Ranking the Universal Monsters Franchises: An Undying Legacy
Halloween is the perfect time to explore the chilling and captivating world of Universal Monsters, a collection of iconic horror films that have stood the test of time. But here’s where it gets interesting: not all these franchises are created equal!
These classic black-and-white films, featuring unforgettable characters like Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, remain an integral part of Halloween celebrations and the horror genre at large. As the haunting weekend approaches, we at Arrow in the Head have compiled a comprehensive list: a ranking of Universal Monsters franchises, arranged from least favored to most beloved. We encourage you to dive into our rankings below and share your thoughts on how you would order these legendary franchises in the comments!
Honorable Mention: Abbott and Costello
While Bud Abbott and Lou Costello may not fit the mold of traditional Universal Monsters, their impact on this franchise is significant enough to warrant an honorable mention. Following a string of straightforward horror films featuring Universal's famous monsters, the studio took a unique creative turn by pairing these beloved comedians with the chilling characters for a series of horror comedies. The standout film, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, cleverly integrates Dracula and the Wolf Man alongside the comedy duo, maintaining the integrity of the monsters while infusing humor through Abbott and Costello's hilarious antics. Their collaborations did not stop there; they also tackled genre classics in Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man, and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—the only Jekyll and Hyde film produced by Universal during its classic era.
The Ape Woman
The Ape Woman, who debuted in the 1944 movie Captive Wild Woman, stands out as a somewhat overshadowed and often forgotten figure among Universal Monsters. This omission is unfortunate, as her story could have added a unique female presence to the cast of monsters. The character, Paula Dupree, results from a mad scientist's experiment that involves transfusing human glandular secretions into a gorilla named Cheela, leading to some compelling narrative twists. Portrayed by Acquanetta in total silence during her introduction, she was afforded dialogue in the sequel Jungle Woman. Unfortunately, her narrative arc dwindled when Acquanetta’s time with Universal came to an end, and Vicky Lane replaced her in the concluding film, The Jungle Captive, landing her character back in silence. Universal even flirted with the idea of including the Ape Woman in the crossover film House of Frankenstein, which might have solidified her legacy as a memorable figure instead of a passing thought. Although she holds the distinction of one entertaining film, her presence quickly faded into obscurity following a couple of less impactful sequels.
Dracula
When considering the Dracula franchise, it's difficult to ignore the brilliance of the 1931 original film, which many hail as one of the greatest horror films ever crafted. The Spanish version created concurrently is also impressive. However, our rankings focus on entire franchises rather than individual films. Unfortunately, this is where Dracula’s saga stumbles, landing it closer to the bottom of our list. The main issue is that Bela Lugosi, who defined the character with his iconic performance, only reprised his role in the initial film and in the crossover Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Subsequent sequels featured different actors; for instance, Gloria Holden took over as Dracula’s Daughter in Countess Marya Zaleska, and Lon Chaney Jr. portrayed Count Alucard in Son of Dracula. Though these films are enjoyable, they simply don't capture the magic of Lugosi's portrayal. Later attempts to resurrect Dracula with John Carradine in the lackluster films House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula did little to rekindle the original film’s grandeur.
The Invisible Man
An intriguing aspect of The Invisible Man franchise is its surprising longevity, especially considering each entry features a different title character. Audiences consistently flocked to theaters to witness the imaginative ways characters turned invisible. With a remarkable variety of tones and styles, the franchise begins in true horror-thriller fashion, with Claude Rains delivering an unforgettable performance as the terrifying Invisible Man. The narrative twists continue in The Invisible Man Returns, which uniquely blends murder mystery with invisible escapades, and the hilariously offbeat Invisible Woman, a slapstick comedy. Other entries like Invisible Agent, which introduces wartime espionage, and The Invisible Man’s Revenge, return to the sinister roots, while Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man reimagines the franchise as a comic murder mystery. Though the series lacks continuity and consistent storytelling, the sheer diversity of styles and tones across the films offers a delightful experience for viewers.
The Wolf Man
Known as Larry Talbot when not in wolf form, The Wolf Man franchise may have only kicked off with a single standalone film, but it significantly benefits from Lon Chaney Jr.’s consistent portrayal of the character across multiple crossovers. Talbot’s story can be quite convoluted—a character killed in one film only to return later, and at times cured of his curse, only to transform back again. Yet, Chaney’s stirring performance evokes deep sympathy for his plight, as Larry fiercely grapples with his monstrous nature and fervently desires to be rid of his horrifying curse, even if it means facing death itself. Despite the narrative inconsistencies, the Wolf Man's story continues through the crossovers: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
The Mummy
In Universal's The Mummy, Boris Karloff’s portrayal of Imhotep captivates audiences as he rises from the grave centuries after his demise in search of his long-lost love. This character is formidable and intriguing, but as the franchise expanded, Universal pivoted from Imhotep to introduce Kharis—who has since become everyone’s quintessential mummy. Kharis appears as a bandage-wrapped, lumbering figure in four films (three of which feature Lon Chaney Jr.), where he relentlessly pursues his objective of reuniting with his lost love across the ages. Panorama viewers can enjoy the simpler thrills of films like The Mummy’s Hand, The Mummy’s Tomb, The Mummy’s Ghost, and The Mummy’s Curse. In a comical twist, Kharis also encounters Abbott and Costello in the lighthearted Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.
Frankenstein
The Frankenstein franchise features one of the most revered films in horror history, complemented by an equally celebrated sequel, Bride of Frankenstein. These two masterpieces reach heights that subsequent entries struggled to replicate, yet they remain enjoyable and entertaining. Following the success of Bride, Frankenstein’s Monster returns in two fairly good sequels, notably enhanced by the presence of the diabolical Ygor in Son of Frankenstein and The Ghost of Frankenstein. Furthermore, the character has crossed paths with other notable monsters across films like Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. While some stories could have benefited from stronger narratives, the allure of Frankenstein’s Monster remains, portrayed by talent like Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, and Glenn Strange.
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Appearing two decades later than his legendary counterparts, The Creature from the Black Lagoon has nevertheless established itself as an equal among Universal Monsters. Although he missed out on crossovers and memorable encounters with Abbott and Costello, he made an unforgettable entrance with his film. The plot follows a scientific expedition deep into the Brazilian Amazon, where the team encounters a half-man, half-fish creature that develops an unhealthy fascination with one of the female characters. The follow-up, Revenge of the Creature, depicts the Gill Man's capture and transport to a Florida oceanarium, featuring a young Clint Eastwood in an amusing role as a bumbling lab worker. The franchise concludes with The Creature Walks Among Us, which ultimately leads to a dramatic change as the Gill Man’s gills are damaged, forcing him to adapt to life on land—an ending that signifies a point of no return for the character.
In the end, the legacy of Universal Monsters is a tapestry of horror that continues to inspire and evolve. Each franchise holds a unique place in the folklore of cinema; however, their rankings spark spirited debates among fans. Which Universal Monster franchise stands out to you, and why? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments below—do you agree with our rankings or would you shift the order around completely?
