Monster Makeovers: The Best Universal Horror Remakes

Originally published October 25, 2025. This article covers Universal Monster movie remakes, including The Mummy (1999), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), and others.

Year after year, decade after decade, we face the terror of reboots, remakes, and reimaginings. Sometimes it’s a certified smash and other times it’s a big ol’ miss. And when it comes to horror, we love to tell our favorite stories over and over again.

Slasher flicks have seen their fair share of retellings, to varied success. Creature features also get periodic updates with new-and-improved special effects. But what about the original stars of horror: the Universal Monsters?

Now that The Mummy has unwrapped a new remake onto the silver screen and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein won multiple Oscars, it’s the perfect time to revisit the best monster movie makeovers. This top 5 list does not just encompass faithfulness to source material nor is it all about being totally serious. The top qualifier is bringing something fresh to a horror favorite. Well, as fresh as a filthy, fiendish monster can be.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

At the top of the list, we have Bram Stoker’s Dracula. As far as adaptations go, this film manages to pack in all the supernatural splendor of Stoker’s novel — which is no easy feat. Count Dracula’s tale of terror covers centuries of history and still manages to effortlessly entrance the audience. Purists will note that every instance of Dracula’s demonic power is on full display, from wolves to smoke and every creature of the night in between. Better lock those windows.

The costuming and set design alone elevate this Dracula retelling, with opulent 19th-century fashion in every frame. Somehow, the ruffles and satins and top hats still feel fashionable in the 21st century, a testament to the Count’s staying power. Good style never really dies. Plus, we’re in good hands with ’90s horror powerhouses Winona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins, but Gary Oldman at the helm creates a captivating Count, at once unsettling and grotesque yet somehow charming. If you can call the root of all evil charming, that is.

The Mummy (1999)

An archaeologist, a bumbling brother, and a treasure hunter walk into a pyramid … and the rest is horror history. This Universal blockbuster was an awakening for many fans as they were swept up into the adventures of Rick, Evie, and Jonathan. The Mummy takes viewers on a wild ride full of flesh-eating scarabs, scorching sandstorms, and of course the titular reanimated high priest. And when you can’t get enough, the sequel, The Mummy Returns, is just as frightfully fun.

As Imhotep slowly gains power in a strange modern world, our trio of reluctant heroes embarks on an epic, action-filled mission to stop him. However, The Mummy really shines as the rare horror film that can deftly combine thrilling tension, disgusting body scares, and well-timed comedic relief. It’s an ancient balancing act made all the more powerful by Imhotep’s doomed love and the way his story reaches from the past into the present day. The only thing more chilling (and damning) than a curse is love itself.

The Shape of Water (2017)

There was always an undercurrent of tragic romance in The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Of all the Universal Monsters, the Gill-Man is perhaps the most misunderstood — his home was invaded, after all, under the pretense of science. Poor guy just wanted to swim in peace! In 2017, modern monster maestro Guillermo del Toro fished this classic tale from the dark depths for The Shape of Water.

Del Toro’s take on the monster love story is stunning on every visual level. A sheen of dreamy blue-green washes over the whole film, save for a breathtaking black and white dance sequence between Elisa and The Amphibian Man. Elisa, a mute woman who works as a cleaner at a top-secret lab, finds common ground with The Amphibian Man. Both know the devastating loneliness of existing outside of society. Together, they forge a bond that will pull at the tides of your heart (and make you crave a hard-boiled egg).

Invisible Man (2020)

Whereas the original The Invisible Man strayed into comedic territory, this modern vision sees the story for its true terror potential. Back in 1933, Dr. Jack Griffin turned invisible with a potion, evoking a mad scientist situation. Now, in the 21st century, technology is Griffin’s main avenue of scientific discovery. This new method creates questions of surveillance and privacy, which strike a chord in today’s audiences thanks to smart phones, data tracking, and targeted advertising.

But at the heart of The Invisible Man (2020), this is a thriller. Anyone who has faced the unmistakable fear of emotional abuse will grip the edge of their seat as the dynamic of Cecilia and Aidan’s relationship unravels. The true power of a movie remake is twisting a small aspect of the original until the new version shifts into something new, familiar yet novel all at once. For fans of psychological horror, this is a must-see remake.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is an eternal horror staple. Readers and viewers throughout the ages have never gotten enough of this story. Is it a cautionary tale against man’s hubris? Some sort of forbidden romance? Perhaps it’s an exploration of life itself, and humanity’s place in the world as a creative force. No matter how you interpret Frankenstein, it grips you from beyond the grave.

At the same time, there have been so many adaptations of Shelley’s story that you might ask yourself, what new wretchedness could possibly be worth it? This year, Zelda Williams shocked audiences with Lisa Frankenstein, a spirited reimagining that combines ’80s teen scream with biting dark comedy. The result is an entirely new creation full of bright pops of color (and body parts), a paranormal tanning booth, and plenty of gothic yearning and brooding.

Is your choice for best Universal Monster remake missing? Don’t incite an angry mob just yet! Voice your opinion and join the conversation with other horror fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow.