Netflix’s upcoming science fiction drama Frankenstein, written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, is one of the most talked-about films set to release in late 2025. This adaptation is based on Mary Shelley’s timeless novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
With an all-star cast featuring Oscar Isaac as Dr. Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as Elizabeth, along with Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Charles Dance, the film is already building strong buzz.
According to NetFilming, Frankenstein is expected to premiere on Netflix in November 2025, with a limited theatrical release as well. But what truly brings the gothic tone of this story to life is its selection of filming locations. Del Toro and his team filmed across Scotland, England, and Canada, using a mix of grand mansions, old cities, and remote snowy landscapes.
Let’s explore all the key Frankenstein filming locations used in 2025.
Where Was Frankenstein (2025) Filmed?
The production crew cautiously chose real historical landmarks and magnificent natural vistas to show the creepy and emotional story that Shelley wrote. Filming started in February 2024 and ended in September 2024. During that time, Canada, Scotland, and England all had different places used.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s historic charm made it a perfect backdrop for Frankenstein. The Royal Mile, a historic thoroughfare in the city with old buildings on both sides, was a major filming location in September 2024. The producers selected a number of locations throughout the city to make the movie feel more like it took place in the past.
Some of the specific areas include:
- Canongate Tolbooth—A landmark clock tower building that brought a medieval touch.
- Parliament Square—Surrounded by old stone structures, perfect for courtroom or public gathering scenes.
- Bakehouse Close—Its cobbled street and narrow passage were ideal for tense, shadowy moments.
- Lady Stair’s Close and Wardrop’s Court— Quiet, tucked-away alleyways that added a sense of mystery.
- Makars’ Court—A small plaza honoring Scottish writers, added symbolic value.
- Canongate—Rich in history and filled with old residences, which visually supported the story’s gothic themes.
These places were decorated to look like the Victorian era, with things like a gallows in Makar’s Close that fit the story’s grim tone wonderfully. The gloomy alleys and old buildings of Edinburgh made it a great place to film the book’s dark scenes.
Arbroath and Hospitalfield House
Moving north, scenes were also shot in Arbroath, a town in Angus, Scotland, known for its heritage and coastal beauty. The standout location here was Hospitalfield House, a large 19th-century mansion with gothic interiors and artistic history.
Hospitalfield House provided the perfect backdrop for scenes requiring grandeur and intensity. Its historic rooms, long corridors, and stained glass features gave the film a haunted elegance. Arbroath’s streets and countryside may have also supported outdoor scenes to maintain the visual tone.
Glasgow, Scotland: Cathedral Grandeur
One of the largest cities in Scotland, Glasgow was particularly important for the production of Frankenstein. One of the principal filming venues was the medieval masterpiece, Glasgow Cathedral. Filming commenced in August 2024, in and out of the cathedral, which was intended to capture the spiritual and historical essence of the edifice. The imposing presence of the Glasgow Cathedral, along with the film’s themes of life, death, and morality also provided dramatic substance for key scenes.
In addition to here, the urban energy and historic sites of the city equally complemented the movie’s visual narrative.
Fortress Mountain and Glencoe
To portray the wildness and the arctic beauty of some parts of the film, the crew opted to use Fortress Mountain in Alberta, Canada and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
- Glencoe – A valley in Scotland, renowned for its astonishing and misty hill, Glencoe is among the most cinematic parts of the country. This location is excellent for chase scenes or for characters to be deep in thought.
- Fortress Mountain—This location in the Canadian Rockies also served as breathtaking scenery for the creature’s lonely journey in distant landscapes.
Both locations provided a contrasting chill to the gothic aesthetics within the film.
Aberdeen and Dunecht House
Dunecht House is a lavish Scottish estate, a part of Aberdeen, surrounded by expansive gardens and woodlands, which is why filming took place there. The house’s Victorian-styled interiors as well as its spacious rooms, complemented the dark and atmospheric visuals that Del Toro is famous for.
Dunecht House provided scenes that needed richness, secrecy, and the feeling of a large family estate—possibly tied to Dr. Frankenstein’s past or key moments in the story.
London, England
Certain sequences in London were made using miniature models and scale sets, paired with visual effects. These practical effects were blended with CGI to simulate expansive environments, like grand scientific laboratories or large cities from the past.
This method was cost-effective and gave Del Toro control over artistic direction while staying authentic to the original story.
Burghley House, Lincolnshire (Stamford, England)
Located in Stamford, England, Burghley House is a 16th-century country mansion and one of the most visually stunning estates in the UK. Its ornate ceilings, regal staircases and lavish décor made it an excellent setting for emotionally powerful or aristocratic scenes.
Whether used as a part of Dr. Frankenstein’s world or as a symbolic location, Burghley House added depth and elegance to the production.
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
North Bay in Ontario was the best place to film sequences with snow in the Arctic. North Bay is known for its harsh winters and snowy terrain, which made it a natural wintry setting for the movie without having any special effects.
These scenes probably have something to do with the last chapters of the novel, where the creator and the creature meet in a cold, empty place. The realism of the location will undoubtedly enhance the film’s emotional payoff.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto served as one of the film’s main production hubs. Scenes were filmed across:
- Cinespace Studios — Where indoor sets and controlled environments were built.
- University of Toronto (Faculty of Medicine) — Possibly used for scientific lab interiors or university scenes.
- North York and Markham – These suburban areas provided additional urban settings and exterior shots.
Toronto’s versatility and infrastructure allowed the crew to create both period-specific sets and modern support facilities.
When Did They Film Frankenstein?
There were three main parts to filming Frankenstein in 2024. On February 12, 2024, the project officially began. It concluded on September 30, 2024. The production team filmed in different places in Scotland, England and Canada, making sure to capture the particular feel of each place.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Phase | Filming Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | March 4 – July 5, 2024 | Main shooting period. Most of the key scenes were filmed in Scotland and Canada. |
| Phase 2 | July 17 – July 31, 2024 | Short follow-up schedule for additional footage and minor reshoots. |
| Phase 3 | August 21 – September 29, 2024 | The final filming stretch focused on interiors, Arctic scenes, and VFX shots. |
September 30, 2024, was the last day of filming, which marked the end of a long yet easy production schedule. There was a distinct job for each phase in setting the movie’s visual and emotional tone.
Frankenstein: Behind the Scenes
Guillermo del Toro, the director, introduced his unique style to the movie, which included emotion, terror and a lot of storytelling. Making this gothic sci-fi drama was a huge job that took place in three different locations. It required precise sets, expensive costumes, and a mix of practical effects and CGI.
Del Toro was deeply involved in every stage. Speaking about the adaptation, he said,
“This is not just a monster story. It’s a very human story about loneliness, creation, and rejection.”
Oscar Isaac, who plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, shared that working on the film was both physically and emotionally demanding:
“Guillermo pushed all of us to find the vulnerability in our characters. Every scene was layered.”
The production also faced unexpected moments. In Scotland, del Toro reportedly switched hotel rooms after feeling an eerie presence, saying,
“Something felt very wrong. It was oppressive — we moved out that night.”
The team recreated historical settings with incredible detail, often shooting in cold, rainy weather to match the tone. Despite the challenges, the cast and crew described the experience as inspiring and creatively fulfilling.
Frankenstein Official Trailer
For more updates on upcoming films like this, keep following NetFilming—your go-to source for movie locations, cast info, and release news.
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