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"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" turns 207 this year. Centuries after Mary Shelley's passing, many other masters of horror have retold her story. James Whale's 1930s "Frankenstein" films remain the most famous version of the story in popular culture, while artists like Bernie Wrightson and Junji Ito have brought "Frankenstein" into the medium of comics.

Director Guillermo del Toro is the next master filmmaker attempting to tame "Frankenstein," starring Oscar Isaac as the Doctor and Jacob Elordi as the Monster. The trailer for del Toro's "Frankenstein" suggests he is staying faithful to Shelley. It especially stands out how the film is using the novel's framing device, wherein Victor Frankenstein chases his Monster through the Arctic and recalls his life story to a friendly sailor.

Most "Frankenstein" movies cut out that part of the story, preferring to tell Frankenstein's...

There are a ton of all-time great horror films celebrating major anniversaries in 2025 – The Shining, Jaws, and Friday the 13th, just to name a few of them. However, few have a legacy quite like The Bride of Frankenstein. The 1935 film just celebrated its 90th anniversary. Despite the age of the film, companies like Funko and Neca have been keeping this original Frankenstein sequel alive with new figures. Now Neca is back with their latest piece based on the gothically haunting Bride of Frankenstein.

A part of Neca’s seven-inch scale retro line, The Bride is a spooky glow-in-the-dark rendition. The reluctant monster is seen wearing her usual white cloak, which is removable, and bandages. The Bride’s hair has always been one of the character’s most iconic features, and this figure's skin and hair glow. The Bride now joins other popular Universal Monsters like The Wolf Man, Dracula, The Invisible Man,...

The Bride of Frankenstein turns 90 this Sunday, April 20, and Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating with new merchandise dedicated to the classic monster.

The line includes an articulated figure ($48), a Bitty Monsters blind box toy ($24), a Bitty Monsters plush ($27), faux pearl earrings ($48), a faux pearl ring ($48), a molded mug ($29), a bucket hat ($36), and a plush headband ($24).

These items are available now in-person at the theme park and are coming soon to Universal’s Dark Universe online shop.

Adapted from Mary Shelley‘s seminal novel, the 1935 sequel to Frankenstein follows Baron Henry Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, as he builds his monster a mate.

James Whale (Frankenstein) directs from a script by William Hurlbut. Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, and Elsa Lanchester star.

The Bride!, director Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s new take on the iconic character, is set to be released on March 6, 2026.

The post ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ Celebrates...

Hollywood icon Maggie Gyllenhaal explains why her Warner Bros. movie The Bride! is so far removed from the source material.

Per Variety, Gyllenhaal discussed the origins of the film and what audiences can expect during an exclusive first look at The Bride! at CinemaCon. The actor explained that, following The Lost Daughter, she was looking for her next film to be "pop and big" and "radical." After catching a glimpse of a man's Bride of Frankenstein-inspired tattoo at a party, Gyllenhaal decided to take in the 1935 original for herself and begin working on her own version of the story.

"In the original Bride of Frankenstein, the bride is in the movie for about three minutes, and she doesn't speak, which could not be more different than our bride," Gyllenhaal noted. She added that her initial concept for The Bride! centered around the question of "What happens if his bride...

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal revives the iconic Bride of Frankenstein this fall in upcoming feature film The Bride! In an interview with THR, actor John Magaro (Overlord) reveals new details on the film, teasing that audiences are in for a “wild, fun ride.”

Originally set for release on October 3, The Bride! will now release on September 26, 2025.

The upcoming film “sees a lonely Frankenstein travel to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.”

Christian Bale is Frankenstein’s Monster, with Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride. The Bride! will also star Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, and Magaro, who might have September 5 costar Peter Sarsgaard to...

As the nights grow longer and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to settle in with some of the best spooky films ever made. From eerie silent classics to modern horror hits, spooky cinema has evolved across decades, yet each era has its own spine-tingling gems. Whether you love atmospheric terror or heart-pounding scares, here’s a journey through the best films from the 1920s to today that will give you chills. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy. 1920s - 1980s ‘The Haunting’ (1963) Cast: Julie Harris,...

With Run The Series, The A.V. Club examines film franchises, studying how they change and evolve with each new installment.

It’s in his sad, heavy-lidded eyes. Though he is the iconic star of one of the first major horror franchises, The Monster is pitiable—in part because he cannot be killed,...

Fans of the Classic Universal Monsters franchise will rejoice to hear that one of the original horror features, Frankenstein, is heading to Peacock this fall, just in time for Halloween. Released in 1931, the James Whale-directed picture starred character actor Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster and Colin Clive as the titular mad scientist, together breathing new life into the characters from Mary Shelley's original novel. It's hard to believe that the original Frankenstein movie is almost 100 years old (the original novel is over 200), but even at 93, Karloff's most iconic monster still holds up better than most. If you've never taken the time to actually watch this genre-defining horror movie, then consider this your bolt of lightning.

Charlotte Bront's most popular work, Jane Eyre, published in 1847, has been adapted many times and in numerous ways, and the best Jane Eyre movies feature excellent performances. The novel's discussion of Christianity, social class, feminism, and romance caused ripples when it was published that have lasted until today. Despite taking place in Victorian England, the story of a young woman's journey towards independence and love is timeless and people can still connect to that story.

Unlike Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice or Emma, Jane Eyre hasn't been adapted nearly as many times into movies. It did start with stage productions and radio plays before being adapted for the screen. Most of the best Jane Eyre movies adhere to the story presented in the novel, but there are some very interesting adaptations of the novel that take creative leaps. The biggest strength of the adaptations has been in the performances of the actors.

Skybound Entertainment (founded by "Invincible" creator Robert Kirkman) has turned into a comic book industry power player thanks to some lucrative licensing deals. Skybound is the current owner of the "Transformers" publishing license, and their ongoing comic is an Eisner Award-winning bestseller. Skybound's franchises don't end at the robots in disguise.

The publisher has, since 2023, been releasing a four-issue "Universal Monsters" mini-series, focusing on the classic monster ensemble and telling stories that either reimagine or continue the creatures as they appeared in those films. Kicking off with "Dracula" and continuing with "The Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!" (read /Film's review of that series here), the third "Universal Monsters" mini-series finally delivers Skybound's "Frankenstein.""Universal Monsters: Frankenstein" is written and drawn by Michael Walsh, most famous as co-creator of the horror anthology comic "The Silver Coin" (Walsh drew all 15 issues and wrote three of them). Skybound has shared the first...

One of the most iconic and pivotal horror movies ever made is finding a new home next month as the Halloween season grows closer.

Horror fans are in for a treat as James Whale's classic 1931 film, Frankenstein, is set to drop on Peacock on Sept. 1. The film will be one of a plethora of exciting horror movies dropping on the streaming platform as part of their Halloween 2024 lineup. Based on the classic Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein looms large in the history of horror cinema. It was the highest grossing film of 1931, and is considered a pillar of the horror genre. Filled with iconic imagery and classic performances, Frankenstein is still what many people think of when they cite the legendary monster. Frankenstein's classic status was cemented when it was selected to be preserved in the National Film Registry in 1991.

Related Christian Bale Transforms Into Frankenstein's Monster in First...

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing the iconic Bride of Frankenstein back to life for upcoming feature film The Bride!, and the film has received a new date from Warner Bros.

Originally set for release October 3, The Bride! will now release September 26, 2025.

Christian Bale is Frankenstein’s Monster, with Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride.

Jake Gyllenhaal will also have a role in the film.

The upcoming film “sees a lonely Frankenstein travel to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.”

The Bride! will also star Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening (Nyad).

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries...

‘Quite a good scene, isn’t it? One man, crazy – three very sane spectators!’ said the tragic Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein from James Whale’s classic. Crazy people have always been fodder in genre films with many titles such as the obvious Amicus production Asylum (1972), which is similar to this new film anthology, Beware The Boogeyman (2024).

Similar to the aforementioned Asylum (1972), this new and very competent film opens with the arrival at a remote psychiatric hospital, a new resident Doctor Makenzie (Elissa Dowling) who tries to learn more about her patients from her new boss Doctor Moon (Airisa Durand). These patients in this small rural facility share a delusion regarding a common supernatural presence in their lives that drove them over the edge. These medical histories unfold in stories as the files are read and discussed. The stories range from a haunted young woman bringing home a potential one-night...

Splice is a modern, terrifying take on Frankenstein, exploring the dangers of unchecked ambition in science. Both films feature tragic creatures created by science, turning violent due to neglect and mistreatment. The lead characters in Splice and Frankenstein are blinded by ambition, leading to catastrophic consequences for all involved.

Splice is a highly memorable and truly terrifying movie, and it pairs perfectly with a classic of the horror genre. Released in 2010 to solid reviews (but an ultimately lackluster box office), Splice fused sci-fi and horror to explore questions about life and humanity in an age where science could transform people into something new. It's far from the only movie to use those genres to explore inquisitive reflections on the nature of life and death, speaking to the universal power of those themes as Splice even takes inspiration from real life. In fact, those shared qualities actually give an inherent connection...

Maggie Gyllenhaal has added another cast member to her upcoming take on The Bride of Frankenstein, and it's someone she knows very well.

In a new piece on the Spider-Man: Far From Home and Roadhouse star, THR reports that Jake Gyllenhaal has joined the cast of The Bride!, but don't reveal any details on his character.

Gyllenhaal (Maggie) recently took to Instagram to share the first ever production stills from the film, giving us a glimpse of Christian Bale as Frankenstein's Monster, and Jessie Buckley as the misunderstood creature's titular Bride.

We first heard about this project back in 2022 when it was being developed for Netflix, but a follow-up report indicated that the film had been shelved shortly after the Hollywood strikes got underway, and was being shopped elsewhere. More recently, we'd learn that Warner Bros. had acquired The Bride!, which is now set for a theatrical release on October 3rd,...

It’s been a while since we’ve received a (proper) Lego movie, but as things stand now, the famous blocks are coming back to the big screen but in the most unexpected way possible. Namely, the upcoming biopic Piece by Piece, which will tell the story of Pharrell Williams, is going to be the next Lego film, as the biopic is going to be an animated one made in the style of previous Lego films. This, honestly, surprised us (we have no clue who’d rush to the cinema to see it), but we’re not the ones to judge before seeing the project, so we’ll bring our final verdict later this year, when the movie comes out.

But, if you wanted a preview of that to expect from the film, we can confirm that the first teaser trailer has just been released, and we are going to...

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing the iconic Bride of Frankenstein back to life for upcoming feature film The Bride!, and her brother is coming along for the ride.

A new profile piece on Jake Gyllenhaal that was published by The Hollywood Reporter this morning confirms that Jake will have a role in Maggie’s upcoming horror movie.

No word yet on the role he’ll be playing, however. Stay tuned.

The Bride! will release in theaters on October 3, 2025.

Christian Bale is Frankenstein’s Monster, with Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride.

The upcoming film “sees a lonely Frankenstein travel to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.

Christian Bale transforms physically once again for upcoming role in The Bride. Jessie Buckley joins Bale as The Bride in the horror movie remake. The star-studded cast of The Bride includes Annette Bening, Penélope Cruz, Julianne Hough, and Peter Sarsgaard.

We now have our first look at Academy Award winner Christian Bale as the iconic horror icon Frankenstein’s Monster, as well as our first look at Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley as The Bride. Bale and Buckley will lead the movie, which is all set to be directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and will remake the 1935 Universal monsters sequel, Bride of Frankenstein.

You can check out the first images from The Bride below.

Thanks to roles in the likes of The Machinist, Batman Begins, The Fighter, Vice, and more, Christian Bale has become known for transforming himself physically for the sake of art and our entertainment. The Bride will be no different,...

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing the iconic Bride of Frankenstein back to life for upcoming feature film The Bride!, and we’ve got two first look images for you this morning.

The Bride! will release in theaters on October 3, 2025. Meet Christian Bale’s Frankenstein’s Monster above, along with a first look at Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride below.

The upcoming film “sees a lonely Frankenstein travel to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.”

The Bride! will also star Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening (Nyad).

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob...

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing the Bride of Frankenstein back to life for upcoming feature film The Bride!, and Deadline reports that Julianne Hough has signed on.

The Bride! will release in theaters on October 3, 2025.

The upcoming film “sees a lonely Frankenstein travel to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.”

The Bride! will star Penelope Cruz as the titular Bride of Frankenstein, with Christian Bale as Frankenstein, and Peter Sarsgaard as a detective. Jessie Buckley (Men, I’m Thinking of Ending Things) also stars alongside Annette Bening (Nyad).

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob...

A new take on the classic tale of The Bride of Frankenstein is headed our way from director Maggie Gyllenhaal, her upcoming genre movie simply titled The Bride!.

The Bride! will release in theaters on October 3, 2025.

We recently learned that The Bride! will star Penelope Cruz as the titular Bride, with Christian Bale as Frankenstein, and Peter Sarsgaard as a detective.

Jessie Buckley (Men, I’m Thinking of Ending Things) also stars.

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster (Boris Karloff) remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him without understanding that his intentions are generally good despite his lack of socialization and self-control.

There are a lot of "Frankenstein" movies. There's even one in theaters right now: "Lisa Frankenstein," a fun 80s-set horror-comedy-romance brew (read /Film's review here).

One could even say the story of "Frankenstein" birthed the horror genre as we know it today, both in literature (thanks to Mary Shelley's "Modern Prometheus") and in film. James Whale's 1931 "Frankenstein," arriving on the heels of "Dracula," cemented the age of Universal Horror and proved that monsters could be crowd-pleasers.

Countless sequels and remakes later, everyone knows the basics of the story. Dr. Frankenstein (first name usually Victor) sets out to create life in a reanimated corpse. The result is a Creature, unpleasant to the eye, and soon Frankenstein experiences the wrath of his Monster. Was Frankenstein's Monster born destructive or made that way by his creator rejecting him? Interpretations differ, but the message endures: don't play God (or become a parent...

Christian Bale will shave his head for the Warner Bros. Frankenstein project. The film will have to draw its inspiration from Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, since Universal Pictures holds the copyright for the 1935 film, Bride of Frankenstein. Director Maggie Gyllenhaal will undoubtedly rely on original storytelling and new characters, too, as the synopsis alludes to.

“It’s alive! In the name of God, now I know what it feels like to be God!” Hearing actor Colin Clive recite Dr. Frankenstein’s dialogue must have been shocking to moviegoers when Universal Pictures' Frankenstein opened in 1931. And now, over 90 years later, it’s Christian Bale’s turn to step into those larger-than-life shoes. The Oscar-winning performer (Best Supporting Actor for The Fighter) is preparing to start filming on the upcoming Bride of Frankenstein-esque reimagining, and he is altering his physical appearance yet again. Bale said (via...

Maggie Gyllenhaal, known for her acting career, will be directing a Netflix remake of the classic horror film Bride of Frankenstein. The film will star Christian Bale and Peter Sarsgaard among others. Bride of Frankenstein is considered one of the greatest horror films, and Gyllenhaal's vision will draw inspiration from its captivating story.

Maggie Gyllenhaal will step behind the camera to direct an upcoming remake of the universally acclaimed classic horror flick Bride of Frankenstein, and it looks like filming could be about to start quite soon. As well as revealing a shooting window, a new report by Deadline also revealed that Oscar nominee and Captain Marvel star Annette Bening has joined the monstrously stacked cast.

The movie will mark Gyllenhaal's second directorial feature, following 2021's The Lost Daughter. The Netflix remake, currently titled The Bride, will reunite Gyllenhaal with her The Dark Knight co-star Christian Bale. Peter Sarsgaard, Gyllenhaal's husband,...

Warner Bros.' Bride of Frankenstein remake has added Oscar nominee Annette Bening to its cast and is expected to start filming in the first quarter of 2024. The remake will be a standalone period piece set in 1930s New York, with a focus on the chaos the Bride will cause, setting it apart from the original movie. With a long-delayed production and an all-star cast, Bride of Frankenstein could become a highly anticipated horror feature that offers a fresh new take on Mary Shelley's premise.

Warner Bros.' Bride of Frankenstein remake receives a huge news update, as a celebrated Oscar nominee joins the cast and an estimated start date for filming has been revealed. The movie is a remake of the 1935 Universal Monsters movie directed by James Whale which saw Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) survive to build a second patchwork being as a mate for Boris Karloff's colossal creature.

Earlier this week, a new listing indicated that director Maggie Gyllenhaal was gearing up to begin production on a Bride of Frankenstein feature tentatively titled The Bride. The currently untitled Frankenstein lore movie, now confirmed under Warner Bros., is not only now official, per Deadline, but Annette Bening has joined the cast.

Bening adds to a cast that includes star Jessie Buckley, Penelope Cruz as the Bride, Christian Bale as Frankenstein, Peter Sarsgaard as a detective.

In the untitled Bride of Frankenstein film, “A lonely Frankenstein travels to 1930s Chicago to seek the aide of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.”

This confirms a period-set feature that will center around Frankenstein’s quest for love.

While Guillermo del Toro is hard at work on his new Frankenstein adaptation, director Maggie Gyllenhaal appears to be gearing up to begin production on The Bride, a Bride of Frankenstein update, according to the Production List.

The listing confirms previous reports that The Bride will star Penelope Cruz as the Bride, Christian Bale as Frankenstein, and Peter Sarsgaard as a detective.

It doesn’t include plot details, however, beyond “a horror thriller, about the Bride of Frankenstein.” So, it remains unclear whether The Bride will be a more faithful period horror remake or a give a contemporary spin on the classic horror movie.

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life.

Like most movies, The Invisible Man travelled a long and winding road to the silver screen, and perhaps longer and more winding than most. As biographer James Curtis put it in his book James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters, “The gestation of The Invisible Man was the lengthiest and most convoluted of all of James Whale’s films. It involved four directors, nine writers, six treatments, and ten separate screenplays—all for a film that emerged very much in harmony with the book on which it was based.” It was first suggested as a possible follow-up to Dracula (1931), perhaps as a vehicle for new star Bela Lugosi, but was dropped in favor of Frankenstein (1931) due to the complicated special effects it would require. After Frankenstein was an even bigger success, both director James Whale and star Boris Karloff were immediately attached to The Invisible Man and several...

How did I find monsters? My father.

It was around Halloween 1956, the same week of Elvis Presley’s second appearance on Ed Sullivan.

My parents often let me stay up and watch late movies. Adventure stuff mainly: Tarzan, tiger hunters, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry. Earlier that year, the first monster I met was King Kong, when my father introduced me to him late one night.

One evening a couple of weeks later, my father said, “I have something special for you tonight.” It was James Whale’s 1931 Frankenstein.

My mother wasn’t happy.

Many horror movies contain subtle LGBTQ+ subtext and themes, even before explicit representation was accepted. The horror movie monster has often been used as a metaphor for LGBTQ+ people, exploring the fear and misunderstanding they face in society. LGBTQ+ themes can be found in horror movies dating back to the early 1900s, with varying degrees of subtlety and representation.

Numerous horror movies are littered with subtle LGBTQ+ subtext and themes. While there are many brilliant contemporary examples of LGBTQ+ inclusive horror movies, this representation wasn't always so outright within the films' stories. In the decades before explicit representation of non-heteronormative characters was accepted, filmmakers often coded characters as LGBTQ+ with more subtle themes and details. As a result, many horror films with purportedly heterosexual characters are widely recognized as containing LGBTQ+ subtext.

The horror movie monster has been used as a metaphor for LGBTQ+ people for decades - representing an...

Frankenstein is one of the most revered and famous horror stories of the last several centuries. The original story by Mary Shelley was first published over 200 years ago in 1818, and in the last 100 years, the character of Frankenstein’s Monster has become a staple of horror cinema. While Frankenstein was first put to film in the form of a short film by J. Searle Dawley in 1910, the most famous iteration of the story wouldn’t hit screens until 1931. That film, directed by James Whale, starred Boris Karloff as the central monster with Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein himself. It was the second film in what would become the iconic Universal Monsters franchise, with the first film, Dracula, having been released earlier that year.

Since then, there have been countless iterations of Frankenstein and his monster on screen. Karloff played the monster in three films, and the character has also been...

Universal Pictures is releasing a limited edition collection of their classic Universal Monsters movies, digitally restored for the ultimate monster experience. The collection includes eight films, including Dracula (1931) and Frankenstein (1931), with bonus features such as the Spanish-language version of Dracula. The set, which includes over 10 hours of content and loads of bonus materials, can be preordered on Amazon now, but only 5,550 physical sets have been produced.

“There are far worse things awaiting man than death.” Bela Lugosi’s golden-age version of Count Dracula may ultimately turn out to be a prophet, but who can think about death with all of those beloved, classic horror movies out there to watch? And now, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is going to release brand-new versions of their spectacular Universal Monsters movies via The Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition Collection (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [4K Uhd]. The new set drops on Tuesday, October 3, and the official announcement...

Maggie Gyllenhaal, known for her acting career, will be directing a Netflix remake of the classic horror film Bride of Frankenstein. The film will star Christian Bale and Peter Sarsgaard, adding to the talented cast. Bride of Frankenstein is considered one of the greatest horror films, and Gyllenhaal's vision will draw inspiration from its captivating story.

Maggie Gyllenhaal will step behind the camera to direct an upcoming remake of the universally acclaimed classic horror flick Bride of Frankenstein (via World of Reel). This will mark Gyllenhaal's second directorial feature, following 2021's The Lost Daughter. The Netflix remake, currently titled The Bride, will reunite Gyllenhaal with her The Dark Knight co-star Christian Bale, who is set to star. Peter Sarsgaard, Gyllenhaal's husband, is also tied to the project in a starring role. Casting specifics are currently unknown, but the film will reportedly begin filming early next year.

The original 1935 James Whale...

While Renfield brought Universal Classic Monster Dracula into the present earlier this year, Netflix reportedly aims to tackle a Bride of Frankenstein remake, The Bride, with Maggie Gyllenhaal as director.

As first reported by World of Reel, the news comes from Production Weekly, which cites Penelope Cruz as the Bride, Christian Bale as Frankenstein, and Peter Sarsgaard among the cast.

In the original 1935 film from director James Whale, “After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster (Boris Karloff) remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him without understanding that his intentions are generally good despite his lack of socialization and self-control.”

The listing doesn’t include plot details, however, so...

Netflix has announced that Maggie Gyllenhaal, the Oscar-nominated actress and director of The Lost Daughter, will helm a remake of the classic horror film Bride of Frankenstein, titled The Bride. The film will star Christian Bale and Peter Sarsgaard as the creators of the titular character, who will be played by an unknown actress.

The Bride is based on the 1935 film directed by James Whale, which was a sequel to the 1931 film Frankenstein, both adapted from Mary Shelley’s novel. The original film followed the mad scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and his mentor Dr. Septimus Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) as they attempt to create a female companion for the Monster (Boris Karloff), who escapes and seeks friendship in the world.

Christian Bale Maggie Gyllenhal

The Bride will be a “horror thriller” that will explore the themes of “identity, love, and creation” in a modern setting. The film is expected...

Mary Shelley's book "Frankenstein" has received countless movie and television adaptations over the years. The iconic novel, which was originally published in 1818, follows a mad scientist named Victor Frankenstein who, after losing his mother to scarlet fever, is determined to defy nature and learn how to bring the dead back to life. Although he successfully creates a humanoid creature by using pieces from various corpses, Victor comes to regret his experiment once he loses control of the creature, who kills his loved ones.

If you're a horror fan who's itching to see a modern take on this classic story, you'll love Bomani J. Story's film "The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster." The movie, which hit theaters on June 9, stars Laya DeLeon Hayes as Vicaria, a 17-year-old genius who embarks on a mission to bring her brother back to life after losing him to gun violence.

Since "The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster...

Sequels are practically as old as cinema, with the very first thought to be The Fall of a Nation (1916), a cheapie knockoff/follow-up to the incredibly racist The Birth of a Nation from a year earlier. Ever since Hollywood has been keen to cash-in on sequels and ongoing sagas. Before the term “movie franchise” was even a glint in a studio executive’s eye, MGM was churning out high-quality Thin Man movies at MGM throughout the 1930s and ‘40s while Universal was introducing us to both Dracula’s Daughter (1936) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). One must wonder why the studio never got those two crazy kids together.

And yet, while sequels have been around forever, they’ve generally been seen as lesser-than until recently. By their nature, sequels are derivative, and there have been many filmmakers who were all too happy to embrace sameness while filling their working hours before and after lunch.

A poster for the original Frankenstein movie was recently discovered and put up for auction with a wild estimate. The definitive cinematic adaptation of Mary Shelley's ubiquitous gothic horror novel from 1818, the 1931 pre-code film was directed by James Whale and starred Colin Clive as the titular mad scientist and Boris Karloff as the reanimated monster. The 1931 Frankenstein movie is one of the most influential films of all time and, as a result, has spawned countless sequels and reimaginings over the years.

A poster for the original Frankenstein movie was recently discovered and put up for auction. At the time of writing, the current bid for the rare pop culture artifact is $77,500, though the piece has an estimated value of anywhere from $150,000-$300,000. The rare movie poster, which can be seen online at Heritage Auctions, will be up for auction for 18 more days.

Why The Frankenstein Movie Poster Is So...

Boris Karloff: The Man Behind The Monster director Thomas Hamilton on his upcoming series Horror Icons on interviewing Roger Corman: “He not only worked with Vincent Price, he worked with Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney.” Photo: Thomas Hamilton

Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Conrad Veidt, Maria Ouspenskaya, George Zukor, Paul Wegener, Emil Jannings, Brigitte Helm, Gale Sondergaard, Gloria Holden, Claude Rains, Fay Wray, Duane Jones, Max Schreck, Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Lon Chaney Sr., Lon Chaney Jr, Fw Murnau’s Faust and Nosferatu, Arthur Lubin’s Phantom of the Opera, Rowland V. Lee’s Son of Frankenstein, George Waggner’s The Wolf Man, James Whale’s The Invisible Man, Lambert Hillyer’s Dracula’s Daughter, Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Paul Wegener and Henrik Galeen’s The Golem, Hanns Heinz Ewers and Stellan Rye’s The Student Of Prague, and George Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead...

No film of the Hays Code era revels in its own perversity quite like Mad Love (1935). Mad science, body horror, insanity, obsession, executions, gaslighting, sadomasochism—it’s all here and presented with unparalleled excellence of craft. Though it may seem tame compared to pre-Code fare like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Freaks, and Island of Lost Souls (both 1932), it manages to just barely sneak its lurid subject matter by the censors under a layer of dark humor, exceptional cinematography, and a masterful performance by Peter Lorre in his first American film.

After Dracula proved to be a huge success for Universal, other Hollywood studios became eager to get in on the horror game, though many of these studios felt the genre was beneath them. Metro Goldwyn Mayer was considered the most prestigious of the golden-age studios, famous for its big budget musicals, epic spectaculars, and boasting “more stars than there are in the heavens.

If you were paying attention to James Gunn and Peter Safran's presentation about the future of DC superhero movies, you may have noticed that something sounded familiar.

No, it's not the fact that we're getting new versions of movies we've already seen before, like Superman and Batman and Swamp Thing. And no, we're not even talking about how it's yet another series of gigantic promises about an interconnected universe in a modern pop culture environment that eats almost all of those up and spits them out.

In addition to all the tantalizing, puzzling, and just plain weird news about the future of DC superhero movies, there was also a curious choice for a title. This first chapter of Gunn and Safran's interconnected universe will be called "Gods and Monsters," and that's a very specific title with a very specific history connected to it.

A history that goes all the way back to,...

When people picture Count Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster, they think of the classic versions played by Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. Lugosi's suave, mysterious, and authentically European Dracula has informed all subsequent portrayals while Karloff's lumbering, green-skinned monster has eclipsed Mary Shelley's original description of the Creature in her novel.

The actors (and their respective characters) headlined many of Universal Pictures' classic horror monster movies. It all began in 1931, when Todd Browning's "Dracula" debuted in February and James Whale's "Frankenstein" followed in November. In another world, that year's fruits could've been all Lugosi's: Universal producer Carl Laemmle Jr. wanted to capitalize on the success of "Dracula" and have Lugosi play Frankenstein's Monster too. He thought Lugosi could be the "new Lon Chaney" — the "man of a thousand faces" — but the actor was reluctant to take up the offer.

"The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela...

Although Universal had struck on big hits with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1923 and "The Phantom of the Opera" in 1925, studio honcho Carl Laemmle, Sr. was no fan of the horror genre. It was his monster-obsessed son, Carl Laemmle, Jr., that encouraged the studio to adapt the then-popular stage production of "Dracula" to film. The movie, released in 1931 and directed by Tod Browning, was stagey and nightmarish, and it deeply burned itself into the collective unconscious. Bela Lugosi, as Dracula, taught the world how vampires behave. 

"Dracula" was one of Universal's biggest hits, and Carl Jr. knew that multiple more monster projects could be instantly pushed into the pipeline. The 1930s saw the release of "Frankenstein," "Dracula's Daughter," "The Invisible Man," "Bride of Frankenstein," "The Black Cat," "The Invisible Ray," "Werewolf of London," "The Raven," and scads of others. Horror became the studio's niche.

The wave of popular horror films at Universal,...

After the success of Dracula in early 1931, several studios large and small rushed into production on their own macabre features. With the early thirties being the depths of the Great Depression, these studios were eager to make films on low budgets that could turn large profits. As has continued to be the case even to this day, horror films were the prime candidate. Besides Universal, the studio with one of the strongest track records in the genre during this time was Paramount. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) had been a financial and critical success, winning its star Frederic March an Academy Award for his dual role. The studio decided to return to the well of literature for its follow-up, adapting H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau into Island of Lost Souls (1932), which remains an important and effective example of early science fiction/horror.

The film stars Charles Laughton as Dr.

Boris Karloff made a career-defining choice when he agreed to play the Creature in Universal's "Frankenstein" (1931). Directed by James Whale, the classic horror movie was a massive hit. Karloff, playing an unspeaking, almost child-like version of Frankenstein's monster, terrified audiences, and he went on to become one of the most beloved actors from the classic horror era.

"Frankenstein" wasn't the first movie adaptation of Shelley's novel — there are two lost "Frankenstein" silent movies — and it certainly wasn't the last. It was, however, arguably the most influential — with the Creature's design, the laboratory effects, and Colin Clive's mad scientist look still being icons in popular...

The post Why Universal's Frankenstein Was Censored Years After Release appeared first on /Film.

Writer/director Guillermo del Toro discusses a few of his favorite movies with Josh and Joe.

Show Notes:

Movies Referenced In This Episode

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Nightmare Alley (1947) – Stuart Gordon’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Drive My Car (2021)

Wicked Woman (1953) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Modern Times (1936)

City Lights (1931)

The Great Dictator (1940)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review, Dennis Cozzalio’s Muriel Awards capsule review

Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s review

The Man Who Would Be King (1975) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

The Young And The Damned (1950)

Gone With The Wind (1939)

The Golem (1920) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Sunrise: A Song Of Two Humans (1927)

Alucarda (1977)

Greed (1924) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Muriel Awards capsule review

Taxi Driver (1976) – Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary

District 9 (2009) – John Sayles...

What a Halloween treat! Karl Freund stopped directing after this classic, which is a shame — it’s German expressionism’s most exciting foray into classic Hollywood horror of the ’30s. Peter Lorre is incredible as Dr. Gogol, making himself as creepy and repulsive as possible while retaining a giddy audience sympathy. It’s Grand Guignol all the way — macabre, funny and irresistible. The screenplay toys with uncomfortable Body Horror and psychological weirdness; Colin Clive must contend with becoming the recipient of murderous hands. Frances Drake is the beauty that drives Dr. Gogol mad, and comedian Edward Brophy is a highlight in a non-comedic scene. “I have conquered science. Why can I not conquer love?!”

Mad Love

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1935 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 68 (86) min. / Available at Amazon.com / Street Date October 19, 2021 / 21.99

Starring: Peter Lorre, Frances Drake, Colin Clive, Ted Healy, Sara Haden, Edward Brophy, Henry Kolker, Keye Luke, May Beatty, Billy Gilbert,...

Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel inspired this 1931 collaboration between James Whale and Boris Karloff, a gothic tour de force that changed the course of motion pictures. Colin Clive plays Henry Frankenstein, the over-zealous monster-maker, and Karloff is his tragic creation—manufactured from a dozen different body parts but with a lonely soul all his own. Mae Clarke is Frankenstein’s beleaguered bride and bent-backed Dwight Frye plays the doctor’s cruel assistant—he suffers a ghoulish if fitting fate. Jack Pierce designed Karloff’s legendary make-up.

The post Frankenstein appeared first on Trailers From Hell.

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Celebrate Nine Decades Of Your Favorite Monsters On 4K For The Very First Time In Collectible Packaging

Available On 4K, Blu-ray™ And Digital On October 5, 2021

From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Synopsis: From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection showcases four of the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man. Starring Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and Claude Rains in the roles that they made famous, these original films set the standard for a new horror genre with revolutionary makeup, mood-altering cinematography and groundbreaking special effects.

Classic Monster Films Included:

Dracula (90th Anniversary) Frankenstein (90th Anniversary) The Invisible Man The Wolf Man (80th Anniversary)

Hours Of Bonus Content, Including:

The Road to...

The grimacing Count, the inspired Dr. Frankenstein, the megalomanic Dr. Griffin and the unlucky Larry Talbot make the jump to 4K courtesy of Universal. We’ve seen what 4k Ultra-hd can do for new movies, and selected older features that can benefit from the quality boost if they’re remastered well. Uni monster fans are presently scrutinizing the web for expert opinions on this disc; CineSavant tries to explain what he sees as simply as possible: are the format versions different? Is the new one an improvement? We certainly have no doubts about the movies, which if anything look better than ever. Each Universal classic comes with acres of accumulated fine-quality extras.

Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection

4K Ultra-hd + Blu-ray + Digital

Dracula, Drácula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

1931-1941 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 4 complete films / Street Date October 5, 2021 /

Starring: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler,...