Werewolf By Night recently offered Marvel's spin on classic monster traditions. Frankenstein, Dracula, Werewolf, the Mummy, and plenty of other classic monsters have been the face of the horror genre for years, and their terrifying lore will never get old.
For over a century the genre has subverted and innovated the mythos revolving around these creatures, and they often represent a formula, which explains why there are so many adaptations although only a few are truly faithful to the source material in of creativity and quality. Redditors pick the ones that have a spot in their hearts.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
Stream On Hulu
The movie doesn't offer any huge twists in Mary Shelley's iconic text, making use of the traditional Frankenstein setup: the brilliant scientist Victor Frankenstein succeeds in creating an artificial man, but when he rejects his own invention, the Creature decides to turn against him.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein truly shines as a faithful adaption but struggles to deliver a voice of its own, which explains why the movie is such a divisive project for many. TheRealProtozoid states, "This is a quality movie. Not perfect, but by far the best Frankenstein adaptation." Additionally, seeing Robert DeNiro playing such an iconic villain is something that fans needed but didn't know they wanted.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Stream On Prime Video, Paramount+, & Epix
One of the many classic movies revived in the '90s, Bram Stoker's Dracula stands out for being made by one of the greatest film directors of all time: Francis Ford Coppola. His name already has a reputation attached, and Bram Stoker in the title finishes the job of guaranteeing to viewers the movie will be a work of art.
Eccentric_Cardinal states, "Bram Stoker's Dracula. I recently watched it, and it still holds up beautifully. The soundtrack and the imagery are simply stunning." If the stylish and exuberant take on such a traditional vampire story isn't compelling enough, fans will definitely be astonished by the film's stellar cast, gathering big names such as Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and even a young Keanu Reeves.
The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
Stream On Peacock & TubiTV
Typical_Humanoid claims, "Frankenstein: Bride is my favorite." It's been almost a century and The Bride Of Frankenstein still manages to captivate fans with a love story just as moving as it is frightening. James Whale is one of the few filmmakers that truly understands what makes Frankenstein so interesting: its innocence is enchanting but also opens the door for a range of atrocities the creature doesn't take as harmful.
Whale nailed the character with his first Frankenstein movie, although The Bride Of Frankenstein is unanimously praised for doubling down the horror effectiveness by exposing how even love isn't enough to make a creature like Frankenstein human, thus still a creation that should be feared.
Nosferatu (1922)
Stream On Amc+ & Hoopla
When it comes to vampires, Nosferatu takes the top spot, but Herzog isn’t far behind." The movie takes a lot from the traditional Dracula story but still manages to create a mythology of its own, introducing the vampire as a creepy, clumsy monster instead of the typical handsome and seductive bloodthirsty version of the creature that would become so popular later on.
Murnau's Nosferatu lurks around corners and alleys and turns the shadows into allies, blending into the darkness to catch his victim off-guard. The movie remains to this day a faithful, frightening adaptation that follows the vampire formula in engaging ways.
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Stream On Prime Video & TubiTV
American Werewolf in London is one of my favorite movies!" It's both comical and fascinating how this '80s classic is regarded as the best and most terrifying adaptation of the Werewolf lore because of how comfortable the film is to change the creature's mythology and even address it with strong hints of humor for most of the time.
In fact, halfway through the movie and viewers still can't really figure out where the story is heading on a first watch because it does flirt with other genres such as romance and the viewers are left, just like the protagonist, unaware if the Werewolf transformation will be consummated or the character is simply losing his mind.
The Mummy (1999)
Stream On DirectTV
the limits of the PG-13 rating, resulting in a somewhat goofy, yet thrilling horror adventure about Egyptian curses, ancient battles, and betrayals.
One might say the visual effects are way too dated, but The Mummy remains a solid fun ride from start to finish, mainly because of the enchanting chemistry between all the main characters.
Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Stream On FuboTV & Showtime
Penny Dreadful was one of those truly distinctive horror shows that pop up every once in a while. Among demons, vampires, and even Dorian Gray himself, Twigling highlights the incredible Frankenstein adaptation of the show, saying "Penny Dreadful, with Rory Kinnear putting in a superb performance as The Creature."
The premise of putting all those classic monsters in a single narrative seemed too ambitious to succeed, yet the brilliant performances managed to give life to the iconic characters in a terrifying fashion.
Vampyr (1932)
Stream On HBO Max
-the-dude-_ suggests, "Vampyr." This classic vampire tale has everything a good old horror story needs: haunted houses, treason, ghosts, and the dead coming back to life. The film follows a man obsessed with the supernatural who gets more than he bargained for after witnessing a severely ill teen slowly becoming a vampire.
Vampyr learned lessons with Nosferatu and revolutionized the horror genre with arguably the most inventive game of shadows ever seen onscreen. A loose Dracula adaptation, the film comfortably changes perspectives and has aged surprisingly well with truly spooky imagery.
Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
Stream On TubiTV & The Criterion Channel
One of the most underrated monsters in horror history, the Creature From The Black Lagoon definitely deserved more adaptations. In the film, a mysterious beast haunts the depths of the Amazonian jungle, terrorizing a group of scientists that try to capture the monster in vain.
Crimson_Cape questions, "OP really forgot about The Creature from the Black Lagoon?" Surprisingly sensual for a movie of this nature and counting on astonishing creature design, the horror movie is also at its best when it comes to iconic underwater shots so ahead of its time.
Re-Animator (1985)
Stream On Shudder, TubiTV, & Kanopy
Re-Animator." In this funny and gory '80s movie, a young medical student and his colleagues become involved in sinister experiments as they attempt to re-animate dead tissues.
Re-Animator movie isn't a straight-up Frankenstein adaptation but rather based on a short by cosmic horror master H. P. Lovecraft, released over a century after Mary Shelley's text. However, it showcases how the two masterpieces walk with hands held tight and complete each other with their distinctive characteristics.
