Monster House is a 2006 animated horror comedy that I have somehow managed to avoid for nearly two decades — and that is a genuine oversight on my part. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis on their first project together since Back to the Future Part III, directed by Gil Kenan in his feature debut, and co-written by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab — yes, that Dan Harmon, the same one behind Community — this film arrives with a creative team far more impressive than its modest reputation would suggest.And the result is a real hidden gem. The humour throughout reminded me strongly of Surf's Up from 2007 — that same dry, awkward, slightly off-kilter comedic timing that you can absolutely feel the Dan Harmon influence on. There's a specific kind of sharpness here that lifts the film well above standard family fare.A word of caution though — this is not a movie for young kids. I want to flag that clearly. Despite the animated presentation and child protagonists, Monster House leans properly into its horror elements. The titular house genuinely eats people. There are moments of legitimate tension and creepiness that play more like a PG-13 horror than a Saturday morning cartoon. For older kids and teenagers it's perfect. For preschoolers — find something else.The motion capture animation gives everything a slightly uncanny look that actually works in the film's favour. Things feel just a little bit wrong in a way that suits the tone perfectly. There's a Goonies-meets-haunted-house energy throughout that mid-2000s family films pulled off so well and we rarely see anymore.Monster House was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and somehow still flies under the radar. It deserves better.