The fact that Frankenstein is hitting theaters before it arrives on Netflix is no doubt due to Guillermo del Toro’s strong desire for his dream project to have a theatrical experience. It also helps that movies must have a theatrical run to qualify for award season.
The latter is one reason Netflix’s surprise hit KPop Demon Hunters had those limited movie theater screenings in August, with a return coming this Halloween due to popular demand.
But while KPop Demon Hunters hit screens across multiple theater chains, if you were hoping to see Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) in Frankenstein on the big screen, the opportunity is seemingly just as elusive as the monster himself.
While Netflix struck a deal with AMC theaters to show KPop Demon Hunters, Frankenstein will not be screening at any of the chain’s cineplexes. So if you’re like me, a paying member of AMC A-List, you won’t be able to slot it into your weekly movie plan. Many families budget in the flat A-List fee to see movies monthly; for Frankenstein, you’ll have to shell out full price to see it elsewhere and then—if you have kids too young to enjoy del Toro’s passion project—you’ll have to book a sitter on top of that.
But if you have an unlimited entertainment budget, you can find your closest venue on Guillermo del Toro and Netflix’s Frankenstein ticket site here. Just know that your nearest theater might not be so near, especially during opening weekend; it will expand next week.
Your chances are better if you live in a major city. To use Los Angeles as an example—a city with many, many movie theaters—you can only watch it at the Egyptian Theater (operated by Netflix) in Hollywood or make the drive to Santa Monica, where the Nuart Theater is playing it in 35mm.
New York City, meanwhile, only has three theaters playing it, including the Angelika Film Center, which has it in 35mm as well. The rest of the presentations are on digital unless you’re lucky enough to nab IMAX screening tickets (as of publishing, IMAX does not have a listing page for the film). Your best bet if you’re dead-set on seeing Frankenstein in IMAX is to call your local theater or check its website rather than simply going by the Netflix ticketing site.
It appears that at least Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theater is getting it in the large format on October 27 with del Toro hosting his film at the legendary shrine to cinema at a screening on October 31.
Will you be seeing Frankenstein in theaters this weekend, waiting until its expansion next week, or holding out for Netflix in November?
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