Universal Monsters Movies: Frankenstein Films

1931 - 19488 Films10h 4m3.7 Average

Frankenstein's Monster is the cornerstone of Universal's classic monster franchise. In this watch order we've included all films featuring the Monster from the original series. In the decades that followed, many additional Frankenstein films were made - check out the full Frankenstein series for a complete overview.

The classic list starts with Boris Karloff's excellent 1931 portrayal and Bride of Frankenstein, then follows the Monster through the Frankenstein family legacy in Son of Frankenstein and Ghost of Frankenstein. Afterwards, the Monster enters Universal's shared universe in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, followed by the monster rally films House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula where he appears alongside Dracula and the Wolf Man, concluding with Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

There are 7 other watch orders available - see the links up above.

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Frankenstein poster

Frankenstein

19311h 10m4.4
DramaHorrorScience Fiction
Director: James Whale
Cast: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, Boris Karloff, Edward Van Sloan

A young scientist becomes obsessed with creating life from dead tissue, but his ambitious experiment results in a monstrous creature that brings terror and tragedy to all who encounter it.

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Bride of Frankenstein poster

Bride of Frankenstein

19351h 15m4.4
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: James Whale
Cast: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger, Elsa Lanchester

Dr. Frankenstein is coerced into creating a companion for his monster in this classic sequel that explores themes of creation, companionship, and the consequences of playing God.

3
Son of Frankenstein poster

Son of Frankenstein

19391h 39m3.8
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Josephine Hutchinson

The son of Dr. Frankenstein discovers his father's monster in a comatose state and revives him, unaware that the creature is now under the malevolent influence of the vengeful Ygor.

4
The Ghost of Frankenstein poster

The Ghost of Frankenstein

19421h 8m3.1
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Cast: Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Bellamy, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers

Dr. Bohmer attempts to transplant a criminal's brain into Frankenstein's monster, but the experiment backfires when the creature becomes uncontrollably violent and goes on a destructive rampage.

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Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man poster

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man

19431h 14m3.4
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Patric Knowles, Ilona Massey, Maria Ouspenskaya

The Wolf Man awakens from his grave and seeks out Dr. Frankenstein, hoping to find a cure for his lycanthropic curse. When he discovers the doctor has died, he encounters Frankenstein's monster instead, leading to a clash between two classic movie monsters.

6
House of Frankenstein poster

House of Frankenstein

19441h 11m3.2
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Cast: Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish, John Carradine, Anne Gwynne

A deranged scientist escapes prison and takes over a traveling horror show, where he revives classic monsters including Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolf Man.

7
House of Dracula poster

House of Dracula

19451h 4m2.8
HorrorScience Fiction
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Cast: John Carradine, Onslow Stevens, Lon Chaney Jr., Martha O'Driscoll, Jane Adams

A dedicated scientist attempts to find cures for the supernatural afflictions of both a werewolf and Count Dracula. However, his noble efforts take a dark turn when he becomes infected with vampirism himself, leading to tragic consequences.

8
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein poster

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein

19481h 23m4.1
HorrorComedy
Director: Charles Barton
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange

Comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello encounter classic movie monsters including Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein's monster in this horror-comedy crossover. When the monsters' plans threaten the hapless pair, hilarious chaos ensues.