Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Plot summary

The Little Vampire 3D (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

The Little Vampire 3D (2017) movie poster

The Little Vampire 3D is a 2017 family and fantasy film directed by Karsten Kiilerich and Richard Claus, running 1 hour 23 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 396 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 10 key events in order, 12 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for The Little Vampire 3D.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
10
characters profiled
12
themes explained
3
Loading streaming availability…
The Little Vampire 3D (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is The Little Vampire 3D About?

The premise of The Little Vampire 3D in 299 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

markdown In the quiet countryside of rural Germany, where ancient legends linger in the shadows of modern life, young Tony Thompson finds his imagination captured by stories that most would dismiss as mere folklore. On a family vacation far from the familiar rhythms of home, the twelve-year-old discovers that some tales hold more truth than anyone dares to believe. What begins as childhood curiosity soon pulls him into a world where night holds secrets and friendship can cross boundaries that others refuse to acknowledge.

Rudolph Sackville-Bagg, a vampire who has walked the earth for centuries, remains eternally frozen at thirteen years old. Raised in a clan that views mortals with suspicion, Rudolph carries the weight of his family’s survival on shoulders that have never truly grown up. When an unrelenting hunter threatens Rudolph’s entire family, the collision of Tony’s open-hearted wonder with Rudolph’s guarded existence creates a delicate balance — each boy seeing in the other something the world has convinced them to fear.

The film weaves moments of genuine warmth with flickers of danger, never losing sight of the emotional core: two lonely souls who find in each other an unexpected kind of belonging. Their adventure unfolds against a backdrop where daylight itself becomes a threat, and courage must be drawn from unlikely places. The story balances peril with heart, letting the bond between Tony and Rudolph grow through shared risk and quiet understanding.

At its core, this is a tale about looking past the legends we are taught to believe. Tony and Rudolph’s friendship challenges everything their worlds have taught them, offering a tender exploration of trust, bravery, and the connections that form when two people choose to see each other clearly. The journey ahead promises humor, heart, and just enough chills to keep the night interesting.

Full plot

What Happens in The Little Vampire 3D?

The complete story of The Little Vampire 3D, from the first scene to the last, in 396 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

On a family holiday, 12-year-old Tony Thompson [Amy Saville] meets Rudolph Sackville-Bagg [Rasmus Hardiker], a 13-year-old vampire. Tony has nightmares about vampires, and Rudi has been raised to view mortals as heartless killers, but curiosity and loneliness bridge their differences, and the two form an unlikely friendship. The film balances warmth with peril as their bond grows, each learning to see the other beyond legends and fear.

Rudi’s clan is hunted by vampire hunter Rookery [Jim Carter], and all of them except his parents and sister Anna are imprisoned in a crypt that Rookery plans to blow up to wipe them out. Tony is captured by Rookery but outwits them and escapes, determined to stop the plan after learning of it. The chase tightens the stakes as daylight becomes just another risk in a world where night and fear have defined the rules for too long.

Anna Sackville-Bagg [Phoebe Givron-Taylor] enchants Tony’s parents, enabling the vampires to ride in daylight using the Thompsons’ caravan as cover while Rudi and Tony race ahead. They spot Rookery, and Tony manages to steal his unique spanner, a tool that can undo the bolts sealing the crypt prison. This small act of daring sets the stage for a tense, clock-ticking sequence where cleverness and nerve must carry the day.

As they work to unlock the crypt, Rookery and his sidekick Maney [Joseph Kloska] ambush them, but Gregory, Rudi’s older brother, escapes the crypt through a crack in the ceiling to lend a hand. The confrontation that follows mixes quick strategic moves with moments of teamwork and grit. Together they defeat Rookery and Maney, though it’s implied that Maney has had enough of Rookery’s abuse and leaves him to the vampires, signaling a shift in loyalties within the dangerous hierarchies of the hunter and the hunted.

The clan escapes the crypt, but the bomb still detonates, destroying their home and leaving them with nowhere to shelter during daylight hours. In a blend of practicality and stubborn hope, Tony and Rudolph propose that the vampires check into the Bed and Breakfast where the Thompsons stayed at the start of the trip, much to the B&B owner’s horror. The ending leaves a curious sense of uneasy alliance—two worlds teetering on the edge of coexistence, and a plan that could redefine what it means for both mortals and immortals to share the same road.

Timeline

The Little Vampire 3D Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

10 key events in the order they happen, from “Tony and Rudi meet on holiday” to “Vampires check into the Bed and Breakfast”. 10 events name a place, across 9 locations.

  1. 1

    Tony and Rudi meet on holiday

    While on holiday with his parents, twelve-year-old Tony Thompson meets Rudolph Sackville-Bagg, a thirteen-year-old vampire. Their initial curiosity is tempered by fear, but they quickly form a bond despite their differences. The meeting sets the stage for an unlikely friendship.

    When:First day of vacation Where:Holiday location

  2. 2

    Forbidden trust grows between mortal and vampire

    Tony has nightmares about vampires, while Rudi has learned to distrust mortals. The two boys overlook the danger and choose to trust each other, driven by curiosity and loneliness. Their growing friendship feels like a beacon amid the holiday’s unfamiliar dangers.

    When:Early in the vacation Where:Holiday location

  3. 3

    Vampire hunter Rookery closes in on the clan

    Rookery and his followers track Rudi's clan, aiming to trap or destroy them. The clan is imprisoned in a crypt, with the exception of Rudi's parents and sister Anna who remain free. Rookery intends to blow up the crypt to kill them all.

    When:Before the attack Where:Crypt vicinity

  4. 4

    Tony is captured but escapes and learns the plan

    Tony is captured by Rookery but manages to outwit his captors and escape. He returns with knowledge of the plan to destroy the crypt, and resolves to stop them. This turns Tony into an active participant in the siege.

    When:During capture Where:Rookery's base

  5. 5

    Anna enchants Tony's parents for daylight travel

    Anna uses her magic to enchant Tony's parents, allowing the vampires to use the Thompson caravan to travel toward the crypt during daylight. Rudi and Tony fly ahead to scout the path. The plan hinges on the daylight-quick transport to reach the crypt before the bomb goes off.

    When:Daylight hours before attack Where:Thompson caravan route

  6. 6

    Tony steals Rookery's spanner

    On the way to the crypt they spot Rookery and Tony steals his unique spanner, a tool capable of undoing the crypt’s bolts. The theft gives the group a crucial advantage in freeing the imprisoned clan. It also marks Tony's commitment to stopping the hunters.

    When:Approach to crypt Where:Near the crypt route

  7. 7

    Ambush at the crypt doors; rescue arrives

    As Tony works to unlock the prison, Rookery and his sidekick Maney ambush him. Gregory, Rudi's older brother, arrives just in time and helps him escape through a ceiling crack. The rescue reshapes the battle and shifts momentum toward the protagonists.

    When:Climactic moment Where:Crypt entrance

  8. 8

    Gregory and the siblings overpower the hunters

    Gregory joins Tony and Rudi to defeat Rookery and Maney. They free the captured vampires and push the invaders back. Maney abandons Rookery, signaling a possible rift within the hunter's ranks.

    When:After the rescue Where:Crypt interior

  9. 9

    Crypt is breached and bomb detonates

    The clan escapes the crypt, but Rookery detonates a bomb that destroys the crypt, leaving the vampires without a daylight-safe home. The loss forces the clan to seek shelter elsewhere during daylight hours. The victory comes at a high cost.

    When:Daylight hours Where:Crypt ruins

  10. 10

    Vampires check into the Bed and Breakfast

    Tony and Rudi suggest that the surviving vampires check into the Thompson family’s Bed and Breakfast, much to the horror of the B&B owner. The plan signals a fragile new arrangement between humans and vampires. The film closes with an uneasy détente in daylight.

    When:After the attack Where:Bed and Breakfast

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in The Little Vampire 3D?

12 characters, among them Tony Thompson, Rudolph Sackville-Bagg (Rudi) and Anna Sackville-Bagg: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • TT

    Tony Thompson

    Played by Amy Saville

    A 12-year-old boy on holiday who has nightmares about vampires. He is curious, brave, and resourceful, forming an unlikely friendship with Rudi the vampire. He outwits the hunter Rookery and strives to stop the plan to destroy the crypt.

    • 🧒 Child
    • 🤔 Curious
    • 🧭 Resourceful
    • 💪 Brave
  • Rasmus Hardiker as Rudolph Sackville-Bagg (Rudi) in The Little Vampire 3D

    Rudolph Sackville-Bagg (Rudi)

    Played by Rasmus Hardiker

    A 13-year-old vampire who has been raised to view mortals as heartless killers. He is curious, loyal to his clan, and willing to bend the rules to survive. He and Tony team up to foil the hunter’s plan and escape the threatened crypt.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 🤝 Loyal
    • 💡 Clever
    • 🗡️ Brave
  • AS

    Anna Sackville-Bagg

    Played by Phoebe Givron-Taylor

    Rudi's sister who uses enchantment to influence Tony's parents, enabling the vampires to travel during daylight. She is cunning and protective of her clan, helping them toward safety.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 🪄 Enchantress
    • 🛡️ Protector
    • 🧠 Clever
  • Alice Krige as Freda Sackville-Bagg in The Little Vampire 3D

    Freda Sackville-Bagg

    Played by Alice Krige

    A member of the Sackville-Bagg clan who shares the clan's plight and stands with her family as the crypt becomes a target. She embodies a maternal presence within the vampire group.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 👩‍👧 Family matriarch
    • 🧠 Steady
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • Matthew Marsh as Gernot in The Little Vampire 3D

    Gernot

    Played by Matthew Marsh

    A vampire from the Sackville-Bagg clan who interacts with the humans and other clan members, aiding in the plan to survive the hunter's threat. His role adds a sense of hierarchy within the clan.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 🗣️ Advisor
    • 🤝 Ally
  • Rasmus Hardiker as Gregory Sackville-Bagg in The Little Vampire 3D

    Gregory Sackville-Bagg

    Played by Rasmus Hardiker

    Rudi's older brother who escapes the crypt and returns to aid his family and friends. His escape hints at the clan's resilience and the possibility of reunion after danger.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 🧭 Escape
    • 🦸‍♂️ Ally
  • Jim Carter as Rookery in The Little Vampire 3D

    Rookery

    Played by Jim Carter

    A vampire hunter who intends to destroy the crypt and wipe out the clan. He is ruthless and determined, pursuing his grim plan against the vampires.

    • 🗡️ Hunter
    • 🧭 Shadowy
    • 💥 Ruthless
  • M

    Maney

    Played by Joseph Kloska

    Rookery's volatile sidekick who ambushes Tony during the escape. He later appears to question his loyalty to Rookery’s abuse and eventually faces a turn in his allegiance.

    • 🧿 Henchman
    • 🤼‍♂️ Aggressive
    • 🌀 Shifts
  • BT

    Bob Thompson

    Played by Kevin Otto

    Tony's father, part of the Thompsons' caravan family. He represents the ordinary human world that becomes entangled with the vampire conflict.

    • 🧔 Father
    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Family man
    • 🧭 Resourceful
  • DT

    Dottie Thomson

    Played by Julia Rhodes

    Tony's mother, who shares the family journey and is affected by the enchantment that allows the vampires to travel with the Thompsons.

    • 👩 Mother
    • 💗 Protective
    • 🧪 Enchanted
  • E/

    Emma / Aunt Ashley

    Played by Diane Wilson

    Tony's relative who appears as a supportive figure in the midst of the chaos surrounding the vampire affair.

    • 👵 Relative
    • 🫶 Supportive
    • 🧭 Observant
  • OM

    Old man with dog

    Played by Matthew Dylan Roberts

    An elderly man with a dog who appears in the film, adding a moment of daily life amidst the unfolding vampire drama.

    • 👨‍🦳 Elderly
    • 🐕 Animal companion
    • 🕯️ Quiet presence
Setting

Where and When Is The Little Vampire 3D Set?

The Little Vampire 3D is set in The Thompsons' caravan, The crypt, Bed and Breakfast. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

The Thompsons' caravan, The crypt, Bed and Breakfast

The story unfolds across a family caravan holiday setting and a hidden vampire crypt. The crypt holds Rudi and his clan, sealed away and threatened by a hunter's plan to blow it up. As daylight travels occur, the Thompsons' lodging becomes a temporary refuge when the vampires surface at a Bed and Breakfast to escape danger.

  • 🏕 Rural setting
  • 🗝 Hidden crypt
  • 🏨 Bed and breakfast
Themes

What Are the Themes of The Little Vampire 3D?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Friendship, Courage and Displacement.

  1. 01

    Friendship

    A mortal boy and a vampire form an unlikely friendship that challenges mutual distrust. Their bond drives collaboration to outwit the hunter and protect others. The theme uses this connection to explore empathy, trust, and looking beyond appearances.

  2. 02

    Courage

    Tony's determination to stop the destruction of the crypt shows courage in the face of danger. Rudi's own resolve to defend his clan mirrors this bravery. The journey through danger and deception tests their resilience and ingenuity.

  3. 03

    Displacement

    The crypt is destroyed, forcing the vampire clan to seek shelter and adapt to daylight. The loss of their home leaves them vulnerable and homeless, reshaping their sense of security. The humans' involvement at the Bed and Breakfast hints at a fragile new balance between worlds.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is The Little Vampire 3D?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced and whimsical animated adventure that combines childhood curiosity with vampire lore, delivering a lighthearted story about friendship and teamwork against a comical villain.

  • adventurous
  • playful
  • whimsical
  • friendship
  • lighthearted
  • action-packed
  • vampire lore
  • good vs evil
  • coming of age
  • family

Content notes: child endangerment, confinement.

Quiz

How well do you remember The Little Vampire 3D? Test yourself on the story.

Take the quiz
Loading streaming availability…

Missing a Movie Plot Summary?

Tell us which film you want explained next: the full story, the timeline, the characters and the ending.

Request a summary
FAQ

The Little Vampire 3D Plot Questions

5 quick answers about The Little Vampire 3D, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is The Little Vampire 3D about?

markdown In the quiet countryside of rural Germany, where ancient legends linger in the shadows of modern life, young Tony Thompson finds his imagination captured by stories that most would dismiss as mere folklore.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does The Little Vampire 3D take place?

The Little Vampire 3D is set in The Thompsons' caravan, The crypt, Bed and Breakfast. The story unfolds across a family caravan holiday setting and a hidden vampire crypt. The crypt holds Rudi and his clan, sealed away and threatened by a hunter's plan to blow it up.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in The Little Vampire 3D?

The story follows Tony Thompson (played by Amy Saville), Rudolph Sackville-Bagg (Rudi) (played by Rasmus Hardiker), Anna Sackville-Bagg (played by Phoebe Givron-Taylor) and Freda Sackville-Bagg (played by Alice Krige); the character guide covers 12 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of The Little Vampire 3D?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Friendship, Courage and Displacement.

The themes explained

Who directed The Little Vampire 3D?

The Little Vampire 3D (2017) was directed by Karsten Kiilerich and Richard Claus and runs 1 hour 23 minutes.

Karsten Kiilerich’s films

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app