Halloween is upon us, and there is nothing more ideal for the season than the Universal Studios monster classics that invented the language of horror. Several of which are currently streaming for free on TubiTV.
Gorehounds and adrenaline junkies will find little to see here. These films were designed chill more often than thrill, and atmosphere is the sharpest tool in the box. But the basic plots as well as the aesthetic sensibilities of these movies have been running on repeat ever since they were first released. The Universal horror films are not only good fun for people of all ages, they are essential to the history of American Cinema.
Unfortunately, there are some notable absences from what is streaming free on TubiTV at the moment. Perennial favorite, The Wolfman (1941), as well as critical favorite The Invisible Man (1933) leave a disappointing hole in the lineup. But the six classic films below will provide plenty of eerie fun to fill your Halloween television dance card.
Dracula (1931), The Original
- 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“This is very old wine. I hope you will like it.”
Count Dracula
In all of American cinema, there is no actor more legendarily associated with a single iconic role than Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. Nor has there ever been a more genre defining film than Dracula (1931). An ancient blood-drinking phantom, no longer content to survive in the ruined shadows of his once-great legacy, schemes to flourish in the bustling modern world of London; and spread the obscene disease of vampirism to a new generation, a generation made vulnerable by their inability to believe in his power. Of course, the rubber bats and spiders can’t help inspire a giggle. But this is a near perfect film.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/680651/dracula-31?start=true
Frankenstein (1931), The Best Ever
- 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“Herr Frankenstein was interested only in human life. First, to destroy it; then, recreate it. There you have his – mad dream.”
Dr. Waldman
Frankenstein is not simply the best of the Universal Studios’ horror films. It is one of the greatest movies ever made. For the uninitiated, a warning is in order. This one is not as lighthearted as the others. The Monster is a sympathetic creature with a diseased brain. It lashes out violently and kills without the ability to form intent, while it is hunted through a world it cannot understand by enraged villagers and it’s reckless creator. The image of a dazed father carrying his murdered daughter’s corpse was shocking to 1930s’ audiences and is no less potent today. Boris Karloff gives a performance as the unhappy mute that is, without doubt, the best thing ever.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/680454/frankenstein?start=true
Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Most Iconic
- 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“To a new world of gods and monsters!”
Dr. Pretorius
The Monster is alive, has learned to speak, and grown to understand the horror of loneliness. Under the influence of a debauched philosopher, he demands of his creator a bride and threatens to create a race of unholy creatures. There are those that make the case that this sequel is better than the original. They are wrong. However, there is no denying its ground-breaking set design, cast of immortal characters, and classic scenes (both comedic and somber) that make this film a magnet to imitators and a favorite of film scholars.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/684519/the-bride-of-frankenstein?start=true
The Mummy (1932), Love Eternal
- 89% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“You will not remember what I show you now, and yet I shall awaken memories of love… and crime… and death…”
Imhotep
A brooding immortal being becomes obsessed with a mortal, awoken from his sleep by hubristic archaeologists, becomes obsessed with a woman that he is convinced is the reincarnation of his long, long dead true love. That is a story line you’ll probably feel has been done to death. Well, this is the template that the imitators could never duplicate.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/585977/the-mummy?start=true
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Classic of Camp
- 79% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“We didn’t come here to fight with monsters! We’re not equipped for it! We came here to find fossils!”
Prof. David Reed
Okay, so this is not a movie I’m likely to sit through while entirely sober. But after half-a-bottle of wine it’s hard to beat. After finding part of an important fossil, a team of scientists travel the Amazon river in search of the rest, unaware that the prehistoric fish-person they seek has a living relative who is anxious to defend himself–and possibly hot for human women, that part isn’t entirely clear. The Creature from the Black Lagoon lacks the great performances, screenplays, and pathos of the films listed above, but like all classics it established a structure that has been emulated many times. The team of scientists risking their lives for discovery, forced into peril by an obsessed egomaniac only concerned with carving his name into history is a structure we’ve seen many times since. And the rubber costume is cool.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/683697/creature-from-the-black-lagoon?start=true
Son of Dracula (1943), Is Also Here
- 60% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
“It was part of the plan I told you about in the garden. I asked you to have faith in me then. I beg you to have faith in me now. Count Alucard is immortal. Through him, I attained immortality. Through me, you will do the same, and we will spend eternity together.”
Louise Allbritton
Lon Chaney Jr, best known for his portrayal of Larry Talbot in The Wolfman (1941), is a strange choice to portray an heir to the Count Dracula title. He plays the role with unexpected pathos, but a mustache can only do so much. But the film has a good pace and is far more watchable than many of the more lackluster sequels. Certainly don’t start with this one. But if you have already seen the best and want a taste of the rest, there is plenty of fun to be had.
Find it free here: https://tubitv.com/movies/565125/son-of-dracula?start=true