Universal Monsters

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Universal Classic Monsters
Official franchise logo
Original work	Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913)
Owner	Universal Pictures
Years	1913–present[1][failed verification][2][failed verification][improper synthesis?]
Print publications
Novel(s)	See details
Comics	See details
Films and television
Film(s)	See details
Short film(s)	See details
Television series	See details
Miscellaneous
Theme park attraction(s)	See details

The Universal Monsters (also known as Universal Classic Monsters and Universal Studios Monsters) media franchise includes characters based on a series of horror films produced by Universal Pictures and released between 1913–1956.

While the early installments were initially created as stand-alone films based on published novels, their financial and critical success resulted in various cross-over releases. Following the positive response to various viewings of these movies via television redistribution which began airing in the 1950s, the studio began developing the characters for other media. In the 1990s, it became priority for Universal to promote their catalogue with official packaging that presented the movies with the official franchise title. Through a number of VHS editions, their popularity continued into contemporary entertainment. This included additional development through modern-filmmaking adaptations such as Stephen Sommers' The Mummy (1999) and Van Helsing (2004).

Modern analyses describes the titular characters as "pop culture icons".^[3]

Universal's early horror films were adaptations of work from familiar authors and texts to give their films a prestige appeal. These included Dracula (1931), whose success led to the production of other works such as Frankenstein (1931).^[4][5] Frankenstein's ending was changed by studio head Carl Laemmle Jr., who wanted Universal to be able deploy key characters from the film into subsequent Universal productions.^[5] Following the release of other Universal films such as The Mummy (1932) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935), there was a dry spell of horror films.^[6][7][8][9] Universal only returned to the style following a successful theatrical re-release of Dracula and Frankenstein. The renewed interest in horror films led to new works, starting with Son of Frankenstein (1939).^[6][7][8]

Universal would only introduce a few new monsters in the 1940s, with the most famous being Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man.^[10] The decade had Universal's horror output include many remakes and sequels, with films often directly reusing old sets, footage, and narratives to replicate moments in their earlier horror productions.^[11]

Universal's first transmedia properties appeared in the 1940s and the 1950s with the films Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).^[12] In these films, the monsters from the studio's earlier films "team up" against various characters. Author Megan De Bruin-Molé suggested that the Universal Classic Monsters films exist as a loose mash-up, which allowed for Dracula to exist and be watched separately from Frankenstein but allowed their characters to be systemically and consistently brought together and developed in other films and media.^[13] These productions made were often crossovers and sequels, such as Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein and several occurrences in comedy films of Abbott and Costello meeting the monster. This meetings started with Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and ended with Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955).^[13][14] De Bruin-Molé wrote that this approach from Universal was for commercial marketing terms, as it would establish the company as the "real" home of horror. Their films contained a world where potentially all monsters may dwell.^[15] The sole new monster movies Universal produced in the 1950s were the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and The Mummy (1959). The latter was co-produced with the British Hammer Film Productions.^[16]

Towards the 1960s, the Universal monsters grew beyond film and became more consistently transmedial. Initially, this began in 1957 when Universal struck a ten-year television deal with Screen Gems to distribute 52 of their own titles.^[16] These television screenings and the films being included on Mel Jass' Mel's Matinee Movie (1958-1979) would also prove to be popular. Stephen Sommers, director of The Mummy (1999), stated that his introduction to the series was on Jass's program.^[17] Universal became part of the Music Corporation of America (MCA) in 1962. By 1964, Universal Studios tours would eventually include appearances from Frankenstein's monster.^[18] Several products based on the characters from Universal's film series were released, ranging from plastic model kits, Halloween masks, figures, plush dolls, toys, drinking glasses, coloring books and postage stamps. While some of these objects bare similarity to the actors who portray them, others are more generic interpretations.^[19] Other mediums featured the Universal monsters in tandem, such as Bobby "Boris" Pickett's 1962 popular song "Monster Mash" and the television series The Munsters (1964) which was based on the likeness of the Universal characters.^[18]

In 1990, Universal was part of a merger between Matsushita, now known as Panasonic, and several other corporations. Between 1991 and 1995, Universal released VHS home video editions from their catalogue of horror films. This was the first time these films were packed together as the "Classic Monster" line, accompanied with a newly designed logo.^[18] Prior to this home video series, the Universal films that featured multiple monsters were called "Super-Shocker[s]" or "monster rallies".^[20] Louis Feol, the head of Worldwide Home Video for Universal Studios, said that the most important thing was the packaging of their sales. He added that it was "probably our single biggest priority and has been for a number of years", and that it was key to make the series of films "look like a line".^[21][22] In a 1999 interview, Feol stated that creating the series was to "reinvigorate and re-market" the Universal catalog, specifically with their series of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy.^[22]

The 1990s also saw a trend in the merchandising of Universal Monsters material as part of a trend for the decade of recycling and reinventing old material from the past.^[18] This led to the release of Stephen Sommer's The Mummy (1999) and a "monster rally"-styled film with Van Helsing (2004).^[23] Merchandizing of the characters in formats such as clothing and board games has continued into the 21st century.^[24][25] The franchise will be featured in the Dark Universe portion of Universal's upcoming Orlando theme park, Universal Epic Universe.^[26]

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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Universal Monsters" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• Dark Army: In September 2019, it was announced that the film, featuring monsters from the original movies as well as new characters, was in development. Paul Feig will serve as director, from a script of his own. He will serve as co-producer with Laura Fischer. The project will be a joint production between Universal Pictures and Feigco Productions.^[37] In October of the same year, the filmmaker confirmed that Universal was reviewing his script as a reworking of the Dark Universe concept, while citing The Bride of Frankenstein as a major influence.^[38] By February 2020, Feig was working on a second draft of the script, upon receiving input from Universal Pictures.^[39] By May of the same year, the filmmaker completed the newest draft while describing the tone as closer to the original films with horror elements, but a portrayal of the monsters as rejects.^[40] Feig had been given the option to develop films of any characters from the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures, prior to his chosen project.^[41][42]
• Frankenstein: Beginning in June 2017, the project was initially announced as being in development as one of the films intended to be an installment in the Dark Universe, with Javier Bardem cast to portray the titular character. Following the studio's change in approach to the characters, it was announced in November 2019 that James Wan will serve as producer on a reboot of the Frankenstein.^[43] Jason Blum expressed interest in joining the production in a producing role.^{[44][unreliable source?]} In March 2020, it was announced that Robbie Thompson will serve as screenwriter, while the plot will center around a group of teenagers who discover that a neighbor is creating a monster in their basement. The project will be a joint production between Universal Pictures and Atomic Monster.^[45]
• The Invisible Woman: In November 2019, a reboot of The Invisible Woman was announced to be in development. Elizabeth Banks will star in, and direct the film, from a script written by Erin Cressida Wilson based on an original story written by Banks. She will also produce the project with Max Handelman.^[46] Banks was given options to develop a film from any characters in the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures, while she chose the Invisible Woman.^[41][42]
• Monster Mash: In February 2020 a musical, titled after and centered around the novelty song "Monster Mash", was announced to be in development. Grammy Award nominee Matt Stawski will make his feature film directorial debut, while Will Widger will serve as screenwriter, from an original story written by Stawski. Marty Bowen will serve as producer, on the project which will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment.^[47]
• Dracula: By March 2020, Karyn Kusama was hired to direct a film centered around Dracula, from a script co-written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. The plot was reportedly to take place in a modern setting. The project was to be a joint-venture production, with Blumhouse Productions serving as the production studio.^[48][49] In June of the same year, Kusama stated that the movie would be a "faithful adaptation" of Bram Stoker's Dracula, including the plot device of being told from various perspectives.^[50] In February 2021, Chloé Zhao was hired to write and direct a futuristic sci-fi Western film centered around the character.^[51]
• Little Monsters: In July 2020, this was announced to be in development with Josh Cooley hired as both writer and director, with the story centering characters from the Universal Monsters movies; inspired and based on drawings of the monster characters by Crash McCreery who will be given an executive producer credit. The project is intended to serve as a "love letter to classic Hollywood and the history of film-making with a story that takes a multi-generational approach to the monsters and a more PG-rated, lighthearted family-friendly tone in the tradition of the classic '80s Spielberg films from Amblin Entertainment to match as well". The movie will be a live-action/CGI hybrid, with Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman serving as producers. The project will be a joint production between Universal Pictures and Mandeville Films.^[52]
• Untitled Invisible Man sequel: In February 2020, Leigh Whannell stated that though The Invisible Man (2020) was developed as a standalone film, he may consider making a follow-up movie.^[53] In May of the same year, Leigh and Jason Blum stated that sequel discussions were ongoing.^[54] In July 2020, it was officially announced that Leigh Whannell is working the story.^[52]
• Untitled Scorpion King reboot: In November 2020, it was announced that a reboot of The Scorpion King film series is in development. Jonathan Herman will serve as screenwriter, with the plot taking place during modern-day and involving a contemporary adaptation of Mathayus of Akkad / Scorpion King. Dwayne Johnson, who started his acting career as the titular role in The Mummy Returns, will serve as producer alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and Seven Bucks Productions.^[55]
• Untitled film: In November 2020, it was announced that a project is in development with Channing Tatum as its star. Wes Tooke will serve as screenwriter, from a story written by Reid Carolin. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will serve as co-producers alongside Tatum, Carolin, Peter Kiernan, and Aditya Sood. The plot is described as "a modern-day, tongue-in-cheek thriller", while being "a bold genre reinvention of one of the studio's most beloved characters from the Monsters Universe." The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures, Lord Miller Productions, Free Association Productions.^[56]
• Van Helsing: Originally announced in 2015, with Rupert Sanders in early negotiations to serve as a director for a reboot of Van Helsing, with a script co-written by Jon Spaihts and Eric Heisserer;^[57] the project was ultimately placed on hold. In December 2020, it was announced that the project had re-entered development with Julius Avery serving as director, as well as doing a rewrite of an original script by Eric Pearson. James Wan will serve as producer, with the project intended to be a joint-production venture between Universal Pictures and Atomic Monster.^[58]
• The Creature from the Black Lagoon: Universal attempted various incarnations of producing a remake centered around the titular Gill-man throughout a number of decades (beginning as early as 1982), including intended projects directed by: John Landis,^[59] John Carpenter,^[60] Peter Jackson,^[61] Ivan Reitman,^[62] Guillermo del Toro,^[63] and Breck Eisner;^[64] while various writers were attached through the years. Some time in 2004, James Gunn pitched an adaptation of the character though the studio passed on adapting the script;^[65] del Toro's material from working on his version was notably later repurposed for the unrelated Academy Award winning The Shape of Water (2017).^[66] Beginning in June 2017, the project was initially announced as being in development as one of the movie installments of the Dark Universe, prior to the shared universe being abandoned in favor of standalone films instead.^[67][68] In August 2024, a new project described as "grounded" and "modernized" based on the titular character was announced as being in development; with James Wan attached as producer in addition to being in early discussions to serve as director.^[69] By September of the same year, it was announced Sean Tretta was hired to write the script, which is based on an original story co-authored by Wan, Rafael Jordan, and Bryan Coyne. The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures, and the newly-merged Atomic Monster and Blumhouse Productions.^[70]

Beginning in October 2013, Universal hired Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman to collaborate in developing a relaunch of the Universal Monsters characters as a new shared universe of movies similar in fashion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe; notably a franchise which includes interconnectivity that originated previously in the classic Universal Monsters films.^{[71][72][better source needed]} By July 2014, the studio officially hired Chris Morgan to replace Orci and work alongside Kurtzman in overseeing development of an interconnected series of films based around rebooted versions of the Universal Monster characters. The duo was tasked with creating the overall outline for the titular monsters.^[73] The development of a cinematic universe continued as Kurtzman and Morgan became involved with additional photography for Dracula Untold (2014); reshoots which positioned the final scenes of the movie in modern-day, in order to connect with other movies and to allow the cast to reprise their roles in future installments.^[74] The movie's connections to the new franchise was downplayed however following its mixed critical and financial reception,^{[75][better source needed][76]} with The Mummy (2017) repositioned as the official start of the shared film universe.^[77] In May 2017, the slate of reimagined incarnations of titular monsters was officially titled Dark Universe. The studio announced the franchise with an official press release, logo, website, trailer, and score composed by Danny Elfman.^[78] Universal Pictures in collaboration with Kurtzman and Morgan, created a writer's room consisting of various contributors to create the stories that would later be expanded into scripts,^[79] which were intended to be rooted in horror as opposed to the action adventure nature of the studio's previous remakes.^{[80][better source needed][81][better source needed]} The Mummy introduced its ancient titular monster (played by Sofia Boutella), alongside the heroic character portrayed Tom Cruise who's monstrous origins depicted in the movie were intended to expanded upon in later installments.^{[82][better source needed]} Prior to the movie's release, additional cast joined the franchise alongside Cruise, including Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde, Johnny Depp as Dr. Griffin / the Invisible Man, and Javier Bardem as the Frankenstein Monster.^{[83][better source needed]}

Confirmed reboot movies in development included: Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Invisible Man, Van Helsing, and Dr. Jekyll.^[67][68] After poor critical reception and underwhelming box office performance of The Mummy in 2017 however, Universal postponed all plans for the Dark Universe slate of films.^[84] In January 2018, the production studio began reconfiguring their approach to the Universal Monsters,^[85][86] and following the departures of Kurtzman and Morgan from their roles as co-architects of the franchise,^[84] the studio decided to abandon a shared cinematic universe in favor of returning to standalone adaptations of the characters instead.^[87][88] After previously expressing interest in working with Universal Pictures on relaunching the characters for modern audiences,^{[89][90][better source needed]} Jason Blum officially signed on to collaborate on a number of the projects in development. The producer later stated November 2020, that control of the Dark Universe and the Universal Monsters remains under the direction of Universal Pictures.^[91]

This table includes the Universal Monster characters and their respective actors for each movie in the franchise. Additional characters include recurring primary characters of the Universal Studios Monsters franchise.

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Monster Force (1994)

Created by comic book author and artist Marv Wolfman, in collaboration with Universal Cartoon Studios, the show was developed to reintroduce the Universal Monsters to child audiences. The plot centers around a group of college-age students and their professor Dr. Reed Crawley to form a squad call the Monster Force, who through the use of some supernatural skills and technological weaponry must combat Dracula and his army called the Creatures of the Night. The series aired through broadcast syndication from April to July 1994. With mild viewership, the show was canceled after its first season.^{[100][better source needed][101]}

The Mummy: The Animated Series (2001–2003)

Created by Stephen Sommers in collaboration with Thomas Pugsley and Greg Klein, as a spin-off animated adaptation and continuation of the film series which had starred Brendan Fraser. The television show centers around Imhotep / The Mummy, while following the continuing adventures of Rick O'Connell and his family. Featuring the voices of Jim Cummings, John Schneider, Chris Marquette, Grey DeLisle, and an ensemble of supporting cast, the show was marketed towards younger audiences through Universal Cartoon Studios. Airing on The WB through the Kids' WB! programming block from September 2001 to June 2003, the show received critical acclaim while some critics called the release superior to the feature-length sequels to the live-action 1999 film.^{[100][better source needed][102][103]}

Abbott and Costello Meet the Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Developed in collaboration with Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, the short was released during The Colgate Comedy Hour as a live-television comedy sketch created to introduce audiences to The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Continuing the trend with previous installments where Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet the Universal Monsters, the short follows a plot where the two actors explore the studio's prop room which references some of their previous interactions with the various characters, while encountering the Invisible Man, Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange), and the Gill-Man (Ben Chapman).^{[104][better source needed][105][self-published source?]}

Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004)

Developed as an anime-styled prologue to the 2004 feature-length movie, the short was directed by Sharon Bridgeman from a script written by Garfield and Judith Reeves-Stevens. The plot takes place chronologically immediately before the live-action movie and follows Gabriel Van Helsing's investigation in the grisly murders plaguing Victorian era London, and his discovery of a monstrous killer named Mr. Hyde. Marketed as the prequel to the theatrical release, it was produced for the straight-to-home video market by Universal and was received with mixed reception.^{[106][107][self-published source?][108]}

The franchise has received a variety of home video packing boxsets including: The Classic Collection (1991-1994), the Classic Monster Collection (1999), The Legacy Collection (2004), the Essential Collection (2012), and the Complete Collection (2018).

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• Halloween Horror Nights: Since 1991 at Universal Parks & Resorts have featured characters from the Universal Classic Monsters franchise. From 2006 to 2014, the characters also appeared in the year-round walk-through attraction, Universal's House of Horrors, at Universal Studios Hollywood. The franchise is also the central theme of Universal's Horror Make-Up Show. The live show opened in 1990 at Universal Studios Florida and is still in operation.^[222]
• Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride: Opening in 2004 at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, the roller coaster with dark ride elements is based on the first two Mummy films of the remake era.^[223]
• Universal Epic Universe: In June 2024, it was revealed that Universal would be repurposing the concept and title of cancelled shared universe of movies through Universal Destinations & Experiences' planned expansion of the Orlando park location. As a part of the expansion, a portion of the park named Universal Epic Universe will be developed to incorporate and center around the Universal Monsters, and will be titled Dark Universe. Thematically inspired by each of its movies, the park is intended to serve as a modern day follow-up to the original films, where attendees can explore a town named Darkmoor Village. There they discover that the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein named Victoria, has continued followed in the mad scientist footsteps of her family and has begun creating monsters of her own. Visitors attending the park will see the events of a plot unfold, where her latest experiment which was intended to bring all of the Universal Monsters under her control backfires as a result of Dracula's revolt. The Dark Universe will include attractions, locales from the movies, a number of rides, and a combination of actors, animatronics, special effects, and cutting-edge technology that was developed for the park. The Dark Universe portion of the Universal Epic Universe park will open on May 22, 2025.^[224][225] The location will include Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolf Man, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Invisible Man, and various others from the studio's films.^[226]
• Universal Horror Unleashed: In 2025, a haunted house attraction will feature characters from the Universal Classic Monsters franchise.^[227]

The Universal Monsters have been attributed with directly influencing the horror genre and its filmmakers in the decades that followed,^[228] as well as also retroactively adding additional depth to the source material for the characters.^{[229][better source needed]} The popularity of the franchise, led to various unrelated media based on the characters and adapting in a variety of means.^[230]

• The Munsters franchise (1964–2022): A comedic sitcom formatted parody of horror, where a family of benign monsters navigate their existence among normal American experiences. Produced in collaboration with Universal Television, the franchise was able to employ the copyrighted designs of the Universal Monsters for the Munster family.^[231] Versions of Frankenstein's Monster, Count Dracula, the Gill-Man, Dr. Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, Bride of Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde feature throughout its installments.^[232]
• Mad Monster Party? (1967): Developed by Rankin/Bass Productions Inc. as a stop motion animated musical comedy, the adaptation features incarnations of Universal Monsters with distinct variations to avoid copyright; including: Dr. Frankenstein (voiced by Boris Karloff), Frankenstein's Monster, Bride of Frankenstein, Count Dracula, the Wolf Man, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Hunchback of Notre-Dame, and Invisible Man among various other monster-themed characters. Directed by Jules Bass, with a script written by Len Korobkin and Harvey Kurtzman, based on an original story from Arthur Rankin Jr., the plot centers around Dr. Frankenstein's invitation for all monsters to attend a retirement celebration at Castle Frankenstein to name is successor.^[233] The feature-length movie has been cited as a cult classic in the decades since its release.^[234]
• Abigail (2024): Originally developed by Universal under the working title of Dracula's Daughter after the 1936 film of the same name, it ultimately evolved into a separate project, is not directly based on any work of Dracula or Universal Monsters, and was stripped of its direct connections to them.^{[235][236][237][discuss]} It premiered on April 7, 2024 at the Overlook Film Festival.

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