Good Luck Trying to See Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ in Theaters This Weekend

Guillermo del Toro’s long-cherished dream project — his adaptation of Frankenstein — is finally stalking into theaters this weekend. But for fans eager to see Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth bring Mary Shelley’s classic to life on the big screen, the hunt for a screening might feel like chasing a ghost through fog.

Netflix’s decision to give Frankenstein a theatrical run before its November 7 streaming debut is no surprise. The director has been vocal about wanting audiences to experience his gothic vision in cinemas — a rare privilege in the age of streaming. It also doesn’t hurt that a theatrical run keeps the film eligible for major awards season consideration.

Netflix has occasionally tested this hybrid strategy before. Earlier this year, the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters had limited theatrical screenings that sold out quickly and even returned for a special Halloween engagement due to demand. But while that film played across several major chains, Frankenstein is taking a much narrower path.

A theatrical release as elusive as the creature itself

If you were hoping to stroll into your local AMC to catch Frankenstein, think again. Despite Netflix’s prior deal with AMC for KPop Demon Hunters, del Toro’s latest will not screen at any AMC theaters. That’s a disappointment for the thousands of AMC A-List subscribers who regularly use their flat-rate memberships to plan weekly movie outings.

For families or budget-conscious fans, the exclusivity adds another hurdle — one that may require buying full-price tickets at independent cinemas or art houses. And with Frankenstein’s moody tone and mature themes, it’s not exactly a family-night-out kind of movie. Babysitters might be another hidden cost in your gothic night at the movies.

A scavenger hunt for screens

If your passion (and wallet) are up for the challenge, you can consult Netflix and del Toro’s official ticketing website, which lists participating venues. But fair warning: depending on where you live, your nearest screening might involve a significant drive.

For example, Los Angeles, one of the world’s film capitals, only has two venues showing Frankenstein during opening weekend — the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (owned and operated by Netflix) and the Nuart Theatre in Santa Monica, which is screening it in 35mm.

In New York City, only three locations have booked the film, including the Angelika Film Center, also running 35mm prints. Most other theaters are showing it digitally, and while rumors of IMAX screenings swirl, listings are inconsistent. As of this writing, IMAX has no official page for the film, meaning the only way to confirm a showing is to call your local theater directly.

One confirmed special event, however, should thrill del Toro devotees: on October 31, the filmmaker himself will appear for a Halloween screening at Hollywood’s legendary TCL Chinese Theatre, where Frankenstein will be presented in large format.

The streaming giant’s mysterious rollout

Netflix’s rollout strategy seems intentionally cryptic — perhaps to drive buzz and exclusivity. While the streamer has dabbled with theatrical experiments for prestige titles like The Irishman and Glass Onion, it rarely gives wide exposure to its releases. In the case of Frankenstein, the limited run feels both frustrating and fitting. After all, del Toro’s reimagining of Shelley’s tale is about creation, obsession, and isolation — themes that mirror the film’s own rarefied release.

It’s a decision that underscores the growing divide between Netflix’s global reach and its selective treatment of the big-screen experience. Streaming has made films more accessible than ever, but at the cost of the communal, immersive feeling of a true cinema screening — something del Toro, a self-proclaimed “disciple of movie theaters,” has fought to preserve.

A film built for the big screen

For fans of del Toro’s lush, emotional storytelling — from Pan’s Labyrinth to The Shape of Water — Frankenstein promises a visual feast. The director has described it as a deeply personal retelling that explores loneliness, grief, and what it means to be human. With a cast led by Oscar Isaac as Dr. Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as Elizabeth, expectations are sky-high.

But for now, the film’s theatrical run remains intentionally scarce — a tease for cinephiles and a headache for completionists. It will expand slightly next week, adding a few more venues across the U.S. and internationally, before making its global streaming debut on November 7.

So, if you’re determined to witness del Toro’s haunting vision as it was meant to be seen — flickering in the dark, sound rumbling through your chest — you may need to travel for it. For everyone else, the wait for Netflix might be the only realistic option.

Because, fittingly enough for a story about a creature hiding from the world, Frankenstein is proving just as hard to find.

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