--- title: "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation" critics_score: 58 critics_reviews: 15 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 3: Summer Vacation (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 58 from 15 reviews: 7 positive, 4 mixed, 4 negative. The consensus is mixed, with the animation earning more consistent praise than the storytelling. Across favourable and unfavourable reviews, critics pick out elastic movement, expressive character animation and elaborate visual gags as the film’s main strengths. The dance sequences draw particular approval, while several reviews also welcome the vocal cast and the affectionate treatment of familiar monsters. For its supporters, the slapstick and sweetness make a thin story easy enough to forgive. The spread is wide, however, and critics disagree sharply about how much comedy actually lands. IndieWire finds a joyful sequel with a welcome message of acceptance; Variety considers it the series’ weakest entry, with uninspired humour and dwindling energy. Elsewhere, reservations centre on the sketchy plot, uneven pacing and characters pushed aside for the romance. Even some positive reviews describe stretches that drag, while several detractors still find pleasure in the visual invention. ## IndieWire — Jamie Righetti Rating A-. 7 July 2018. Righetti finds the sequel a joyful, worthwhile summer treat with a timely message of acceptance. She singles out its dazzling animation and Sandler’s playful comic performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/hotel-transylvania-3-review-summer-vacation-adam-sandler-1201981845/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kimber Myers Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2018. Myers finds the film entertaining and sweet, though scattered and less ambitious than the best animated family films. She praises its message of acceptance while criticizing its underused female characters and jokes that do not always land. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-hotel-transylvania-3-review-20180711-story.html) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating B-. 9 July 2018. Hassenger finds it the best and most thematically at-home entry in the series, despite familiar story limitations. He praises Tartakovsky’s elastic animation and visually driven comic sequences. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/improbably-but-amusingly-hotel-transylvania-3-notches-1827291143) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2018. The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is available in the supplied text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/movies/review-hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation.html) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 3/5. Luxford finds the film charming and packed with entertaining gags, though its plot is sketchy. She singles out a booby-trap-filled dance sequence between Dracula and Ericka for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ains1g/hotel-transylvania-3-a-monster-vacation/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2018. The critic finds it an energetic, middle-of-the-road timekiller with a troubling message about romantic destiny. Sight gags and expressive body-language animation are its strongest elements. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation-review-1125527/) ## Vulture — Emily Yoshida Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2018. Yoshida finds the film mostly harmless but forgettable, with little continuity or character depth. She praises its kinetic end-credit animation and appreciates its slapstick silliness for young children. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/07/the-kids-could-do-a-lot-worse-than-hotel-transylvania-3.html) ## The Guardian — Simran Hans Rating 2/5. 29 July 2018. Hans finds the instalment tepid, though not entirely charmless. She singles out its sunset pastels and playful visual details as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/29/hotel-transylvania-3-a-monster-vacation-review) ## Time Out — Olly Richards Rating 2/5. 23 July 2018. The review finds the franchise short on laughs and story. It praises the series’ madcap, Tex Avery-like animation as its most appealing quality. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hotel-transylvania-3) ## Slant Magazine — Derek Smith Rating 1.5/4. 10 July 2018. Smith argues the sequel is stale and overly focused on a treacly romance. He praises the fresh visual gags and elaborate set pieces, but faults the infantile humor and sidelined ensemble. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation/) ## Variety — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2018. Tobias calls it the weakest entry in the series, finding its comedy consistently uninspired. He praises the opening cat-and-mouse sequence between Dracula and Van Helsing, but says it loses steam halfway through. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/hotel-transylvania-3-film-review-1202868083/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the third film a belatedly successful, funny and endearing entry in the franchise. They single out the lively vocal cast, visual gags and especially the dance sequences for praise. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation-review/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 3 out of 5. 10 July 2018. Kaye finds the film uneven but ultimately enjoyable, with a thin plot and stretches that drag. He praises its visual wit and affection for classic movie monsters, which may keep them alive for younger audiences. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 July 2018. The critic finds the film entertainingly chaotic and full of enjoyment. They praise the ingenious animation and pitch-perfect voice cast. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation-2018-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2018. The review finds this installment an easygoing, midsummer delight and the most satisfying of Adam Sandler’s franchises. It praises the relentless slapstick and sight gags, while noting the DJ battle may leave viewers with an unwelcome song stuck in their heads. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/hotel-transylvania-3-film-review-adam-sandler-selena-gomez/) --- © 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-3-summer-vacation.md