Once, film lacked the audio, color, and the length of current feature films. Within a short span of time, film evolved, incorporating audio. It brought beautiful coloration and continued to develop longer run times. Somewhere in the continuation of filmmaking’s development, an idea was born, one that would produce countless films. As the phenomenon of filmmaking continued to breathe its life across the world, so did the universal monsters close behind. In this post, we will take a look at three of my favorite universal monster films.
1.Dracula
(Image-Dracula (1931). IMDb.com. 15th September 2025)
With one of the earliest contributions, we have Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931). Many know about the concept and popularity surrounding vampires, but many also have not witnessed one of the original film adaptations portraying them, A black and white film following the story written by Bram Stoker. With the use of early film audio and not much score, this film’s popularity is one to be noted. In this story, Dracula, played by Bela Lugosi, sways a real estate agent under his power, securing a premises to stalk unexpecting victims at night. While the film sits early in the evolution of filmmaking, it managed to produce an adaption of the original story in a way that struck a new sense of fear for movie goers.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814
(Image-The Invisible Man (1933). IMDb.com. 15th September 2025)
Shortly after the film Dracula (1931), we have another adaption from a novel written by H.G. Wells. Directed by James Whale, The Invisible Man (1933) followed as yet another classic universal monster. Still in black and white, this film seems to improve upon the score with bolder choices compared to earlier films. The story follows Dr. Jack Griffin (aka The Invisible Man), played by Claude Rains, who finds a way to turn himself invisible. With the transformation, he resides at an inn to try and cure himself, but fails. Throughout the film, he continues to wrestle the consequences of the experimental dose that slowly turns him insane and destructive. The improvement of technology for filmmaking allowed this piece to set a spine chilling narrative into the hearts of many.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024184
3.Creature From the Black Lagoon
(Image-Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954). IMDb.com. 15th September 2025)
A good amount of time after The Invisible Man (1933) came my favorite universal monster film, Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), directed by Jack Arnold. While still in black and white, this film, taking place years later, displays an improvement in audio and visual quality alike. In the film, a prehistoric creature skulks in the deep parts of the Amazon river system. With rumors of this creatures whereabouts, scientists pursue and attempt to secure the creature for further study back on land. The concept of “the Creature” in this film built a unique story that would maintain a level of creepiness amongst audiences today, making this an intriguing classic monster film.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046876
Reece Johnston is a Senior at Indiana University majoring in Film, TV, and Digital Production. He is pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Media Services and will continue through his last semesters at Herman B Wells Library.
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