Monster House Released 18 Years Ago, and Its Streaming for Free

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  • Monster House Delivers Thrills and Chills
  • Monster House Is a Must-See Underrated Animated Gem

As a child of the late 90s and early 2000s, I vividly remember the thrill that came with watching animated movies during Halloween. The anticipation, the fear, and the excitement were all heightened when a film like Monster House graced our screens.

This Halloween season, I’ve found myself joining countless others immersed in timeless horror masterpieces, indulging in beloved films such as “Beetlejuice,” “Scream,” “Casper,” and “The Addams Family.” While classic animations like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “The Corpse Bride” never fail to entertain, there’s another hidden gem that deserves far more recognition: the 2006 horror-comedy “Monster House.

Starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine O’Hara, Kathleen Turner, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film “Monster House” revolves around three resourceful 12-year-olds who uncover a chilling truth: their neighborhood’s seemingly haunted house is not just an old building but a malevolent spirit seeking to cause chaos during Halloween night. As innocent trick-or-treaters are in danger, these brave kids team up to thwart this menacing force and save the cherished tradition of Halloween from destruction. Join us as we delve deeper into “Monster House” and understand why it’s worth adding to your must-watch Halloween movie list.

Monster House Is a Spooktacular Halloween Extravaganza

Gil Kenan first showcased his impressive directorial skills with the 2006 release of Monster House, an entertaining and visually spectacular horror comedy that centered around 12-year-olds DJ (Mitchell Musso) and Chowder (Sam Lerner). As they uncover the chilling truth that their creepy neighbor’s house is sentient and poses a threat to their community, they must act fast before Halloween arrives. The duo becomes determined to prevent the sinister dwelling from terrorizing innocent trick-or-treaters, joining forces with the spirited candy vendor Jenny (Spencer Locke) in their quest.

The animated film Monster House boasts an exceptional voice acting lineup, showcasing some of Hollywood’s top talents. Steve Buscemi lends his distinctive voice to Horace Nebbercracker, a grumpy and terrifying character who owns the supposedly haunted mansion and frequently chases away uninvited guests from his property. Notable actresses like Kathleen Turner portray Constance “The Giantess” Nebbercracker, Horace’s vengeful late wife whose spirit dwells within the house, while performers such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Catherine O’Hara, and Kevin James play various supporting roles.

Monster House Delivers Thrills and Chills

The Monster House was overseen by filmmaking greats Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg during production, with motion capture technology, a method pioneered by Zemeckis in his 2004 Christmas hit The Polar Express, being utilized. Gil Kenan, who observed the motion capture process on the holiday movie set, applied this sophisticated technique to his youthful cast. The neighborhood and environment depicted in the animated film were influenced by ’80s classics like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The ‘Burbs, while also drawing inspiration from the house seen in the Alfred Hitchcock masterwork Psycho.

The 3D animated film “Monster House” premiered on June 21, 2006, and raked in $22.2 million during its opening weekend, finishing second only to “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.” Over the course of its run, it grossed an impressive $141.9 million at the box office. This film was a hit with both audiences and critics, receiving acclaim for its stunning animation, captivating plotline, and charming diverse characters that were often compared to the magical creations of Tim Burton.

Apart from being a blockbuster hit and captivating audiences globally, the film Monster House was also recognized with several prestigious nominations, such as an Academy Award and Golden Globe nod for Best Animated Feature. Regrettably, it lost to Happy Feet and Cars in those categories. To this day, Monster House maintains a strong 75% Rotten Tomatoes score, with Empire praising the debut of Gil Kenan and his bold approach to the movie, referring to it as “a modern-day equivalent of The Goonies, for the new millennium”, describing it as a visually stunning rollercoaster ride that soars even higher thanks to its well-crafted characters and deeply felt emotions. They also called it a “scary, sharp, funny movie.

Monster House Is a Must-See Underrated Animated Gem

While Monster House might not be as widely recognized as other Halloween-themed animated classics such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Corpse Bride, it certainly doesn’t fall short when it comes to visual appeal and isn’t afraid to offer a mix of excitement and spookiness for younger audiences. This captivating animated movie is brimming with eccentric characters, including the humorous Chowder, the sarcastic babysitter Zee, and the pizza delivery boy/occult expert Skull (played by Jon Heder). The director skillfully leveraged his talented cast, giving each character an opportunity to showcase their unique traits.

Beyond its captivating animation and lovable characters, “Monster House” also offers a thought-provoking and surprisingly dark narrative. This tale reveals how the seemingly cursed property came into existence. It revolves around Horace Nebbercracker’s heroic act of rescuing his late wife Constance from being exploited in a circus due to her obesity. After their marriage, they embarked on building their dream home together. However, a tragic accident occurred when Constance slipped into wet cement after being tormented by children, suffocating her. This unfortunate event marked the beginning of Constance’s vengeful reign and the haunting of the house. Director Gil Kenan did not shy away from creating suspense, as he admitted in 2006 to Entertainment Weekly that he aimed to scare moviegoers without compromise.

The films that gave me a deep sense of affection during my childhood were often terrifying. Classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Wizard of Oz, E.T., The Neverending Story, and Gremlins didn’t shy away from being intense. It seems culture and filmmaking have changed significantly in the last 20 years. I find myself yearning for the excitement of going to a movie without knowing what awaits me, with the thrill of anticipation that I could be scared.

Over the past almost two decades since Monster House first graced our movie screens, this undervalued animated treasure has built a dedicated fanbase and is now a beloved classic for Halloween enthusiasts. Viewers will relish in the nostalgia that Monster House evokes and appreciate the film’s pure-hearted spirit as they get swept up in its blend of terror and laughter during the spooky season. Fans will be thrilled to hear that Kenan has hinted at the possibility of a sequel or spin-off, casually mentioning “never say never” during an interview with ComicBook.com in 2024 when discussing a potential continuation. You can stream Monster House on Freevee.

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2024-10-29 03:01