Monster High: The Movie

Lore & Background

The film follows Clawdeen Wolf, a half-werewolf, half-human girl who receives an acceptance letter to Monster High on her 15th birthday. She attends under the condition that she hides her human side, as humans are officially not allowed. At school, she befriends Frankie Stein, a non-binary Franken-monster, and falls in love with Deuce Gorgon. She also meets Draculaura, Cleo de Nile, Lagoona Blue, and Ghoulia Yelps. Clawdeen discovers she temporarily transforms into a human when feeling strong emotions, especially around Deuce. She learns about Edward 'Eddy' Hyde, a former half-monster student expelled and killed after his human side was discovered, and seeks his formula to become a full monster. With help from Frankie and Draculaura, she finds Hyde's lab but struggles to open it. Mr. Komos, a teacher, is revealed to be Edward 'Eddy' Hyde himself, not his son, and drinks the formula to become a full-blooded monster seeking revenge. Clawdeen ultimately defeats him by using his own reflection to petrify him, and her human side is accepted by the school. The film ends with Clawdeen welcomed as the first official human-blooded student, and a witch in an unknown place plots to capture Draculaura.

Reader's Guide

Monster High: The Movie represents a key entry in the Monster High franchise, being one of two projects announced on February 23, 2021 as part of a second brand relaunch. It marked the first live-action musical film for the franchise, blending fantasy elements with themes of acceptance and identity. The film introduced a non-binary Frankie Stein, updating the character for a modern audience. Its release on both Paramount+ and Nickelodeon allowed broad accessibility, and it directly led to a sequel, Monster High 2, which premiered on October 5, 2023. The film's plot centers on Clawdeen Wolf's struggle to hide her human half, ultimately leading to a message that not all humans are bad and that diversity is welcome. The cast includes Miia Harris, Ceci Balagot, and Nayah Damasen in lead roles, with supporting performances from Case Walker, Kyle Selig, and Steve Valentine. The film's production involved Mattel's television division and Brightlight Pictures, with direction by Todd Holland.

Did You Know?

• Frankie Stein is non-binary and assembled from body parts of different genders, including a brain made from parts of Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Plato, and a woman named Liz.
• Mr. Komos is revealed to be Edward 'Eddy' Hyde himself, the expelled half-monster student.
• A sequel titled Monster High 2 premiered on October 5, 2023.