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Story

This is the third movie in the Hotel Transylvania series, which is about a vampire who runs a hotel with his daughter. In this latest instalment, Count Dracula (voice of Adam Sandler) is starting to feel lonely because he’s on his own without love in his life. To cheer him up, his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) books the whole family on a luxury cruise for monsters, thinking that all he needs is some quality time with his family and friends.

On the ship, Dracula sees Captain Erika (Kathryn Hahn) and falls in love with her at first sight. Little does Dracula suspect that Erika is actually the great-granddaughter of his old archenemy, Abraham Van Helsing (Jim Gaffigan). Erika and Van Helsing have ulterior motives and evil plans for the monster cruise. While Erika plots against the monsters, Mavis senses that something isn’t right and must move quickly to save them all from harm.

Themes

The supernatural; monsters and vampires; family, love and companionship, discrimination and prejudice

Violence

Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation has a lot of violence. For example:

  • Van Helsing pursues Dracula with guns, trying to shoot him and kill him.
  • Erika tries to kill Dracula using various weapons and strategies.
  • Many scenes include slapstick violence for comedic effect. For example, characters fly through the air, crash into trees, fall off things, are caught in explosions and so on.

Sexual references

Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation has some romantic and sexual references. For example:

  • Dracula uses an app on his smart phone to find a date. He is seen swiping through female monsters.
  • Dracula falls in love at first sight and becomes completely speechless and silly with love.
  • There is a romantic plot line with Dracula and Erika acting flirtatiously, going on a date and becoming romantically attached.
  • There is some sexual innuendo that young children generally won’t understand. For example, Dracula gets confused and says to Erika, ‘Would you like to see my parts?’

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Although Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation has no substance use of concern, there is a scene in which the monsters visit a casino. While there, they gamble and use poker machines.

Nudity and sexual activity

Nothing of concern.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation: Sony mobile phones.

Coarse language

Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation has some mild toilet humour. For example, characters break wind after eating garlic.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation is alight and entertaining movie, which older children will love. There’s plenty of humour and many creative quirky creatures to keep most of the family entertained and laughing.

Children aged under 8 years are likely to find some scenes and characters too scary, and we also recommend parental guidance for children aged 8-10 years.

The main message from this movie is that you shouldn’t discriminate against people who are different.

Values and ideas in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include the following:

  • Diversity is important and valuable.
  • Love can overcome cultural boundaries.
  • Family comes first.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like gambling addiction and prejudice.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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