Frankenstein

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Frankenstein

Released Nov 21, 1931

1h 11m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Christian K

Incredible production design and sets. Obviously a template and inspiration for a million things to come.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/01/25

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Larry K

A classic monster movie that everyone should watch once

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Brian M.

Out of all the classic monster films this one may very well be the best.. Acting has some real stellar performances.. Colin Clive is perfect as the mad doctor..for me he really moves this picture along.. Boris Karloff is terrific in most everything he did in his career, in this film his monster is very sympathetic and not really a “monster” at all. Karloff is and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest horror icons! If truth be told the REAL star of the film is makeup artist Jack Pierce.. WOW!! And by that i mean a WOW by today's standards..no CGI here!! And when you take in that this movie was made in 1931?? Jack Pierce's brilliant monster makeup cements him as one of the, if not THE, greatest makeup artists that ever lived!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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Stephen C

1 hour and 11 minutes is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Cade H.

Certified classic that helped kickstart modern Hollywood cinema as we know it. While it isn’t necessarily a movie families watch every Halloween, the movies they do watch wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Frankenstein.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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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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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