Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Becomes a Global Netflix Sensation

I’ve been following Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein journey for a long time, and seeing it take over the Netflix charts in late 2025 and remain a major talking point into 2026 has been a real treat. Del Toro, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, first began developing a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic monster story back in 2008. After nearly 17 years of waiting, the movie finally arrived. It had a theatrical release on October 17, 2025, followed by a global Netflix premiere on November 7, 2025. In less than a week, it became the No. 1 movie on Netflix with 29,100,000 views.

That dominance was no accident. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2025, where its gothic visuals and performances generated strong buzz. Since then, the generally positive reviews have produced a Rotten Tomatoes critical score of 86% and a record-breaking 95% audience score. For context, that audience score is one of Del Toro’s highest since Pan’s Labyrinth. As someone who watches a lot of genre films, I pay close attention to that audience number. It suggests that Frankenstein is not just a critical darling; it is genuinely connecting with everyday viewers.

What Works and What Doesn’t

I was blown away by the movie’s look. The production design is rich, detailed, and completely committed to the gothic tone. ScreenRant’s Jack Walters gave the film a 7 out of 10, praising its ‘impeccable production design’ and extraordinary lead performances. However, he also noted that the screenplay has some ‘uneven pacing’ and argued that this issue kept the movie from being one of Del Toro’s absolute best. I think that assessment is fair. There are moments where the story slows down more than it needs to, but the emotional weight and visual beauty carry the film through those rough patches.

The Story and the Cast

The film is based on Shelley’s 1818 novel. It follows Victor Frankenstein as he takes dangerous scientific steps to bring his greatest creation to life, with devastating consequences. Oscar Isaac plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi plays the Creature. Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Lars Mikkelsen also star. One thing I really appreciated about this version is that the Creature is treated as a fully emotional being rather than a simple monster. Del Toro has always been interested in the outsiders and the misunderstood, and that sensibility is all over this adaptation.

Key Facts at a Glance

Top 5 Global Netflix Movies During Frankenstein’s Debut Week

• 🥇 1. Frankenstein

• 🥈 2. KPop Demon Hunters

• 🥉 3. A House of Dynamite

• 1. Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers
• 1. Shrek Forever After

Jacob Elordi and the Oscar Discussion

The performance that has generated the most awards chatter is Jacob Elordi’s turn as the Creature. Many critics have called him the standout of the movie. That recognition has already produced a Gotham Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance. With the 2026 awards season now underway, there is real talk about Oscar potential for Elordi. I found one behind-the-scenes detail especially interesting: Elordi was not originally supposed to play the Creature. Andrew Garfield was cast first but left the project just a week before production started. Elordi stepped in and made the part his own, which is impressive under that kind of pressure.

Final Thoughts

For a filmmaker who waited nearly 17 years to bring this vision to the screen, the result is a cultural event. It combines old-school gothic horror with modern emotional depth, and the Netflix numbers show that audiences are craving serious monster storytelling. Whether it takes home major trophies or not, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has already earned its place in the ongoing conversation about great horror adaptations. The film is streaming on Netflix right now, and I believe it is worth every minute of its 149-minute runtime.