Haunted Hotel Season 2 is the best animated show of 2026 because it isn’t afraid to touch topics that sting, it knows that laughter is an essential part of life when we’re in pain, and that families come in all shapes and sizes. And while Haunted Hotel Season 1 established this world and the fragile bonds between its characters, Season 2 made this hotel a home. It also cemented certain truths while allowing its characters to grow in surprising but earned ways. And I can’t wait to watch it all over again because it’s that good.
Since there’s so many beats of Season 2 that I want to cover, because I loved absolutely everything, I’m going to review the season based on the Freeling family relationships and the growth we’ve witnessed individually. Because yes, this is a show about ghosts and freaky monsters in this hotel that no one wants to stay at. But that’s the least interesting thing about this show. The family is the heart of Haunted Hotel and it continues to be so until the very last episode of Season 2.
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Obviously I’m Going to Talk About Abaddon
Abaddon is my favorite character on Haunted Hotel because he’s a little weirdo with a big heart. And there’s nothing better than seeing someone let their freak flag fly while having layers. Sure, he’s a demon stuck in the body of a small child he possessed back in the 1600s. But just because he’s a demon, doesn’t mean his lived experiences matter any less. And in Haunted Hotel Season 2 we get to see him be a little bit more sure in his place in this family and in what he wants.
At the end of Haunted Hotel Season 1 he was torn between glory and friendship. And even though he hated to admit it, he chose friendship and saved the family and the hotel because he cared for them more. In Season 2, the writers still allowed him to be his little weird self. But the show was very intentional in giving him small important moments with each of the Freeling family members. And that made it so whatever comes next in Season 3, if we get one, he’s going to be a continuously evolving character.
For example, I loved the conflict that Abaddon had with Esther where he threw her into a pit. It was a little bit of an exaggeration what he did. But he did it because he didn’t understand that you can fight with someone, apologize, and still be friends. There are adults that don’t understand that. And Abaddon learned that in Haunted Hotel Season 2. I also loved when he lost his foot to the mermaids and confessed that Ben fascinated him. When Ben said that Abaddon was his big brother, Abaddon chose him, strengthening another link to this family.
All of this goes to prove that even if Abaddon is on Haunted Hotel for comedic relief in a lot of instances, there is always an opportunity for growth within that space. And I always think that that’s masterful writing, the ability to understand that joy doesn’t cancel out depth.
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This is Where Katherine Comes In
In Season 1 of Haunted Hotel Katherine was very resistant to the Undervale Hotel. She regretted a lot of what happened with her brother and it kind of felt like what she was doing at the hotel was temporary. Or she was just putting up with the hotel until it did better and then she could wash her hands of it. In Haunted Hotel Season 2, there’s no doubt about it; the Undervale is her home and the red lantern sacrifice proved that.
From what we saw in the flashback of the final episode, Katherine has been holding back when it comes to what she wants but also in allowing herself to go “Yeah, I’m capable and I can do anything!” I blame her husband for killing her confidence like that. But in Season 2 you see Katherine really take charge, explore different connections, and be there for her kids no matter what. Because if there’s anything that I know about Katherine, it’s that she’s a good mom.
Which brings me to Abaddon, who I know that we just had a whole section about but I need to talk about this in connection to Katherine. Because Haunted Hotel really does a phenomenal job at showing different family dynamics and bonds. And I loved when the ghosts left the hotel for the night Abaddon changed. Also, no I don’t think it’s because we were witnessing the boy Abaddon possessed. I just think it’s Abaddon stripped of the turmoil that comes with being surrounded by so many ghosts being in pain. That would drive anybody up the wall.
Because the ghosts left, we got to see Katherine and Abaddon bond in a way that Katherine hasn’t experienced for a while because her children aren’t babies anymore. But we also got to see Abaddon play with a parental figure in a way that he’s never probably experienced in the millenia he’s been alive. And I loved that they got to experience this happy moment, and know that they are capable of it together. Maybe Katherine doesn’t think of Abaddon as her child. But that’s okay. Because she cares enough to provide him with a home and the patience and kindness to deal with all his demonly woes because he matters, not just to her children, but to her as well.
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Nathan’s Depression and Growth in the Afterlife
When it comes to Nathan, one of the things that I love about what Haunted Hotel does with him is that he’s not a stereotype. Often when TV or film focuses on depression and what it looks like, they ignore the happiness of it all. Because personally, when I was at my saddest and hit rock bottom, no one could tell. Because I would put on the biggest smile and provide the biggest laughs just to trick people to think I was okay. I wasn’t.
Nathan uses humor to hide from what’s real and what’s haunting him, even in the afterlife. And in Season 1 we saw that mask he puts on crack when Katherine told him the truth about how he died. Season 2 adds to that by gently nudging Nathan to join a support group and talk about what’s bothering him instead of keeping that mask on. We also saw him develop a romance with another ghost, opening the door for what comes after the depression. Because Nathan now knows what he did. And he’s working on accepting it and what comes after. But there’s this terrifying moment where you’re so comfortable in the pain, that happiness is terrifying. That’s where Nathan is. And that feels real.
Nathan is ultimately looking for purpose in life. Or more accurately, the afterlife. And while he’s still participating in plenty of hijinks and defeating monsters in Season 2, I love that the show gave him room to grow and address what he couldn’t when he was alive. Which, I want to talk with the individual who did the final episode where we saw brief glimpses of Nathan’s life before he killed himself. Because that hurt in a way that I can’t explain even though I do reviews for a living. It was the small changes, the lit up with window, the ambulance, Katherine running from him when he was a ghost.
Nathan died. And those little flashes of his life after Katherine left, when he died, and when she returned show that he still has time to figure what he wants to do next. And that’s something many never get to do.
Finally There’s Esther and Ben
In the midst of all these things that I like about Haunted Hotel Season 2 and the family dynamics, I do feel like I got a little bit more of Ben than I expected. Because he was often painted as a secondary character with meager development in Season 1. I thought he was surface level in a lot of respects and just the weird older brother dating a ghost too old for him. But Season 2 showed how kind and patient he is with his siblings. (Yes, I’m including Abaddon now.) And it makes me want to go back to Season 1 and see what I missed out when it comes to Ben.
When it comes to Esther though, I will admit that I feel like her character wasn’t given as much growth in Season 2. She always puts on this front of being impenetrable and I would like to see a little bit more vulnerability from her, besides jealousy of Shayna and her abilities. I also wanted to see her ask for a little bit more help sometimes. Because I love independent characters. But when they’re consistently independent with no vulnerabilities or conflicts, it gets a little boring.
But just like Ben surprised me in Season 2, I’m looking forward to Esther surprising me in Season 3. And maybe Season 3 will give me perspective that will make me look back on who she is on Haunted Hotel with gentler eyes. But we can’t deny that without Esther, half of the shenanigans that happen at the Undervale wouldn’t be solved. They also wouldn’t have happened if she wasn’t a bit messy too. But that’s okay. We love Esther and can’t wait for more of her, especially when her father Ron comes back into the picture. Because I have a feeling that’s going to cause some trouble despite how strong Esther likes to act.
Conclusion
Haunted Hotel Season 2 is the kind of show that will make you laugh, cry, and contemplate who your found family is. It works on so many different layers and surprises you at every turn by brushing off stereotype after stereotype while giving you one of the weirdest and funniest little demon children that I’ve ever had the fortune of seeing on my screen. And we deserve a Season 3 because if this is the magic that they can do with two seasons, especially knowing that two episodes got cut to make said magic, I can’t imagine what they’ll do with more time. But what I do know is that I’ll love these characters more. That’s for sure.
Haunted Hotel Season 2 is now available on Netflix.
What did you think about Haunted Hotel Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!
