Movies - TV
The 15 Best Universal Monster Movies, Ranked
By BJ COLANGELO
15. Son of Frankenstein
Universal Monster films are often viewed through a modern lens as not being "scary" enough, but "Son of Frankenstein" holds up as a genuinely unsettling film. Basil Rathbone is absolutely magnificent as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein, and director Rowland V. Lee crafts a deeply somber film littered with black comedy.
14. Phantom of the Opera
While not classified as one of the "official" Universal Monsters, without the silent-film adaptation of "The Phantom of the Opera," the monster canon as we know it to be would not exist. The story of the Phantom has been told and retold countless times, but few can hold a candle to the ghastly brilliance of Lon Chaney.
13. The Invisible Woman
Make no mistake, "The Invisible Woman" is nowhere near close to being a horror movie, instead taking the invisibility concept established in "The Invisible Man" and turning it into a screwball comedy complete with an appearance from Shemp Howard of "The Three Stooges" fame.
12. The Man Who Laughs
"The Man Who Laughs" was a massive influence on not just the future Universal Monster films, but also one of the most iconic figures in all of pop culture — The Joker. It may not hit the horror highs like some of the other films of this era, but its horrific imagery truly changed the genre and deserves to be recognized for its impact.
11. Drácula
In 1931, Universal filmed an additional version of "Dracula," on the same set as Tod Browning's original after they had wrapped for the day, with an entirely different cast of Spanish-speaking actors. For fans of the Browning film, director George Melford's take makes for a fascinating experience and is a must-see for any fans of classic horror.