Blab Entertainment
Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios Set Oct. 8, 2027 Theatrical Release for The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania
Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios have announced that the fifth entry in the popular monster‑comedy franchise will open in theaters on October 8, 2027. The film, titled The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania, marks the first time the series will return to the big screen since the pandemic‑era release of Hotel Transylvania: Transformania in 2022.
The franchise began with Hotel Transylvania in September 2012 and has since produced three sequels and a short‑film series. The first three films were released theatrically in 2012, 2015 and 2018, and together earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide against a combined production budget of roughly $245 million. In 2022, the fourth film was sold to Amazon Studios for $100 million and premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 14, 2022, after its planned theatrical release was cancelled amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania will return the franchise to the cinema. According to Variety, the film will be co‑produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios, the latter a joint venture formed after Amazon acquired Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer in 2023. The partnership will handle distribution rights in different global territories, with Amazon MGM taking the lead in theatrical marketing in the United Kingdom and other key markets.
Plot details released by the studios indicate that Dracula has retired from running the hotel, while his daughter Mavis has taken over the day‑to‑day operations. A series of unexplained, spooky events threatens the resort, prompting the “Drac Pack” to investigate the source of the haunting. The story is set to explore the characters’ relationships while maintaining the franchise’s blend of humor and monster‑centric adventure.
Voice‑acting rosters for the new film have not been finalized. Adam Sandler, who voiced Dracula in the first three films, is not expected to return. The studios have not confirmed whether Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, or Steve Buscemi will reprise their roles. The decision reflects the franchise’s shift from a primarily theatrical model to a hybrid strategy that includes streaming and theatrical releases.
The move to bring the fifth film back to theaters is significant for both studios. Amazon MGM’s theatrical strategy has been expanding since the merger, with the studio hiring a new head of theatrical marketing for the UK and Ireland in July 2026. Sony Pictures Animation, meanwhile, has been producing a slate of films that alternate between theatrical and streaming releases, including Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse (June 2027) and Wish Dragon 2 (summer 2027).
Financially, the franchise’s strong box‑office performance in the first three films has made it a valuable property for Sony. The fourth film’s streaming release demonstrated Amazon’s willingness to invest in established IP, and the upcoming theatrical release will test whether the franchise can regain its theatrical audience after a five‑year absence.
At present, the film’s production schedule, full cast list, and detailed marketing plan remain undisclosed. The studios have confirmed the release date and the partnership structure, but further announcements are expected in the coming months as the film moves into post‑production.
The announcement comes at a time when Amazon MGM is solidifying its presence in theatrical distribution, and Sony Pictures Animation is balancing its theatrical and streaming output. For fans of the franchise, the October 2027 release offers a return to the big screen, while industry observers will watch how the partnership performs in a market that has shifted dramatically since the pandemic began.
The franchise began with Hotel Transylvania in September 2012 and has since produced three sequels and a short‑film series. The first three films were released theatrically in 2012, 2015 and 2018, and together earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide against a combined production budget of roughly $245 million. In 2022, the fourth film was sold to Amazon Studios for $100 million and premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 14, 2022, after its planned theatrical release was cancelled amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania will return the franchise to the cinema. According to Variety, the film will be co‑produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios, the latter a joint venture formed after Amazon acquired Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer in 2023. The partnership will handle distribution rights in different global territories, with Amazon MGM taking the lead in theatrical marketing in the United Kingdom and other key markets.
Plot details released by the studios indicate that Dracula has retired from running the hotel, while his daughter Mavis has taken over the day‑to‑day operations. A series of unexplained, spooky events threatens the resort, prompting the “Drac Pack” to investigate the source of the haunting. The story is set to explore the characters’ relationships while maintaining the franchise’s blend of humor and monster‑centric adventure.
Voice‑acting rosters for the new film have not been finalized. Adam Sandler, who voiced Dracula in the first three films, is not expected to return. The studios have not confirmed whether Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, or Steve Buscemi will reprise their roles. The decision reflects the franchise’s shift from a primarily theatrical model to a hybrid strategy that includes streaming and theatrical releases.
The move to bring the fifth film back to theaters is significant for both studios. Amazon MGM’s theatrical strategy has been expanding since the merger, with the studio hiring a new head of theatrical marketing for the UK and Ireland in July 2026. Sony Pictures Animation, meanwhile, has been producing a slate of films that alternate between theatrical and streaming releases, including Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse (June 2027) and Wish Dragon 2 (summer 2027).
Financially, the franchise’s strong box‑office performance in the first three films has made it a valuable property for Sony. The fourth film’s streaming release demonstrated Amazon’s willingness to invest in established IP, and the upcoming theatrical release will test whether the franchise can regain its theatrical audience after a five‑year absence.
At present, the film’s production schedule, full cast list, and detailed marketing plan remain undisclosed. The studios have confirmed the release date and the partnership structure, but further announcements are expected in the coming months as the film moves into post‑production.
The announcement comes at a time when Amazon MGM is solidifying its presence in theatrical distribution, and Sony Pictures Animation is balancing its theatrical and streaming output. For fans of the franchise, the October 2027 release offers a return to the big screen, while industry observers will watch how the partnership performs in a market that has shifted dramatically since the pandemic began.
