All of the Universal Monsters movies in order (1913 – 1956)

In 1931, Universal Studios released two movies based around Bram Stoker’s Dracula. One of the movies was an English-language picture directed by Tod Browning and starring Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula, while the other was a Spanish-language film directed by George Melford and starred Carlos Villarías as Conde Drácula.

Due to the success of the two Dracula movies, Universal Studios decided to push forward with another horror movie, this time based on Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Directed by James Whale, the film – simply title Frankenstein – was released the same year as the Dracula adaptations, and was once again a hit with audiences.

Spurred on by the popularity of these horror movies, Universal continued with further productions steadily building up a portfolio of frightening features. The studio carried on producing monster movies until 1956, when finally the bubble burst on its successful series.

But during its heyday, the studio amassed a wealth of pictures, many of which are still adored by horror fans today. Want to know what all of the Universal Studios Monsters movies are? Of course you do – and you simply need to read on for all the details.

Oh, and the list of Universal Monsters movies you’ll see below includes a few silent-era horror films which were retroactively added to the collection.

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Universal Studios Monsters movies

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913)

First up, is the 1913 silent movie, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Directed by Herbert Brenon and based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the film focuses on a doctor who transforms into a creature.

King Baggot takes on the dual role of Jekyll and Hyde, while Jane Gail, Matt B. Snyder, and Howard Crampton round out the supporting cast. (26 mins) 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

Lon Chaney takes on the role of Quasimodo, the titular Hunchback of Notre Dame, for this next silent-era film, which is based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. Wallace Worsley directs, while the story concerns a tortured bellringer. (102 mins)

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

The final silent-era movie is 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera – a horror adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s novel of the same name. Lon Chaney takes on the part of the Phantom, with Rupert Julian in the director’s chair. (107 mins)

Dracula (1931) – English language

Next up, the most iconic vampire of them all takes to the big screen in Tod Browning’s iconic horror movie, Dracula. The film is based on the 1924 stage play of the same name by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, which in turn is based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel about a mysterious count who happens to be a vampire.

Bela Lugosi takes on the title role, while Dwight Frye plays Renfield, and Edward Van Sloan is Van Helsing. (74 mins)

Dracula (1931) – Spanish language

Released less than a month after Browning’s English-language film of Dracula, a Spanish- language alternative made its debut. George Melford directs, while Carlos Villarías stars as Conde Drácula. (104 mins)

Frankenstein (1931)

James Whale calls the shots on this next movie, which adapts Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The film tells the story of scientist Henry Frankenstein and his obsession with creating life, using the dug-up body parts of corpses.

In the movie, Frankenstein creates a man-like monster, with Boris Karloff playing the role of the creature. Colin Clive plays Frankenstein, while Dwight Frye takes on the part of his assistant, Fritz. (70 mins)

Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)

Based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, Murders in the Rue Morgue follows the story of Doctor Mirakle – a scientist (and carnival sideshow entertainer) who kidnaps women to mix their blood with the blood of his gorilla. Bela Lugosi stars as Mirakle, while Robert Florey directs. (62 mins)

The Mummy (1932)

Up next is the supernatural horror, The Mummy. Directed by Karl Freund, the film stars Boris Karloff as the ancient Egyptian mummy, Imhotep who is accidentally brought back to life by a team of archeologists. (73 mins)

Island of Lost Souls (1932)*

Based on H. G. Wells’ novel, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Island of Lost Souls is a sci-fi horror about a sailor who finds himself stranded on an island inhabited by strange scientist who creates humanoid animals. Erle C. Kenton directs, while Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, and Bela Lugosi star. 

*This movie was originally produced by Paramount Pictures, but was later acquired by Universal and re-branded as a Universal Monsters movie. (70 mins)

The Invisible Man (1933)

Another H. G. Wells novel provides the (loose) basis for this next movie, 1933’s sci-fi horror, The Invisible Man. James Whale directs, while Claude Rains plays the titular man who becomes invisible as a result of a secret experiment. (70 mins)

The Black Cat (1934)

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi team up for this next picture, which sees stranded honeymooners cross paths with a mad doctor. Edgar G. Ulmer directs. (66 mins)

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

James Whale returns to the director’s chair for this sequel to 1931’s Frankenstein. As the title suggests, Dr. Frankenstein creates a bride for his creature, with Boris Karloff back in the role of the monster and Elsa Lanchester playing the bride. (75 mins)

Werewolf of London (1935)

Stuart Walker directs this next movie: Werewolf of London. The story concerns a doctor (played by Henry Hull) who is bitten by a feral creature and begins to transform into a werewolf. (75 mins)

The Raven (1935)

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi are back, this time in a story about a neurosurgeon and an escaped murderer who join forces for macabre reasons. Lew Landers directs. (61 mins)

Dracula’s Daughter (1936)

In this sequel to 1931’s English-language Dracula, Drac’s daughter, Countess Marya Zaleska believes she may have found a way to be free of her father’s influence following his death. (71 mins)

Son of Frankenstein (1939)

In this third entry in the Frankenstein story, Henry Frankenstein’s son, Baron Wolf von Frankenstein returns to his late father’s estate for more monster hijinks. Rowland V. Lee takes on director duties, while Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi star. (99 mins)

Tower of London (1939)

Rowland V. Lee directs this next movie, which also includes Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff amongst the cast. The film focuses on King Richard III and his executioner, Mord. (92 mins)

The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

In this second entry in the Invisible Man film series, an innocent man condemned for a murder he didn’t commit wishes to become an Invisible Man. Joe May directs, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, John Sutton, and Vincent Price star. (81 mins)

The Mummy’s Hand (1940)

In The Mummy’s Hand, archaeologists defile the tomb of Kharis, who was buried alive for falling in love with an Egyptian princess. Christy Cabanne directs, while Dick Foran and Tom Tyler are amongst the cast. (67 mins)

The Invisible Woman (1940)

Breaking away from the previous entries in the Invisible Man series, The Invisible Woman is pitched as a screwball comedy about a department store model who is given the power of invisibility. Virginia Bruce and John Barrymore star, while A. Edward Sutherland directs. (72 mins)

The Monster and the Girl (1941)*

In The Monster and the Girl, a crazed scientist creates a monster when he transplants the brain of a murderer into the body of an ape. Stuart Heisler directs.

*As with Island of Lost Souls, The Monster and the Girl was originally produced by Paramount Pictures, but was later acquired by Universal and re-branded as a Universal Monsters movie. (65 mins)

Man-Made Monster (1941)

In George Waggner’s Man-Made Monster (aka Electric Man and The Mysterious Dr. R, as well as The Atomic Monster) a mad scientist transforms a man into an electronically controlled monster. Lon Chaney Jr. stars. (60 mins)

The Wolf Man (1941)

George Waggner directs again, while Lon Chaney Jr. stars in role of Larry Talbot aka the Wolf Man. During the course of the film, Talbot is bitten by a wolf, leading to his transformation. (70 mins)

The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)

The Frankenstein movie series continues in this next offering, The Ghost of Frankenstein, but this time Lon Chaney Jr. takes on the role of the monster. Cedrick Hardwicke plays Dr. Ludwig Frankenstein (another one of Henry Frankenstein’s sons), while Bela Lugosi returns as Ygor and Erle C. Kenton calls the shots from the director’s chair. (67 mins)

Invisible Agent (1942)

In Invisible Agent, it’s war time and Frank Griffin Jr, the grandson of the original Invisible Man, is approached by the Axis powers to hand over the formula for invisibility. He refuses, then works with the US government to use his invisibility for good (79 mins) 

The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)

The Mummy saga continues in this third entry, picking up the story 30 years after the events of The Mummy’s Hand. Harold Young directs, while Lon Chaney Jr. stars as the mummy, Kharis. (60 mins)

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)

Continuing on from The Wolf Man and The Ghost of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man centres around a team-up between the two horror icons, with Lon Chaney Jr. reprising the role of Larry Talbot/the Wolf Man and Bela Lugosi playing Frankenstein’s Monster. Roy William Neill directs. (72 mins)

Captive Wild Woman (1943)

Up next is Captive Wild Woman, director Edward Dmytryk’s horror about a scientist whose experiments turn a female gorilla into a human. John Carradine and Evelyn Ankers star, with Acquanetta as Paula Dupree/Cheela the ape woman. (60 mins)

Phantom of the Opera (1943)

Second adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, which is loosely based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, as well as the silent-era film from 1925. Arthur Lubin directs, while the cast includes Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, and Claude Rains. (92 mins)

Son of Dracula (1943)

The Dracula series moves to the US where Count Alucard has set up residence. Robert Siodmak directs, while Lon Chaney Jr. takes on the role of Alucard/Dracula. (78 mins)

The Mad Ghoul (1943)

James Hogan jumps into the director’s chair for this next film: The Mad Ghoul. The plot revolves around a scientist who is obsessed with an ancient Mayan life-preserving process, while the cast includes George Zucco and David Bruce. (65 mins)

The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)

The Invisible Man saga continues as mad scientist Dr. Peter Drury tests the invisibility serum on a patient who has escaped from a psychiatric hospital. Ford Beebe directs, John Carradine and Jon Hall star. (77 mins)

The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)

Up next is another sequel to 1940’s The Mummy’s Hand, with Lon Chaney Jr. back in the role of Kharis the mummy. Reginald Le Borg directs. (60 mins)

Jungle Woman (1944)

The Cheela, the Ape Woman series movie series continues with this sequel. Acquanetta reprises the role of Paula Dupree. (60 mins)

House of Frankenstein (1944)

Created as a sequel to 1943’s Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein is another monster mash-up featuring Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, and the Wolf Man. Erle C. Kenton directs, while Universal regulars Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and John Carradine feature amongst the cast. (70 mins)

The Mummy’s Curse (1944)

Set after the events of The Mummy’s Ghost, The Mummy’s Curse continues the story of Kharis the mummy. Leslie Goodwins directs, while Lon Chaney Jr. puts in his final appearance as Kharis. (60 mins)

Jungle Captive (1945)

Third entry in the Cheela, the Ape Woman series with Vicky Lane taking over as Paula Dupree. Harold Young directs. (63 mins)

House of Dracula (1945)

Back to monster mash-ups in Erle C. Kenton’s House of Dracula, which includes appearances from Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, the Mad Doctor, the Hunchback, and of course, Dracula. Lon Chaney Jr., John Carradine, and Glenn Strange star. (67 mins)

House of Horrors (1946)

Up next is a macabre offering from Jean Yarbrough. House of Horrors (aka Murder Mansion and Joan Bedford is Missing) centres its story around a sculptor and a madman known as ‘the Creeper’ who embark on a killing spree. (66 mins)

She-Wolf of London (1946)

Jean Yarbrough returns to the director’s chair for this next film, the mystery-horror, She-Wolf of London. Set in London during the early 20th Century, the movie focuses on a werewolf and a series of murders. (61 mins)

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Up next is the first of four monster movies featuring comedic double-act, Abbott and Costello. In this first entry, Dracula and Dr. Sandra Mornay are keen on acquiring a brain to reactivate Frankenstein’s Monster, and believe they have the ideal candidate in one half of the Abbott and Costello duo.

Charles Barton directs, while the cast includes Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Bud Abbott, and Lou Costello. (82 mins)

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

In this next film, Abbott and Costello play two private detectives investigating the murder of a boxing promoter. Charles Lamont directs this one, with Abbott and Costello joined by a cast which includes Nancy Guild, Adele Jergens, and Arthur Franz as the Invisible Man. (82 mins)

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)

Charles Lamont directs this next Abbott and Costello film, which follows two police officers in Victorian London on the hunt for a monster responsible for a series of murders. Boris Karloff plays Dr. Henry Jekyll, while Eddie Parker plays Mr. Hyde. (76 mins)

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

In Creature from the Black Lagoon, a group of scientists encounter an amphibious humanoid in the waters of the Amazon. Jack Arnold directs, while Ben Chapman and Ricou Browning pull double duties in the Gill-man costume. (79 mins)

Revenge of the Creature (1955)

Jack Arnold returns to direct Revenge of the Creature – a direct sequel which sees the Gill-man sent to an Oceanarium in Florida to be studied. Tom Hennesy and Ricou Browning play the Gill-man, while a young Clint Eastwood pops up as a lab technician. (82 mins)

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)

In the fourth and final Abbott and Costello offering, the comedic pair are employed as guardians of a mummy, with humorous results. Eddie Parker plays Klaris the mummy, while Charles Lamont directs. (79 mins)

The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

And finally, the classic era of Universal Monster movies ends with The Creature Walks Among Us, the third and final entry in the Creature from the Black Lagoon series. John Sherwood directs, Jeff Morrow and Rex Reason star, while the plot focuses on a scientist who transforms the Gill-man into a more human-like organism. (78 mins)

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Recap: List of Universal Studios Monsters movies in order

Below is a list of all the Universal Monsters movies. The list begins with the silent-era picture, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde released in 1913, and runs through to The Creature Walks Among Us, which hit screens in 1956.

As you will see from the list below, Universal brought a wealth of classic characters to the big screen, with many of these titles ripe for revisiting. So, if you are looking for an old school monster movie to watch, one of these could be right up your street!

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
• Dracula (1931) – English language
• Dracula (1931) – Spanish language
• Frankenstein (1931)
• Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)
• The Mummy (1932)
• Island of Lost Souls (1932)*
• The Invisible Man (1933)
• The Black Cat (1934)
• The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
• Werewolf of London (1935)
• The Raven (1935)
• Dracula’s Daughter (1936)
• Son of Frankenstein (1939)
• Tower of London (1939)
• The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
• The Mummy’s Hand (1940)
• The Invisible Woman (1940)
• The Monster and the Girl (1941)*
• Man-Made Monster (1941)
• The Wolf Man (1941)
• The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
• Invisible Agent (1942)
• The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)
• Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
• Captive Wild Woman (1943)
• Phantom of the Opera (1943)
• Son of Dracula (1943)
• The Mad Ghoul (1943)
• The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)
• The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
• Jungle Woman (1944)
• House of Frankenstein (1944)
• The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
• Jungle Captive (1945)
• House of Dracula (1945)
• House of Horrors (1946)
• She-Wolf of London (1946)
• Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
• Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
• Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
• Revenge of the Creature (1955)
• Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
• The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

*Please note, of the movies listed above, Island of Lost Souls and The Monster and the Girl were originally produced by Paramount Pictures, not Universal. However, these two films were later acquired by Universal and were once re-branded as Universal Monsters movies.

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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about the Universal Monsters movies – I hope it has proved useful. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.