Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of *Frankenstein* is set to premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, marking the world debut of the film before its wider theatrical and streaming release later in the year. This unveiling offers audiences a first look at del Toro’s distinct vision of Mary Shelley’s classic novel through a critically strategic festival launch and limited theatrical run.
The Gothic horror film will follow its Venice premiere with a limited theatrical release starting October 17, 2025, including select international markets from October 24. After a three-week theatrical window, it will launch globally on Netflix on November 7, 2025. The film holds an R rating for bloody violence and grisly images and runs two hours and 29 minutes. Although details on the breadth of the theater rollout remain sparse, there is industry expectation that it could mimic del Toro’s recent Netflix offerings such as *Pinocchio*, aiming for awards season visibility alongside audience accessibility.
*Frankenstein* stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, supported by a notable ensemble including Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, and Charles Dance. The story centers on Victor, a brilliant but egotistical scientist whose monstrous experiment to give life leads to tragic consequences for both creator and creation. Del Toro’s personal connection to the material spans more than 25 years, reflecting his lifelong engagement with themes of humanity, monstrosity, and creator-creation dynamics, which permeate many of his previous works.
The film’s rollout strategy underscores Netflix’s commitment to combining prestige festival shows, limited theatrical exposure, and streaming availability to maximize both artistic and commercial impact. Del Toro considers this project a personal milestone, describing it as “the culmination of a journey” deeply embedded in his cinematic career. Industry insiders view the Venice premiere and subsequent screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival as key platforms for setting *Frankenstein* apart in a crowded awards landscape while honoring its literary origins and del Toro’s auteurship.