Fans stunned: the extended version of Frankenstein is finally happening soon

Buckle up, monster fans! The wait is nearly over—Guillermo del Toro has announced that an extended cut of his Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein is on the horizon, and the film is already making Oscar headlines. In a year where Hollywood studio rivalries have reached record-breaking fever pitches, it seems fitting that one of literature’s most stitched-together icons is about to get some extra screen time, with all the pieces lovingly sewn back in.

Studio Wars and Oscar Milestones: The Scene Behind Frankenstein

The backdrop to Frankenstein’s big news is nothing short of epic. The 2026 Academy Awards have become a battleground, with Paramount and Netflix both vying at all costs to take over Warner Bros. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. itself is enjoying the sweet taste of record-breaking success: its film Sinners snagged 16 Oscar nominations, toppling the previous legends—Eve, Titanic, and La La Land—each of which had earned 14 in their heyday.

Not to be outdone by itself, Warner Bros. also sees its film Une bataille après l’autre, by Paul Thomas Anderson, dubbed the grand favorite and sporting a healthy nomination count. However, the field is tight: Marty Supreme (from A24), the Norwegian contender Sentimental Value, and—cue the lightning and thunder—Netflix’s Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro are hot on the heels with nine nominations apiece. No easy fates in this race for golden statuettes!

Netflix’s Oscar Reign Continues

Of course, Netflix is no stranger to Oscar buzz. The streaming giant has become a fixture at the awards in recent years with contenders like The Irishman, Mank, and The Power of the Dog. While the heavyweights—Une bataille après l’autre, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme—seem primed to split the night’s most prestigious trophies, del Toro’s Frankenstein has been tipped to scoop up several technical accolades:

• Costume Design
• Makeup
• Production Design

In other words, expect some outstandingly stitched-together creations on display.

“All the stitched pieces are coming!”: Del Toro Teases the Extended Cut

As if nine Oscar nominations weren’t enough, del Toro dropped a monster-sized bombshell: Frankenstein will receive a long version—a director’s cut. The announcement was made at none other than the Sundance Film Festival, which annually kicks off the festival season. Del Toro was there to screen his very first film, Cronos (1994), a horrifying tale already brimming with his signature: fantasy, vampirism, and, of course, an abiding fascination with monsters.

The transition from Cronos to Frankenstein felt natural, and del Toro seized the moment to tease his “ideal” cut of the film. Details are under tighter wraps than Frankenstein’s very own incisions. The director’s only clue: “all the stitched pieces are coming!”—a playful wink to his creature and a promise to fans that his vision is about to come fully to life. For now, it’s uncertain if this behemoth of a version will stream on Netflix or emerge as a blu-ray/DVD release. While Netflix isn’t known for releasing its directors’ final cuts, there’s hope they’ll make an exception for this cinematic event.

There’s precedent: del Toro’s Pinocchio (another Netflix darling) got a physical release and he has confirmed Frankenstein will follow suit. For collectors and movie buffs, this means a solid chance of seeing not only the final cut but also fresh behind-the-scenes footage—complementing what’s already streaming. The Pinocchio Criterion edition was visually stunning, and expectations are high that Frankenstein, featuring Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac, will receive an equally gorgeous treatment.

What Next? Onward to Oscar Night and Beyond

If you, like Victor Frankenstein, crave knowledge (and maybe a few chills), mark your calendar for the night of March 15 to 16. That’s when the Oscars roll out the red carpet and the world gets to see how many golden statues this monster nabs. Frankenstein probably won’t snatch them all, but to see it walk away empty-handed would be more shocking than a thunderstorm in a graveyard. There’s a very good chance Guillermo del Toro will use Oscar night to share more tidbits about the long-awaited extended edition, so sharpen your pitchforks—or, perhaps more appropriately, ready your popcorn.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for more revelations. Whether you’re a fan of technical wizardry, gothic storytelling, or just really excellent makeup, one thing’s for sure: This new Frankenstein is stitched, hyped, and almost ready to rise.