Mia is the twin nobody understands. Her sister is a straight-A ballet star who fits in perfectly; Mia is a chaotic kook obsessed with finding the monsters that supposedly vanished from her prim little town of Primrose 500 years ago. Then, by accident, she finds herself enrolled at Rotwood Academy, a school for monsters who believe humans are the scariest creatures of all.
Directed by Verena Fels and released in UK cinemas by Kazoo Films just in time for Halloween, Monster Mia is a lively, good-hearted animated adventure for younger viewers. It will not surprise many grown-ups, but it is hard to dislike.
Monster Mia is a warm, spirited Halloween treat that celebrates every kind of misfit.
Movie at a Glance
- UK and Ireland cinemas: 23 October 2026 (wide release)
- US release: No US release announced
- UK certificate: U
- Director: Verena Fels
- UK distributor: Kazoo Films
- Genre: Animated family comedy
Viewer Match
- Best for: Families with children who like their Halloween more giggly than ghoulish.
- Maybe skip if: You want the sophistication of a top-tier animated studio, or a story that avoids every familiar beat.
- Mood and pace: Bouncy, colourful and fast, with mild spooks.
- Cinema or streaming? Cinema for a half-term outing; it will also be a fun Halloween pick at home.
- Spoiler level: Spoiler-free: only the premise.
A Human in Monster School
Once inside Rotwood Academy, Mia has to keep her humanity a secret from classmates who think people are cold, brutish creatures who eat cupcakes instead of grave-worms. She quickly falls in with a gang of misfits, including a vegan vampire, and discovers that she fits in better among the monsters than she ever did at home.
The culture-clash comedy between monster norms and human habits provides most of the laughs, and there is a sinister plot brewing in the background to give the story some momentum.
Bright, Bold and Full of Character
The animation is energetic and colourful, with distinctive, sketchy character designs that give the film its own personality. The monster pupils are an appealing bunch, and Mia herself is a refreshingly scruffy, stubborn heroine.
The pace rarely flags, and the spooky moments are pitched gently enough for younger viewers.
A Message Worth Repeating
The film’s central idea, that we should not fear people who are different, is hardly new, and it is delivered with all the subtlety of a croquet mallet. The plot follows a predictable path, and grown-ups will see most turns coming.
But it is a wholesome message wrapped in a fun package, and for its target audience it will land just fine. As a Halloween outing for families, it does exactly what it sets out to do.
Spoiler-Free Verdict
Monster Mia is a lively, colourful and warm-hearted Halloween adventure with an appealing heroine and a gang of lovable monster misfits. Its story is predictable and its message heavy-handed, but younger viewers should have a frightfully good time.
- Performances: 6.5/10
- Direction: 6.5/10
- Screenplay: 6/10
- Score: 6.5/10
- Cinematography: 7/10
- Entertainment Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 6.5/10
Star rating: 3/5
Verdict badge: Stream It
One-line verdict: A cheerful, if familiar, monster-school romp with its heart in the right place.
Watch the Official Trailer
The official trailer may reveal more than this spoiler-free review.
What is your family’s favourite Halloween film for younger viewers? Share it with Movieversalfilm.