The Universal Monsters (also known as Universal Classic Monsters and Universal Studios Monsters) is a media franchise comprising various horror film series distributed by Universal Pictures. It consists of different horror creature characters originating from various novels, such as Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, Count Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, the Mummy, and the Invisible Man, as well as original characters the Wolf Man and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
The original series began with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913) and ended with The Creature Walks Among Us (1956). While the early installments were initially created as stand-alone films based on published novels, their financial and critical success resulted in various cross-over releases between the monsters, as well as other properties such as Abbott and Costello. Following the positive response to various viewings of these films via television redistribution which began airing in the 1950s, the studio began developing the characters for other media. In the 1990s, it became priority for Universal to promote their catalogue with official packaging that presented films with the official franchise title. Through a number of VHS editions, their popularity continued into contemporary entertainment. This included additional development through modern-filmmaking adaptations, beginning with Dracula (1979) and most recently Wolf Man (2025).
Modern analyses describe the titular characters as "pop culture icons", while the franchise as a whole is often cited as the prototypical example of the shared universe concept in film. In addition to the films, the franchise has expanded to include novels, comics, and theme park rides.
Contents
History
Universal's early horror films were adaptations of work from familiar authors and texts to give their films a prestige appeal. These included Dracula (1931), whose success led to the production of other works such as Frankenstein (1931). Frankenstein's ending was changed by studio head Carl Laemmle Jr., who wanted Universal to be able deploy key characters from the film into subsequent Universal productions. Following the release of other Universal films such as The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935), there was a dry spell of horror films. Universal only returned to the style following a successful theatrical re-release of Dracula and Frankenstein. The renewed interest in horror films led to new works, starting with Son of Frankenstein (1939).
Universal would only introduce a few new monsters in the 1940s, with the most famous being Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man in The Wolf Man (1941). The decade had Universal's horror output include many remakes and sequels, with films often directly reusing old sets, footage, and narratives to replicate moments in their earlier horror productions.
Universal's first transmedia properties appeared in the 1940s and the 1950s with the films Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). In these films, the monsters from the studio's earlier films "team up" against various characters. Author Megan De Bruin-Molé suggested that the Universal Classic Monsters films exist as a loose mash-up, which allowed for Dracula to exist and be watched separately from Frankenstein but allowed their characters to be systemically and consistently brought together and developed in other films and media. These productions made were often crossovers and sequels, such as Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula and several occurrences in comedy films of Abbott and Costello meeting the monsters. These meetings started with Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and ended with Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955). De Bruin-Molé wrote that this approach from Universal was for commercial marketing terms, as it would establish the company as the "real" home of horror. Their films contained a world where potentially all monsters may dwell. The sole new monster films that Universal produced in the 1950s were the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and The Mummy (1959), the latter as a co-production with the British Hammer Film Productions.
Towards the 1960s, the Universal monsters grew beyond film and became more consistently transmedial. Initially, this began in 1957 when Universal struck a ten-year television deal with Screen Gems to distribute 52 of their own titles. These television screenings and the films being included on Mel Jass' Mel's Matinee Movie (1958-1979) would also prove to be popular. Stephen Sommers, director of The Mummy (1999), stated that his introduction to the series was on Jass's program. Universal became part of the Music Corporation of America (MCA) in 1962. By 1964, Universal Studios tours would eventually include appearances from Frankenstein's monster. Several products based on the characters from Universal's film series were released, ranging from plastic model kits, Halloween masks, figures, plush dolls, toys, drinking glasses, coloring books and postage stamps. While some of these objects bear similarity to the actors who portray them, others are more generic interpretations. Other mediums featured the Universal monsters in tandem, such as Bobby "Boris" Pickett's 1962 popular song "Monster Mash" and the television series The Munsters (1964) which was based on the likeness of the Universal characters.
Films
Modern era
Dark Army: By September 2019, the film featuring monsters from the original films as well as new characters was in development. Paul Feig was attached as director, from a script of his own, and as co-producer with Laura Fischer. The project is a joint production between Universal Pictures and Feigco Productions. By October, Universal was reviewing his script as a reworking of the Dark Universe concept, while The Bride of Frankenstein is cited as a major influence. By February 2020, Feig was working on a second draft of the script upon receiving input from Universal Pictures. By that May, the filmmaker completed the newest draft while describing the tone as closer to the original films with horror elements, but a portrayal of the monsters as rejects. Feig had been given the option to develop films of any characters from the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures, prior to his chosen project.
Frankenstein: Originally announced in June 2017, the project was initially planned as a part of the abandoned shared universe films with Javier Bardem cast to portray the titular character, and following the studio's standalone approach James Wan signed on as producer in November 2019. Jason Blum expressed interest in joining the production in a producing role. Robbie Thompson was hired as screenwriter in 2020, while the plot is said to center around a group of teenagers who discover that a neighbor is creating a monster in their basement. The project is a joint production between Universal Pictures and Atomic Monster.
The Invisible Woman: In November 2019, a reboot of The Invisible Woman was revealed to be in development. Elizabeth Banks was attached to star in, and direct the film, from a script written by Erin Cressida Wilson which was based on an original story written by Banks, also serving as a producer with Max Handelman. Banks was given options to develop a film from any characters in the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures, while she chose the Invisible Woman.
Monster Mash: In February 2020, a musical titled after and centered around the novelty song "Monster Mash" was revealed to be in development. Grammy Award nominee Matt Stawski was hired as a director, with Will Widger as screenwriter (from an original story written by Stawski), while Marty Bowen was put as producer. The project is a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment.
Untitled Dracula film: In February 2021, Chloé Zhao was hired to write and direct a futuristic sci-fi Western film centered around Dracula. The filmmaker stated that she was continuing to work on the script in March of 2023.
Main cast and characters
This table includes the Universal Monster characters and their respective actors for each film in the franchise. Additional characters include recurring primary characters of the Universal Studios Monsters franchise.
Television
Monster Force (1994)
Created by comic book author and artist Marv Wolfman, in collaboration with Universal Cartoon Studios, the show was developed to reintroduce the Universal Monsters to child audiences. The plot centers around a group of college-age students and their professor Dr. Reed Crawley to form a squad call the Monster Force, who through the use of some supernatural skills and technological weaponry must combat Dracula and his army called the Creatures of the Night. The series aired through broadcast syndication from April to July 1994. With mild viewership, the show was canceled after its first season.
The Mummy: The Animated Series (2001–2003)
Created by Stephen Sommers in collaboration with Thomas Pugsley and Greg Klein, the show is an animated adaptation of the film series which had starred Brendan Fraser. The television show centers around Imhotep / The Mummy, while following the adventures of Rick O'Connell and his family. Featuring the voices of Jim Cummings, John Schneider, Chris Marquette, Grey DeLisle, and an ensemble of supporting cast, the show was marketed towards younger audiences through Universal Cartoon Studios. Airing on The WB through the Kids' WB! programming block from September 2001 to June 2003, the show received critical acclaim while some critics called the release superior to the feature-length sequels to the live-action 1999 film.
Direct-to-video films
Following the financial successes of The Mummy Returns (2001) and its prequel The Scorpion King (2002), a series of Scorpion King films were produced and distributed straight-to-home video through Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Short films
Abbott and Costello Meet the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Developed in collaboration with Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, the short was released during The Colgate Comedy Hour as a live-television comedy sketch created to introduce audiences to The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Continuing the trend with previous installments where Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet the Universal Monsters, the short follows a plot where the two actors explore the studio's prop room which references some of their previous interactions with the various characters, while encountering the Invisible Man, Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange), and the Gill-Man (Ben Chapman).
Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004)
Developed as an anime-styled prologue to the 2004 feature-length film, the short was directed by Sharon Bridgeman from a script written by Garfield and Judith Reeves-Stevens. The plot takes place immediately before the live-action film and follows Gabriel Van Helsing's investigation in the grisly murders plaguing Victorian era London, and his discovery of a monstrous killer named Mr. Hyde. Marketed as the prequel to the theatrical release, it was produced for the straight-to-home video market by Universal and was received with mixed reception.
Other media
Home video collections
The franchise has received a variety of home video packing boxsets including: The Classic Collection (1991–1994), the Classic Monster Collection (1999), The Legacy Collection (2004), the Essential Collection (2012), and the Complete Collection (2018).
Literature
Universal Pictures collaborated with a number of publishing companies to produce a variety mediums of literature, featuring the Universal Monsters characters, including novels, young adult fiction, graphic novels, comic books, and limited series.
Theme park attractions
Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show: This live show has played under several different names across the Universal Parks & Resorts, and features several Universal Monsters alongside the title character of the horror-comedy film Beetlejuice.
Universal's Halloween Horror Nights: Since 1991 at Universal Parks & Resorts the theme park attraction have featured characters from the Universal Classic Monsters franchise. From 2006 to 2014, the characters also appeared in the year-round walk-through attraction, Universal's House of Horrors, at Universal Studios Hollywood. The franchise is also the central theme of Universal's Horror Make-Up Show. The live show opened in 1990 at Universal Studios Florida and is still in operation.
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride: Opening in 2004 at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, the roller coaster with dark ride elements is based on the first two Mummy films of the remake era.
Universal Epic Universe: A theme park attraction based on the concept and title of cancelled shared universe of films opened in May 2025, as a part of Universal Destinations & Experiences's planned expansion of the Orlando park location. Thematically inspired by each of its films, the park serves as a modern day follow-up to the original films, where attendees can explore a town named Darkmoor Village. This attraction features the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein named Victoria, who has continued to follow in the mad scientist footsteps of her family and has begun creating monsters of her own. Visitors attending the park can see the events of a plot unfold, where her latest experiment which was intended to bring all of the Universal Monsters under her control backfires as a result of Dracula's revolt. The Dark Universe includes attractions, such as Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, locales from the films, a number of rides, and a combination of actors, animatronics, special effects, and cutting-edge technology that was developed for the park. The location includes Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolf Man, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Invisible Man, and various others from the studio's films.
Universal Horror Unleashed: A haunted house attraction featuring characters from the Universal Classic Monsters franchise opened on August 14, 2025.
Influence on unrelated media
The Universal Monsters have been attributed with directly influencing the horror genre and its filmmakers in the decades that followed, as well as also retroactively adding additional depth to the source material for the characters. The popularity of the franchise inspired decades of horror films that followed, including leading to various unrelated media based on the characters and adapting in a variety of means.
The Munsters franchise (1964–2022): A comedic sitcom formatted parody of horror, where a family of benign monsters navigate their existence among normal American experiences. Produced in collaboration with Universal Television, the franchise was able to employ the copyrighted designs of the Universal Monsters for the Munster family. Versions of Frankenstein's Monster, Count Dracula, the Gill-Man, Dr. Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, Bride of Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde feature throughout its installments.
Mad Monster Party? (1967): Developed by Rankin/Bass Productions Inc. as a stop-motion animated musical comedy, the adaptation features incarnations of Universal Monsters with distinct variations to avoid copyright, including: Dr. Frankenstein (voiced by Boris Karloff), Frankenstein's Monster, Bride of Frankenstein, Count Dracula, the Wolf Man, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Hunchback of Notre-Dame, and Invisible Man among various other monster-themed characters. Directed by Jules Bass, with a script written by Len Korobkin and Harvey Kurtzman, based on an original story from Arthur Rankin Jr., the plot centers around Dr. Frankenstein's invitation for all monsters to attend a retirement celebration at Castle Frankenstein to name is successor. The feature-length film has been cited as a cult classic in the decades since its release.
Young Frankenstein (1974): A horror comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, from a script he co-wrote with Gene Wilder, it is a parody of the Frankenstein films produced by Universal Pictures in the 1930s and 1940s, most notably Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Son of Frankenstein (1939) and The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942). Released by 20th Century Fox, the plot follows Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein (Wilder), the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, who distances himself from his Frankenstein lineage but eventually resumes his grandfather's experiments in reanimating the dead. To recreate the atmosphere of the original films, the film was shot entirely in black-and-white and even used the original lab equipment by Kenneth Strickfaden from the original 1931 film.