The highly anticipated Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Netflix movie rating and release details were confirmed this week, as the upcoming film received an official R rating for “bloody violence and grisly images” from the MPA. Set to debut on Netflix in November 2025, the movie brings del Toro’s lifelong vision for Mary Shelley’s legendary tale to the streaming platform.
Del Toro’s Personal Journey With Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro has openly described this adaptation as a pivotal and deeply personal project. During Netflix’s Tudum event, the award-winning director shared his enduring passion for Mary Shelley’s story and classic portrayals in cinema, referencing how early encounters with Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein left a lasting impression on him.
“This is, for me, the culmination of a journey that has occupied most of my life. I first read Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein as a kid and saw Boris Karloff in what became for me an almost religious state. Monsters have become my personal belief system,”
—Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
Del Toro also highlighted the recurring themes of humanity, monsters, and creators throughout his body of work. He noted that these motifs have been intertwined in his films for decades, appearing in movies such as Cronos, Blade, Hellboy, and most recently, Pinocchio.
“There are strands of Frankenstein throughout my films — Cronos, Blade, Hellboy, big time on Pinocchio, and a long, long et cetera. Exploring the relationship between humanity and monsters, creator and creation, father and son, has consumed my stores again and again,”
—Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
His attachment to the story reaches back further than his filmmaking career, as he explained that his vision for this adaptation has been decades in the making.
“I wanted to make this film before even I had a camera, and I’ve been actively pursuing it now for over 25 years It has grown so close to me that now it’s biography.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
A Star-Studded Cast Breathes Life Into a Classic
The story centers on Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant yet self-absorbed scientist whose most ambitious experiment leads to tragic consequences for both himself and his creation. Oscar Isaac stars as the infamous Victor Frankenstein, while Jacob Elordi takes on the role of Frankenstein’s monster. Mia Goth appears as Elizabeth Lavenza, and Christoph Waltz portrays Dr. Pretorius.
The ensemble is further strengthened by Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Ralph Ineson, and Charles Dance—all of whom bring recognizable credentials from acclaimed films and series. Each performer is set to contribute to this new take on the classic story, blending their talents under del Toro’s direction.
What Awaits Audiences in 2025
The film’s R rating signals del Toro’s intention to delve into the darker and more grisly aspects of Shelley’s tale, promising a faithful yet fresh vision. Audiences can expect a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between creator and creation, paired with striking performances from a diverse cast. As anticipation builds for the November 2025 release, both fans of horror and admirers of del Toro’s work have much to look forward to as this iconic story comes to life on Netflix.
