Summary

lots of actors have portrayed Frankenstein ’s Monster , but only one can be deal the best . Frankenstein ’s Monster originate in Mary Shelley ’s classic skill - fiction novelFrankenstein ; Or , The Modern Prometheus . Shelley ’s novel chronicled the creation of a monstrous puppet , make from all in consistency and animate by the nominal scientist . The novel research motif of death , rebirth , and paternity through its horrifying narrative and striking ending . As such , several renditions have become icon in the horror genre .

Several illustrious adaptations have depicted Frankenstein ’s Monsterand became impressive entrants into the horror genre ’s pantheon of monsters . Notable examples admit theUniversal Classic Monstersfranchise , which also depict Dracula and the Wolf Man , and themovies made by Hammer Film Productions . However , there have been a mass of other films that depicted the infamous freak with deviate degree of success .

10David Prowse

Appearances: Casino Royale (1967), The Horror Of Frankenstein (1970), And Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell (1974)

David Prowse was well experience for being theman inside the Darth Vader costume inStar Wars . However , he also portrayed Frankenstein ’s colossus on three occasions . The first was during a brief cameo in the 1967James Bondparody , Casino Royale . Subsequently , Prowse star as the behemoth in two Hammer Horror movies : The Horror of FrankensteinandFrankenstein and the Monster From Hell . Prowse ’s depiction miss the emotional depth and subtlety of the other actorsto play Frankenstein ’s demon but still produced a visually outstanding and compelling carrying into action . Prowse was the last histrion to toy the Monster in a Hammer Horror movie , making him especially memorable .

9Clancy Brown

Appearances: The Bride (1985)

Franc Roddam ’s 1985 menstruum horror movieThe Bridgeadapted the second one-half of Mary Shelley ’s novel . It focused on Frankenstein create the eponymous Bride to lenify his monstrous creation , who was already sentient and living in the woods . The Bridewas a staggeringly quintessential eighties repugnance moving picture fill with delightfully hapless sound and ocular effects . It even starred Sting as Dr. Frankenstein . Clancy Brown offered a masterful and imposing Frankenstein ’s Monster , which suck up from the lumbering case law set by earlier actors . Brown ’s Monster was efficient but lacked any genuine originality , and as such , ranks blue than many other renditions .

8Lon Chaney Jr.

The Ghost Of Frankenstein (1942)

Lon Chaney Jr. star as the Wolf Man , Frankenstein ’s Monster , and Dracula throughout theUniversal Classic Monstersfranchise . Chaney played the Monster in 1942’sHouse of Frankenstein , inheriting the use from Boris Karloff after his legendary incumbency . The film depicted the Monster and Frankenstein ’s former assistant Ygor search a Frankenstein descendant to keep on his experiment . Chaney ’s interpretation was entertaining and , at points , quite fearful . However , Chaney ’s depiction was mostly an impersonation of Karloff , but without the dissemble ability to match his predecessor ’s nuance and sensitiveness . Chaney ’s carrying into action inThe Ghost of Frankensteinwas greatly bolstered by famed Dracula actor , Bela Lugosi , playing Ygor .

7Peter Boyle

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Cast

Mel Brooks’Young Frankensteinwas the pinnacle of horror parodies . It dexterously mocked and celebrate the source material and theUniversal Classic Monstersseries . Young Frankensteinstarred Gene Wilder as a Frankenstein congeneric , who hit upon his ascendant ’s research and build his own creature . The Monster was make for to life by Peter Boyle and bore a striking resemblance to David Prowse ’s Monster . As such , Boyle proffered a humourous retrospective of numerous Frankenstein portrayalsand the broad horror genre . Boyle ’s Monster was both a misunderstood monster and a comedy character , with his performance of " Puttin ' on the Ritz " being a particular highlighting .

6Fred Gwynne

The Munsters (1964-1966)

One of the most celebrated versions of Frankenstein ’s goliath appeared in the beloved television seriesThe Munstersand its movies . The series depicted a family of classic movie monsters , with the patriarch a Frankenstein ’s Monster named Herman . Herman Munster was a lovable , oafish reading of the Monsterdeftly performed by Fred Gwynne . Gwynne ’s Herman fully go into popular culture as a placeable example of the Monster , based mainly on theUniversal Classic Monstersdepiction , including element of the worship make - up and costume . Despite this horrible smiler , Gwynne ’s Herman was incredibly endearing and became one of the most iconic variation of Frankenstein ’s Monster .

5Glenn Strange

House Of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945), And Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

The final actor to play Frankenstein ’s Monster in theUniversal Classic Monsterswas Glenn Strange . Strange appeared in the two crossover picture , House of FrankensteinandHouse of Dracula , in which Strange ’s Monster was less intelligent and more trigger-happy . As a effect , Strange ’s Monstercreated several of the common association with the character , include the mindless malevolent fauna compelled to drink down , rather than the misunderstood goliath from Shelley ’s novel . The use of Jack Pierce ’s original make - up greatly facilitated Strange ’s Monster , which in full developed the stereotypical characterization in 1948 ’s horror - comedyAbbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein .

4Bela Lugosi

Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943)

Bela Lugosi is most famous for starring as the eponymous Count inDracula . However , he also come out as Frankenstein ’s Monster inFrankenstein Meets the Wolf Man . Interestingly , Lugosi was offer the part before Boris Karloff butdeclined the role inFrankenstein , lambasting the role and the lineament ’s minimal dialog . Bela Lugosi appeared in two earlierFrankensteinmovies as Ygor before finally playing the Monster himself . Ironically , Lugosi ’s Monster had even less dialogue than Karloff’sbut was nevertheless an intimidating presence . It was a testament to Lugosi ’s talent , which fostered a black stress throughout . Lugosi was not the most effective Monster , but his prestigiousness and bearing compensated considerably .

3Christopher Lee

The Curse Of Frankenstein (1957)

Christopher Lee only appeared in the first of Hammer Horror’sFrankensteinmovies , The Curse of Frankenstein . Despite this , Lee gave a highly memorable performance as the terrifying brute , which in truth demonstrated Lee ’s telling horror acting talent . Lee ’s portrayal was distinguishable from other previous renditions , extend a unequaled yet terrifying interpretation that maintained a more human Monster . However , Lee ’s imposing pattern still lent the creature a looming , flagitious presence , but rescue in Lee ’s urbane and noble style , which added an substitute emotional prosody to the character . While not perfect , Lee ’s Monster is one of the best and endures as a British horror prototype .

2Robert De Niro

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

Mary Shelley ’s Frankensteinwas the best adaptation of the novel , offering a faithful retelling of the skill - fiction masterpiece . It also feature the second - unspoiled depicting of Frankenstein ’s Monster . Robert De Niro delivered an unsurprisingly brilliant variation of the repulsive innovation , truly encapsulating the grief and torment inherent in Shelley ’s original fibre . De Niro also make do to be genuinely frightening throughout , even with a much more diminutive height than others . Like the whole movie , the Monster was adapted faithfully and , therefore , was not a elephantine lumber monster , but a reanimated humans . This more grounded rendering was incredibly effective , with De Niro ’s Monster most rank as the best .

1Boris Karloff

Frankenstein (1931), Bride Of Frankenstein (1935), And Son Of Frankenstein (1939)

Boris Karloff ’s acclaimed functioning as Frankenstein ’s Monster was unequivocally the finest . Karloff limn the Monster in three ecumenical motion-picture show , including the two most celebrated , FrankensteinandBride of Frankenstein . Karloff ’s reading became synonymous with the Monster , establishing several key word-painting and image that resonate throughout cinema and immediately act upon every single subsequent performer . Boris Karloff dexterously blend sensitivity and innocence into his boding mien , presenting the most emotionally compelling Monster ever . Karloff was the only Monster whom audiences sympathize with until 1994 . therefore , Karloff’sFrankensteinmovies fully explore Shelley ’s themes to a far with child degree and proffered the definitive rendition of Frankenstein ’s Monster .

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

Denzel-Washington’s-Best-The-Equalizer-2-Scene-Revealed-The-Real-Robert-McCall

Josh Hartnett looking shocked in Fight or Flight

David Prowse as Frankenstein’s monster looking scary in the horror of frankenstein

Clancy Brown as Frankenstein’s monster in the woods in the bride

Lon Chaney Jr as Frankenstein’s monster strangling someone in Ghost of Frankenstein.

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Peter Boyle

Glenn strange as the monster being created by Boris Karloff

Bela Lugosi awakening as the monster in Frankenstein meets the wolf man

Christopher Lee looking scary as the monster emerging from woods in Hammer’s Frankenstien-1

Robert De Niro as the monster grimacing in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein