Miramax is Developing an Animated "Monster Mash" Movie – It's a Graveyard Smash!

Get ready for a monstrously good time! Miramax is officially cooking up an animated musical based on the classic Halloween hit "Monster Mash," promising a new kind of spooky fun for audiences everywhere.

TL;DR

• Miramax is developing an animated musical feature film inspired by the classic 1962 song "Monster Mash."
• Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman, known for hits like Netflix's Wednesday and The Addams Family animated movies, is leading the project.
• The iconic Bobby "Boris" Pickett tune, which has amassed over 500 million streams, is finally getting a full-length animated adaptation.

Get Ready for a Spooktacular Animated Musical

If you're anything like us, the moment October rolls around, Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash" starts playing on a loop in your head. It's the ultimate Halloween anthem, a quirky, catchy tune that's been a "graveyard smash" for over six decades. Well, get ready for an even bigger mash-up, because Miramax is officially developing an animated musical film based on the legendary song!

This isn't just a rumor circulating through the fog; it's confirmed. Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman has optioned the rights from Reservoir and Capizzi Music Co. to bring this beloved novelty song to life on the big screen as a feature-length animated musical. This news has us doing the Mashed Potato with excitement!

The Visionary Behind This Monstrously Fun Project

Jonathan Glickman isn't new to the world of beloved spooky characters or animated family entertainment. He's got a fantastic track record that proves he knows his way around a haunted hit. Glickman produced Netflix's massive success, Wednesday, which became the platform's second most-watched series and held records for most hours viewed in its first week for an English-language series. He was also a producer on The Addams Family animated Movies at MGM.

His experience with these iconic, slightly macabre, but always charming characters makes him the perfect choice to shepherd the "Monster Mash" into its next evolution. It's clear he understands the blend of humor, heart, and horror that makes these stories so enduring.

"For more than 60 years, nothing has said Halloween quite like the 'Monster Mash.' We're thrilled to be entrusted by the Pickett and Capizzi families and to be partnering with Reservoir Media to bring this iconic song to life as an animated musical for all audiences. It's a project that celebrates the fun and spirit of the original – and should become a perennial 'graveyard smash' for years to come."

— Jonathan Glickman, Miramax CEO

The Enduring Legacy of "The Biggest Halloween Song of All Time"

It's no exaggeration to call "Monster Mash" a cultural phenomenon. Co-written by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and Lenny Capizzi in less than two hours and famously recorded in a single take, the song first hit the airwaves in August 1962. By October 20th of that year, it had soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for two weeks, just in time for Halloween. It even re-charted multiple times in subsequent decades, proving its timeless appeal.

Despite being banned by BBC Radio for being "too morbid" (can you believe it?!), its popularity exploded. Today, "Monster Mash" has been streamed over 500 million times worldwide and reportedly generates a cool $1 million in annual royalties. Billboard even officially crowned it the "Biggest Halloween Song of All Time." With stats like that, it's a no-brainer that this song has enough "narrative DNA" to build something larger.

Bringing the "Graveyard Smash" Lyrics to Life on Screen

One of the coolest things about "Monster Mash" is that the song itself already has the "bones of a story" (pun intended!). It's narrated by a mad scientist, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a wild party:

I was working in the lab late one night When my eyes beheld an eerie sight For my monster, from his slab, began to rise And suddenly, to my surprise he did the Monster Mash (The Monster Mash) it was a graveyard smash (He did the Mash) it caught on in a flash (He did the Mash) he did the Monster Mash From my laboratory in the Castle east To the master bedroom, where the vampires feast The ghouls all came from their humble abodes To get a jolt from my electrodes they did the Monster Mash (The Monster Mash) it was a graveyard smash (They did the Mash) it caught on in a flash (They did the Mash) they did the Monster Mash The zombies were having fun The party had just begun The guests included Wolf Man, Dracula, and his son The scene was rocking, all were digging the sounds Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds The coffin-bangers were about to arrive With their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five they played the Monster Mash (The Monster Mash) it was a graveyard smash (They played the Mash) it caught on in a flash (They played the Mash) they played the Monster Mash Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring Seems he was troubled by just one thing Opened the lid and shook his fist And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?" it's now the Monster Mash (The Monster Mash) and it's a graveyard smash (It's now the Mash) it's caught on in a flash (It's now the Mash) it's now the Monster Mash Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band And my Monster Mash is the hit of the land For you, the living, this Mash was meant too When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you then you can Monster Mash (The Monster Mash) and do my graveyard smash (Then you can Mash) you'll catch on in a flash (Then you can Mash) then you can Monster Mash Mash good! Easy, Igor, you impetuous, young boy Mash good! (Monster Mash)

Just reading those lyrics, you can practically see the movie playing out! We've got a clear protagonist (the mad scientist), a setting (the lab, the castle), and a cast of iconic characters: Frankenstein's monster, Wolfman, Igor, Mummy, Dracula and his son, and the Crypt-Kicker Five. There's even a mini-conflict with Dracula missing his "Transylvania twist." The screenwriters will have a fantastic foundation to build upon, expanding this world and giving these classic monsters a new, family-friendly adventure.

Why an Animated Musical is the Perfect Medium for This Iconic Tune

The choice to make "Monster Mash" an animated musical is incredibly smart. Animation opens up endless possibilities for visual gags, fantastical monster designs, and dynamic dance sequences that might be harder to achieve in live-action. Imagine the visual spectacle of the monsters arriving at the party or performing the Mash!

From a business perspective, the timing couldn't be better. A recent UCLA study highlighted a growing interest in animation among younger audiences, with Gen Z showing a significant increase in engagement. There's also a constant demand for family-oriented Halloween films that can become annual traditions, much like the song itself.

We've seen how well animated monster movies can perform, with hits like Sony's Hotel Transylvania franchise (which grossed over $1.38 billion worldwide) and the recent Addams Family animated films captivating audiences. Even classics like Disney's A Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus (once a modest hit, now a huge Halloween staple) show the potential for long-term success and merchandise opportunities.

"Monster Mash" has all the ingredients to join these ranks, becoming a film families look forward to watching every spooky season. It's a creative way to adapt familiar intellectual property, much like how The Lego Movie turned building blocks into a blockbuster or how a podcast can inspire a series.

What's Next for This "Graveyard Smash" on the Big Screen?

While the news of this animated musical is thrilling, details are still in the early stages. We don't have a release date, cast announcements, or a director attached yet. However, knowing that Miramax and Jonathan Glickman are at the helm gives us a lot of confidence that this project will be handled with the care and creativity it deserves.

Miramax has a busy slate ahead, including the next Scary Movie installment set for summer 2026, the sequel to The Beekeeper, and several TV projects like season 2 of The Gentlemen and ongoing work on Wednesday. The "Monster Mash" movie is another exciting addition to their diverse portfolio, promising a fresh, fun take on a Halloween classic.

We'll be keeping our ears to the ground (and maybe a few mad scientists' labs) for more updates on this animated musical. Until then, get ready to practice your "Monster Mash" dance moves!

Frequently Asked Questions About the "Monster Mash" Animated Movie

When is the "Monster Mash" animated movie coming out?

As of now, no official release date has been announced for the "Monster Mash" animated musical film.

Will the "Monster Mash" movie be a musical?

Yes, Miramax is developing the "Monster Mash" project as an animated musical film, directly adapting the iconic song.

Who is developing this "Monster Mash" movie?

Miramax is developing the animated musical, with CEO Jonathan Glickman at the forefront. He has optioned the rights from Reservoir and Capizzi Music Co., the rights holders of the original song.

What is the original "Monster Mash" song about?

The 1962 song "Monster Mash" is sung from the perspective of a mad scientist whose monster rises from its slab to perform a new dance. This dance, "the Monster Mash," becomes a huge hit among other monsters, leading to a party attended by famous creatures like the Wolfman, Igor, Mummy, Dracula, and his son.

Sources

• "Yes, Miramax is Turning 'Monster Mash' Into an Animated Movie" | No Film School
• "‘Monster Mash’ Song Getting Animated Movie At Miramax" | Deadline
• "Monster Mash Animated Movie In Development At Miramax" | ScreenRant
• "Miramax Making Animated Movie Based on 'Monster Mash' Song" | MovieWeb
• "Monster Mash: Bobby "Boris" Pickett song is getting an animated feature adaptation from Miramax" | JoBlo
• "Miramax Is Turning 'Monster Mash' Into an Animated Movie" | CBR
• "‘Monster Mash’ Animated Musical In Development From Miramax" | Bloody Disgusting
• "“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett Crowned Biggest Halloween Song of All Time" | Parade
• "This Day in History: Oct. 20, 1962" | WTAP