With the limited theatrical release of Frankenstein, fans are quite angry about the whole affair. Being a Guillermo del Toro movie, fans were expecting to see the film in theaters, but it seems that there are too few.
Taking to his social media, del Toro addressed the issue of fans wanting Frankenstein to have a larger theatrical release. The Shape of Water director assured fans that “the number of theatres will expand soon! Stay tuned”.
I can assure you- the number of theatres will expand soon! Stay tuned https://t.co/MYRAuo2YID
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) October 17, 2025
Well, it seems that Guillermo del Toro might be doing some damage control, especially with how Netflix handled the ‘limited’ theatrical release of Frankenstein, which was truly… limited.
Netflix Had Its Worst Theatrical Release With Frankenstein
Well, the limited theatrical release was truly ‘limited’ in the sense that it targeted major cities where audiences were guaranteed to pull in. However, it seems that Netflix might have just underestimated how ‘limited’ the screening truly is.
According to Movie Web, only three theaters in a major city like New York are screening Frankenstein. All three theaters are located within Manhattan, and it is quite weird to see major cities like New York and Los Angeles suffering through such a limited release.
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In fact, here is a list of confirmed theaters specifically mentioned that are screening Frankenstein in North America.
- The Egyptian Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
- The Paris Theater – New York, NY
- TCL Chinese Theater – Hollywood, CA
- Landmark Theaters – various locations
- Coolidge Corner Theater – Brookline, MA
- Celebration Cinema – Nebraska and Michigan
Of course, there would be several other theaters showcasing the movie, but the fact that we had to make a small list proves just how ‘limited’ the theatrical release was.
| Key Facts About: | Frankenstein |
| Directed By: | Guillermo del Toro |
| Cast: | Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth |
| Year of Release: | 2025 |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.4/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score: | 86% |
| Production House: | Double Dare You |
Fans are blaming Netflix for the blunder while Guillermo del Toro manages the damage control (hopefully by making a deal with Netflix). However, this theatrical release showcases a disturbing trend in Hollywood.
Netflix’s Limited Theatrical Release Signals a Disturbing Funnel
Well, Netflix isn’t new to the whole ‘limited’ theatrical release, since there is a kind of loophole where a limited theatrical release movie can get nominated for Oscars.
Naturally, Netflix releases its movies for a limited theatrical release, which are potential Oscar contenders. However, with these ‘limited’ releases, a new disturbing trend is emerging.
Streaming services are funneling audiences into paying their subscription fees by making the movies exclusive. With a limited theatrical release, audiences would be hyped up (more than a streaming release), and a limited release tightens the availability of the movie, thus increasing demand.
Although some lucky people might be able to see Frankenstein in theaters, Netflix’s main goal is audience on the streaming platform. The streaming services might be undoing Tom Cruise’s work in saving theaters.
What are your thoughts about it? Let us know in the comments below.
Frankenstein will be available to stream on Netflix from November 7, 2025 (USA).
