Netflix released a fantasy movie last year that went on to become a major player in awards season and dominated streaming all over the world, and that film has cemented its place among the streaming service’s best. Netflix Original movies include a wide range of genres, with a healthy mix of major stars and newcomers, creating exciting experiences for subscribers to have fun with from their homes.
In 2026, the best movies on Netflix have ranged from franchise entries, such as the final chapter of the crime thriller franchise started in the Peaky Blinders series, to stealth sci-fi drops, like Alan Ritchson’s War Machine, which begins as a war movie that suddenly changes genres, and more. There is something for everyone, and we are not even at the year’s halfway mark.
Recently, Swapped started a journey that could see the latest fantasy film to be released on the streamer end up as one of the biggest Netflix movies of all time. With 38.7 million views, Swapped has become the most-watched Netflix animated movie of all time for a single week. That is a huge record, considering it defeated KPop Demon Hunters, and it got me thinking of another fantasy release.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein was released on Netflix on November 7, 2025, shortly after a theatrical release that made it eligible for awards. While only half a year has passed since Frankenstein dropped on the streaming service, I’m convinced it is already time to say it will go down as one of Netflix’s best movies ever.
Netflix’s Frankenstein Is An All-Around Masterpiece
Netflix’s Frankenstein is the rare case of a movie where one can look at any particular area of the production and not point out any flaws. This is a fantasy movie that was made with love every step of the way, from the production design helping create unique sets that enhanced the story and transported the viewer to its world, to the work done on costume and makeup to make that time period — the 19th century — feel real and Frankenstein’s monster look different from all that had come before. VFX, cinematography, screenplay, cast, director, everything was top-notch.
Frankenstein‘s star-studded cast included many talented actors, such as Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Lars Mikkelsen, Charles Dance, Christoph Waltz, and more. That said, it was Isaac as the twisted and magnetic Victor Frankenstein, and Elordi as the naive, odd, and charming Creature created by him that completely stole the scene. Their performances are crucial to Frankenstein‘s success, with Elordi deservedly receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, his first, for his work on the film. The Netflix fantasy movie is the showcase of what true craftsmanship can accomplish, and it soars.
Frankenstein‘s place among Netflix’s best movies can also be measured in numbers, not just what is shown onscreen. The Netflix fantasy movie is currently at a stellar 85% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 376 reviews. It fared even better with viewers, as Frankenstein‘s audience score is at a near-perfect 94%. At the time of its release, the fantasy movie was also trending in several countries, showing just how wide Frankenstein’s reach truly is.
Why Frankenstein Should Stand The Test Of Time On Netflix
Frankenstein is a tale that most of the world has read, watched, or heard about in some form. Going all the way back to Mary Shelley’s original book, there have been several adaptations of Frankenstein over the years. That said, few are as jaw-dropping and impactful as del Toro’s. The movie tells a timeless story and fires on all cylinders while doing so, ensuring that Netflix’s Frankenstein won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
It is true that Netflix is known for the way it churns out new releases every year. That said, even though we are nearly at 2026’s halfway mark, not a single movie released on the streaming service so far has been able to come close to what Frankenstein accomplished. As such, this is easily one of Netflix’s best fantasy movies, with Frankenstein poised to stand the test of time as a must-watch.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Runtime
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149 Minutes
- Director
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Guillermo del Toro
- Writers
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Guillermo del Toro, Mary Shelley
- Producers
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J. Miles Dale, Guillermo del Toro, Scott Stuber