Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited take on Frankenstein is finally taking shape—and it’s every bit as haunting, ambitious, and visually spellbinding as fans hoped. The first trailer for the film premiered during Netflix’s 2025 Tudum event on May 31, offering a chilling glimpse into the Oscar-winning director’s interpretation of Mary Shelley’s legendary novel. The film is scheduled to debut globally on Netflix in November 2025.
A Star-Studded Cast Reanimates a Classic
This reimagining of Frankenstein stars Oscar Isaac as the tormented genius Victor Frankenstein, alongside Jacob Elordi as the Creature—an emotionally complex performance that promises to humanize the monster in new ways. Elordi reportedly took over the role from Andrew Garfield, who stepped away due to scheduling conflicts.
The supporting cast is equally impressive:
- Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza, Frankenstein’s ill-fated bride
- Christoph Waltz as Dr. Pretorius, a twisted mentor figure borrowed from the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein
- Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Charles Dance in key supporting roles
The cast alone signals that this won’t be a conventional horror flick, but rather a dramatic and psychological exploration of creation, grief, and alienation.
Del Toro’s Vision: Gothic Beauty with Heart
Del Toro has called the film “one of the most personal projects of [his] career.” Rather than sticking to jump scares and body horror, he’s infusing Shelley’s tale with emotional gravitas, focusing on the Creature’s internal struggle and the tragedy of his existence. The trailer hints at a layered, sympathetic portrayal of the Creature—more cursed soul than mindless monster.
Visually, it’s signature del Toro: steampunk laboratories, candlelit corridors, shadowy Arctic landscapes, and artfully grotesque makeup effects. The set design evokes both classic Universal monster films and the baroque horror of Crimson Peak, suggesting a hybrid of homage and innovation.
A Nod to the Original Novel’s Structure
In a move that will excite literary purists, del Toro’s Frankenstein opens with the novel’s original framing device: an Arctic expedition, where explorer Robert Walton meets the Creature. This often-overlooked part of Shelley’s story serves as a meta-narrative, giving the Creature a voice and control over his own tale—something del Toro reportedly pushed hard to preserve in the script.
Years in the Making
Del Toro has been pursuing this project for over a decade. After winning the Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for The Shape of Water, he leveraged his creative capital to bring Frankenstein to life exactly how he envisioned it. The script, sets, and even prosthetics were reportedly in development for years before Netflix greenlit the project in 2022.
The film also reunites del Toro with several key collaborators from his past films, including production designer Guy Davis and cinematographer Dan Laustsen, promising a cohesive visual and tonal experience.
What to Expect in November
While Netflix has not announced an exact release date, the November 2025 premiere positions Frankenstein as a potential awards contender—especially in the wake of the recent Oscar momentum for horror-adjacent films. Del Toro’s previous works have often blurred genre lines, and this adaptation looks poised to do the same.
If the trailer is any indication, this is not your grandfather’s Frankenstein. It’s a philosophical monster film, a tragic romance, and a gothic epic rolled into one—crafted by a master storyteller with a deep love for misunderstood monsters.
Stay tuned as Netflix releases more trailers and behind-the-scenes content in the lead-up to what could be one of the defining horror dramas of the decade.
A Look Back At Horror Films In 2024
Horror fans were treated to a standout year in 2024, with a thrilling lineup of films that pushed boundaries and explored deep-rooted fears. From sequels to beloved franchises to bold original stories, last year’s horror slate delivered across the spectrum. The 2024 horror movie calendar included both mainstream studio hits and inventive indie productions that generated considerable buzz among genre enthusiasts.
Many of the year’s top horror films tapped into universal anxieties with fresh storytelling approaches. Releases like “Immaculate” and “The First Omen” brought religious horror back to the forefront, while others such as “Night Swim” transformed everyday settings into nightmares. The strong performance of early 2024 releases set the tone for a banner year in horror, with studios successfully balancing original concepts and proven franchises like the much-anticipated “Smile 2.”
Alongside the blockbusters, indie and international horror delivered some of the most creative and unnerving experiences. A24, continuing its reputation for genre innovation, released titles like “Heretic”, which leaned into thought-provoking scares over cheap thrills and stood out for its atmospheric depth.
Key Takeaways
- Horror in 2024 explored a wide range of themes, from religious terror to tech anxiety, across both sequels and original concepts.
- Early-year releases built strong momentum, and horror maintained its presence throughout the year with steady critical and commercial hits.
- Independent studios and international filmmakers delivered genre-bending and culturally rich horror stories that expanded audience expectations.
Notable Horror Movie Releases of 2024
2024 proved to be a dynamic year for horror fans. With reimagined classics, chilling sequels, and fresh original titles, the genre evolved in new and surprising ways.
Reimagined Classics
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu was a major highlight of the year, offering a haunting reinterpretation of the 1922 vampire classic. With Eggers’ signature gothic aesthetic and a star-studded cast, the film received acclaim for both its visual grandeur and atmospheric dread.
While The Blair Witch Project Reboot remains scheduled for 2025, 2024 built anticipation with teasers and production updates. Horror fans are eager to see how modern techniques will evolve the iconic found-footage experience.
The Backrooms adaptation also drew attention for bringing the viral internet horror sensation to the big screen. Its unsettling depiction of liminal spaces tapped into online folklore and Gen Z fears with chilling accuracy.
Sequels and Revivals
Terrifier 3 hit theaters with an even bloodier and more extreme continuation of Art the Clown’s reign of terror. It proved to be a divisive but talked-about entry in the series, cementing its cult status.
Smile 2 expanded the mythology of its predecessor and continued the trend of psychological horror with a supernatural twist. Fans praised its world-building and deeper dive into the curse’s origins.
The First Omen successfully served as a chilling prequel to the 1976 classic, offering an eerie origin story that resonated with both longtime fans and new audiences.
New Titles That Made Waves
Strange Darling became one of the year’s most surprising original hits, with its cryptic marketing giving way to a tense cat-and-mouse thriller that earned acclaim at festivals and beyond.
The Substance, helmed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Mads Mikkelsen, was lauded for its provocative blend of body horror and societal critique, especially its commentary on beauty and obsession.
A24’s Heretic maintained the studio’s tradition of cerebral horror with disturbing themes and elegant visuals that lingered long after the credits rolled.
The Woods delivered folk horror and cosmic dread in equal measure, offering one of the year’s most atmospheric and unnerving cinematic experiences.
2024 Horror Movie Trends
Horror in 2024 broke away from tired formulas as filmmakers embraced originality and risk-taking. New subgenres emerged, and technological horror in particular reflected real-world anxieties around digital life.
Tech-Based Terrors
Many films explored horrors rooted in technology. Apps, smart devices, and internet culture became the villains, turning everyday conveniences into existential threats. Themes like data harvesting, targeted advertising, and digital surveillance underpinned a new wave of chilling narratives.
These stories struck a nerve, reflecting society’s growing discomfort with how much of our lives are online—and who’s watching.
The Evolution of Subgenres
Psychological horror in 2024 deepened in complexity, with a focus on internal struggles and character-driven dread. Films touched on trauma, paranoia, and the human psyche in innovative ways.
Vampire films like Abigail offered a tongue-in-cheek twist on the genre, while Nosferatu went back to its roots with a brooding, atmospheric tone. The “final girl” archetype was reimagined too—survivors fought smarter, and their stories became more nuanced and empowering.
Jump scares took a back seat to mood, tension, and narrative pacing. Filmmakers increasingly used audience psychology and dread-based storytelling over cheap thrills.
FAQs: Horror in 2024
What were the standout horror films of 2024?
Key highlights included Nosferatu, The Substance, The First Omen, Late Night With The Devil, Heretic, and Abigail. These films stood out for their originality, strong direction, and cultural relevance.
Did Netflix release any notable horror films in 2024?
Yes, Netflix bolstered its horror library with exclusive releases, festival acquisitions, and sequels to fan-favorite originals. The platform focused on expanding its global horror catalog with contributions from Asian, Latin American, and European filmmakers.
Were there any horror films based on true stories?
Several films in 2024 drew inspiration from real-life events and folklore, blending fact with fiction to chilling effect. These stories tapped into historical atrocities, paranormal investigations, and cultural myths to deliver grounded, unnerving horror.
What were some top international horror entries in 2024?
International horror thrived in 2024. Bollywood horror explored ancient mythology through a modern lens. South Korean thrillers brought chilling precision and atmosphere. Meanwhile, Latin American and European filmmakers produced some of the year’s most daring horror experiments.
