“What was your gateway to horror?”
This question is often presented as an icebreaker between horror fans, with answers ranging from Goosebumps to Scooby Doo. There’s even a popular horror content creator, Horror4Kids, who specializes in curating movies, shows, etc. for people who want to start their little ones off in the genre without scarring them for life. However, it’s rare that someone answers that their first dalliance into horror stemmed from a line of fashion dolls.
Enter Monster High
Created in 2007 by Garrett Sander, Monster High hit toy shelves in 2010. Originally designed to recapture the tween girl consumers who were no longer about the pink pastel life of Barbie and friends. The ones who wanted something a bit edgier and darker. The doll line features the teenage children of popular monsters who attend the eponymous high school, living their undead lives while serving killer fashions. Think ‘Anti-Sweet Valley High.’
MH creator Garrett Sander has stated that the motto of Monster High is “Be Yourself, Be Unique, Be A Monster,” and his creations live up to the mantra. The ghoulishly fabulous brand is currently in its third generation after angry parents, a split between creator Sander and Mattel, and declining sales saw the dolls take a dirt nap for two years before relaunching in 2020. The history behind the Monster High brand is an interesting rabbit hole to venture through. I encourage you to take the time to educate yourself on the myriad of information on the brand. In the meantime, let’s discuss the key aspects of the franchise that sucked me in and hasn’t let me go.
Nieces Know What’s Up
A chance viewing of the Monster High TV show on Paramount+ with my niece led me to inquire more about a brand that I initially found unflattering because of its Bratz-like image. However, after watching Clawdeen Wolf sing about following her intuition to be different and finding her place in the world (and seeing the new designs of the dolls) a seed was planted. A seed that I didn’t know would get out of hand within a week. More on that in a second. As I watched a few more episodes with the niece, I learned a lot about this world. Monster High is a school filled with pride about their otherness. It stands ten toes deep on business (when it comes to that, as well as humans infiltrating their space).
Their rejection of humankind isn’t because of fear of being hunted and exterminated by them. It is mainly because humans are simply not it for them. Seeing this tickled me. This allegory could be applied to people who love injecting themselves into spaces that are not meant for them. It was at this point that I became really invested in the brand.
A New Day Has Dawned At Monster High
Despite not having creator Sander, who is gay, on hand to help steer this current voyage of the ship, new generation pushes forward. The G3 version of the dolls celebrates not only their otherness but also their body ‘flaws.’ Remember when I said I found the original dolls unappealing due to their Bratz-like bodies (big heads and tiny bodies)? Well, this current gen of dolls features more realistic body types. A move I’m sure stemmed from the backlash from parental groups who felt the brand was too provocative. This was due to the girls having tiny waists and other unrealistic features for the target audience. This new iteration has been a hit with not only kids but adult consumers as well.
Queer Representation
Monster High has also introduced queer relationships during the current iteration of the franchise while inserting one into the G1 lore. Frankie Stein, a character who identified as female when the series launched, now identifies as nonbinary. Later, in the TV series, they begin to date Cleo de Nile, the fashionable daughter of the Mummy. In the G1 era IDW Comic series, Clawdeen Wolf is in a relationship with Toralai Stripe. This couple stemmed from an enemies-to-lovers type situation. The comic debuted in February 2024 and has already garnered fans from all eras of the franchise. With the cancellation of the TV series, it’s unclear how or even if Mattel will keep this piece of canon. In the IDW series, Clawdeen and Toralei eventually break up.
Despite these developments, Mattel is releasing a Frankie Stein doll that will be Pride-based later this year. Monster High’s Skullector series, mainly aimed at adult collectors, will also release a Pride version of their Elvira, Mistress of the Dark doll. Garrett Sander and his brother Darren have said Elvira was an inspiration for the Monster High line (which makes perfect sense) while reiterating that pride in many forms floats through the halls of Monster High.
It Remains the Perfect Gateway Horror
Monster High is cannon fodder for baby horror fans to find their way into the genre while learning about being their true selves. While the dolls are the focal point of this still ever-growing franchise, there is so much lore to explore. Picking up a Draculaura doll may send a fan to find a copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula if they’re not quite ready to see Abigail twirl while dismembering people. Someone who thinks Deuce Gorgon’s head snakes are cool may use that as a reason to dive into Greek mythology. The seeds of horror exploration are planted throughout the Monster High brand. It’s pretty damn cool to have another option for kids to consider before they step onto the path of the horror genre (when they’re good and ready).
The world of Monster High is run by the Othered, the very proud Othered, and I am an even prouder fan.
The Queer Horror Blerd: The Importance Of ‘Monster High’
“What was your gateway to horror?”
This question is often presented as an icebreaker between horror fans, with answers ranging from Goosebumps to Scooby Doo. There’s even a popular horror content creator, Horror4Kids, who specializes in curating movies, shows, etc. for people who want to start their little ones off in the genre without scarring them for life. However, it’s rare that someone answers that their first dalliance into horror stemmed from a line of fashion dolls.
Enter Monster High
Created in 2007 by Garrett Sander, Monster High hit toy shelves in 2010. Originally designed to recapture the tween girl consumers who were no longer about the pink pastel life of Barbie and friends. The ones who wanted something a bit edgier and darker. The doll line features the teenage children of popular monsters who attend the eponymous high school, living their undead lives while serving killer fashions. Think ‘Anti-Sweet Valley High.’
MH creator Garrett Sander has stated that the motto of Monster High is “Be Yourself, Be Unique, Be A Monster,” and his creations live up to the mantra. The ghoulishly fabulous brand is currently in its third generation after angry parents, a split between creator Sander and Mattel, and declining sales saw the dolls take a dirt nap for two years before relaunching in 2020. The history behind the Monster High brand is an interesting rabbit hole to venture through. I encourage you to take the time to educate yourself on the myriad of information on the brand. In the meantime, let’s discuss the key aspects of the franchise that sucked me in and hasn’t let me go.
Nieces Know What’s Up
A chance viewing of the Monster High TV show on Paramount+ with my niece led me to inquire more about a brand that I initially found unflattering because of its Bratz-like image. However, after watching Clawdeen Wolf sing about following her intuition to be different and finding her place in the world (and seeing the new designs of the dolls) a seed was planted. A seed that I didn’t know would get out of hand within a week. More on that in a second. As I watched a few more episodes with the niece, I learned a lot about this world. Monster High is a school filled with pride about their otherness. It stands ten toes deep on business (when it comes to that, as well as humans infiltrating their space).
Their rejection of humankind isn’t because of fear of being hunted and exterminated by them. It is mainly because humans are simply not it for them. Seeing this tickled me. This allegory could be applied to people who love injecting themselves into spaces that are not meant for them. It was at this point that I became really invested in the brand.
A New Day Has Dawned At Monster High
Despite not having creator Sander, who is gay, on hand to help steer this current voyage of the ship, new generation pushes forward. The G3 version of the dolls celebrates not only their otherness but also their body ‘flaws.’ Remember when I said I found the original dolls unappealing due to their Bratz-like bodies (big heads and tiny bodies)? Well, this current gen of dolls features more realistic body types. A move I’m sure stemmed from the backlash from parental groups who felt the brand was too provocative. This was due to the girls having tiny waists and other unrealistic features for the target audience. This new iteration has been a hit with not only kids but adult consumers as well.
Queer Representation
Monster High has also introduced queer relationships during the current iteration of the franchise while inserting one into the G1 lore. Frankie Stein, a character who identified as female when the series launched, now identifies as nonbinary. Later, in the TV series, they begin to date Cleo de Nile, the fashionable daughter of the Mummy. In the G1 era IDW Comic series, Clawdeen Wolf is in a relationship with Toralai Stripe. This couple stemmed from an enemies-to-lovers type situation. The comic debuted in February 2024 and has already garnered fans from all eras of the franchise. With the cancellation of the TV series, it’s unclear how or even if Mattel will keep this piece of canon. In the IDW series, Clawdeen and Toralei eventually break up.
Despite these developments, Mattel is releasing a Frankie Stein doll that will be Pride-based later this year. Monster High’s Skullector series, mainly aimed at adult collectors, will also release a Pride version of their Elvira, Mistress of the Dark doll. Garrett Sander and his brother Darren have said Elvira was an inspiration for the Monster High line (which makes perfect sense) while reiterating that pride in many forms floats through the halls of Monster High.
It Remains the Perfect Gateway Horror
Monster High is cannon fodder for baby horror fans to find their way into the genre while learning about being their true selves. While the dolls are the focal point of this still ever-growing franchise, there is so much lore to explore. Picking up a Draculaura doll may send a fan to find a copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula if they’re not quite ready to see Abigail twirl while dismembering people. Someone who thinks Deuce Gorgon’s head snakes are cool may use that as a reason to dive into Greek mythology. The seeds of horror exploration are planted throughout the Monster High brand. It’s pretty damn cool to have another option for kids to consider before they step onto the path of the horror genre (when they’re good and ready).
The world of Monster High is run by the Othered, the very proud Othered, and I am an even prouder fan.
Mark O. Estes
more horror
The Coffee Table/ SOHO Horror Film Festival: Spoiler-Free Review
The Creep Tapes Recap #3: Jeremy
31 Days of Halloween Watchlist // A Streaming Guide
Mr. Crocket // Mister Rogers Meets Horror: 2024 Fantastic Fest Review
WTF?! // 31 Days of Halloween — Day 7 (Society)