Universal Monsters or Universal Horror is the name given to the distinctive series of horror films, suspense films, and science fiction films made by Universal Studios in California from 1923 to 1960. The approach began with the 1923 film version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and continued to encompass such movies as The Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, Werewolf of London, Son of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. With their iconic gallery of monsters, Universal would create a lasting impression on generations of avid moviegoers around the world.

1920s (Silent Era)

Universal's earliest success in the horror genre was the costume picture The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1923. Starring Lon Chaney as the title role, the lavish production rebuilt 15th-century Paris on an epic scale, even re-creating the famed Notre Dame de Paris cathedral.

A runaway success at the box-office, Hunchback of Notre Dame inspired Universal to film their first true horror film, The Phantom of the Opera, based on the mystery novel by Gaston Leroux. Released in 1925, Chaney designed and endured a torturous make-up that exceed even the gruesomeness of the Hunchback character. As with Hunchback, the sets played an important part of the film. The interior of the Opéra Garnier was recreated on an epic scale for the film, and remains the longest-standing film set to this day. It was used for the 1943 remake with Claude Rains, as well as numerous non-horror pictures. The set is contained on Stage 28 at Universal, which was constructed specifically for the film and dubbed "The Phantom Stage."