An Infamous Sci-Fi Misfire Becomes a Streaming Hit 13 Years After Bombing at the Box Office

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For decades, audiences have been thrilled by movies with large-scale worlds, impressive visuals, and creative stories. This has led to massive box office hits like Avatar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Jurassic World. However, not every sci-fi film succeeds – and sometimes, a movie that initially fails in theaters finds a new audience and gains popularity through streaming services.

Stuart Beattie’s sci-fi film, I, Frankenstein, wasn’t a success. It received very poor reviews, earning only a 5% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and barely made a profit, grossing $76 million worldwide on a $65 million budget. The movie, adapted from a graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux, stars Aaron Eckhart as Adam, Frankenstein’s monster, who gets caught in a battle between two immortal groups 200 years after being brought to life. Although it was a box office disappointment, the film recently saw a surge in popularity after being added to Tubi, where it ranked at number 10 for two days in January.

I, Frankenstein’s Streaming Success Isn’t Surprising

It might seem surprising that I, Frankenstein recently appeared on Tubi’s Top 10 list, considering how poorly the movie did when it first came out. However, it actually makes sense when you look at the bigger picture. There’s been a major revival of Universal Monsters films. Universal Pictures’ long-running horror franchise, known for its classic creature features, has seen a resurgence in recent years. Since 2020, movies like The Invisible Man and Abigail have been released to critical acclaim, and there’s been a renewed focus on the story of Frankenstein.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein quickly became a streaming hit after its November release on Netflix and has earned nine Academy Award nominations. Meanwhile, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s reimagining of the classic The Bride of Frankenstein, titled The Bride!, is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 6, 2026.

Even without the recent popularity of Universal Monsters, the movie I, Frankenstein has proven it could be a streaming success. Over the past ten years, it’s developed a dedicated fanbase who enjoy its distinctive and artistic take on the Frankenstein story. The film cleverly combines gothic fantasy with comic-book action, presenting a reimagined Frankenstein as a hero. It’s a fun, over-the-top, and entertaining take on the classic tale – perfect for a lighthearted movie night.

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2026-01-23 18:41