Monster Mia (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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Monster Mia follows 12-year-old Mia and her pet rat Quentin as they arrive at the unsettling Rotwood Academy. To escape, Mia must hide the fact that she is human while navigating a school where being different may be the safest way to fit in.

Monster Mia is a 2026 animated fantasy family film about a young girl placed in an unusual school after repeated trouble at her former one. Alongside her scruffy pet rat Quentin, Mia enters a world where monsters are ordinary and humans are viewed with suspicion.

Directed by Verena Fels, the film combines a fish-out-of-water setup with child-friendly horror, school adventure and themes of friendship. Its central tension comes from Mia’s attempt to pass as a monster before Rotwood Academy’s vice principal discovers her secret.

Monster Mia movie details

Story without spoilers

After one too many problems at school, 12-year-old Mia is sent to Rotwood Academy with her pet rat, Quentin. The mysterious institution quickly makes her uneasy, and its students are not what she expected from a school.

Mia’s biggest challenge is keeping her identity hidden. She is human in a community of monsters, and vice principal Van Vlad has a strong dislike of humans. As Mia searches for a way out, she must also avoid drawing attention to the truth about who she is.

What to expect

The supplied details point to a playful animated adventure with fantasy, family and horror-for-children elements. The school setting provides the story’s main source of mystery, while Mia’s hidden identity creates a clear fish-out-of-water conflict.

The film is also associated with friendship, Halloween, children’s adventure and a story based on a children’s book. Its 1-hour-21-minute runtime suggests a compact viewing experience suited to family audiences, with supernatural school life balanced against Mia’s effort to stay safe and find a way home.

Cast and creative team

Lilian Jane Gartner voices Mia Munster, while Drew Sarich plays Van Vlad. Gioia Osthoff voices Oscar, Vincent Bueno plays Paprika, and Elisabeth Kanettis portrays Penelope Knusperhauser. Alix Martin voices Mrs. Munster, Prof. Zimzala and Prof. Krakón.

Verena Fels directs Monster Mia. No writers are listed in the supplied credits.

• Lilian Jane Gartner as Mia Munster
• Drew Sarich as Van Vlad
• Gioia Osthoff as Oscar
• Vincent Bueno as Paprika
• Alix Martin as Mrs. Munster, Prof. Zimzala, Prof. Krakón
• Elisabeth Kanettis as Penelope Knusperhauser

Release and production context

Monster Mia is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of September 3, 2026. The film runs for 1 hour and 21 minutes, is spoken in English, and is associated with Austria, Germany and Spain.

Its production companies are ARX Anima, Arxlight Pictures, P!B!T! Films, M.A.R.K. 13 and Ikiru Films. The listed genres are Animation, Fantasy and Family.

Production companies: ARX Anima, Arxlight Pictures, P!B!T! Films, M.A.R.K. 13, Ikiru Films

Reported production figures:
Budget $10,400,000

Monster Mia official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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Monster Mia presents a straightforward premise built around an unusual school, a hidden human identity and a young protagonist trying to find her way through a monster society. With its animated format, family classification and child-oriented horror elements, it is positioned as a compact fantasy adventure centered on Mia’s attempt to fit in without being discovered.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb