Almost 20 years ago Monster House was released to theaters and stole my heart. Monster House is an animated horror comedy that remains underrated to this day. This charming movie is what kick started my love of horror.
Growing up this was my all time favorite movie and I watched it over and over again. As soon as the credits roll I'm rewinding to start it all over again. Monster House is one of those movies that flies under the radar and most people don't even know what it is when I mention it,
Monster House is exactly what it sounds like... a house that is actually a monster. The movie follows two young best friends DJ and Chowder. DJ's parents are going out of town so they hire a babysitter to watch over DJ. When Chowder comes over to play some basketball, it unfortunately ends up in Mr. Nebbercracker's yard, who is notorious for stealing children's things.
Mr. Nebbercracker is the kind of neighbor you avoid at all costs but DJ ends up stalking his house after causing his heart attack. While DJ and Chowder watch the house they notice it has a mind of its own and comes alive when people least expect it. In their attempts to spy on the house they have to save girl scout Jenny from being eaten alive. The three of them join forces in order to save the town from the house.
Monster House is directed by Gil Kenan who also did Poltergeist (2015) and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). Executive producer is none other than Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis. Monster House is also jam packed with a star studded cast that includes Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Jason lee, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Catherine O'Hara, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder, Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, and many more. There are so many iconic voices that you can't help but notice just how many people were involved.
The best part of Monster House is how nostalgic it is. I grew up watching this movie but return to it every October because it never gets old. The film isn't just for children because it's animated, the style of the animation is so much fun and honestly holds up even now. I adore all of the characters but I would say that Chowder is my favorite just because he brings the humor. Not only is Monster House a comedy but it has quite a romantic story at the heart of it.
This is technically a spoiler but it has been out for almost 20 years. The house is actually Nebbercracker's wife's spirit. She died in the making of the house and then somehow became apart of it. Nebbercracker takes care of the house because he loves his wife so much even though she hates kids. They both find their own sort of peace in the end and it is so heart warming it brings tears to my eyes. The story is so unique and there is a part of me that longs for a live action, but Monster House is so perfect I wouldn't want it to be ruined.
I would recommend Monster House to absolutely everybody. This movie has no age limit, children and adults can enjoy it all the same. Horror and comedy fans can each find a piece of Monster House to love. Now in the month of October is the perfect time to watch it either for the first time or maybe the hundredth (like me).
Monster House is streaming on Peacock.