The highly anticipated new adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, directed by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, has finally landed on Netflix. Featuring a stellar cast including Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, this fresh take on the 1818 novel offers a unique perspective on the classic tale of a scientist's monstrous creation.
Beyond Frankenstein: Netflix's Award-Winning Literary Gems
For viewers captivated by this new interpretation, Netflix provides a rich library of other critically acclaimed films based on beloved books. These adaptations have not only delighted readers but have also impressed critics and scooped major awards, proving the enduring power of a great story.
All Quiet on the Western Front
This stunning anti-war epic, which secured four Academy Awards in 2023, follows a young German soldier during World War I. His initial idealism about military heroism quickly shatters as he confronts the brutal realities of warfare, where survival becomes the only objective.
The film is a powerful adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's semi-autobiographical 1929 novel. With a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has been hailed as a masterpiece by audiences, with one viewer stating they were left speechless by its impact.
Passing
Marking the directorial debut of British actress Rebecca Hall, this film adapts Nella Larsen's 1929 novel. It explores the complex story of two childhood friends, both light-skinned Black women, who reconnect in 1920s New York under vastly different circumstances.
One lives authentically in Harlem, while the other passes for white, married to a racist man unaware of her heritage. Filmed in expressive black-and-white to underscore its themes, the drama earned a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and shares with Frankenstein a profound examination of identity and humanity.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More
If the pairing of Mary Shelley's imagination with Guillermo del Toro's vision in Frankenstein captivated you, this collection is your perfect next watch. Wes Anderson brings four Roald Dahl short stories to the screen in a special feature-length presentation.
Boasting an ensemble cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, and Dev Patel, the anthology has been critically celebrated. The central story, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, alone holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics recommend watching all four together for a dose of pure, quintessential Anderson filmmaking.
The Power of the Dog
Based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel, Jane Campion's 2021 western marked her return to directing after a twelve-year hiatus and earned her an Oscar. The film depicts a domineering rancher who cruelly mocks his brother's new wife and her son, with unexpected consequences.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons, the film achieved a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating. It was widely praised as a masterpiece, with particular acclaim for Cumberbatch's career-best performance.
Each of these films demonstrates Netflix's successful track record of transforming classic and contemporary literature into compelling, award-winning cinema, offering plenty of material for your watchlist after Frankenstein.
