10 More Horror Movie Sequels MASSIVELY Better Than The Original
4. Bride Of Frankenstein
One of the first horror movies made in the wake of the harsh censorship of the Hays Code, 1935's Bride of Frankenstein had a rather steep uphill battle to overcome. Additionally, director James Whale was not pleased with the scripts that came his way, therefore throwing a wrench into the development of a continuation to 1931's Frankenstein.
Despite these challenges, Bride of Frankenstein prevailed to become a seminal work of classic Hollywood cinema and the horror genre. The script, penned by William Hurlbut (with a story credit for John L. Balderston) seamlessly weaves together a zanier tone than the first film, with thought-provoking themes surrounding human sexuality, creation in a religious context, and scientific advancement.
These lofty intellectual ambitions are anchored by fantastic performances from Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster and Elsa Lanchester as his Bride. The monstrous duo effortlessly navigate pathos and humour, and are able to add numerous layers to what, on paper, would be flat characters due to their limited cognitive abilities.
Despite conservative attitudes and creative differences, Bride of Frankenstein managed to become an enduring piece of pop culture, nearly nine decades after its release.