Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has had ambitions of Oscar contention since its inception. The beloved filmmaker is no stranger to making movies that the Academy voters adore, previously guiding The Shape of Water to a Best Picture win in 2018. This created a belief that Frankenstein would arrive on the scene as one of the 2026 Oscars’ biggest contenders.

Even with an all-star cast led by Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, adapting a timeless classic, del Toro’s pᴀssion for the project, and Netflix’s funding, Frankenstein had a less enthusiastic response following its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last month. This could be seen with its underwhelming 77% Rotten Tomatoes score debut.

Critics responded positively to Frankenstein broadly speaking, but most of the praise went towards the technical aspects. This started a narrative that del Toro’s movie might not be a top-tier Oscar contender next year, possibly being left out of the biggest categories like Best Picture and Best Director.

Yet, we are still in the early days of awards season, and things can change fast. Suggestions that Frankenstein is already ᴅᴇᴀᴅ as a realistic option to win top prizes could prove to be true, but there is renewed optimism in its chances to earn big nominations and even win.

Frankenstein’s Reception At TIFF Is Big For Its Oscar Standing

After premiering at Venice on August 30, Frankenstein held its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8. Del Toro’s monster movie was met with a more favorable reception here, even propelling its Rotten Tomatoes score up to 83% as of this writing.

The stronger buzz is a good sign, but its biggest achievement came with the festival’s top prize: the People’s Choice Award. The award was given to the current Best Picture frontrunner Hamnet​​​​​​, directed by Chloé Zhao, but Frankenstein was named as the first runner-up, with Rian Johnson’s Wake Up ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Man getting the second runner-up spot.

TIFF’s People’s Choice Award is given to the best film at the festival as voted upon by the audience in attendance. Winning the category as Hamnet did can often be seen as a precursor to a Best Picture nomination, but the runner-up status secured by Frankenstein is also pivotal.

The last three runner-ups for the People’s Choice Award at TIFF have gone on to secure Best Picture nominations: Emilia Pérez, The Holdovers, and Women Talking. Five others have also done it since 2000, when the runner-ups began being announced.

Frankenstein‘s performance at TIFF shows that audiences are starting to really connect with del Toro’s movie. This increased appreciation gives the film some extra momentum and could carry on throughout awards season, with Academy voters then feeling more compelled to push the film through in various categories.

After all, del Toro is one of the industry’s most celebrated voices. He won Best Picture and Best Director with The Shape of Water, won Best Animated Feature for Pinocchio, got another Best Picture nomination with 2021’s Nightmare Alley, and has a Best International Feature Film nomination with Pan’s Labyrinth.

That’s one of the reasons why it was foolish to begin dismissing Frankenstein as a major contender after a more mixed debut. There is a history of favor on del Toro’s side, and the obvious below-the-line contention opportunities for the film will bolster its overall resume.

It should not come as a surprise in a few months if Frankenstein is in an even better position for Oscar glory. The TIFF runner-up recognition may ultimately be what we look back on as the start of a successful Oscar campaign.