Netflix’s Haunted Hotel, created by Matt Roller and executive produced by Chris McKenna, Dan Harmon, Steve Levy, and Roller himself, is a nostalgic, spooky delight for anyone who grew up on edgy, early-2000s Cartoon Network. Animated by Titmouse (the studio behind Metalocalypse and The Venture Bros.), the series perfectly balances creepy charm, clever writing, and just enough irreverence to stand apart from other adult animation.
The premise is playful yet simple: a single mother of two is trying to run a haunted hotel with the reluctant help of her estranged brother, who just happens to be one of the ghosts. This unusual setup opens the door for offbeat humor, surreal horror gags, and a constantly rotating cast of eccentric spirits. Imagine Beetlejuice meets The Shining, filtered through the tone of a dirtier Addams Family cartoon.
Episode 1 immediately sets the tone. The intro sequence is fantastic, reminiscent of Casper, but with flashes of early-2000s Cartoon Network weirdness and even touches of family cartoons now only found on Hulu.
The hotel itself feels alive, both creepy and playful, and the humor, while not always laugh-out-loud, is clever, peppered with visual gags, subtle nods to classic horror films, and inventive small jokes. The vibe is a bit like The Real Ghostbusters, if you removed the Ghostbusters and let the ghosts take center stage. Even the outro song is spot-on, a perfect addition to any Halloween playlist.
Episode 2 expands the world, introducing “inside ghosts” versus “outside ghosts,” with the grim detail that outdoor spirits lose their bones to insects. Despite its TV-MA rating, the episode is surprisingly tame, focusing more on creative worldbuilding than shock value.
After episode 2, viewers can expect more of the same clever and entertaining storytelling, though the stories and characters continue to evolve, enriching the hotel’s world while keeping the charm intact.
Anchored by voice performances from Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, and Jimmi Simpson, Haunted Hotel thrives on atmosphere, wit, and cleverness more than outrageous humor. It may not be the next big adult-animated hit, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes all you want is a haunted hotel full of ghosts who know how to have fun, and Haunted Hotel delivers that perfectly.
Jessie Hobson