‘Haunted Hotel’ has a hidden story, and we found it

The Freeling family of “Haunted Hotel.”Credit: Netflix

Spooky season is the perfect time to cozy up with Haunted Hotel.The Netflix animated series blends horror with an animated family sitcom format that makes for fresh fun, and an addictive rewatch binge. (And, really, we’ve been revisiting Season 1 over and over since last Halloween.)

Now, with Season 3 announced ahead of this Halloween, we’re sharing a secret we’ve found hidden in the Undervale. Sure, each episode focuses on the misadventures of the Freeling family, be it ghost uncle Nathan (Will Forte), his sister Katherine (Eliza Coupe), her chipper son Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and mischievous daughter Esther (Natalie Palamides), or their resident demon trapped in a boy’s body, Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson). But beneath the surface of Haunted Hotel,another drama lurks — specifically under its floorboards.

In the opening title sequence, between when Esther defeats a vampire and Ben is chased out of the library by gremlins, there’s a smaller story playing out between the floors of the hotel. You have to freeze-frame to see it. And even on a desktop watch, that can be tricky to do! So, we’ve done the hard bit for you.

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After Season 1, some fans posted screenshots online, allowing others to dig into the curious war waged deep in the Undervale hotel. Now, with Season 2 out, Mashable has pulled together screenshots from Seasons 1 and 2 in chronological order, so you can make out the stories for yourself.

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 1: “Welcome to the Undervale”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 2: “Unfinished Business”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 3: “Randy Slasher”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 4: “How to Train Your Demon”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 5: “Rollyfluffs”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 6: “Ghost Hunters!”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 7: “Seven Deadly Bens”

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Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 8: “Aunt Rose”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 9: “The Esthercist”

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 10: “The Acolytes of Abaddon”

Hey, bud. You okay? Sorry about that last one. I assure you, Season 2’s has a happier ending. Here it is.

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 1: “Ooze”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 2: “Dinner Party”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 3: “The Witch”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 4: “Ghost Day Out”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 5: “Astral Esther”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 6: “Dante Crowe”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 7: “The Concierge”

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 8: “The Visit”

What will Haunted Housecreator Matt Roller have in store for season 3 (above and below the floorboards)? We can’t wait to find out.

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Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she’s an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.