Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has dominated Netflix’s global streaming charts following its November 7, 2025 platform debut, achieving unprecedented worldwide success by claiming the #1 position across 80 international territories while simultaneously building anticipation for Stranger Things Season 5‘s imminent release, representing a fascinating cultural moment where del Toro’s career-defining passion project competes for audience attention against Netflix’s final chapter of its most beloved science fiction series. The adaptation, which premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, and received a limited theatrical release starting October 17, 2025, has accumulated 913 FlixPatrol points globally—the highest score for any film on streaming platforms worldwide as of November 9, 2025, substantially outpacing Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps (756 points on Disney+), demonstrating del Toro’s ability to command mainstream audiences despite his artistic uncompromising approach. Starring Oscar Isaac as the narcissistic Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi in a career-defining performance as the tragically beautiful Creature, supported by Mia Goth as Elizabeth and Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander, Frankenstein maintains an 85% Certified Fresh critical score on Rotten Tomatoes alongside an extraordinary 95% audience score—one of 2025’s highest ratings for any Netflix film. With Stranger Things Season 5 launching in three volumes (November 26, December 25, and December 31, 2025), Netflix faces the unique challenge of maintaining audience engagement across both properties, as del Toro’s visually sumptuous Gothic epic and the Duffer Brothers’ science-fiction finale compete for viewer hours during the year’s final months, establishing a watershed moment for prestige cinema on streaming platforms.
Frankenstein Dominates Global Streaming Rankings
FlixPatrol Global Ranking: 913 points (highest of all streaming platforms worldwide) | Netflix #1 Position: 80 international territories | Streaming Debut Date: November 7, 2025 | Competitive Performance: Outpaces Disney+ Fantastic Four (756 points), Apple TV+ Pluribus (838 points)
Frankenstein achieved unprecedented global streaming dominance immediately upon Netflix release, securing #1 rankings across 80 international territories and accumulating 913 FlixPatrol points—the highest score achieved by any streaming title worldwide as of November 9, 2025. This represents extraordinary success for a prestige film adaptation prioritizing artistic vision over mainstream commercial appeal.
Cast and Characters: Stellar Ensemble
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein: Portrays the narcissistic, ambitious scientist whose obsession with conquering death drives the narrative. Isaac’s performance captures Victor’s intellectual arrogance and moral corruption as he pursues forbidden scientific knowledge.
Jacob Elordi as The Creature (Breakout Performance): Critics universally praised Elordi’s career-defining performance as the assembled being created from body parts of executed criminals and Crimean War soldiers. Elordi transforms the Creature into a being of tragic beauty and profound humanity, representing one of 2025’s finest acting achievements.
Mia Goth as Elizabeth (Lady Elizabeth): Goth delivers striking visual and emotional performance as Elizabeth, memorable for scenes in translucent turquoise gowns traversing gothic castles, creating iconic imagery perfectly encapsulating del Toro’s artistic vision.
Supporting Ensemble: Christoph Waltz (Henrich Harlander – arms merchant funding Victor’s experiments), Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, Charles Dance anchoring the ensemble with their performances.
Director and Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro’s Vision
Director: Guillermo del Toro | Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro (based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel) | Producers: J. Miles Dale, Guillermo del Toro, Scott Stuber (Netflix) | Previous del Toro Masterpieces: Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Pinocchio, Nightmare Alley | Production Philosophy: Lifelong passion project realized after decades of planning
Del Toro has described Frankenstein as a lifelong passion project, citing childhood fascination with Boris Karloff’s 1931 creature portrayal as foundational. His adaptation emphasizes forgiveness and humanity—core themes distinguishing his interpretation from previous 100+ Frankenstein adaptations. Critics note del Toro’s trademark visual style: gothic romanticism reminiscent of Crimson Peak, outsider narratives similar to The Shape of Water, and complex Catholic themes permeating his oeuvre.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 85% Certified Fresh | Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 95% (one of 2025’s highest) | Critical/Audience Divergence: Rare agreement between professionals and viewers | Industry Recognition: Ranked among Netflix’s best 2025 films
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus: “Finding the humanity in one of cinema’s most iconic monsters, Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein is a lavish epic that gets its most invigorating volts from Jacob Elordi’s standout performance.”
IMDB User Reviews: “Holy s***. Finally, after a bunch of okay, mediocre and awful adaptations tackling Mary Shelley’s gothic science fiction horror epic, Guillermo del Toro gets to have his vision fully realized in what’s easily one of the most faithful adaptations ever made while still being his own film.”
Release Information and Where to Watch
Venice Film Festival Premiere: August 30, 2025 (82nd Venice International Film Festival – main competition) | Limited Theatrical Release: October 17, 2025 (select international markets) | Netflix Global Release: November 7, 2025 | Runtime: 149 minutes (2 hours 29 minutes) | Rating: R (violent imagery, grisly images)
Where to Watch: Netflix (exclusive streaming platform globally) | Production Design: Georgian and Scottish locations provide authentic period atmosphere
Stranger Things Season 5 Release Schedule
Volume 1: November 26, 2025 (4 episodes) | Volume 2: December 25, 2025 (3 episodes) | The Finale: December 31, 2025 (1 episode) | Release Time: 5:00 PM PST (8:00 PM EST) | Total Episodes: 8 episodes (final season)
Stranger Things Season 5, the series’ concluding chapter, will premiere across Netflix’s phased release strategy. The Duffer Brothers have promised major Upside Down mythology revelations held back from previous seasons, with significant storyline implications for the franchise conclusion. The finale will also premiere in over 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada on New Year’s Eve.
Streaming Competition: Netflix’s Final Month Dominance Strategy
Netflix faces unique strategic positioning with Frankenstein dominating early November and Stranger Things 5 launching November 26, creating unprecedented competition for audience attention throughout late 2025. Disney+ (Fantastic Four: First Steps – 756 FlixPatrol points) trails substantially behind del Toro’s adaptation, while Apple TV+ demonstrates competitive strength with Pluribus (838 points) showcasing the intensifying streaming wars.
