What is the best Frankenstein movie of all time — I asked film experts | Films | Entertainment

The latest adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has recently been released on the popular streaming site Netflix, starring Jacob Elordi as The Creature and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein. The movie has received high acclaim from critics and viewers alike for its stunning cinematography, exquisite gothic costumes, a gripping storyline, and compelling acting.

Initially, when watching this film, it took me a while to become invested. The runtime is a staggering two hours and 29 minutes, and the pacing began quite slowly. However, after forcing myself to give it a proper watch, I have to admit that this is one of the best adaptations I have seen in a long time. But this led me to question, what is the best Frankenstein movie of all time?

There are hundreds of adaptations of the novel Frankenstein, and over 60 films have been made. So, I asked film experts to share their favourite version and explain why — here’s what they had to say.

Emmy-winning special effects artist and founder of Romaire Studios, Lee Romaire, who created lifelike animal work in Netflix’s Frankenstein, states that his favourite adaptation of the creature is Young Frankenstein (1974).

Lee shared: “My favourite Frankenstein movie by far is Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks. It’s a great comedic imitation of the genre and is actually quite beautifully shot in black and white. The outtakes are as good as the movie itself.”

According to IMDB, the plot goes as follows: “An American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.”

Filmmaker and the founder of 11th Hour Productions, Les Enloe, also shared his favourite adaptations and commented: “In 1818, a 20-year-old woman visiting Switzerland created a modern masterpiece when she published, ‘Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus.’

“The original ‘Frankenstein’ film (1931) was released to early critical and financial acclaim, clearly surpassing ‘Dracula’ (1930), Universal’s first jump into the horror genre. ‘Frankenstein’ was a brilliant launch for an early, franchise-worthy film, combining deep fear with compassion for both the victims and for the monster himself. Director James Whale utilised German expressionism in his sets and lighting, amping up the horror with tremendous results.”

Les continued: “Four years later, Whale outdid his original with the terrifying ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ (1935). Contrasting against Boris Karloff’s torn and twisted Monster was Elsa Lanchester’s shrill terror of a bride. Adding to the mix were brilliant special effects and a heightened pathos for the hapless, mismatched main characters.

“Following these horror masterpieces were a slew of forgettable knockoffs (aside from the comic genius of ‘Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein,’ 1948), and Hammer capitalised on the previous successes of the monster franchise. However, 1974 saw the surprise hit parody in Mel Brooks’s ‘Young Frankenstein,’ which lovingly uses elements from the original, ‘The Bride,’ and ‘The Son of Frankenstein.’ It’s like a walk down memory lane, with a lot of laughs thrown in for good measure.”

“As luminaries like Francis Ford Coppola and Kenneth Branagh have tried their hand at the ‘Frankenstein’ story, no one has come close to both the horror and the poignancy of the first two.

“Until now. Guillermo del Toro, a deft craftsman with a passion for the genre, has a new, effective version that exalts the humanity of both the tragic Doctor Victor Frankenstein and his regrettable creature. At the same time, it capitalises on the true horror that is the backbone of this classic tale.”

Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the top 10 Frankenstein movies of all time

1. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

2. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

3. The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

4. Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)

5. Frankenhooker (1990)

6. Frankenstein (1931)

7. Frankenweenie (2012)

8. Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)

9. The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

10. Son of Frankenstein (1939)