It's alive! FX and Hulu have officially resurrected one of Mel Brooks' most beloved horror comedies, giving it a fresh twist for a new generation. The streaming service and cable network have ordered Very Young Frankenstein to series, with Zach Galifianakis stepping into the lab coat of the iconic Dr. Frankenstein. The project, which has been in development as a pilot, has now been given a full series order, promising a hilarious and monstrously entertaining ride.
The series draws inspiration from Brooks' 1974 cult classic Young Frankenstein, a loving spoof of Universal's 1930s and '40s monster movies. In the original film, Gene Wilder played Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronk-en-steen), a neurosurgeon who inherits his grandfather's Transylvanian castle and, with the help of a quirky staff—including the stern Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman), the hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), and the scatterbrained Inga (Teri Garr)—attempts to reanimate a corpse. The result is a lumbering creature (Peter Boyle) with an abnormal brain, leading to chaos and comedy. The film was a smash hit and is often considered Brooks' finest work.
Now, Galifianakis takes on the role of a new Dr. Frankenstein, bringing his signature offbeat humor to the part. He'll be joined by a stellar cast that includes Dolly Wells (And Just Like That...), Spencer House (Tell Me Lies), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), and Nikki Crawford (Cruel Intentions). The series is set to be directed and executive produced by Taika Waititi, marking his second foray into horror comedy for FX after the acclaimed What We Do in the Shadows, which ran for six seasons. Stefani Robinson, a veteran of WWDITS, will write the pilot and serve as an executive producer alongside Garrett Basch, Michael Gruskoff, and Kevin Salter.
Mel Brooks, who will turn 100 next month, has been enjoying a creative renaissance. His long-awaited sequel series History of the World, Part II debuted on Hulu in 2023 to positive reviews, and the upcoming film Spaceballs: The New One will see Brooks return as President Skroob and Yogurt. Very Young Frankenstein continues this hot streak, bringing Brooks' signature brand of parody to a new medium.
For fans of classic monster movies and modern comedy, this series promises to be a must-watch. While no release date has been announced yet, the combination of Galifianakis' comedic chops, Waititi's directorial flair, and Brooks' legacy has already generated significant buzz. Stay tuned for more updates as the project moves forward.
In the meantime, if you're looking for more binge-worthy content, check out our list of endlessly rewatchable detective shows or explore timeless K-dramas that are perfect for your next marathon. And for a dose of sci-fi, don't miss Silo Season 3, set to premiere in July 2026.
