Count Dracula, seeking a safe haven for his daughter Mavis and other monsters, builds a lavish, hidden resort where they can live free from human persecution. For Mavis’s 118th birthday, Dracula plans an extravagant celebration, inviting all their monster friends. The festivities, however, are disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Jonathan, a human backpacker who stumbles upon the hotel. To avoid panic among the guests and to protect his daughter, Dracula disguises Jonathan as a monster, allowing him to stay temporarily.

As Jonathan interacts with the monsters, he and Mavis begin to bond, much to Dracula's dismay. Dracula’s efforts to keep them apart and maintain the secret of Jonathan's true identity become increasingly challenging. Alongside this, Dracula’s overprotectiveness towards Mavis leads to conflict between father and daughter. The bond between Mavis and Jonathan grows, leading Dracula to confront his own prejudices and fears about humans, and the underlying themes of acceptance, understanding, and change emerge, setting the stage for significant emotional development and resolution.