Adam Sandler basically has a superpower. It isn’t just his ability to turn a goofy voice into a billion-dollar franchise; it’s his loyalty. When you look at the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2, you aren't just looking at a list of voice actors. You're looking at a group of friends who have been making movies together since the mid-90s.
It's weird.
Usually, sequels feel like a cash grab. They feel hollow. But this 2015 follow-up to Genndy Tartakovsky’s monster hit managed to retain that frantic, Looney Tunes-esque energy because the chemistry in the recording booth was legitimate. You’ve got the core "Happy Madison" crew—Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, and Steve Buscemi—anchoring a story about a "late-fanger" grandson and a grandfather who is desperately trying to prove his lineage.
The Heavy Hitters: Dracula and the Drac-Pack
Adam Sandler returns as Count Dracula. By the time this sequel rolled around, he had refined the voice into something less "scary vampire" and more "overbearing Jewish grandfather." It’s a specific nuance that works. Drac is no longer the overprotective dad; he’s the overprotective vampa.
The dynamic shifts here.
Selena Gomez as Mavis and Andy Samberg as Johnny provide the grounded—well, as grounded as a cartoon can be—emotional center. Gomez was coming off a massive year in her music career when this launched, and you can hear a more confident, mature tone in Mavis. She isn't the rebellious teen anymore. She’s a mother. That shift in the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2 is what makes the sequel actually have stakes.
Then there’s the Drac-Pack.
Kevin James plays Frank (Frankenstein) with a lovable, dim-witted charm that is essentially a monster version of his King of Queens persona. Steve Buscemi is Wayne the Werewolf, who is perpetually tired, overworked, and surrounded by too many kids—a vibe Buscemi nails with that signature gravelly exhaustion. David Spade voices Griffin the Invisible Man, mostly providing the snide, sarcastic commentary that Spade has built his entire career on.
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The Legend Who Stole the Show
If we’re being honest, the real reason anyone remembers the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2 as being superior to the first is one name: Mel Brooks.
The man is a comedy deity.
Casting Brooks as Vlad, Dracula’s old-school, human-hating father, was a stroke of genius. He was 89 years old when the film was released. Think about that. He brought an energy to the booth that most actors in their 20s can’t find. His performance as Vlad serves as a bridge between the classic Universal Monsters era and the modern, frantic Sony Animation style.
Vlad isn't just a gimmick. He represents the "old ways," the bigotry and rigidness that the film ultimately deconstructs. When Vlad barks at Dracula for being "soft," it’s funny because it’s Mel Brooks, but it’s also the central conflict of the film.
The New Blood: Dennis and the Supporting Players
The plot revolves around Dennis, the half-human, half-vampire son of Mavis and Johnny.
Asher Blinkoff voiced Dennis. Getting a kid to sound natural in a booth is a nightmare for directors. Tartakovsky has mentioned in interviews how they had to keep the energy high to get that specific "innocent but energetic" vibe from Blinkoff. Dennis is the "MacGuffin" of the movie—everyone is fighting over who he should be—but the performance keeps him from being annoying.
We also get some fun cameos.
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- Keegan-Michael Key replaced CeeLo Green as Murray the Mummy. Key brings a much more manic, improvisational energy to the role that fits the sequel’s faster pace.
- Fran Drescher returns as Eunice (Frank’s wife). Her voice is... well, it’s Fran Drescher. It’s iconic and piercing and perfect for a monster who doesn't take any nonsense.
- Molly Shannon pops up as Wanda, the werewolf wife.
- Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally play Johnny’s human parents. Their deadpan, "we're trying so hard to be woke about monsters" attitude is a hilarious satire of suburban passive-aggression.
Why the Casting Matters for SEO and Fans Alike
When people search for the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2, they are usually looking for that "Aha!" moment. "I know that voice!"
The film relies heavily on "vocal recognition." Unlike Disney or Pixar, which often try to make the actor disappear into the character, Sony Animation and Sandler lean into the celebrity. You are supposed to know it's David Spade. You are supposed to hear Kevin James. It creates a level of comfort. It feels like a variety show.
The chemistry is the secret sauce. Most of these actors didn't record in the same room—that’s just how animation works—but because they’ve worked together on twenty other projects, they know each other's timing. They know when Sandler is going to zig, so they zag.
The Genndy Tartakovsky Factor
You can't talk about the cast without the man directing them. Genndy Tartakovsky (the mind behind Dexter’s Laboratory and Samurai Jack) treats the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2 like instruments in an orchestra.
He pushes for "squash and stretch" animation. This means the characters' faces distort wildly. The voice actors have to match that. If Drac’s jaw drops to the floor, Sandler’s vocal delivery has to have that same "stretched" quality. It’s a physical style of voice acting that is rare in big-budget CG movies.
Misconceptions About the Sequel's Cast
One thing people get wrong is the Murray the Mummy swap. Some fans thought CeeLo Green was busy; others realized it was due to legal controversies he was facing at the time. Keegan-Michael Key took the role and made it his own, so much so that most casual viewers didn't even notice the change.
Another common mistake? People often think Dana Carvey is in the second one. He actually plays Dana, the vampire camp director, but he's often confused with other Sandler-staple actors who pop up in bit parts.
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Practical Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the cast of Hotel Transylvania 2, there are a few things you should actually do rather than just reading a list of names.
Watch the Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Sony released "In the Booth" clips for this movie. Watching Mel Brooks record his lines is a masterclass in comedic timing. You can see how much of the script was tossed aside in favor of his natural riffing.
Check Out the Soundtrack Connections
Fifth Harmony did "I'm in Love with a Monster" for this film. At the time, they were the biggest girl group on the planet. The synergy between the voice cast (Selena Gomez) and the musical guests (Fifth Harmony) was a massive part of why this movie dominated the "tween" demographic in 2015.
Look for the "Happy Madison" Easter Eggs
Because this is a Sandler production, look for the cameos. Allen Covert, who is in almost every Sandler movie, provides additional voices. Same with Sadie and Sunny Sandler (Adam's daughters), who play Winnie and additional monster kids. It is truly a family business.
How to Appreciate the Performances Today
The cast of Hotel Transylvania 2 succeeded because it didn't try to be high art. It tried to be a fun, slightly chaotic family reunion.
To get the most out of the film now:
- Listen for the Improv: Pay attention to the scenes with the Drac-Pack in the car. Most of that dialogue feels unscripted, especially the banter between Spade and James.
- Compare the Vlads: If you’re a film nerd, watch Mel Brooks in Young Frankenstein and then listen to him as Vlad. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment for horror-comedy history.
- Identify the "Sandlerisms": Drac uses a lot of the same vocal tics Sandler used in his 90s comedy albums (like They're All Gonna Laugh at You!). It’s a trip for older parents watching with their kids.
The legacy of this cast isn't just a box office number. It's the fact that they managed to make a movie about monsters feel remarkably human. By the time the credits roll, you don't care that they're vampires or werewolves. You just recognize them as that one loud, slightly dysfunctional family we all have.
If you're looking for a specific credit or a bit-part actor from the film, your best bet is to check the official SAG-AFTRA billing or the expanded IMDb Pro credits, as many of the additional monster voices were handled by legendary voice veterans like Tara Strong and Jess Harnell, who provide the "texture" of the film's world.