--- title: "Hotel Transylvania 2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2" critics_score: 53 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015): what the critics said Critics' score 53 from 16 reviews: 5 positive, 4 mixed, 7 negative. Most critics find Hotel Transylvania 2 a lively but routine sequel, and the reviews split nearly down the middle, tilting against. Where praise lands, it lands on Genndy Tartakovsky: the fluid, exaggerated animation and the steady stream of sight gags are credited even by reviewers who dislike the rest. Several note that the pace is brisk enough to carry a thin story, and a few find Adam Sandler more agreeable here than in his recent live-action work. The reservations gather round the plot and the message. Reviewers describe the story as formulaic and more-of-the-same, and many find the lesson about parenthood and accepting difference muddled or smothering; Slant Magazine argues the ending contradicts it outright. The spread is wide, from warm notices at The Wrap to an unusually harsh dismissal at Eye for Film, which finds no character and a single gag worn thin. The divide tends to follow whether a critic is watching for children or for themselves. ## IndieWire — Greg Ehrbar Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 January 2016. The critic finds the sequel funny and entertaining, though less cohesive and predictable compared with the original. He particularly praises the return of the appealing characters and the Blu-ray’s extensive bonus features. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/dvdblu-ray-review-and-exclusive-clip-hotel-transylvania-2-122433/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2015. The critic finds this sequel an amusing, value-added return with stronger storytelling and character development. They single out Tartakovsky’s colorful visual contrasts and several effective sight gags. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hotel-transylvania-2-film-review-826542/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 September 2015. Ebiri finds the film minor but a pleasant surprise, especially compared with Sandler’s recent live-action work. He praises its brisk pacing and abundance of sight gags and puns. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2015/09/hotel-transylvania-2-is-minor-but-pleasant.html) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2015. The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is available in the provided text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/movies/review-in-hotel-transylvania-2-dracula-yearns-for-a-little-monster-of-a-grandson.html) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating C+. 25 September 2015. Hassenger finds the sequel energetic and charming, but says its parental themes become smothering and unsettling. He praises Tartakovsky’s fluid, exaggerated animation while criticizing the film’s focus on Dracula’s meddling and its rushed, punching-heavy climax. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hotel-transylvania-2-mixes-fun-gags-and-creepy-messages-1798184974) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 3/5. The review presents the sequel as an entertaining, gag-filled follow-up, though its message about parenthood is vague. It singles out the animation and Dracula’s alternative lullaby as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-lboeov/hotel-transylvania-2/) ## Los Angeles Times — Charles Solomon Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2015. Solomon finds the film formulaic and overly sentimental, though it has entertaining moments. He especially praises the animation of Jonathan, while wishing director Genndy Tartakovsky had a more interesting assignment. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-hotel-transylvania-2-review-20150925-story.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 2/5. 15 October 2015. Bradshaw finds the sequel routine and fangless, calling it staple family-oriented fare. He singles out Dracula’s overbearing grandparent antics as the source of its wacky scrapes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/15/hotel-transylvania-2-review-adam-sandler) ## Time Out — Joshua Rothkopf Rating 2/5. 11 October 2015. The review finds the sequel naff and lacking bite. It criticizes the film for not delivering scares, even as it targets children. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hotel-transylvania-2) ## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson Rating 1.5/4. 24 September 2015. The review is sharply negative, arguing that the film undermines its message of accepting difference. It criticizes the ending for validating Dracula’s efforts to make Dennis a vampire. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hotel-transylvania-2/) ## Variety — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2015. Schager finds the sequel frantic and largely more-of-the-same, though it may entertain young fans of the first film. He criticizes its slapdash plot, which muddles its message about tolerance while making room for juvenile slapstick and overworked jokes. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/hotel-transylvania-2-film-review-1201600848/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2015. The critic finds the sequel a welcome, humane return to form for Adam Sandler, despite some clumsy moralizing. The film’s outrageous visuals and rapid-fire jokes are singled out as making its flaws easy to forgive. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/hotel-transylvania-2-review-adam-sandler-andy-samberg-selena-gomez/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the sequel entertaining despite a contrived theme and a weak story. It praises the steady stream of puerile jokes, which keep the film funny. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/hotel-transylvania-2-review/) ## Consequence — Collin Brennan Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2015. Brennan finds the sequel mildly entertaining but says it is difficult to recommend to viewers without children. He praises the quick, character-based jokes, while criticizing the predictable plot and groan-worthy puns. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2015/09/film-review-hotel-transylvania-2/) ## Den of Geek — Ron Hogan Rating 2/5. 28 September 2015. Hogan finds the sequel energetic but threadbare, with jokes that often fail to land. He praises Tartakovsky’s lively animation and notes that some quieter gags work well. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hotel-transylvania-2-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2015. The critic finds the film weak and its plot tiresome. They single out the lack of character, arguing that the one-gag concept quickly wears thin. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hotel-transylvania-2-2015-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md