Blu-ray Film Review

The Munsters (2022) • Blu-ray

A family of monsters move from Transylvania to an American suburb.

For many people, The Munsters is a black-and-white television sitcom that’s been beloved since airing back in 1964. Co-created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, the classic series redefined family sitcoms like I Love Lucy (1951–57) and Leave it to Beaver (1957–1963). The character designs were modelled on the classic Universal Monsters of the 1930s and offered a satirical look at American life. Although it only aired for two seasons, the family’s strange and abnormal behaviour left a lasting impression on US pop culture. There were several attempts at relaunching the franchise with Munsters, Go Home! (1966) and The Munsters Revenge (1981), but none led to a full revival with the original cast. After trying to reboot The Munsters for over two decades, Universal has given Rob Zombie (The Devil’s Rejects) a chance to recreate the classic sitcom. While his unique sensibilities and colourful design might come as a surprise to audiences who only know his darker material, the writer-director delivers an endearing love letter to the original series.