Top Five Frankenstein Movies
The latest movie version of the genre-defining tale is being helmed by Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and in celebration of its release on Netflix, here is a rundown of the top five Frankenstein movies.
Top 5 Frankenstein Movies
The latest movie version of the genre-defining tale is being helmed by Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and in celebration of its release on Netflix, here is a rundown of the top five Frankenstein movies.
5. The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Hammer Film Productions revived the legend in glorious Technicolor with The Curse of Frankenstein, introducing audiences to Peter Cushing as Baron Victor Frankenstein and Christopher Lee as his monstrous creation. This British reimagining emphasized gothic excess, blood, and sensuality — revitalizing the horror genre for a new era. The film’s success launched Hammer’s long-running series of Frankenstein movies and established Cushing and Lee as horror royalty. Its bold colour palette and moral ambiguity brought new life to Shelley’s tale of scientific obsession.
4. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, this lush adaptation aimed to return to Mary Shelley’s original 1818 novel. Robert De Niro gives a nuanced and tragic performance as the Creature, exploring the anguish of rejection and the moral consequences of scientific hubris. The production design is grand and operatic, with sweeping visuals and a focus on the emotional bond between creator and creation. Though divisive among critics, the film has gained appreciation over time for its ambition and fidelity to Shelley’s source material.
3. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein reinvented the legend as a loving parody. Shot in black and white and using many of the same props and sets from the original Universal films, it stars Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of the infamous scientist. Blending slapstick with affectionate homage, the film strikes the perfect balance between horror and humour. It became a critical and box office hit, earning Oscar nominations and cementing lines like “It’s pronounced Fronkensteen!” into pop culture.
2. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Widely considered even better than the original, The Bride of Frankenstein expanded both the emotion and the artistry of the story. Returning director James Whale introduced dark humour, subtext, and tragic romance, while Elsa Lanchester’s brief but unforgettable performance as the Bride became one of cinema’s most enduring images. Karloff’s Monster shows more humanity this time — yearning for friendship and acceptance — and the film’s themes of loneliness and rejection still strike a chord. It’s often cited as one of the greatest sequels ever made.
1. Frankenstein (1931)
James Whale’s Frankenstein remains the defining version of Shelley’s story and one of the cornerstones of classic horror cinema. Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the Monster — both terrifying and deeply sympathetic — turned him into an icon. The film’s moody black-and-white cinematography, Gothic sets, and the unforgettable line “It’s alive!” helped establish Universal Pictures as the home of movie monsters. Despite production restrictions of the early 1930s, Whale’s direction gave the film an emotional weight and eerie atmosphere that still resonates nearly a century later.
