"Frankenstein" released 1931

The first movie adaption of Mary Shelley's classic 1818 Victorian horror novel Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, opened across US theaters November 21, 1931.  Boris Karloff played the titular character after Bela Lugosi had turned it down. Colin Clive appeared as Henry (not Victor) Frankenstein, and James Whale directed. 

It was considered a commercial success upon its release and was well-received by critics and audiences. It has spawned numerous sequels.  The movie takes some creative liberties from Shelley's original novel but it continues to scare.  

In 1991, Frankenstein was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".  

"Frankenstein" published 1818

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, a novel of science fiction and horror by Mary Shelley was published January 1, 1818.  The story is told in retrospect as a letter written by a captain of a icebound ship to his sister.  The main character is Victor Frankenstein, but the name Frankenstein has become synonymous with the monster himself.

It gained popularity in the 20th century with numerous films, television shows, and novels featuring the monster have been produced.

Mary Shelley publishes "Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus" in 1818

Mary Shelley published her classic tale of horror, "Frankenstein: The  Modern Prometheus" March 11, 1818. It's been referred to as the first science fiction novel. Her friend Lord Byron challenged Mary and  her husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley they should each write a tale of gothic horror.  The only result of that challenge is Shelley's creation.