The monsters are back — but this time, they’re checking in under the Californian sun. Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix have officially announced that Motel Transylvania, the latest instalment in the beloved Hotel Transylvania universe, will arrive in 2025.
Fans of the franchise — which began with the 2012 hit movie Hotel Transylvania — have been eagerly waiting for another small-screen adventure following the success of Hotel Transylvania: The Series (2017–2020). With Netflix now in the driver’s seat, Motel Transylvania promises a fresh, modern spin that blends family-friendly comedy, heartwarming themes, and a new “fish-out-of-water” storyline featuring Drac and Mavis.
The announcement was accompanied by a first-look image, giving fans a glimpse at a “gremlin wrecking crew” building the new motel, setting the tone for another round of chaotic monster mayhem.
Overview Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Motel Transylvania |
| Type | Netflix Original Animated Series |
| Franchise | Hotel Transylvania (Sony Pictures Animation) |
| Director / Writer | To be announced |
| Produced By | Sony Pictures Animation & Nelvana |
| Genre | Animated Comedy, Family, Fantasy |
| Main Characters | Dracula, Mavis, Frankenstein, Wayne, Griffin, Murray |
| Plot Setting | California desert – new resort for humans and monsters |
| Number of Episodes | TBA |
| Release Window | 2025 (Netflix exclusive) |
| Animation Studio | Sony Pictures Animation & Nelvana Studios |
A Fresh Spin on the Monster Universe
Motel Transylvania takes the wildly popular gothic comedy franchise in a sunny new direction. Instead of lurking in spooky castles, Dracula and Mavis venture to the California desert to open a new resort for both monsters and humans.
According to early production notes shared by Deadline, the series will explore the clash between two very different worlds — monsters trying to blend into human society and humans learning to coexist with their supernatural guests. The result promises plenty of chaos, charm, and laugh-out-loud moments.
As Sony Pictures Animation President Kristine Belson explained in an earlier statement:
“Audiences have embraced the world and characters of Hotel Transylvania, so we’re thrilled to expand on their adventures. Motel Transylvania will explore new places, new faces, and the hilarious challenges that come with monsters living under the desert sun.”
The Legacy of Hotel Transylvania
The Hotel Transylvania franchise began in 2012 under creator Todd Durham and director Genndy Tartakovsky, quickly becoming a global box-office sensation.
The Movie Timeline
| Film Title | Release Year | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Transylvania | 2012 | Genndy Tartakovsky | Introduced Dracula, Mavis, and the monster family. |
| Hotel Transylvania 2 | 2015 | Genndy Tartakovsky | Focused on Drac’s grandson Dennis. |
| Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation | 2018 | Genndy Tartakovsky | Took the family on a monster cruise. |
| Hotel Transylvania: Transformania | 2022 | Derek Drymon, Jennifer Kluska | Swapped monsters and humans through a magical mishap. |
Beyond the films, the franchise also inspired short films, video games, and a popular Disney Channel series, Hotel Transylvania: The Series, which ran from 2017 to 2020.
That show followed a younger Mavis Dracula during her teenage years, exploring her antics at the family hotel before the first movie’s events.
Motel Transylvania, however, moves the story forward — focusing on a new chapter in Drac and Mavis’s lives after they leave their gothic homeland for a human-monster hospitality experiment in sunny California.
The Story: “Vampires and Sunshine… What Could Go Wrong?”
Netflix’s official description perfectly captures the tone:
“Drac & Mavis take a break from their Transylvanian haunts to set up a brand new resort for humans and monsters in the California desert. Vampires and sunshine… what can go wrong!?”
This tagline alone sets up the central comedic tension — vampires and heat don’t mix well. Expect plenty of situational humor involving sunscreen, late-night pool parties, and monster guests running amok.
Industry insider Carla Rhee, who previewed early concept art, commented:
“The creative team is blending classic monster comedy with modern family humor. Motel Transylvania isn’t just a spin-off — it’s a reinvention for a new generation of fans.”
Casting Speculation: Will Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez Return?
As of late 2025, Netflix and Sony have not confirmed the voice cast for Motel Transylvania.
In past projects, voice roles have shifted between films. While Adam Sandler voiced Count Dracula in the first three movies, he was replaced by Brian Hull in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Selena Gomez, however, continued to voice Mavis throughout the series and even served as an executive producer.
The previous TV series featured different actors — Ivan Sherry as Dracula and Bryn McAuley as Mavis. It’s possible that Motel Transylvania could introduce a new voice ensemble, blending returning favorites with fresh talent.
Entertainment analyst Derek Manners shared:
“Sony and Netflix have the opportunity to reintroduce the characters for a younger audience, possibly blending original voices with new comedic actors. Expect a balance of nostalgia and innovation.”
Production Details and Creative Team
Motel Transylvania is being produced by Sony Pictures Animation in collaboration with Nelvana, the Canadian animation studio best known for Babar and The Magic School Bus.
Sony Pictures Television will handle U.S. distribution, while Nelvana Enterprises oversees international sales.
Rick Mischel of Sony Pictures Animation joins as executive producer alongside Colin Bohm and Irene Weibel of Nelvana.
This collaboration follows the success of Hotel Transylvania: The Series, which garnered strong viewership among children and families globally.
“Working with Nelvana again allows us to keep the playful spirit of the original while delivering cinematic-quality animation,” producer Rick Mischel noted.
A First Look at Motel Transylvania
The official Hotel Transylvania Twitter (X) account released a first-look image teasing the construction of the new desert resort — a chaotic “gremlin wrecking crew” assembling what appears to be the new Motel Transylvania.
The visual retains the franchise’s signature vibrant, gothic-meets-cartoon style, suggesting that Sony Pictures Animation aims to maintain the recognizable aesthetic of the movies while expanding its universe with fresh environments.
Release Window
Netflix has confirmed that Motel Transylvania will debut sometime in 2025.
The exact date remains under wraps, but production insiders expect the series to premiere in late 2025, possibly aligning with the Halloween or holiday season, when monster-themed content tends to perform best.
Why Motel Transylvania Matters?
After nearly a decade of laughter, monster antics, and family lessons, the Hotel Transylvania brand continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
This new series offers Sony and Netflix a chance to reinvent the franchise for younger viewers while maintaining the humor and warmth that longtime fans love.
Animation journalist Sarah Delgado summed it up:
“Motel Transylvania is more than a sequel — it’s a reboot with purpose. It celebrates inclusivity, humor, and the idea that even monsters need a vacation.”
FAQs
Dracula and Mavis open a new resort for monsters and humans in California, leading to comedic chaos as vampires try to handle sunshine.
It will premiere in 2025, though the exact month has not yet been confirmed.
Netflix has not announced the cast, but given prior changes, it’s possible a new voice actor could play Dracula.
The episode count is currently unknown.
Sony Pictures Animation is producing the show in partnership with Nelvana.
