Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein has captivated audiences on Netflix, sparking a renewed interest in Gothic horror and atmospheric drama. If you were drawn to the film’s haunting style and deep emotional complexity, there are several television series available that echo the same mood and narrative depth, delivering chilling stories reminiscent of Mary Shelley’s celebrated novel.
For over two centuries, Frankenstein has stood as a landmark of Gothic literature and Romanticism, yet it has often been a challenge to successfully adapt Mary Shelley’s creation for the screen. Most film and television renditions have struggled to capture its essence, making Del Toro’s 2025 adaptation all the more remarkable within the genre. While there may not be a direct television series for Frankenstein fans to binge after the movie, several other shows offer a similarly rich, unsettling experience that channels the book’s spirit in unique ways. Here are five shows certain to satisfy those seeking the eerie ambiance and profound storytelling found in Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein.
Servant: A Modern Parable of Grief and the Uncanny
Del Toro and M. Knight Shyamalan share a knack for dark, fairy-tale atmospheres, and nowhere is that more evident than in Shyamalan’s Apple TV series, Servant. Set in contemporary Philadelphia, the show revolves around Dorothy Turner, portrayed by Lauren Ambrose, and her husband as they try to cope with a devastating loss. After losing their infant son, Dorothy begins to care for a reborn doll, a coping mechanism that soon spirals into something much stranger. When the doll unexpectedly comes to life, the Turner family’s world is thrown into disarray, ushering in a tension-filled, Gothic narrative that explores the blurred line between grief and the supernatural. Servant’s unsettling tone and exploration of sorrow evoke the haunted sensibility of Frankenstein, making it a must-watch for fans of Del Toro’s adaptation.
1899: Maritime Horror and Mind-Bending Mystery
Although 1899 completed only one season before its cancellation, the German-language series delivers a complete and immersive story that strongly echoes Frankenstein’s themes. The show is set aboard two ships at the turn of the century—Kerberos, en route to New York City from Southampton, and Prometheus, its sister ship that mysteriously disappeared four months prior but suddenly sends out distress signals. What follows is a tense, surreal journey fraught with psychological twists, as the passengers, each shrouded in their own secrets, are swept into strange and disturbing events. The show’s bleak aesthetic and its melding of horror and science fiction create an atmosphere where Victor Frankenstein himself would not be out of place among the cast of wayward travelers.
Penny Dreadful: Classic Horror Figures Reimagined
While direct television adaptations of Frankenstein remain scarce, some shows bring its iconic characters to life in innovative ways. Penny Dreadful, the Showtime horror series, draws from the same well as Mary Shelley’s novel, incorporating characters like Victor Frankenstein, played by Harry Treadaway, and his Creature, portrayed by Rory Kinnear. Instead of retelling the familiar story, Penny Dreadful weaves these figures into a broader, texturally rich narrative filled with public domain icons and grand, frightening adventures. Over three seasons, the show captures the essence of Victorian Gothic, combining it with literary imagination and brisk, terrifying storytelling that pays homage to Frankenstein’s legacy.
The Terror: Survival Horror in the Frozen North
Based on Dan Simmons’ novel, AMC’s The Terror crafts a relentless tale of terror and obsession. Each season serves as a standalone story, and the inaugural season is set in the mid-19th century, centering on two Royal Navy ships as they search for the fabled Northwest Passage. In the unforgiving Arctic, which mirrors the icy isolation found at the beginning of Frankenstein, the crews face a monstrous, bear-like creature called the Tuunbaq. This beast systematically preys on the explorers, transforming their desperate journey into a chilling meditation on ambition, madness, and the futility of certain quests. The unflinching cold and dread, along with the group’s slow unraveling, will resonate deeply with those who appreciated the introspective horror of Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities: Anthology of the Uncanny
Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology series released in 2022, encapsulates the filmmaker’s fascination with the grotesque, the beautiful, and the bizarre. Comprising eight standalone episodes, the series explores a range of horror tales, some inspired by authors such as H.P. Lovecraft while others come from original concepts. Notably, Del Toro did not direct any episodes himself, yet his stylistic imprint—defined by exquisite set design, meticulous atmosphere, and an appreciation for the macabre—is present in every story.
Each installment is set during different decades of the 20th century, immersing viewers in the periods that often inspire Del Toro’s best work. The show is brought to life by performances from actors including Lize Johnston and Kevin Keppy, offering tales that slowly unfurl in menace and dread. Cabinet of Curiosities is an ideal follow-up for viewers who enjoyed the Gothic fatalism and deep emotional threads woven through Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein.
The enduring appeal of Frankenstein is evident in these series, each borrowing themes of dread, obsession, and the unknown—all central to Mary Shelley’s novel. With creative contributions from notable talents like M. Knight Shyamalan, Rory Kinnear, and Harry Treadaway, as well as the unique vision of Guillermo del Toro, these shows provide a tapestry of stories for fans seeking more after the Netflix sensation. As streaming platforms expand their catalogues, the Gothic horror tradition continues to inspire adaptations and new narratives, making it an exciting period for genre enthusiasts.
