Netflix Gives Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein 1,000-Screen Rollout, Will Play in Only 10 IMAX Theaters Nationwide

UPDATE: I’m hearing Frankenstein will play on only 1,000 screens across the United States. I guess you could technically call this a “wide” release, but AMC’s boycott of Netflix obviously doesn’t help.

Back in May IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond mentioned that Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” was looking at an IMAX release in the fall. This rarely happens for a Netflix film with only Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” having been granted IMAX privilege for the fall of 2026.

Four months later, del Toro’s new take on the monster is indeed coming to IMAX, but it turns out, it’ll only be in an extremely limited capacity.

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond revealed at the Axios Media Live conference in New York that the big screen exhibitor will be showcasing the film at “a small number of locations.” What he didn’t mention was the actual amount of screens, and there’s a reason for that

Sources tell Deadline that Frankenstein’s footprint will be tiny—roughly 10 IMAX screens nationwide. This is the definition of a limited “limited release.” No word yet on the actual non-IMAX theater count, but AMC, the country’s largest exhibitor, will be continuing their Netflix boycott by refusing to screen the film.

“It really is a theatrical movie,” Gelfond said, highlighting the pairing of Del Toro’s vision with IMAX’s scale. “You know, Frankenstein and IMAX is great synergy. He’s big. IMAX is big, loud,” he quipped. He confirmed the film will debut in IMAX “in a couple of weeks.”

The Jacob Elordi- and Oscar Isaac-starring adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic premiered at the Venice Film Festival last month. Netflix is giving it a limited theatrical release starting October 17 before streaming it on November 7.

With only about 10 IMAX screens showing the film, those hoping to experience Del Toro’s gothic spectacle on the largest format will need to move fast, or to another city, to catch it. The reviews out of Venice were okay, but it had a better reception at TIFF, finishing second in People Choice voting.