After completing film school, Gil Kenan pitched an idea to DreamWorks Animation. A family horror-comedy titled, “Monster House.” Set in a neighborhood, three kids band together to stop a demonic house from eating people during Halloween. DreamWorks rejected it. Gil had a letting with Bennett Schneir. Head of Development at Robert Zemeckis’ production company, ImageMovers. Mr. Zemeckis became interested in his idea. Gil later had a meeting with Amblin Entertainment founder and well known filmmaker, Steven Spielberg who was also interested in Monster House. Both Robert & Steven find his project along with another company, Relativity Media. Sony distributed the movie.
Released in 2006, (same year Over the Hedge came out) it received positive reviews and was a commercial hit. Anyway, it’s Halloween Month. The right time to watch and review spooky stuff throughout October. By the way, Gil Kenan confirmed he’s working on a Monster House sequel. As of late 2026, no additional information confirmed.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Right & Wrong Qualities
Right: Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner & Spencer Locke all did a splendid job for their respective voiceover performances.
Other Cast Members such as Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Kevin James, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard & Kathleen Turner all did a decent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Gil Kenan did a great job directing.
Dan Harmon, (Rick and Morty, Community) Rob Schrab & Pamala Pettler co-wrote the script.
Steven Spielberg & Robert Zemeckis served as executive producers
Thanks to The Polar Express‘ groundbreaking motion capture, the Animation blends the performers’ actions and Computer Animation. James Cameron’s “Avatar” further pushed technical boundaries blending live-action and animation. Like Tom Hanks as The Conductor, some of the actors lend their faces to their characters.
Funny Moments made me laugh. Especially jokes that went over young viewers’ head. Way funnier than these unfunny comedies from 2006. You can tell it wasn’t a good year for comedy.
- Big Momma’s House 2
- The Pink Panther
- Date Movie
- Madea’s Family Reunion
- Failure to Launch
- The Shaggy Dog
- Scary Movie IV
- RV
- Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
- Little Man
- Zoom
- Employee of the Month
- Deck the Halls
- The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- Air Buddies
Chemistry between DJ, Chowder & Jenny serves as the main highlight. There’s no forced romance with DJ & Jenny or a temporary break-up you see in most rom-com and buddy cop movies. It devoids tropes.
Pacing felt normal for a 91-minute animated movie.
We learn secrets about the titular house. I refuse to give away juicy details.
A Plot Twist changes everything. If you know, you know.
End Credits features a montage scene.
Upon first viewing, it’s worth a rewatch for subtle clues. How you see the story differently.
Fun Facts
- Prior to Sony Pictures Animation’s “Open Season,” Monster House is actually Sony’s first computer animated movie. The aforementioned Martin Lawrence movie came out two months after Monster House.
- To prevent the content from going to PG-13 territory, a crucial part was trimmed down to PG for a younger audience. I guess the titular villain got the Bob Barker Treatment. Like Alien & Predator’s first crossover movie was PG-13. They originated as hard R characters.
Random Thoughts
- Monster House is one of my favorite animated movies set on Halloween. I often watch it every October alongside “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
- This movie came out on my birthday month. Which is July.
- My favorite quote from one of the characters is… “Move it, porkchop!”
Wrong: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving the cast and crew an Extra Point for making a flawless animated movie as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Monster House still holds up. A darn shame it never got an Oscar nomination for “Best Animated Feature.” If you wanna introduce your kids to this gem, watch it before you take them trick r’ treating or attend a costume party.
