SOME OF THE BEST ADAPTATIONS OF MARY SHELLEY’S ‘FRANKENSTEIN’

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It’s spooky season so we look at some spookier things. One of the creepier stories there is is the Mary Shelley novel Frankenstein. The novel is considered a classic that is often a part of reprint and special edition collections of classic literature. As today is Frankenstein day and Netflix has a new adaptation imminently set to drop, there is no better time than now to look at Frankenstein adaptations and the people who have starred in some of the infamous versions of the horror story.

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According to her Goodreads bio, which I have no knowledge of as to accuracy, Shelley, the author of this novel, was someone who “was taken seriously as a writer in her own lifetime” although most critics did seem to miss the fact that her novels often contained a “political edge.” Using Goodreads again, the novel introduces us to Victor Frankenstein (a character many have stepped up to play through the years), a man who is obsessed with “creating life itself” and as a result, he “plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being,” which he does manage. However the creature that results from this is shunned and feeling like the curiosity he is, this creature ends up plotting to “destroy” this man who made him…

It’s no great surprise to hear from me that I haven’t read this (because I don’t read classic lit), but the novel seems to have some impressive acclaim and is something that has lasted for generations. Let’s look at the Frankenstein adaptations you can find.  

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SIX FRANKENSTEIN ADAPTATIONS

Sorted by release date

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FRANKENSTEIN, 1994

In the 90s adaptation, Kenneth Branagh, Robert De Niro, Aidan Quinn, John Cleese and Helena Bonham Carter star in a version that Branagh also directs. The plot says it’s about the “artificial man” that scientist Frankenstein rejects which them inspires a quest for revenge.  

Synopsis: Dr. Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) creates soulless monster (Robert De Niro). – Prime Video

Note; this film does rate R

Stream, at publication, with Pluto TV; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

I, FRANKENSTEIN, 2014

This one is about Frankenstein’s creature who ends up being caught in a centuries war. Probably not a faithful adaptation (and the one that had the lowest user rating), I’m still adding this one because it does credit Mary Shelley as inspiration and it is about a Frankenstein creature so there is that. Plus, if you like the genre, it’s probably a good time. It has Aaron Eckhart, Billy Nighy and Yvonne Strahovski.  

Synopsis: Still alive in modern times, Frankenstein’s creature becomes caught in the middle as gargoyles and demons wage war for the souls of mankind. – Prime Video

Stream, at publication, with Peacock; find free with Plex, Pluto TV or Roku; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

THE FRANKENSTEIN CHRONICLES, tv series

This is a series that I think made its debut on British telly first. It isn’t really a Frankenstein story but rather a fiction tale that involves Mary Shelley whom Anna Maxwell Martin is credited as playing. The two season (six episodes each) run also has Sean Bean, Vanessa Kirby (pre her action heroine days!) and Ed Stoppard.

Synopsis: On the hunt for a crazed killer, Inspector John Marlott (Sean Bean) is drawn into a dark criminal underworld in 19th century London. – BritBox  

Note; this does rate TVMA

Stream, at publication, with BritBox or Prime Video; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, 2015

This one is hyped because it comes from the perspective of a character named Igor. Its also perhaps one of the only Frankenstein adaptations I know. The film also has a pretty impressive cast which includes Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Callum Turner, Andrew Scott and Jessica Brown Findlay. Prime heralds it as a “lavish update” and this is a film I did watch part of. Because of the subject and the genre this falls into, I don’t think I ever finished it.

Synopsis: The story of Frankenstein and his monster is brought to eye-popping new life in this lavish update with Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy. – Prime Video

Digitally purchase this film on places like Prime Video

FRANKENSTEIN, 2025

This adaptation will have Oscar Isaac in the role of Victor Frankentstein. The film comes from Guillermo del Toro directing (and writing) with Andrew Garfield reportedly the original actor to star in the role of The Creature, which Jacob Elordi took over. The film had a limited theatrical release and will appear on Netflix on November 7. It’s also a title that seems to have gotten quite a bit of buzz.

Note; this film does rate R

Stream, on November 7, exclusively with Netflix

MORE to CONSIDER

SECOND CHANCE, 2016 tv show

This one is a Fox TV drama that had only 11 episodes (it didn’t earn a renewal) but was, surprisingly super entertaining. Mary Shelley’s novel seems to loosely inspire this tale in a plot following a long-retired sheriff who is killed in a robbery only to be brought back to life by a wealthy tech duo, the Goodwin siblings.

At present there is no reported place to stream this show

MARY SHELLEY, 2017

In 2017, Elle Fanning plays Mary when she’s sixteen years old and meets the man she eventually marries. The tagline reads as being a film that tells how “Her Greatest Love Inspired Her Darkest Creation.”

Synopsis: Lord Byron challenges his houseguests to write a ghost story, which leads Mary Shelley to begin her novel Frankenstein. – Roku

Stream, at publication, with AMC+; find free on Plex, Roku or Tubi; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

Photos: Alamy

Have you seen any of these? Which ones would you want to see? Do you like this story (either as a book or film)? Comment all of your thoughts below! Let’s talk about Frakenstein adaptations!

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