Little Vampire

Little Vampire
Company type	Animated film
Industry	Animation, Film
Founded	2019; 7 years ago
Founder	Joann Sfar, Sandrina Jardel
Headquarters	France
Products	Animated feature film

Little Vampire () is a 2020 French animated film blending traditional animation with comedy and horror elements. The screenplay was crafted by Sandrina Jardel alongside Joann Sfar, who also took on directing and executive producing responsibilities. This movie adapts Sfar's own comic series bearing the same title. Debuting on 21 October 2020, it earned a nomination for Best Animated Film at the 46th César Awards.

Plot

Pandora and her child escape from a spiteful prince intent on delivering them to the God of Nothingness, a terrifying entity. They are saved by the Captain of the Dead, a pirate skeleton, who transforms Pandora and her son into vampires—immortal beings relentlessly hunted by the prince, now known as "Gibbous," a vengeful creature capable of destroying the undead.

The Captain leads Pandora and her son—now called "Little Vampire"—through centuries, assembling a group of allies including Marguerite (a Frankenstein-inspired figure), Claude (a radioactive crocodile), Fantomate (a flying tomato-dog), and Ophtalmo (an inventive monster). They take refuge in an invisible mansion constructed by the Captain.

Three hundred years later, weary of monster existence, Little Vampire befriends Michel, an orphaned human boy who believes in monsters. Their bond attracts Gibbous’s attention, endangering Michel’s family and forcing the group into confrontation. After meeting the Captain of the Dead, Michel pledges his allegiance to Little Vampire.

A failed attempt to turn Michel into a monster results in Gibbous coercing him through blackmail. Following capture and subsequent rescue efforts involving all characters, Pandora is abducted but later liberated during a showdown where Gibbous reveals his true feelings: loneliness and a longing for companionship rather than revenge.

In the end, peace is restored: Gibbous reverts to his princely identity alongside Sleeping Belle, a mermaid figurehead awakened from slumber. Choosing love over vengeance, the prince and Sleeping Belle unite while the kawais (humans transformed into insects) establish their own society.

The narrative closes with Michel embracing his friendship with Little Vampire and the monsters, symbolizing harmony between human and supernatural realms under Pandora’s and the Captain’s vigilant care.

French dub

Louise Lacoste portrays Little Vampire, a 10-year-old vampire boy and Michel’s closest companion.
- She also voices Sleeping Belle, the sentient figurehead aboard the Captain’s ship who envies Pandora.
Claire de la Rüe du Can plays Michel Douffon, an orphan raised by his grandparents and best friend to Little Vampire.
Quentin Faure lends his voice to Fantomate, Little Vampire’s loyal flying dog protector.
Joann Sfar acts as Marguerite, a playful monster inspired by Frankenstein.
Vincent Vermignon voices Ophtalmo, a refined creature with three eyes.
Ricardo Lo Giudice portrays Claude, a short-tempered mutated alligator.
Camille Cottin is Pandora, Little Vampire’s nurturing mother wed to the Captain of the Dead.
Jean-Paul Rouve plays The Captain of the Dead, a skeletal sea captain serving as Little Vampire’s father figure.
Alex Lutz voices The Gibbous, the immortal adversary of the Captain seeking revenge and Pandora’s affection.
Katia Tchenko acts as Daïna, Michel’s classmate and romantic interest.
Sava Lolov performs Grandma, Michel’s grandmother.
Mara Taquin voices Grandpa, Michel’s grandfather.

English voice cast

Courtney Shaw voices Little Vampire and Sleeping Belle
Samantha Cooper portrays Pandora
Mark Rivers plays The Captain of the Dead
Francesca Calo acts as Michael
Gary Littman provides the voice for Phantomato
Danish Farooqui is cast as Marguerite
James Brown Jr. performs as Ophtamol
Leo Wiggins takes on the role of The Gibbous

Distribution

Little Vampire made its debut in France on 21 October 2020, having been completed in 2019. The film earned $1,566,207 at the French box office and accumulated a global total of $1,678,270. It was met with favorable reviews from critics and secured a nomination for Best Animated Film at the 46th César Awards.