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Frankenstein

Play trailer Poster for Frankenstein Released Nov 21, 1931 1h 11m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 94 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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Frankenstein

Frankenstein

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Jay W In the early days of cinema, Universal Pictures helped form their own genre of film and define what Halloween was for the foreseeable future. In their catalog there are a ton of classic horror stuff that all give the spooky Halloween vibe. But of those over 50 movies, the Frankenstein movies hold up as their very best. The first three with Boris Karloff are all-time greats, but let's focus specifically on this one. The film opens with someone warning the audience of how scary the film is going to be. It is delightfully cheesy and puts the audience is just the right mood for the film. Yes, there is no backing music, nor is there any color. But the film still has an energy and life to it that keeps it entertaining. It helps that it has a short runtime. Despite it being thought of as slow by today's standards, it still holds up all these decades later. This takes quite a bit of creative liberty from the Mary Shelly novel. As a fan of both the book and movie, I can say that the changes the film make are for the better. There are some things that work in a book that don't translate well to film. OK, I will admit that changing his name to "Henry" Frankenstein is odd, but not all that distracting. Chances are, you are familiar with this film simply through cultural osmosis but do yourself a favor and actually watch it. The movie has really taken on a life of its own. Or in other words...it's alive! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Audience Member Frankenstein is held high as a classic horror movie (and should be) but for me it's one of those movies that I respect more than I actually enjoyed. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Jurassic P The worst movie of all time. Besides the acting being horrendous the story is horrible and there are so many plot holes. Everything happened because the directors wanted it to happen, not because it actually aligned with what was happening. Things just felt like they happened out of nowhere, not for any specific reason, they just happened. In all, the story moves way to fast, they aren't any actual threats or a real motivation for any of the characters. It's not even good horror wise. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review John W Definitely worth a watch, and it is a classic for a reason, it is worth a rewatch every now and then. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Brian F I am still amazed at how great this film is, released in 1931! Boris Karloff is still the best version of the monster! I watched many of the Frankenstein films as a kid, I vividly recall this one, "Frankenstein meets the Wolfman" and the incredible "Bride of Frankenstein." Any fan of horror movies must see this classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Frankenstein

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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