Frankenstein

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Frankenstein

1931

1h 11m

Horror

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

96 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

Jan 18, 2023

[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.

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Nelson B. Bell

Washington Post

Jan 18, 2023

[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.

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Irene Thirer

New York Daily News

Jan 18, 2023

3/4

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.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Oct 31, 2025

4/5

…there’s zero international travel, no glaciers, no sailing ships, just a bare-bones summary of a quarter of the novel...the bits invented for Whale's film are undeniably cinematic, so generations have just learned to tune out during the romance sections

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 26, 2025

3.5/4

Under the ingenious makeup created and applied by studio artist Jack Pierce, Karloff is astonishing in a role that Lugosi had turned down.

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Carson Timar

ClapperCast

Oct 31, 2023

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.

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Richard

Oct 26, 2025

Spectacular filming in black and white. The makeup of the monster was very well done. Overall, very good movie.

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Robert

Oct 24, 2023

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

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Tyler S

@tylerking24 2 hrs ago

A film that nearly perfectly establishes the horror genre.

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Drew D

@Roadwarrior52 6 days ago

Short, sweet, and dark as hell, the 1931 Classic has become a watershed moment in popular culture and has given us one of the most iconic symbols associated with the Halloween season

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 4, 2026

An iconic movie based on Mary Shelly's famous novel that was written in one night!

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Alex B

@AlexBioni Sep 2, 2026

The Original Monster This is honestly my favorite of the original Universal Monsters movies. The production and atmosphere are fantastic and genuinely spooky. I especially love the iconic windmill at the end, and the cemetery at the beginning is eerie. I like the story of Frankenstein trying to bring people back from the dead. I also think it's funny that there is a warning before the movie starts. It really shows how far we've come with film. The acting is great, and everyone fits their roles well, especially Frankenstein, the Monster, and Fritz. The pacing is excellent too. It feels like there's no filler and the movie gets right to the story. The Monster is such a complex character. He's brought to life without knowing right from wrong, making him completely innocent, almost like a child. Watching him learn about the world makes him more than just a monster. I think this is an excellent movie and a stepping stone for so many adaptations that came after it.

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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, Drama, Sci-Fi
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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