History Franchise / UniversalHorror

Universal itself has also mined its past for ideas. They did [[Film/{{Dracula 1979}} a remake]] of ''Dracula'' in 1979 starring Frank Langella and Sir LaurenceOlivier, and at the TurnOfTheMillennium, they remade ''Film/TheMummy1932'' as a series of [[TwoFistedTales pulpy, two-fisted]] ActionAdventure movies, known as Film/TheMummyTrilogy. They reunited the Wolf Man, Dracula, and Frankenstein's monster for the [[SoBadItsGood cheesily good]] SummerBlockbuster ''Film/VanHelsing'' in 2004, and did [[Film/TheWolfman2010 a remake]] of ''The Wolf Man'' in 2010 starring Benicio Del Toro and Sir Creator/AnthonyHopkins. Remakes of ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon'', ''Film/TheInvisibleMan'', and ''Film/BrideOfFrankenstein'' have also been announced. Finally, it's perhaps not a coincidence that [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal's theme parks]] in Orlando and Hollywood are known across America for having some of the biggest [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] celebrations around, collectively known as ''Theatre/HalloweenHorrorNights''.

More recently, there have been plans to create a new, rebooted Universal Horror universe, with ''Film/DraculaUntold'' as [[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68991 the first film]] in this shared setting. However, the film's underperformance caused it to be scrapped from continuity and ''Film/TheMummy2017'' used as the new first film, similar to what happened with ''Film/GreenLantern'' in the Film/DCExtendedUniverse. The new ''Mummy'' also features [[Literature/TheStrangeCaseOfDrJekyllAndMrHyde Dr. Jekyll]] in a supporting role, and other movies featuring other characters are in development, with Creator/JohnnyDepp signed up for the Invisible Man. Pending future changes, WordOfGod even says that the classic movies [[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/791945-mummy-kurtzman-universal-monsterverse#/slide/1 will be in continuity]] with these new ones, so some CanonWelding may be expected.

More recently, there have been plans to create a new, rebooted Universal Horror universe, with ''Film/DraculaUntold'' as [[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68991 the first film]] in this shared setting. However, the film's underperformance caused it to be scrapped from continuity and ''Film/TheMummy2017'' used as the new first film, similar to what happened with ''Film/GreenLantern'' in the Film/DCExtendedUniverse. The new ''Mummy'' also features [[Literature/TheStrangeCaseOfDrJekyllAndMrHyde Dr. Jekyll]] in a supporting role, and other movies featuring other characters are in development, with Creator/JohnnyDepp signed up for the Invisible Man. Pending future changes, WordOfGod even says that the classic movies [[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/791945-mummy-kurtzman-universal-monsterverse#/slide/1 will be canon]] to these new ones.

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents one of the earliest attempts at a [[TheVerse shared movie universe]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by Creator/AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the Creature from the Black Lagoon; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others[[note]]His first film came out significantly later than the others, at the tail end of the era[[/note]], his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space). More recently, there have been plans to create a new, rebooted "Universal Monsters universe", with ''Film/DraculaUntold'' as [[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68991 the first film]] in this shared 'verse. However, the film's underperformance caused it to be scrapped from continuity and ''Film/TheMummy2017'' used as the new first film, similar to what happened with ''Film/GreenLantern'' in the Film/DCExtendedUniverse.

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents one of the earliest attempts at a [[TheVerse shared movie universe]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by Creator/AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the Creature from the Black Lagoon; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others[[note]]His first film came out significantly later than the others, at the tail end of the era[[/note]], his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space). More recently, there have been plans to create a new, rebooted "Universal Monsters universe", with ''Film/DraculaUntold'' as [[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68991 the first film]] in this shared 'verse. However, the film's underperformance caused it to be scrapped from continuity and ''The Mummy'' used as the new first film, similar to what happened with ''Film/GreenLantern'' in the Film/DCExtendedUniverse.

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents one of the earliest attempts at a [[TheVerse shared movie universe]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by Creator/AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the Creature from the Black Lagoon; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others[[note]]His first film came out significantly later than the others, at the tail end of the era[[/note]], his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space). More recently, there have been plans to create a new, rebooted "Universal Monsters universe", with ''Film/DraculaUntold'' as [[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68991 the first film]] in this shared 'verse.

* ''Theatre/UniversalsHorrorMakeUpShow'', a behind-the-scenes presentation at Universal Studios Florida that focues on how makeup has been used throughout Universal's horror film legacy, including the Classic Monsters films.

Thanks to the Essential Collection, the official lineup consists of Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The ([[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 1943]]) Phantom of the Opera (although the 1925 version is considered to be part of the family too), and Gill Man.

Thanks to the Essential Collection, the 8 Major Universal Monsters are officially Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The ([[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 1943 version]]) Phantom of the Opera (although the 1925 version is considered to be part of the family too), and Gill Man.

Note: Boris Karloff played two monsters: the Mummy & Frankenstein's Monster. Also, Claude Rains played both the Invisible Man and the 1943 Phantom of the Opera.

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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Universal_monsters_9849.jpg]]

* ''Film/FrankensteinMeetsTheWolfMan'' (1943)

[[SilentAgeOfHollywood Back in]] [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood the day]], [[Creator/{{Universal}} Universal Pictures]] was a minor film studio of modest means, looking to stand out from its competition. Their solution? Create some of the most classic and enduring {{horror}} movie icons in history.

Thanks to the Essential Collection, the 8 Major Universal Monsters are officially Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The ([[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 1943 version]]) Phantom of the Opera, and Gill Man. Note: Boris Karloff plays two, the Mummy & Frankenstein's Monster. Also Claude Rains who playes the Invisible Man and the Phantom of the Opera.
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* ''The Invisible Man Returns'' (1940)

However, while production of new horror movies out of Universal came to an end, the monsters were by no means forgotten. Starting in the late 1950s, a British film studio called [[HammerHorror Hammer Film Productions]] began making their own movies based on the same material, in color (often [[KensingtonGore very lurid color]]). These portrayals of the classic monsters would be distributed by Universal within America, and left their own mark on the popular image of the characters. [[TheEighties Decades later]], ''Film/TheMonsterSquad'' introduced Universal horror to a new generation of young people, becoming a cult classic in its own right. While it wasn't actually made by Universal (the monster designs were all changed slightly so as not to infringe upon trademarks), it was filmed on their backlots.

* ''Monster Old Maid'', a deck for playing OldMaid featuring Universal monsters (and a few HammerHorror monsters that snuck in). Dracula's Daughter is the eponymous Old Maid.

* ''Monster Old Maid'', a deck for playing OldMaid featuring Universal monsters. Dracula's Daughter is the eponymous Old Maid.

Thanks to the Essential Collection, the 8 Major Universal Monsters are officially Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The ([[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 1943 version]]) Phantom of the Opera, and Gill Man.

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents some of the earliest attempts at [[TheVerse shared movie universes]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon''; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others[[note]]his first film came out significantly later than the others, at the tail end of the era[[/note]], his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space).

[[SilentAgeOfHollywood Back in]] [[GoldenAgeOfHollywood the day]], [[Creator/{{Universal}} Universal Pictures]] was a minor film studio of modest means, looking to stand out from its competition. Their solution? Create some of the most classic and enduring {{horror}} movie icons in history.

Universal first dabbled in the horror genre with its 1923 adaptation of ''Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' starring Creator/LonChaney, but its first true horror movie was its 1925 adaptation of ''[[Film/ThePhantomOfTheOpera1925 The Phantom of the Opera]]'', also starring Chaney. It then had a string of successful silent films with German expressionist director Paul Leni and actor ConradVeidt before it came roaring into the "talkie" era in 1931 with two movies: ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}'' and ''Film/{{Dracula|1931}}''. These two films were smash hits that [[TropeMakers laid the foundation]] for the modern horror genre, helped to establish Universal as a studio to be respected, and made leading men out of their respective stars, Creator/BorisKarloff and Creator/BelaLugosi. Universal followed this up with ''[[Film/TheMummy1932 The Mummy]]'' in 1932, ''Film/TheInvisibleMan'' in 1933, and a trilogy of movies based on the works of Creator/EdgarAllanPoe (''Film/MurdersInTheRueMorgue, Film/TheBlackCat'' and ''[[Film/TheRaven1935 The Raven]]''), as well as sequels to ''Dracula'' and ''Frankenstein''.

Universal first dabbled in the horror genre with its 1923 adaptation of ''Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' starring Creator/LonChaney, but its first true horror movie was its 1925 adaptation of ''[[Film/ThePhantomOfTheOpera1925 The Phantom of the Opera]]'', also starring Chaney. It then had a string of successful silent films with German expressionist director Paul Leni and actor ConradVeidt before it came roaring into the "talkie" era in 1931 with two movies: ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}'' and ''Film/{{Dracula|1931}}''. These two films were smash hits that [[TropeMakers laid the foundation]] for the modern horror genre, helped to establish Universal as a studio to be respected, and made leading men out of their respective stars, Creator/BorisKarloff and Creator/BelaLugosi. Universal followed this up with ''Film/TheMummy1932'' in 1932, ''Film/TheInvisibleMan'' in 1933, and a trilogy of movies based on the works of EdgarAllanPoe, as well as sequels to ''Dracula'' and ''Frankenstein''.

Although Universal took time off from making horror movies in the late 1930s due to financial difficulties, it returned in 1939 with ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein'' before introducing in 1941 one of its most enduring films: ''Film/TheWolfMan1941'', starring their new leading man, Lon Chaney Jr. They remade ''[[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 Phantom]]'' in 1943 and continued making sequels to their now-classic properties. Eventually, these sequels would start giving way to {{crossover}}s featuring [[MonsterMash all of Universal's monsters]], culminating in the 1948 hit ''Film/AbbottAndCostelloMeetFrankenstein'', an AffectionateParody of the early horror genre. From here, Universal horror entered a period of dormancy, as the trend in horror movies began to shift toward {{science|IsBad}} [[MadScientist gone]] [[ILoveNuclearPower wrong]] and {{alien inva|sion}}ders in [[TheFifties the Atomic Age]] — the only original horror films (not based on existing properties) that Universal made after this point that are still unanimously considered to be "Universal horror" were ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon'' in 1954 and ''Film/TheMolePeople'' in 1956.

Universal itself has also mined its past for ideas. They did [[Film/{{Dracula 1979}} a remake]] of ''Dracula'' in 1979 starring Frank Langella and Sir LaurenceOlivier, and at the TurnOfTheMillennium, they remade ''Film/TheMummy1932'' as a series of [[TwoFistedTales pulpy, two-fisted]] ActionAdventure movies, known as Film/TheMummyTrilogy. They reunited the Wolf Man, Dracula, and Frankenstein's monster for the [[SoBadItsGood cheesily good]] SummerBlockbuster ''Film/VanHelsing'' in 2004, and did [[Film/TheWolfman2010 a remake]] of ''The Wolf Man'' in 2010 starring Benicio Del Toro and Sir AnthonyHopkins. Remakes of ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon'', ''Film/TheInvisibleMan'', and ''Film/BrideOfFrankenstein'' have also been announced. Finally, it's perhaps not a coincidence that [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal's theme parks]] in Orlando and Hollywood are known across America for having some of the biggest [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] celebrations around, collectively known as ''Theatre/HalloweenHorrorNights''.

However, while production of new horror movies out of Universal came to an end, the monsters were by no means forgotten. Starting in the late 1950s, a British film studio called [[HammerHorror Hammer Film Productions]] began making their own movies based on same material, in color (often [[KensingtonGore very lurid color]]). These portrayals of the classic monsters would be distributed by Universal within America, and left their own mark on the popular image of the characters. [[TheEighties Decades later]], ''Film/TheMonsterSquad'' introduced Universal horror to a new generation of young people, becoming a cult classic in its own right. While it wasn't actually made by Universal (the monster designs were all changed slightly so as not to infringe upon trademarks), it was filmed on their backlots.

However, while production of new horror movies out of Universal came to an end, the monsters were by no means forgotten. Starting in the late 1950s, a British film studio called [[HammerHorror Hammer Film Productions]] began [[TheRemake remaking]] many of Universal's classic horror films, in color (often [[KensingtonGore very lurid color]]). These portrayals of the classic monsters would be distributed by Universal within America, and left their own mark on the popular image of the characters. [[TheEighties Decades later]], ''Film/TheMonsterSquad'' introduced Universal horror to a new generation of young people, becoming a cult classic in its own right. While it wasn't actually made by Universal (the monster designs were all changed slightly so as not to infringe upon trademarks), it was filmed on their backlots.

Although Universal took time off from making horror movies in the late 1930s due to financial difficulties, it returned in 1939 with ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein'' before introducing in 1941 one of its most enduring films: ''Film/TheWolfMan1941'', starring their new leading man, Lon Chaney Jr. They remade ''[[Film/PhantomOfTheOpera1943 Phantom]]'' in 1943 and continued making sequels to their now-classic properties. Eventually, these sequels would start giving way to {{crossover}}s featuring [[MonsterMash all of Universal's monsters]], culminating in the 1948 hit ''Film/AbbottAndCostelloMeetFrankenstein'', an AffectionateParody of the early horror genre. From here, Universal horror entered a period of dormancy, as the trend in horror movies began to shift toward {{science|IsBad}} [[MadScientist gone]] [[ILoveNuclearPower wrong]] and {{alien inva|sion}}ders in [[TheFifties the Atomic Age]] — the only original horror films (not based on existing properties) that Universal made after this point that are still considered to be "Universal horror" were ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon'' in 1954 and ''Film/TheMolePeople'' in 1956.

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents some of the earliest attempts at [[TheVerse shared movie universes]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon''; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others[note]his first film came out significantly later than the others, at the tail end of the era[/note], his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space).

An interesting aspect of Universal Horror for film geeks is that it represents some of the earliest attempts at [[TheVerse shared movie universes]]. Through sequels, its Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies were established as sharing a (somewhat loose) continuity, effectively [[TropeCodifier creating]] the {{Uberwald}} trope. Via movies by AbbottAndCostello, the Invisible Man[[note]]Albeit briefly in a cameo, and the Invisible Man movies were actually set in a number of different continuities.[[/note]] and the Mummy[[note]]The version from ''Film/TheMummysHand'' and its sequels, not from the original ''Film/TheMummy1932''.[[/note]] were also added to this shared universe. In later uses for homage and satire, these five "classic" Universal Monsters became somewhat inseparable, and were also frequently featured with the ''Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon''; while "Gill Man" was never established as having any canonical ties to the others, his popularity appears to have gotten him into the club. Eventually, as a way of promoting ''Film/VanHelsing'', Universal gave its official stamp of approval to these six "classic" monsters -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, and Gill Man -- by releasing six "Legacy" collections, one for each, officially setting them apart from the remainder of Universal Horror (although the Wolf Man collection featured two unrelated films, one of which did not even feature an actual werewolf, to fill space).

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