lead the discussion
Hotel Transylvania 3 - Summer Vacation - 2018
Movie Info
Rating: PG
Age-appropriateness: cartoonish violence, includes paranormal activity and monsters
Overview: Count Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters, unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family. A central emphasis in the film is that marriage and children are very good things. Family is important and is something to be nurtured and embraced. This movie celebrates the cherishing of our closest relationships.
Themes: family, marriage, vacation, dishonesty, repentance, diversity
The Quick 3
Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.
1. Marriage. Do you think that it’s true that people only have one “zing” in their lifetime? What questions do you have about marriage?
In the beginning of the movie, Drac says that you only “zing” once and that’s how you’ll know who to marry; meaning you get emotional butterflies for one person that are unlike anything else you’ve ever felt, so you’ll know you should marry that one person.
2. Generational Beliefs. Is there anything your family believes or does simply because their parents/grandparents believed/did those things? Have you tried comparing those beliefs/actions with what Jesus says is true in the Bible?
The Van Helsing family, generation to generation, all hated monsters and wanted to get rid of them. The main reason that the Van Helsing shown in the movie hated monsters is simply because his parents, grandparents, and so on, told him that he should. We should always filter our values and behaviors based on what Jesus says is right and good. If Van Helsing considered the Bible most important, he would’ve loved everyone else, no matter how different they were, instead of hating monsters just because his parents/grandparents did.
3. Repentance. Is there any bad thing in your life that you’ve been doing for a long time that you need to repent of, turn the other way, and ask God for forgiveness?
Erika saves Dracula. No matter how many times people mess up and do the wrong thing – like Erika had done the entire movie so far – they can always change their mind and do the right thing. Repentance is admitting what you've done wrong and turning away from it, leading your life in the opposite direction from then on. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." Erika did indeed turn from her wicked ways. When we do the same, God promises to forgive us from all that we’ve done wrong.
After The Movie Discussion Guide
Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.
1. In the beginning of the movie, Drac says that you only “zing” once and that’s how you’ll know who to marry; meaning you get emotional butterflies for one person that are unlike anything else you’ve ever felt, so you’ll know you should marry that one person. Do you think that it’s true that people only have one “zing” in their lifetime? What questions do you have about marriage?
2. What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on? What would be your dream vacation (one that maybe you haven’t been on yet)?
3. The Van Helsing family, generation to generation, all hated monsters and wanted to get rid of them. The main reason that the Van Helsing shown in the movie hated monsters is simply because his parents, grandparents, and so on, told him that he should. We should always filter our values and behaviors based on what Jesus says is right and good. If Van Helsing considered the Bible most important, he would’ve loved everyone else, no matter how different they were, instead of hating monsters just because his parents/grandparents did. Is there anything your family believes or does simply because their parents/grandparents believed/did those things? Have you tried comparing those beliefs/actions with what Jesus says is true in the Bible?
4. This film emphasizes the importance of family. How important is your family to you? Do you feel loved and supported by them?
Resource: Focus on the Family is a great Christian resource dedicated to helping families thrive.
Minute By Minute Guide
Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.
:05 Both the groom and the bride are incredibly nervous before their wedding day. Marrying someone is a big deal and means you’ll be connected to them for the rest of your life. When was the last time you were nervous like that?
:17 Mavis surprises Drac with a cruise vacation. She thoughtfully considered what would mean the most to Drac and went out of her way to make it happen. Is there someone that you know that is overly tired, or sad, or in need of a fun surprise? What might you be able to do for them?
:20 Drac is ungrateful when he first boarded the cruise ship, because he says the cruise has all of the same things already at the hotel. Gratitude is thinking about and being thankful for all the things that make you smile. Mavis set up a vacation for Drac, and it was rude of him to respond without gratitude. When was a time when you were ungrateful? What kept you from being grateful in that moment?
:30 We learn that Captain Erika is pretending to be nice to do something really mean to the monsters. She’s pretending to be friendly in order to take advantage of them. She is being dishonest. Do you think it’s okay to be dishonest if it gets you what you want? Why or why not?
:39 During their scuba dive, Drac and his family got the chance to swim alongside various animals in the ocean. That looks like fun! If you could spend a day with any animal, which animal would you choose and why?
:44 Drac really likes Erika and asks her to be his friend. Have you ever asked someone to be your friend? How did it go? Were you nervous (like Drac was)?
:51 Drac says “Family is everything. You have to honor the past, but we make our own future.” Family is so important because they are a big way we get the love and support we need throughout life. What are some ways you can honor the older generations in your family? What are some ways you can help shape the future of your current family?
1:02 Drac says, “Humans, monsters, what’s the difference?”. He’s saying that it doesn’t matter how different we are, we should still love and respect each other. We shouldn’t be separated just because we are different. It’s our differences that make us special. Who are some people that are different than you? What makes them different?
1:05 Erika says she could never be with a monster. This is very intolerant of Erika. How do you think this makes Drac feel? When we are intolerant of other people, what are the bad things that happen as a result?
1:11 Drac promises Mavis that nothing will ever take him away from his family. Families are God-given gifts given to us for our many needs. Whether it’s your biological family (that is, your mom, dad, brothers, and sisters) or your church family (other people who love Jesus and love you), God says that you’ll always be a part of a family that loves and cares for you, no matter what you do. Do you believe that? Who are the people around you that love you unconditionally?
1:12 Erika admits she’s been deceiving the monsters and taking advantage of them. She pretended to be something she wasn’t. How do you think this made Drac feel, after he was fooled by her? Should he still trust people in the future?
1:17 Erika saves Dracula. No matter how many times people mess up and do the wrong thing – like Erika had done the entire movie so far – they can always change their mind and do the right thing. Repentance is admitting what you've done wrong and turning away from it, leading your life in the opposite direction from then on. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." Erika did indeed turn from her wicked ways. When we do the same, God promises to forgive us from all that we’ve done wrong. Is there any bad thing in your life that you’ve been doing for a long time that you need to repent of, turn the other way, and ask God for forgiveness?
1:23 Murray the Mummy says that Drac needs to be “greater than the haters”. No matter how much bad Van Helsing has done to him, Drac decides to save him anyway. Jesus tells us to “love our enemies” and this is a great example. This led to Van Helsing realizing he was wrong and saying, “I’m sorry”. If Dracula would’ve given Van Helsing what he deserved, Van Helsing would’ve never experienced the life change that he did. It was only possible through love and compassion. What person in your life doesn’t deserve to be treated nicely, but you can do it anyway? How might their life change if they experience the love of Christ by how you treat them?