The announcement of a new Guillermo del Toro film is always met with a quiet electricity, but the prospect of his take on Frankenstein feels different. For decades, the director has built a cinematic universe teeming with hauntingly beautiful creatures and poetic melancholy, a macabre artistry that makes him a singular figure in modern cinema.
This latest project is a culmination of a lifelong passion, a chance for him to interpret the classic gothic tale of creation and tragedy through his own unique, visionary lens.
To truly appreciate this inevitable masterpiece, one must journey through the shadowy halls of cinematic history that have long served as a wellspring for del Toro’s imagination. His work is in constant conversation with the films that came before, stories of tormented souls, beautiful monsters, and the profound loneliness of being an outsider.
The following films, from classic gothic horrors to modern tragic fables, are not merely a list of recommendations, but a curated cabinet of curiosities that reflect the themes and spirit that are certain to define del Toro’s latest creation with Netflix.
Frankenstein (1931)
(Source: IMDb)
The inescapable original. James Whale’s masterpiece not only defined the Monster in popular culture but also established a tone of pathos and tragedy that del Toro often evokes. Boris Karloff’s performance cemented the creature as a lonely, tragic figure rather than just a villain.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
(Source: IMDb)
Considered one of the greatest sequels ever made, this film deepens the Monster’s loneliness and his desperate yearning for connection. It’s an exploration of gothic romanticism and the pain of rejection, themes that will undoubtedly resonate with del Toro’s vision.
The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
(Source: IMDb)
One of del Toro’s early masterpieces. The film blends horror with history and centers on a ghost who is not a villain but a tormented soul. It’s a perfect example of how the director finds melancholy and humanity in even his most chilling phantoms.
The Elephant Man (1980)
(Source: IMDb)
While not a horror film in the traditional sense, David Lynch’s work is a profound meditation on monstrosity and dignity. The story of John Merrick, a man with a severe disfigurement who fights to be seen as a human being, is a direct echo of the tragic core of the Frankenstein story.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
(Source: IMDb)
This German Expressionist classic is foundational to understanding horror aesthetics and creature design in film. Its distorted visual style and focus on manipulation and madness are elements often reflected in del Toro’s work.
The Fly (1986)
(Source: IMDb)
David Cronenberg’s film is a body-horror masterpiece that also serves as a tragic love story. It follows a scientist who slowly transforms into a monster, grappling with the loss of his humanity—a key theme in Frankenstein.
Blade Runner (1982)
(Source: IMDb)
This sci-fi classic questions what it means to be human. The Replicants, artificial beings, are hunted down by their creator while seeking a life denied to them. Their loneliness and desire for a soul are directly connected to Frankenstein’s creature.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
(Source: IMDb)
Widely considered del Toro’s magnum opus, this film is a testament to his imagination. The Faun and the Pale Man are fantasy creatures, yet their motivations are complex and often tragic. Watching this is a masterclass in how del Toro humanizes his monsters and blends reality with fantasy.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
(Source: IMDb)
Francis Ford Coppola’s version is a visually opulent gothic romance that treats its monster as a tragic, romantic figure. The film is steeped in a melancholic and epic style that has undoubtedly influenced del Toro’s sensibilities toward horror classics.
The Shape of Water (2017)
(Source: IMDb)
This Best Picture winner is the purest example of del Toro’s love for monsters. The story of a woman who falls in love with an aquatic creature demonstrates his belief that beauty and humanity can be found in the most unexpected places, a direct echo of the central philosophy of the Frankenstein story.
