The 9 Best Frankenstein Films

Mary Shelley's tale of creation and consequence has been a cornerstone of cinema since the start of monster movies. It was one of the first real adaptations and entries into the horror genre. Since then, people have used the tale to make movies and TV shows in every other genre as well, even including comedies. Today, I want to go over nine of the best Frankenstein movies and talk about what they mean to me. Let's dive in. Frankenstein (1931) Sometimes the original is still the best. This adaptation is creepy and beautiful. James Whale's groundbreaking film is the foundation upon which nearly all subsequent adaptations are built. Boris Karloff's portrayal of the monster will forever be how we imagine the monster when we close our eyes. His ability to establish the creature as a sympathetic, yet terrifying, figure is also what everyone bases future performances on. The film's stark black-and-white cinematography and Whale's masterful direction create a palpable sense of dread and gothic beauty.Young Frankenstein (1974)Yes, this is the second-best version of this story, and I won't hear otherwise. Mel Brooks' brilliant and hilarious film is both a pitch-perfect parody and a loving homage to the Universal classics of the 1930s. It's a movie filled with endless quotes like "Roll in the hay" and "Fronkensteeeen."Gene Wilder stars as the grandson of the infamous doctor, who reluctantly follows in his ancestor's footsteps. Shot in black and white and utilizing many of the original laboratory props, the film is a comedic masterpiece.Bride of Frankenstein (1935)James Whale's sequel is a cinematic triumph that builds on what he did in the first film and deepens the arcs. There's also a lot of dark humor here. The film introduces the iconic Bride, played by Elsa Lanchester. With its witty script, stunning set design, and a more complex and vocal monster, Bride of Frankenstein is a high point of 1930s cinema.Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)Again, comedy might bring out the best in horror. This movie brings together Universal's most famous monsters—Frankenstein's Monster (played by Glenn Strange), Dracula (Bela Lugosi), and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.)—for a hilarious encounter with the bumbling duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. The film cleverly balances genuine scares with slapstick as these hilarious icons are juxtaposed against horror icons was one of our first real horror comedies. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)Another riff that sort of has transcended the original story, this is a cult movie that is a flamboyant and subversive musical send-up of classic horror and science fiction tropes. The movie has played for decades and always grabs the hearts of new fans, with Tim Curry's iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter as a pansexual parody of Victor Frankenstein.Son of Frankenstein (1939)The final film in Universal's original trilogy sees Basil Rathbone as Victor Frankenstein's son, who inherits the family's monstrous legacy. Boris Karloff reprises his role as the creature for the last time, and Bela Lugosi delivers a memorable performance as the sinister Ygor. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)Modern cinema has not really tackled this story in a serious way in a while. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as Victor Frankenstein, this ambitious adaptation is one of the most faithful to the novel. Robert De Niro delivers a nuanced performance as the articulate and tormented creature. The film captures the epic scope and tragic grandeur of Shelley's original vision.The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)Directed by Terence Fisher, Peter Cushing's chillingly ruthless and amoral Baron Frankenstein became a new archetype, while Christopher Lee's grotesque and pitiable creature offered a stark contrast to Karloff's more sympathetic portrayal. It made this a much more violent and dark movie. The film's graphic (for its time) depiction of the creation process and its bloody consequences set a new standard for the tale.Frankenweenie (2012)Tim Burton's stop-motion animated feature is an expansion of his 1984 short film. It's another funny movie with a creative spin on the tale. A boy loses his dog and just cannot let go. Frankenweenie is a charming and inventive take on the mythos that explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of playing God.Summing It All UpFrankenstein is a compelling character and story that will surely be adapted for years to come. Even now, we're waiting for a huge Guillermo Del Toro movie set to debut soon, which will undoubtedly be added to this list. Are there any iterations of this story you think I missed? I want to know your take. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Jun 3, 2025 - 04:55

Mary Shelley's tale of creation and consequence has been a cornerstone of cinema since the start of monster movies. It was one of the first real adaptations and entries into the horror genre.

Since then, people have used the tale to make movies and TV shows in every other genre as well, even including comedies.

Today, I want to go over nine of the best Frankenstein movies and talk about what they mean to me.

Let's dive in.

Frankenstein (1931)

Sometimes the original is still the best. This adaptation is creepy and beautiful. James Whale's groundbreaking film is the foundation upon which nearly all subsequent adaptations are built.

Boris Karloff's portrayal of the monster will forever be how we imagine the monster when we close our eyes. His ability to establish the creature as a sympathetic, yet terrifying, figure is also what everyone bases future performances on.

The film's stark black-and-white cinematography and Whale's masterful direction create a palpable sense of dread and gothic beauty.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Yes, this is the second-best version of this story, and I won't hear otherwise. Mel Brooks' brilliant and hilarious film is both a pitch-perfect parody and a loving homage to the Universal classics of the 1930s.

It's a movie filled with endless quotes like "Roll in the hay" and "Fronkensteeeen."

Gene Wilder stars as the grandson of the infamous doctor, who reluctantly follows in his ancestor's footsteps. Shot in black and white and utilizing many of the original laboratory props, the film is a comedic masterpiece.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

James Whale's sequel is a cinematic triumph that builds on what he did in the first film and deepens the arcs. There's also a lot of dark humor here.

The film introduces the iconic Bride, played by Elsa Lanchester. With its witty script, stunning set design, and a more complex and vocal monster, Bride of Frankenstein is a high point of 1930s cinema.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Again, comedy might bring out the best in horror. This movie brings together Universal's most famous monsters—Frankenstein's Monster (played by Glenn Strange), Dracula (Bela Lugosi), and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.)—for a hilarious encounter with the bumbling duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

The film cleverly balances genuine scares with slapstick as these hilarious icons are juxtaposed against horror icons was one of our first real horror comedies.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Another riff that sort of has transcended the original story, this is a cult movie that is a flamboyant and subversive musical send-up of classic horror and science fiction tropes.

The movie has played for decades and always grabs the hearts of new fans, with Tim Curry's iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter as a pansexual parody of Victor Frankenstein.

Son of Frankenstein (1939)

The final film in Universal's original trilogy sees Basil Rathbone as Victor Frankenstein's son, who inherits the family's monstrous legacy.

Boris Karloff reprises his role as the creature for the last time, and Bela Lugosi delivers a memorable performance as the sinister Ygor.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

Modern cinema has not really tackled this story in a serious way in a while. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as Victor Frankenstein, this ambitious adaptation is one of the most faithful to the novel.

Robert De Niro delivers a nuanced performance as the articulate and tormented creature. The film captures the epic scope and tragic grandeur of Shelley's original vision.

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Directed by Terence Fisher, Peter Cushing's chillingly ruthless and amoral Baron Frankenstein became a new archetype, while Christopher Lee's grotesque and pitiable creature offered a stark contrast to Karloff's more sympathetic portrayal.

It made this a much more violent and dark movie. The film's graphic (for its time) depiction of the creation process and its bloody consequences set a new standard for the tale.

Frankenweenie (2012)

Tim Burton's stop-motion animated feature is an expansion of his 1984 short film. It's another funny movie with a creative spin on the tale. A boy loses his dog and just cannot let go.

Frankenweenie is a charming and inventive take on the mythos that explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of playing God.

Summing It All Up

Frankenstein is a compelling character and story that will surely be adapted for years to come. Even now, we're waiting for a huge Guillermo Del Toro movie set to debut soon, which will undoubtedly be added to this list.

Are there any iterations of this story you think I missed? I want to know your take.

Let me know what you think in the comments.