The Nightmare Before Christmas is inescapable this time of year. But fans of Tim Burton-produced stop-motion animated Halloween flicks scored by Danny Elfman should also check out Frankenweenie. Burton directed the 2012 stop-motion film, expanding the live-action short of the same name he made in 1984, to put a kid-focused spin on the story of Frankenstein and other classic monster movies.
Shot in black and white to better evoke the feel of 1930s gothic horror, Frankenweenie is both adorable and stylish. Its version of Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is an awkward science-obsessed kid. When his dog Sparky is hit by a car, Victor turns his attic into a lab to bring the pup back to life.
The experiment involves every electronic device in the house, from the toaster to the Christmas decorations, and it goes shockingly well. Frankenstein stories are usually cautionary tales about hubris, where the mad scientist’s newly raised creature has nothing but contempt for his maker. But this Victor has a heartfelt reunion with Sparky, who wags his stitched-back-on tail so hard that it falls off.
The lost tail is one of many great visual gags in a film that’s often light on dialogue. While the resurrected Sparky drinks, he leaks. He eats a bug, which crawls back out of his body through a loose stitch. He mostly gets into goofy dog antics, including flirting with a poodle who he shocks, giving her fur a Bride of Frankenstein-style white streak.
The gentle version of the classic horror tale turns into a truly ridiculous creature feature in the second act, as Victor’s equally weird classmates learn about Sparky and try to replicate his experiment using fish, sea monkeys, a hamster, and a turtle so they can compete in the upcoming science fair. The film crams in nods to the Invisible Man, Godzilla, Dracula, and the Mummy in less than 90 minutes, alternating between dry wit and frantic energy, while always maintaining a strong emotional core.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney Plus, or available for purchase at Amazon and other digital platforms.
Polygon’s annual Halloween Countdown is a 31-day run of short recommendations of the best horror movies, shows, TV episodes, and online specials to stream for the Halloween season. You can find the entire calendar here.
