Monster Family is a 2017 German–American animated fantasy comedy film produced by Constantin Film and Tinsel Town Animation. The film was directed by Holger Tappe and co-written by Holger Tappe, Jeremy M. J. Hatcher, and Tom Miller. It tells the story of a dysfunctional family who are transformed into classic monsters—werewolf, vampire, mummy, and Frankenstein’s creature—by a cursed amulet, prompting them to work together to reverse the spell and restore their normal lives.
Plot
The Talbot family—Father Frank, Mother Liz, teenage son Chris, and pre‑teen daughter Kelly—travel to Transylvania to reunite with Frank’s estranged father, who owns a castle. During a visit to an antique shop, the family acquires a mysterious amulet that, when activated, transforms each member into a different monster: Frank becomes a werewolf, Liz a vampire, Chris a mummy, and Kelly a Frankenstein‑style creature. As they navigate their new abilities and the ensuing chaos, they discover that the amulet also endangers a nearby village. The family must cooperate, confront the villainous Gerton, and learn to accept each other’s differences in order to break the curse before midnight.
Production
The animation was undertaken by Tinsel Town Animation in partnership with the German studio Meander Pictures. Production began in 2015, with a combination of computer‑generated imagery (CGI) and traditional animation techniques. Voice casting featured actors such as Emily Watson (Liz), Tim Curry (Frank), and Jeremy Shada (Chris). The film’s musical score was composed by Ralf Wengenmayr, and the soundtrack included original songs intended for family audiences.
Release
Monster Family premiered at the 2017 Annecy International Animated Film Festival and was released theatrically in Germany on January 12, 2017, followed by releases in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (direct‑to‑video and limited theatrical runs). The film was marketed primarily toward families and children, emphasizing its comedic tone and themes of familial unity.
Reception
Critical response to Monster Family was mixed to negative. Review aggregators reported low scores, with criticism focusing on the film’s pacing, humor, and animation quality compared to contemporary mainstream animated productions. However, some reviewers highlighted the film’s positive messages about cooperation and acceptance within families. Box‑office performance in Germany was modest, and the film achieved limited commercial success in other territories.
Home Media and Legacy
The film was released on DVD, Blu‑ray, and digital platforms in late 2017. A sequel titled Monster Family 2 (also known as Happy Family 2) was announced and subsequently released in 2021, continuing the adventures of the Talbot family with similar thematic elements.
See also
- List of animated feature films
- Family film (genre)
- Transformation trope in animation
References
(Encyclopedic entries typically include citations; see primary sources such as production company releases, film festival programs, and box‑office reports for verification.)