Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein will be coming to Netflix on November 7, with the streamer confirming the news alongside a first look at two of the new movie’s promotional posters (see below). We’ve already seen a few preview snaps of what’s to come as well as a two-minute trailer, showing Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza and Charles Dance as Leopold Frankenstein. However, Jacob Elordi’s monster largely still hides in the shadows, only appearing as a black silhouette shrouded with furs and claws as dark as night.
FRANKENSTEIN, a film by Guillermo del ToroStarring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. Coming to select theaters October 17 and on Netflix November 7. pic.twitter.com/zdYFoq9cURAugust 18, 2025
It goes without saying that this is another adaptation of the famed novel by gothic author Mary Shelley, with Frankenstein’s monster (which isn’t called Frankenstein, though we often get that mixed up) appearing in countless movies since way back in 1915. This is neither Netflix’s first foray into bringing the tale to life (remember Creature?), nor is it del Toro’s first original creation for one of the best streaming services around, having previously made an animated version of Pinocchio for Netflix in 2022.
But a version of Frankenstein made by del Toro! What a world we get to live in. The upcoming move has been my most-anticipated film of 2025 since last year, and thankfully, there’s a way I can see it before it hits Netflix in November (where I’ll watch it again, obviously).
Netflix quietly confirms October 17 theatrical release date for Del Toro’s Frankenstein before it drops on streaming
If you look closely at the above posters, you’ll see that Frankenstein is showing in select theaters from October 17. While that doesn’t mean everyone will have direct access, it does mean global hotspots will get the movie early (think New York, Los Angeles and London). Frankly, it’s a clever move, and addresses the one piece of feedback Netflix has received time and time again over the years: give your original movies a theatrical release, too.
Think of KPop Demon Hunters, the monster smash hit (pun intended) nobody expected is now playing catch-up with singalong screenings after the fact. On top of this, said screenings are typically only playing for two days in very limited locations, which basically defeats the point of letting fans enjoy the experience in the first place. Netflix has to do theatrical screenings before a streaming release for the strategy to work, for both struggling cinemas and the platform itself.
Given the two minutes of footage we’ve seen tells us as much information as a blank piece of paper, anybody seeing Frankenstein in cinemas first is essentially walking in blind. Sure, we’ll have likely had some reviews before then, but these showings will drum up the hype and engagement would Netflix chew its own hand off for, in the most organic way possible (by word of mouth from audiences). By the time Frankenstein then hits Netflix, it’ll be an explosion of views, with people likely racing to be able to see it first. It’s a marketing masterstroke, and a generous one too.
Speaking about the film, del Toro said in a statement: “The most important figure from English legacy is, incredibly, for me, a teenager by the name of Mary Shelley, and she has remained a figure as important in my life as if she were family. And so many times when I want to give up, when I think about giving up, when people tell me that dreaming of the movies and the stories I dream are impossible, I think of her.” Thank you Shelley, and del Toro, for your service.
Read the full article here
