Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

1948

1h 23m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the first of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's horror vehicles for Universal Pictures, the inimitable comic duo star as railway baggage handlers in northern Florida. When a pair of crates belonging to a house of horrors museum are mishandled by Wilbur (Lou Costello), the museum's director, Mr. McDougal (Frank Ferguson), demands that they deliver them personally so that they can be inspected for insurance purposes, but Lou's friend Chick (Bud Abbott) has grave suspicions.

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Critics Consensus

A zany horror spoof that plays up and then plays into the best of Universal horror cliches.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Oct 16, 2007

3/5

A little bit of going through the motions with this horror spoof but fans will enjoy

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 16, 2007

This 1948 effort is probably the last of their watchable films, though it's a long way from their best.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Aug 8, 2006

2/5

The notion of having these two clowns run afoul of the famous screen monster is a good laugh in itself. But take this gentle warning: get the most out of that one laugh while you can, because the picture, at Loew's Criterion, does not contain many more.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 29, 2025

3.5/4

None of the A&C efforts have endured quite like this horror-comedy classic.

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Howard Waldstein

CBR

Jun 27, 2023

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is not a straight-up horror, per se, but it indeed boasts all of the necessary elements to be considered as such.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Dec 7, 2020

7/10

Were it not for the goofy leads, this could very well be yet another chapter in the series of classic monster mashups, which had fizzled out of theaters a few years prior.

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Sue H.

Oct 24, 2022

How fun it is to see these older movies on the big screen. The physical humor and the subtleties come through strongly. And while in some A&C movies, Abbott is really mean to Costello, here the monsters take up so much of the action that the boys are more of a team. This is a great one to see with the whole family. One of A&C's movies that holds up best.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

This movie = a *4* star Movie...

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Kryptonian T

@kryptonian1393 Sep 2, 2026

You really should’ve taken Wilbur’s word for it all along

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andrew H

@andrew512 Jul 21, 2026

there's something funny, ridiculous and completely idiotic at the same time about a classic horror character mixed with comedians like Abbott and Costello, this whole film could have done better but overall, I think it is mediocre.

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Paolo F

@XKP-Producer May 27, 2026

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a timeless classic that still works wonderfully today. The mix of comedy and horror is clever, lighthearted, and genuinely entertaining for the whole family. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are in top form, delivering nonstop laughs with perfect timing and chemistry. What makes the film even more special is the presence of legendary monster actors such as Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi, who bring authenticity and charm to the iconic Universal monsters. Seeing Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster together creates a magical atmosphere that modern films rarely capture. Despite being released in 1948, the movie remains fresh, funny, and incredibly enjoyable. A true example of old-fashioned family entertainment done right.

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Jason R

@JasonLovesMoviesForever Mar 3, 2026

The ULTIMATE collaboration of the Original Monsters into one scary and hilarious movie that will forever live in Cinema-Time! Everyone's acting is flawless and the story line is perfect. If you want to laugh then look no further. This is probably Abbott and Costello's greatest work ever.

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Charles Barton

Director

Bud Abbott

Chick Young

Lou Costello

Wilbur Grey

Bela Lugosi

Count Dracula

Lenore Aubert

Dr. Sandra Mornay

Jane Randolph

Joan Raymond

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Wolf Man

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Keep Your Shirt On

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Take the Mask Off

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Dracula Rises

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Death of the Monster

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Evading The Monsters

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Return of the Count

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Where Are They?

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Wolf Man Transforms

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: Official Clip - Do You Believe Me Now?

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Synopsis

In the first of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's horror vehicles for Universal Pictures, the inimitable comic duo star as railway baggage handlers in northern Florida. When a pair of crates belonging to a house of horrors museum are mishandled by Wilbur (Lou Costello), the museum's director, Mr. McDougal (Frank Ferguson), demands that they deliver them personally so that they can be inspected for insurance purposes, but Lou's friend Chick (Bud Abbott) has grave suspicions.

Director: Charles Barton
Producer: Robert Arthur
Screenwriter: Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal International Pictures, Universal Home Entertainment
Production Co: Universal International Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 1948, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Mono

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