He’s old. He’s cranky. He wears a cape that probably hasn't been dry-cleaned since the 1800s. Honestly, when we talk about the Drac Pack, everyone jumps to Mavis or Drac’s neurotic energy, but Vlad—the legendary grandpa from Hotel Transylvania 3—is the secret sauce that keeps the franchise from getting too soft.
Voiced by the late, great Mel Brooks, Vlad isn't just a side character. He’s a bridge to the old-school monster lore that the movies love to poke fun at. By the time Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation rolled around in 2018, fans were already familiar with his "back in my day" attitude, but the cruise ship setting took his vibe to a whole new level. Seeing a centuries-old vampire in short-shorts is a mental image you can't really shake.
The Evolution of Vlad: More Than Just a Grumpy Vampire
When Vlad first appeared in the second film, he was a bit of a looming threat. He represented the "old ways," the scary, human-eating version of vampires that Drac was trying to distance himself from. But by Hotel Transylvania 3, Vlad has settled into this weirdly relatable grandpa role. He’s the guy who doesn't understand technology but somehow still manages to have a better social life than his son.
It’s hilarious.
The dynamic between Vlad and Dracula is basically every father-son relationship, just with more bats and immortality. Drac is stressed out, trying to find love (the "zing"), and managing a massive family. Meanwhile, Vlad is just there to live his best life. He’s unbothered. He’s chaotic.
The Swimsuit Scene and Breaking the "Vampire Code"
One of the most memorable moments involving the grandpa from Hotel Transylvania 3 is the arrival at the cruise ship. While everyone else is worried about baggage or itinerary, Vlad shows up in a high-waisted, leopard-print swimsuit. It’s a total subversion of the character. This is a guy who, in the lore of the movies, used to lead armies of bats and strike fear into the hearts of villages. Now? He’s tanning. Well, as much as a vampire can tan without turning into a pile of ash.
Mel Brooks brings a specific type of Borscht Belt humor to the role. It’s fast. It’s snappy. It feels like a throwback to a different era of comedy, which fits perfectly for a character who is literally thousands of years old. You can tell the writers had a blast giving him lines that feel slightly out of place in a modern kids' movie.
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Why the Grandpa from Hotel Transylvania 3 Works for Adults
Let’s be real. Kids like the fart jokes and the slapstick. But the adults watching Hotel Transylvania 3 are looking for something else. We’re looking for Vlad. We see ourselves in the guy who just wants to find a buffet and a lounge chair.
Vlad represents the freedom of aging.
He doesn't care about the Van Helsing family drama. He doesn't care about the high-stakes romance on the ship (at least not at first). He’s there for the vibes. There’s a specific scene where he’s hanging out with the "witches" on the boat, and it’s peak Grandpa energy. He’s flirting, he’s confident, and he’s completely oblivious to how ridiculous he looks.
The Mel Brooks Factor
You can’t talk about Vlad without talking about Mel Brooks. Most kids watching the movie have no idea who Mel Brooks is. They don't know Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein. But they feel his energy. Brooks was 91 when the third movie came out. Think about that. He’s playing a character who is ancient while he himself is a comedy legend who has seen it all.
The performance isn't just a paycheck. There’s a warmth to it. Even when Vlad is being a jerk to Dracula, you can feel the underlying affection. It’s that "tough love" that only a 600-year-old father can give. He’s the one who reminds Drac that being a monster is actually pretty cool.
The Truth About Vlad’s Powers
In the world of Genndy Tartakovsky (the visionary director behind the first three films), powers are fluid. Drac is fast and strong, but Vlad? Vlad is a powerhouse. Even though he’s used for comic relief in the third movie, we’ve seen flashes of what he can do. He can control huge swarms of bats. He can shapeshift with zero effort.
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In Hotel Transylvania 3, he doesn't need to fight much, but his presence is a reminder of the family's lineage. He’s the source. Without Vlad, there’s no Dracula. Without Dracula, there’s no Mavis.
He’s the anchor.
What Most People Get Wrong About Vlad
A common misconception is that Vlad is a villain. Or at least, an antagonist. People look at his design—the pale skin, the sharp fangs, the dark clothes—and assume he’s the "bad" vampire. But he’s actually the most honest character in the film. He doesn't hide who he is.
- He loves his family.
- He loves his freedom.
- He loves a good party.
Another thing? People think he’s out of touch. I’d argue he’s the most "in touch" person on that ship. He knows exactly what he wants out of life, which is more than you can say for Drac, who spends most of the movie in a mid-life crisis.
The Animation Style of Vlad
Notice how he moves. Tartakovsky’s style is "pushed." It’s elastic. Vlad moves like a 2D cartoon brought into a 3D space. When he laughs, his whole body reacts. When he’s annoyed, his eyebrows practically fly off his head. This "squash and stretch" technique makes Vlad feel more alive than a lot of other CGI characters. He’s not meant to look realistic. He’s meant to look like a drawing.
The Legacy of the Grandpa from Hotel Transylvania 3
Even though the fourth movie, Transformania, saw some changes (including the voice of Dracula himself), Vlad remains a fan favorite. He’s the guy we want to see more of. There’s something comforting about a character who doesn't change. Everyone else is evolving—Mavis is taking over the hotel, Johnny is trying to fit in—but Vlad is just Vlad.
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He’s the constant.
The third movie, specifically the "Summer Vacation" theme, worked because it took these characters out of their dark, Gothic comfort zone and threw them into the bright, neon-colored world of a cruise ship. Vlad handled it better than anyone. While Drac was sweating through his Hawaiian shirt, Vlad was basically the King of the Ocean.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Rewatchers
If you’re planning a rewatch or introducing the series to someone new, keep an eye on Vlad’s background actions. He’s often doing something hilarious in the corner of the frame while the main dialogue is happening.
- Pay attention to the vocal nuances: Listen for Mel Brooks' ad-libs. There are little grunts and "oy" sounds that definitely weren't in the script.
- Contrast the designs: Look at how Vlad’s cape and collar differ from Drac’s. It’s a subtle nod to different eras of vampire cinema (Bela Lugosi vs. more modern interpretations).
- The "Witch" Subplot: Watch how Vlad interacts with the three witches on the ship. It’s a masterclass in how to write a secondary character arc that doesn't distract from the main plot but adds flavor to the world.
The grandpa from Hotel Transylvania 3 isn't just a gimmick. He’s a reminder that getting older doesn't mean you have to stop being a "monster" in the best way possible. He’s loud, he’s proud, and he’s probably going to live forever.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Fan Experience:
- Watch the "behind the scenes" footage of Mel Brooks in the recording booth. It’s genuinely heartwarming to see a legend at work.
- Compare Vlad’s introduction in the second film to his first scene in the third. You’ll see a massive shift in how the animators handle his "weight" and movement.
- Host a themed movie night. If you’re watching the third movie, you basically have to serve cruise ship food—think tiny umbrellas in everything.
- Look for the Easter eggs. The Hotel Transylvania movies are packed with references to classic Universal Monster movies. Vlad is often the center of these nods.