5 Frankenstein Movies Worth Watching (And Where You Can Stream Them)

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Frankenstein's monster is the original science fiction horror monster. Born in the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein and his creation, often incorrectly referred to as Frankenstein, are a staple of popular culture. There have been over 400 film adaptations of the book since the first by Edison Studios released in 1910.

That's quite a few "Frankenstein" flicks to sort through. Sure, there are some that might be on your radar, like the 2025 project directed by Guillermo del Toro or the 1994 film starring Robert de Niro as the creature, but how do you decide which ones are worth your time? It's difficult, but there are a few that you absolutely should watch.+

Some certainly rise above the rest, not only because they have strong critic scores, but because of their take on the characters and their use of original concepts. There are adaptations that do stick to the source material, but there are others that take a different approach, infusing the themes and personalities of Victor and his monster into similar narratives. These five span a wide swath of the options, from black and white classics to modern interpretations of the story, but they are all worth a watch. 

This 1957 adaptation of Mary Shelley's work takes a more personal touch. "The Curse of Frankenstein" focuses on Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) telling his life story as he awaits a death sentence, humanizing him and his experiments. It comes across as both a man accepting his fate, but also trying to plead his case and save himself, all while those who know the truth watch on, unwilling to assist in his plight for fear of experiencing the same punishment.

"The Curse of Frankenstein" is the start of a seven-film series from Hammer Film Productions. It uses scientist and creator Victor as the main character, with each movie following him rather than his creation. It makes for a more interesting journey, to watch as Victor finds a way to continue his work despite the frequent trouble he's in.

While it's now widely considered one of the best adaptations, a sentiment that's reflected in an 85% critic and a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's the continuous narrative that makes it worth the watch. Following Victor not only lets you build a relationship with him, but also makes you root for him and his experiments, as wrong as they may seem. "The Curse of Frankenstein" is available to stream for free on Tubi and Plex.

What happens when a professor is fired for his theory that he is a distant relative of a real person on whom Mary Shelley based her "Frankenstein" novel? That's what "The Frankenstein Theory" is all about. Professor Jonathan Venkenheim (Kris Lemche), now jobless, gathers a team to head to the Arctic Circle in an attempt to prove himself correct, believing that the original Frankenstein's monster is still out there.

This 2013 found footage horror flick has a bit of something for everyone: a slightly unhinged academic, a gruff European guide, a comedic crew, and, of course, a purported connection to the Illuminati. The landscape is bleak and menacing, the night vision shots add suspense, and you actually get to see glimpses of the monster, which looks a bit like a Bigfoot. 

Don't let the poor Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 23% discourage you from watching "The Frankenstein Theory." Anyone can produce a "Frankenstein" flick, with a human-made monster and similar themes of ostracization. However, it takes a unique mind to decide to make a meta found footage horror film about people searching for Frankenstein's monster in the Arctic. There's truly nothing like it on the "Frankenstein" movie market, and that alone makes it worth a watch, especially because it's free to stream on YouTube and Philo.

A sequel to 1931's "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein" follows Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) as he unwillingly creates a female monster, destined to be the love interest of his original creation. The monster and fellow scientist Doctor Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) force Henry's hand after he initially refuses their request, kidnapping his own bride, Elizabeth (Valerie Hobson).

The ending isn't anything like what you might predict. While Henry is successful in making a female monster, that's where the good news ends. The one thing Pretorius and the male creation didn't consider was if the new monster would even be interested in a romantic relationship, which results in hurt feelings and an outrageous tantrum. It's a theme that continues to be relevant today, and is done pretty well in "Bride of Frankenstein."

It's worth watching not only because it might be the best "Frankenstein" movie ever made, reflected in the 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but nearly 100 years later, nothing quite compares to the 1935 film. The character development and story are top notch, and it continues to stand the test of time, even with the many other adaptations that have come out in the decades since its release. "Bride of Frankenstein" is available to stream on Peacock.

"May" is about the titular character, played by Angela Bettis, a young adult who struggles to interact with others. Every time things go well, she somehow "ruins" it, doing something that the other individual finds weird or disturbing. Some of her actions certainly are, but others aren't as bad, with the reactions rooted in judgement from the other party. 

While this movie may not initially seem like a "Frankenstein" flick, "May" has all the same themes. She doesn't play well with others, but she also has characteristics of Frankenstein himself, embodying key traits of both characters in her quest to fit in. It's like if the monster and creator were combined into one person. It's an interesting premise, and ultimately forces you to decide if you agree with May's actions.

Though "May" didn't perform well at the box office, bringing in just over $600,000 against a $1.7 million budget, critics and audiences alike enjoyed the film, with 70% and 75% scores, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes. While people didn't show up to the theaters for the movie, it has a cult following now as people discover it. That, combined with May being a representation of both Frankenstein and the monster, makes it worth the watch, and it's free to stream on Tubi, Pluto, and Plex.

Medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is different from his cohort. He has a vested interest in trying to bring animals back from the dead, reversing brain death. However, not everyone is convinced that his experiments are working or that he should even be doing them at all.

While "Re-Animator" is technically an adaptation of an H. P. Lovecraft novelette, everything about it echoes the original "Frankenstein" story. Herbert is a misunderstood scientist who defeats the odds by bringing animals and people back from the dead. His peers find his work obscene, but that doesn't stop him. It's a 20th century version of the original novel.

"Re-Animator" is the "Frankenstein" movie to watch if you want a hilarious combination of science, violence, and things coming back from the dead. It fully embodies the best of a horror comedy, and critics and audiences agree, with 88% and 82% scores, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes. Most "Frankenstein" flicks have more serious or somber tones, and that isn't the case with this one, which makes it worth a watch. It's available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and for free on Tubi.