Best Frankenstein Movies

From Mel Brooks, starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle
Rated PG

Young Frankenstein is a 1974 American comedy horror film directed by Mel Brooks. The film is a parody of the classic horror film genre, in particular the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Frankenstein. Starring Gene Wilder as the young Dr. Frankenstein, Peter Boyle as the monster, Marty Feldman as the hunchbacked Igor, Teri Garr as Inga, and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher, the film also features appearances by Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Gene Hackman, and Liam Dunn. The story follows Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Wilder), an esteemed medical lecturer at an American university, who inherits a family estate in Transylvania. He soon discovers the secret of his ancestors' work in re-animating dead tissue and sets out to recreate the famous monster. Along the way, he meets a series of unusual characters, fights mad scientists, and attempts to prove his own sanity in the face of growing public hysteria. Through a series of slapstick antics and outrageous characters, Young Frankenstein lampoons the original Frankenstein film, its sequels, and the horror genre in general.

From James Whale, starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson
Rated Not Rated

The Bride of Frankenstein is a classic horror film directed by James Whale and released in 1935. It is a sequel to the 1931 film Frankenstein, in which a scientist uses electricity to bring to life a creature made of human body parts. This time, the doctor is pressured by a mad scientist to create a female companion for the creature. The doctor reluctantly agrees, but the creature and his bride soon find themselves the target of an angry mob of villagers. Ultimately, the doctor and the creature must find a way to protect his creation from those who wish to destroy it. The film is seen as a classic horror movie and is noted for its dark themes, as well as groundbreaking use of special effects.

From James Whale, starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Rated Passed

Frankenstein (1931) is a classic horror film based on Mary Shelley's novel of the same name. Directed by James Whale, the movie follows scientist Victor Frankenstein as he attempts to create life from dead matter. With the help of his assistant Fritz, Victor succeeds in creating a creature from body parts of the dead, but is shocked and horrified when the creature comes to life. The creature soon escapes, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. As public outcry intensifies, Victor and Fritz search for the creature, and Victor must confront his own moral responsibility in the creature's tragic story. At the same time, the creature is searching for acceptance and love, but must face the fear and prejudice of those he encounters. In the end, the creature meets his untimely demise, but leaves a lasting legacy in the minds of viewers.

From Víctor Erice, starring Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent, Isabel Tellería
Rated Not Rated

The Spirit of the Beehive is a 1973 Spanish drama film directed by Víctor Erice. Set in a small Castilian village in 1940, the film follows two young sisters, Ana and Isabel, who are deeply affected by their viewing of the Frankenstein film. The girls' lives become entwined with the story of the monster, as they come to believe he exists and might be in the surrounding forests. The film explores the themes of childhood innocence and the power of imagination, as well as the effects of the Spanish Civil War on rural communities. Ana and Isabel's quest for the monster leads them to experience both the beauty of nature and the darkness of human nature in a coming-of-age story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally poignant.

From Bill Condon, starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich
Rated R

From Jim Sharman, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien
Rated R

From Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
Rated PG-13

From Stuart Gordon, starring Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale
Rated Unrated

From Terence Fisher, starring Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart, Christopher Lee
Rated Approved

From Genndy Tartakovsky, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Rated PG

From Tim Burton, starring Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau
Rated PG

From Fred Dekker, starring Andre Gower, Robby Kiger, Stephen Macht, Duncan Regehr
Rated PG-13

From John Hughes, starring Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Bill Paxton
Rated PG-13

From Haifaa Al-Mansour, starring Elle Fanning, Bel Powley, Owen Richards, Joanne Froggatt
Rated PG-13

From Kenneth Branagh, starring Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Hulce
Rated R

From Brian Yuzna, starring Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Claude Earl Jones, Fabiana Udenio
Rated R

From Zack Snyder, starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Sommers, starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley
Rated PG-13

From Paul McGuigan, starring Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott
Rated PG-13

From Franc Roddam, starring Sting, Jennifer Beals, Anthony Higgins, Clancy Brown
Rated PG-13

From Stuart Beattie, starring Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Miranda Otto, Virginie Le Brun
Rated PG-13