Frankenstein Movies: Essential Films
This curated watch list highlights the most influential and acclaimed Frankenstein films across different eras and approaches. Starting with Universal's foundational classics, it includes Hammer's gothic reinvention and the most successful modern adaptation. These five films represent the evolution of the Frankenstein story in cinema: from Boris Karloff's iconic Monster to Peter Cushing's obsessed Baron, from Mel Brooks' loving parody to Kenneth Branagh's faithful literary adaptation.
The beloved Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is the wonderful comedic finale of the Universal Series (see our watch order up top), but it requires knowledge of the earlier Universal films to fully appreciate and thus isn't part of this essential selection.
There are 3 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
Frankenstein
Mad scientist Henry Frankenstein attempts to create life by assembling body parts, but his monstrous creation becomes violently destructive in a world that rejects him.
Bride of Frankenstein
Dr. Frankenstein is forced out of retirement when the mad Dr. Pretorius kidnaps his wife and demands help creating a mate for Frankenstein's still-living monster.
The Curse of Frankenstein
Baron Victor Frankenstein discovers the secret of life and creates a monstrous creature, unleashing a terrifying chain of deadly events in this classic horror tale.
Young Frankenstein
A young neurosurgeon inherits his grandfather's castle and discovers the infamous Dr. Frankenstein's reanimation experiments, leading him to reconsider his grandfather's supposedly delusional work.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
A brilliant young doctor becomes obsessed with conquering death after losing his mother, leading him to create a living being from corpse parts. His scientific triumph quickly becomes his greatest regret as the consequences of playing God unfold.
Other Film Series
A Quiet Place
A post-apocalyptic horror series about survivors navigating a world where deadly creatures hunt by sound, forcing humanity to live in complete silence.
Asia Argento
Italian actress and filmmaker, daughter of horror director Dario Argento, known for her work in European arthouse cinema and collaborations with major auteurs.
Critters
Horror-comedy franchise about small, ravenous alien creatures called Crites terrorizing Earth, featuring a complete four-film story arc and a later soft reboot.
Leprechaun
A horror-comedy franchise following a murderous Irish leprechaun's violent quests to reclaim his stolen gold across various settings and time periods.
Scanners
A sci-fi horror series about people with telepathic and telekinetic abilities, beginning with David Cronenberg's acclaimed 1981 film.
Tremors
Kevin Bacon and Michael Gross battle subterranean Graboids in this cult monster franchise spanning three decades.