Guillermo del Toro’s long-anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is now scheduled for a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, before a limited theatrical run and a global streaming release on Netflix that follows closely behind.
The film, a gothic horror science fiction piece written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, will have a limited theatrical release beginning October 17, 2025, with some international markets seeing the film starting October 24. After three weeks in theaters, it will premiere globally on Netflix on November 7, 2025. The movie runs 2 hours and 29 minutes and carries an R rating due to bloody violence and grisly images[1][3].
The story follows Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who creates a living creature in a monstrous experiment that ultimately results in tragedy for both creator and creature. Jacob Elordi stars as Frankenstein’s monster, with Mia Goth playing Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor’s fiancée. The supporting cast includes Christoph Waltz as Harlander, a wealthy arms merchant and Victor’s patron, and other notable actors such as Charles Dance, Lars Mikkelsen, and David Bradley[3][4].
The film will debut at Venice, followed shortly by its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, signaling Netflix and del Toro’s intent to position the project within the awards season circuit. While exact details of the theatrical rollout remain limited, industry sources suggest the release strategy will mirror that of previous Netflix films such as Pinocchio and The Killer, featuring a selective theatrical presence aimed mainly at awards eligibility rather than wide commercial exposure[1][2].
Del Toro has described this film as “the culmination of a journey” rooted in his longstanding fascination with monsters and horror, reflecting his lifelong connection to the original 1818 novel. The film marks another significant collaboration between del Toro and Netflix, who continue to back his diverse, genre-spanning projects[2].