunky enough to make the film thoroughly enjoyable. The interaction of kids with things monstrous is reflective of the Hotel Transylvania motif.
13. The Addams Family (1991)
Created by Charles Addams as a cartoon, this was eventually made into a feature film in 1991. A supernatural dark comedy, the Addams family is beloved amongst those who love weird things. The story in itself is about an imposter who tries to rob this wealthy family but gets more than they bargained for. An excellent film will dark comic moments, the Addams family is definitely one household that would fascinate you if Dracula’s hotel drew your attention in the animated film.
12. ParaNorman (2012)
Norman is a boy in Massachusetts who can speak with ghosts. This isn’t a scene from The Sixth Sense. This is actually an animated comedy horror film about a curse of witch which makes dead people rise from their graves. A zombie apocalypse in Boston is prevented by this boy who is initially shunned by his friends and misunderstood by his family but eventually accepted for who he is. A truly touching tale of acceptance much like the boy’s acceptance by Dracula. This film is a finely made movie which definitely deserves more mention.
11. Frankenweenie (2012)
Tim Burton directing an animated film, we know we’re in for some creepy animation. This film, however, is special to those who love their classic monsters. Based on Mary Shelley’s novel this film is both a parody of and a homage to Frankenstein. The plot here is about Sparky, a dead dog who gets reanimated and the ruckus that follows. Coraline and Frankenweenie both have some pretty dark animation which the viewers are bound to notice and beyond the humor of Burton’s film the underlying themes of reanimation and acceptance are pretty serious and will be appreciated by the audience as well.
10. Corpse Bride (2005)
A touching tale of love and betrayal, this film was a commercial and critical success and was nominated for the Academy Awards. A tale of love which triumphs death and all possible odds, this film preaches the value of love irrespective of any other material construct. A definite watch which is made somber with the intonations of undead people returning to the land of the loving. However, despite this spooky touch, the film in itself is more sweet than horrific and the dead people play a major motif in the movie. Understandably the film bears Burton’s dark aesthetic but is nonetheless a fabulous watch.
9. Coraline (2009)
If the theme of acceptance stuck with you in Hotel Transylvania then this dark animated work based on Neil Gaiman’s story might just be what you’re looking for. The story of a girl who is starved for her parents’ attention and in her restlessness uncovers a parallel ideal world but the world holds its own dark secrets and the trials she has to go to before normalcy is restored in her life, becomes a character-defining moment for Coraline and teaches her to value the things she has.
8. Little Vampire (2000)
Shot in and around Scotland the story is similar about a little boy who makes a friend only to discover that the friend is a vampire. A film peppered with vampire moments and touching moments of friendship, this movie will be a favorite among those who liked Hotel Transylvania for its treatment of spooky subjects in a light-hearted and fun way.
7. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
A boy, who is often bullied but is very imaginative one day discovers an island with giant creatures and proclaims himself their king. An adventure with magical creatures where a child learns valuable lessons are strikingly similar to Coraline’s tale as well and Spike Jonze’s film is so excellently made as to have you enthralled by the time he finishes weaving his tale. The boy’s thirst for adventure will surely remind viewers of the spunky kid who discovers Dracula’s hotel.
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Produced by Studio Ghibli, this is another masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki. The story is about Kiki a young witch who goes to a coastal town where she is taken in by a kindly baker in exchange for her services of delivering goods on her broom. All seems to go well for her until she apparently loses her powers. The character of Kiki and Dracula’s daughter is remarkably similar. They both move away from a place of reliance to a place of independence. Kiki’s tale is excellent and a thoroughly enjoyable work by one of the masters of animation.
5. James and the Giant Peach (1996)
Directed by Henry Selick and based on Roald Dahl’s novel, this film is about a young boy James whose parents are killed by a giant rhino and he is subsequently adopted by his abusive aunts. James’ ordeal is helped by magically enlarged insects as they undertake a voyage to New York City. An engrossing tale and a well-made film, this is definitely a film to be enjoyed by all families. The monumental nature of the adventure is reflected in the male protagonist’s adventure in Hotel Transylvania.
4. The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
Conceived by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick, this film is about belonging in its right place and multiple worlds. The plot of this movie is about Jack who is bored with Halloween and tries to change it by taking over Christmas. However, as the Halloween creatures take over Christmas, they make a mess of things and there are very funny and disastrous consequences. The film in itself has multiple enjoyable elements and the animation is really top notch. Those that watch this film will appreciate how the message changes in animation over the years as Transylvania conveys a strong unified message of coexistence being possible.
3. Casper (1995)
One of the most popular friendly ghost movies, this movie strongly enforces the human supernatural friendship bond. Casper is a friendly ghost who lives with his uncles, but the little ghost wants a human friend which works when a ghost psychologist and his daughter moves in. A strong recommendation for those who enjoyed Hotel Transylvania.
2. Monsters University (2013)
A humanizing look at monsters as creatures with their own aspirations, this Pixar animated film makes light of the most believed monster tropes that humans hold and ironically points out how monsters sometimes have t work hard to live up to these held standards. Fans of Hotel Transylvania will realize how this movie too plays with the conventionality of the monster genre through humor.
1. Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
The second movie in the series this movie would by all logic be the most similar to Hotel Transylvania. The film shows Dracula’s daughter getting acquainted with the boy’s side of the family and Vlad, Dracula’s father visiting. The plot explores similar themes of trying to hide who we are before embracing our true selves and being the happiest at who we are.
