Guillermo del Toro’s latest film has stormed Netflix like a cinematic thunderclap. Barely a day after its release, “Frankenstein” climbed straight to number one in 81 countries, including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. It’s an astonishing debut for what many critics are already calling a modern masterpiece.
A record-breaking launch
Released on November 7, the film has quickly become the most-watched title on the platform, dethroning Kathryn Bigelow’s high-octane thriller A House of Dynamite. According to streaming data tracker FlixPatrol, Frankenstein dominated Netflix’s global charts within just 24 hours of its premiere.
That kind of success doesn’t happen by accident. With its $120 million budget and extensive marketing campaign, Netflix clearly saw the project as more than just another big release – it was a prestige gamble that has now paid off handsomely.
The film’s director, Guillermo del Toro, has long dreamed of adapting Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic, and it shows. The Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Shape of Water brings his trademark blend of Gothic horror, poetic melancholy, and emotional depth to the tale of a man and the monster he creates.
A haunting reimagining of a timeless story
This version of Frankenstein is both familiar and daringly new. The film unfolds in two parts: the first follows a grief-stricken scientist consumed by vengeance after his mother’s death, while the second shifts the focus to his creation – a being who is more tragic than terrifying.
In a stroke of inspired casting, Jacob Elordi takes on the role of the creature, delivering a performance that’s as moving as it is unsettling. His portrayal captures the essence of Shelley’s original vision: a monster that mirrors the very worst, and best, of humanity.
The production design, meanwhile, is breathtaking – full of candlelit laboratories, stormy skies, and the kind of meticulous detail that has become del Toro’s hallmark. Critics have praised the film’s “old-school special effects” and “sumptuous cinematography”, describing it as both technically brilliant and emotionally profound.
Critics call it a masterpiece
Early reviews have been glowing. Major outlets across the globe have applauded the film’s ambition and artistry. The Los Angeles Times called it “a visually dazzling resurrection of a timeless myth”. At the same time, The Guardian hailed it as “a love letter to Gothic cinema, elevated by del Toro’s unmistakable touch.”
It’s not just critics who are raving. Viewers have flooded social media with praise, describing the film as “heartbreaking, horrifying, and human in equal measure.” One fan even joked on X (formerly Twitter), “Frankenstein broke me. I didn’t think a monster movie could make me cry.”
The beginning of a long reign
If the numbers hold steady, Frankenstein could become one of Netflix’s most-watched films ever, joining the ranks of global hits like Red Notice and The Gray Man. Industry analysts note that its combination of prestige storytelling and mass appeal could keep it on top for weeks – a rare feat in the fast-moving world of streaming.
For del Toro, this project marks not just another success but a culmination of his lifelong fascination with monsters and misfits. As he once said in an interview with the British Film Institute (BFI), “Monsters are the most sincere mirrors of our humanity.” With Frankenstein, he’s proven that once again – and audiences around the world are clearly watching.
Whether you’re drawn by the grandeur of the visuals, the emotional intensity, or the haunting music, one thing is certain: this is not just another adaptation. It’s a cinematic resurrection – and judging by its record-breaking start, Frankenstein may rule Netflix’s charts for a very long time to come.
