Frankenstein

Released Nov 21, 1931

1h 11m

Horror

List

94%

Tomatometer

95 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

This iconic horror film follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Aided by his loyal misshapen assistant, Fritz, Frankenstein succeeds in animating his monster, but it escapes into the countryside and begins to wreak havoc. Frankenstein searches for the elusive being and eventually must confront his tormented creation.

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Critics Consensus

Still unnerving to this day, Frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features Boris Karloff's legendary, frightening performance as the monster.

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Ella H. McCormick

Detroit Free Press

[James Whale] is to be complimented upon his handling of the incidents chosen from the book, and the artistry with which he has built up the picture.

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

Nelson B. Bell

Washington Post

[Boris Karloff's performance] is a skillful but unsavory bit of imaginative and grotesque portraiture that the delicately constituted will dream about through many haunted nights.

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

Irene Thirer

New York Daily News

It's a study of a chemical experiment -- one which clutches at you icily and holds you until the romantic ending guarantees satisfaction after an hour's worth of gripping, intriguing horrors.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

It is the small moments of empathy that stand out here. That is where James Whale shines and as a queer director, he is a master of his craft.

Oct 31, 2023

Full Review

Harold V. Cohen

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It is all hooey, to be sure, hooey of the simplest sort, but it has been so expertly assembled and so smartly dressed that it becomes a fine example of the school of the cinema that seeks to shiver and not convince.

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

E. de S. Melcher

Washington Star

A blood-curdling drama which so out-Draculas Dracula that the latter might as well be a Sunday afternoon parlor game.

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

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Robert

Great movie, it's truly awesome getting to see movies I never got to see on the big screen, even though I've seen them a hundred times it makes it like a brand new experience, hopefully they keep showing old movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

Full Review

NiB Y

All of it's potential downsides (the most obvious being how this nowhere near a faithful adaptation of the book) are completly negated by Karloff performance, short runtime, and the impact this movie had in general.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Andrew L

Both the story and the suspense are excellent even though this movie does get the story and the names of most of the characters from the original novel wrong.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/24

Full Review

Alec B

Iconic for good reason. Whale is the reason for its success (he sees the inherent humor and tragedy in the horror) and we are lucky this movie fell into his lap.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Jose R

Quite possibly the most important piece to horror in terms of legacy, the movie was definitely a catalyst for the passion and love that goes into the genre

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Keith N

One of the best classic monster movies

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

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James Whale

Director

Colin Clive

Dr. Henry Frankenstein

Mae Clarke

Elizabeth (Henry's fiancée)

John Boles

Victor Moritz

Boris Karloff

The Monster

Edward Van Sloan

Dr. Waldman

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The Mummy

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Dracula's Daughter

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Son of Frankenstein

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Synopsis

This iconic horror film follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Aided by his loyal misshapen assistant, Fritz, Frankenstein succeeds in animating his monster, but it escapes into the countryside and begins to wreak havoc. Frankenstein searches for the elusive being and eventually must confront his tormented creation.

Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter: Mary Shelley, Peggy Webling, John L. Balderston, Francis Edward Faragoh
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 1931, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono

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