Expectations vs. Reality: Watching the Universal Monsters Movies for the First Time

I used to dislike horror movies when I was younger. I didn’t have anyone to show me older films, and I only occasionally saw pre-1980s movies when they happened to be on local television. I never came across the classic Universal Monster films, and that, combined with my general aversion to the genre, meant I just never watched them. Even as an adult, I kept putting them off—until recently. I’ve finally watched the eight most well-known films from that famous period of Hollywood history, which really filled a long-standing gap in my movie knowledge.

I’ve been aware of these films my whole life, seen countless adaptations and imitations, and encountered them everywhere in popular culture. So, I had a lot of preconceived notions going in. I wanted to see which assumptions were correct, what surprised me, what let me down, and what I truly enjoyed. Here’s a breakdown of how each movie measured up to my expectations—the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Expectations Before My First Classic Universal Monsters Watch

I hadn’t actually seen any of the classic Universal Monster movies, though I’d definitely come across scenes, remakes, and parodies over the years. They’re all over pop culture, and I figured I had a pretty good idea of what they were about. To be sure, I wrote down what I expected from these films before watching any of them, and even made notes for each movie as it started. Looking back, it’s clear I was way off with most of my guesses!

Mostly bleak/dark/sad endings
More spooky and unsettling than actually scary
Plenty of human villains and noble heroes
Far more sensual than you’d expect from the era
Very little dialogue

Well, this is awkward. Time to figure out where I went wrong! Here’s how my monster movie journey unfolded, in the order I watched them.

Dracula (1931)

Pre-Watch Expectations: Sexy and dangerous with plenty of death.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Dracula. It’s a genuinely funny and spooky movie. While the special effects haven’t aged well, the film is beautifully shot and creates a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, especially in the opening scenes set in the castle. Bela Lugosi is fantastic as Dracula – I wasn’t expecting such a strong performance from such a famous role! Dwight Frye is equally impressive as Renfield, quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite performances. I even appreciated the film’s slow pace and lack of musical score. The natural ambient noise actually adds to the film’s unsettling effect, and it wasn’t as overtly sensual as I anticipated.

It turned out to be right. Even though all the films feature romance, they avoid being overly suggestive or sensual. I hadn’t really considered it before, but it also explains why the violence is so tame, even in action-packed scenes.

Dracula First Watch Reaction: Great in ways I didn’t expect. Will watch again.

Frankenstein (1931)

Pre-Watch Expectations: I’ll basically already know this entire movie and it will be my favorite.

I thought I knew this movie pretty well, but I was surprised by a few things, like seeing other characters during the famous “It’s alive!” scene. I was also shocked to learn the monster wasn’t actually animated for several days after that moment. Honestly, the biggest surprise was how much I disliked the film. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found it slow-paced and a really odd adaptation – they even changed the scientist’s name! Plus, I wasn’t a fan of Colin Clive’s performance as the scientist.

This movie really works for two main reasons. First, Boris Karloff is incredible as the monster – he looks the part and his acting is phenomenal. Second, the scene where the father carries his deceased daughter through the town square is both courageous and deeply disturbing, pushing boundaries that many horror films avoid.

My initial reaction to Frankenstein was disappointing, but I’m hoping I’ll have a different opinion if I watch it again.

The Invisible Man (1933)

Pre-Watch Expectations: None! At all!

Even though I’m a fan of H.G. Wells, the idea of an Invisible Man has never really appealed to me, so I wasn’t expecting much from this film. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of my favorites! It’s a delightfully strange, funny, and unsettling movie, made truly special by Claude Rains’ phenomenal performance – one of the best ever. The special effects still hold up remarkably well, even compared to many modern blockbusters. I also appreciated how quickly the story gets going and stays focused, without any unnecessary scenes. It’s a beautifully concise film that really captures the terrifying potential of the Invisible Man’s descent into madness and ultimately, mass murder.

Universal’s The Invisible Man finally turned me into a fan of the Invisible Man.

Watching ‘The Invisible Man’ for the first time was incredible! It’s truly a standout among the classic Universal monster movies – arguably the very best.

The Wolf Man (1941)

Pre-Watch Expectations: Romantic and angry.

What immediately stands out in these films is the incredible makeup and costumes. It’s a shame modern movies don’t utilize these kinds of practical effects as often. The monsters are consistently well-designed, and that’s especially true in this heartbreaking story. Lon Chaney Jr.’s portrayal of Larry Talbot is uniquely relatable; he’s a sympathetic character unlike many of the classic Universal Monsters. He unintentionally becomes a killer while trying to help someone, and his tragic journey as he loses his mind – with no one believing his pleas – is particularly captivating. The dreamlike visual sequence was also a standout, feeling remarkably innovative for the series at the time.

This film delivered the dark and depressing ending I was hoping for more than any other. While most classic Universal Monster movies involve death and suffering, they usually end with the monster’s defeat. However, this one feels genuinely sad and bleak because we’re rooting for Larry and want him to survive.

I enjoyed this film, especially how it explores the psychological roots of the werewolf legend. It makes the story feel more believable and adds a lot of depth.

The Mummy (1932)

Pre-Watch Expectations: This will be the scariest of them all.

If I’d described this film as ‘boring’ instead of ‘scary,’ my initial expectations would have been spot-on. While the opening scene—where the ancient Egyptian monster awakens—is fantastic, the rest of the movie is surprisingly dull. Boris Karloff is captivating as the creature, and it’s amusing how quickly he learns English and creates a new life for himself after 3,700 years. However, his compelling performance and unique movements aren’t enough to save a weak and unscary plot.

The Mummy First Watch Reaction: The most dreadful of these eight films.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Pre-Watch Expectations: This is going to be hokey and silly.

This sequel is cheesy and over-the-top. The creature, inspired by Karloff’s original, is portrayed as a much more menacing and less relatable monster – the one most people picture when they think of Frankenstein. It includes many iconic scenes from the franchise, but tells a larger, less personal story than the first film. The title is misleading, too; the Bride of Frankenstein doesn’t actually appear until almost the very end of the movie.

I was disappointed to only see her for five minutes. She’s easily the best thing about the movie—a fantastic character with a really striking introduction and look—and that short amount of screen time just didn’t satisfy me. Honestly, I even enjoyed Frankenstein more, and I didn’t particularly like that one either.

Watching Bride of Frankenstein for the first time, I was surprised by how much slapstick comedy, similar to The Three Stooges, it includes, and honestly, I enjoy that in these kinds of movies. However, this film felt cheap and silly, more like a low-budget B-movie than the others in the series. I particularly disliked the scene with the miniature people in jars – if that doesn’t appeal to you, I don’t think you’ll enjoy the movie overall.

I plan to revisit Bride of Frankenstein sometime, understanding its unique place in the series, and I might enjoy it more with that perspective. However, I didn’t particularly connect with it this time around.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Pre-Watch Expectations: Good and scary.

The final movie in my personal horror marathon turned out to be the strongest of the group. It stood out from the others because it shifted from traditional gothic horror to a 1950s monster sci-fi vibe, which was clear in its look, music, and setting. Creature from the Black Lagoon is a solid example of the post-atomic monster genre, mainly because of its impressive underwater scenes and fantastic creature design. While it’s not flawless – the action sequences drag on a bit, and there are too many characters and unnecessary plot conflicts – it still works. The core idea and the terrifying creature itself are genuinely scary, and that carries the film.

I found the good parts of Creature from the Black Lagoon more enjoyable than the bad parts were disappointing.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Pre-Watch Expectations: I have no idea what is about to happen and if I’ll enjoy it.

I really loved this film! It’s both a significant piece of cinematic history and a great movie on its own. Lon Chaney’s makeup as the Phantom is still incredibly impressive. The story is disturbing and atmospheric, with lavish sets and exciting action. Overall, it’s a captivating film that has inspired me to explore more movies from the silent era.

If you enjoy movies – even if you’re not a horror fan – you really should check out The Phantom of the Opera. It’s a must-see for all movie lovers!

Final Thoughts After My First Classic Universal Monsters Watch

I approached these films with curiosity rather than strong enthusiasm. I wasn’t necessarily expecting to dislike them, but I thought they’d be more noteworthy as historical artifacts than truly enjoyable. I was completely mistaken, even though I didn’t love every single one. Despite some aspects feeling very old-fashioned now, other elements remain remarkably timeless. The performances by Lugo, Karloff, Raines, and the Chaney brothers, along with the makeup and set designs, still impress.

I always knew these movies were a big deal, but honestly, I never really got why people loved them for so long. I bet those of you who did understand are probably annoyed it took me this long to figure it out! But if you haven’t seen them yet, please don’t make the same mistake I did – watch them sooner rather than later. You won’t regret it!

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob and welcomes your complaints if you discover he hasn’t seen a movie you love. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s always participating in discussions about ranking the Targaryen kings.

2025-10-30 18:35