Vampirina: Teenage Vampire Series Opener Review

If there’s one thing that has always been a Disney Channel staple, it’s the music-driven tween show. Ever since the arrival of the groundbreaking hit Hannah Montana, Disney has consistently delivered live-action series that blend everyday growing-up struggles with music.

In recent years, the network pulled back somewhat from its live-action slate. But that appears to be changing. With the return and resurgence of the iconic Descendants franchise, the success of summer’s Electric Bloom, and other forthcoming projects, Disney is reminding audiences why it’s the ultimate tween music hit-maker.

And while Electric Bloom set the tone, we’re even more excited to see another music-focused series join Disney’s lineup—this time featuring a familiar face.

That’s right—Disney Junior’s favorite vampire is all grown up and ready to rock in her new school and story with the live-action series Vampirina: Teenage Vampire.

Same Vampire, New Haunt

Once September rolls around, everyone gears up for spooky season. And what better way to spend those early fall nights than rocking out with a now-teenage Vampirina?

Back in 2017, fans first met Vampirina “Vee” Hauntley in her animated series aimed at preschool viewers. Adapted from the beloved children’s books, Vee was the new girl in town after her parents moved their family—and their new bed-and-breakfast—from Transylvania to Pennsylvania.

The episodic series followed Vee, her family, and her friends as they navigated everyday life and the challenges of being vampires in the human world, often dealing with customs, culture shock, and music. Vee and her two close friends, Poppy and Bridget, even formed a girl band that performed original songs. These tracks were not only fun and upbeat but also pushed the story and characters forward.

The original animated series concluded in June 2021 after seventy-five episodes, all currently streaming on Disney+.

But that wasn’t the end of Vampirina’s journey. Far from it. Disney has brought back our favorite Transylvanian transplant for a brand-new adventure.

Here’s the official summary for the new series:

“Vampirina: Teenage Vampire” tells the story of a tween vampire girl who leaves the safety of Transylvania to attend a performing arts boarding school. Living among humans for the first time, she pursues her passion for music while keeping her vampire identity a secret—something made more difficult when her overprotective father assigns an overzealous ghost to watch over her. Vampirina, or “Vee,” is already a beloved character from the popular book series and Disney Junior show. This marks her first live-action portrayal.

The New and the Fangtastic

Much to fans’ surprise, this new take on Vampirina doesn’t build directly on the earlier Disney Junior series. Instead, it stands as a standalone reimagining of Vee’s story. While that might alarm some longtime fans, the shift actually works in the show’s favor.

In the pilot episode, we meet a teenage Vee who retains her core personality despite having spent her entire childhood inside the castle walls of Transylvania. She’s bubbly and eager to chase her dream of becoming a performer, leaving her home behind to attend Wilson Hall, the alma mater of her idol. Her well-meaning parents support her ambition but remain less optimistic than their daughter.

This time, life outside Transylvania isn’t so simple. Vampires must carefully hide their true nature—not only from humans but also from vampire hunters, specifically the Van Helsing family. Their identifying mark? A ring engraved with “VH,” passed down from generation to generation.

To ensure Vee’s safety, her father sends family ghost Demi to accompany her at school. His job: protect Vee from danger and keep her vampire powers in check whenever her emotions get the best of her. Though surprised that Demi has tagged along, Vee remains excited to begin her new life.

Soon she bonds with her roommate Sophie, an introverted music producer and people-pleaser. Together, the girls prepare for their school’s first-year showcase, where Vee hopes to shine. Their collaboration grows into a budding friendship—until Sophie overhears a conversation between Vee and Demi. Learning that vampires and ghosts are real—and that Vee kept such a huge secret—shakes her trust and threatens their performance.

Outside her new friendship with Sophie, Vee also encounters other key players in her human-world life. There’s Britney, a legacy student and talented competitor determined to uncover Vee’s secret. And Elijah, a gifted vocalist whose parents expect him to focus on singing, though his true passion lies in dance. He quickly bonds with Vee—but the pilot ends with the shocking reveal that Elijah is the next in his family’s line of vampire hunters.

Now, with her secret at risk, her friendships tested, and her dream within reach, Vee’s journey at Wilson Hall is set up for drama, music, and plenty of fang-tastic fun.

And we’re more than ready to spend our fall evenings following her as she chases her performing dreams—while keeping her identity hidden.

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire is airing now on Disney Channel and will arrive on Disney+ later this fall.

Stay tuned for more reviews of this exciting new series.