Since their debut in 1886,Jekyll and Hydehave become iconic characters, particularly within thehorrorgenre where they’ve joined the ranks of other horror icons like Dracula and Frankenstein. The pair first appeared in the Victorian Gothic novellaStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hydeby Robert Louis Stevenson, where Dr. Henry Jekyll transforms himself into the wicked and murderous Edward Hyde through a potion of his own creation.
Interestingly, it isn’t revealed that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person until the story’s twist ending. Today, this twist is as famous and ubiquitous as the identity of Luke Skywalker’s father. Jekyll and Hyde isone of the earliest representations of multiple personalities, a twist and plot point that’s become overdone in the 138 years since.
During that time, there have been many versions — from direct adaptations to modern retellings — of Stevenson’s novella across film and television. And there have also been many, many varied portrayals of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Despite this, a number of adaptations have managed to put their own spin on these classic characters.
In most cases, Hyde is depicted as a hideous and monstrous individual, while other iterations portray him as ordinary-looking. When compiling this list, we considered performance, appearance, and overall impact of the character’s depiction. From films to TV shows, here are the most unique portrayals of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
10Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeis a remake of the 1931 film of the same name. Like its predecessor, it was a critical and commercial success and earned three Academy Award nominations. Thanks to Spencer Tracy’s sinister Hyde, this adaptation is regarded asone of the best horror movies of the 1940s.
The Monster Lies Within
Most adaptations of Stevenson’s novella depict Hyde as a monster with hideous physical traits. But the 1886 story never actually describes the character as being physically grotesque; it’s his sinister and odious aura that makes him so despicable.
1940’sDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydecaptures this idea well. The physical differences between the two characters are more subtle in this film. you’re able to barely notice a difference the first time Jekyll transforms into Hyde and glimpses his reflection in the mirror.
Sure, Hyde has longer hair, bushier eyebrows, and crooked teeth, but that’s about it. Like the original work, there’s nothing physically hideous or deformed about Tracy’s Hyde. Rather, the ugly monster comes from inside the character. Although it succeeds with this “less is more” approach, this 1940 film isn’t the first, or even the best, adaptation to pull it off, which places it lower on this list.
Rent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Prime Video
9Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1912)
A silent, black-and-white horror film, 1912’sDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeis one of the earliest motion picture adaptations of Stevenson’s novella, though it shockingly isn’t the first. That title belongs to the 1908 film of the same name, which has been hailed as the very first American horror film.
Unfortunately,the 1908 original has been lost to time. This 1912 film is one of the few early adaptations of Jekyll and Hyde that still exists today. It is only a 12-minute-long film.
Related:This Was the First Horror Movie Ever Made
An Accurate Portrayal That Stands Out
1912’sDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydedelivers one of the earliest portrayals of its titular characters. As noted earlier, films and TV often depict Hyde as a hideous monster, but that isn’t how Stevenson portrays him in his novella. In addition to being hateful and sinister, Hyde is also described as short and twisted.
In just 12 minutes, James Cruze perfectly embodies that characterization. This design was actually commonplace among the story’s theatrical adaptations at the time. It’s one of the few on-screen adaptations that accurately depicts Hyde as small and twisted. In this case, being faithful to the source actually makes this 1912 film stand out among its peers, even if it’s only for 12 minutes.
Stream Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeon YouTube
8Jekyll & Hyde (1990)
Jekyll & Hydeis a made-for-TV film in the UK. And who better to star in it than British acting legend Michael Caine?Jekyll & Hydefeels like a low-budget, corny adaptation of Stevenson’s novella. But as usual, Caine delivers a stellar performance as both titular characters.
Hyde Goes Bald
This TV movieembraces Hyde as a monstrous and hideous individual. His face is deformed, misshapen, and covered with random bulges. Most iterations depict Hyde with long, disheveled hair, but here, he’s completely bald.
He also seems to have superhuman strength. It’s entertaining to watch Caine embrace this iconic villain,a departure from the roles we usually see him play.
Rent Jekyll and Hyde on Prime Video
7The Pagemaster (1994)
Disney wasn’t the only studioto produce animated classics in the ’90s.The Pagemastercombines live-action with animation to tell a fantastical story.
After getting stuck in a library during a storm, Richard Tyler (Macaulay Culkin) is magically transported into an animated world based on various literary classics. Now he must traverse across multiple genres and brave iconic literary villains to return to the real world.
An Animated Take
One of the villains that Richard encounters during his literary travels is Dr. Jekyll, who drinks a tonic and becomes his alter ego, Hyde. Hyde is mostly shrouded in darkness, representing the evil that’s taken over his mind. For most of the scene, he’s nothing more than a dark and twisted silhouette, brandishing a weapon.
Only his crazy eyes and maniacal smile could really be seen in the darkness.The Pagemasteroffers one of the few animated versions of these characters, which makes this portrayal stand out among its live-action counterparts, even if it is for only a few minutes.
Rent The Pagemaster on Prime Video
6Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
Black-and-white silent films loved to adapt Stevenson’s tale.Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydefrom 1920,however, ranks among one of the best film adaptations of the story, thanks to an eerie performance from lead actor John Barrymore.
An Iconic Performance from a Hollywood Legend
The Barrymore family is Hollywood royalty (yes,the same family that Drew Barrymore belongs to), and one of its most iconic members is John Barrymore. He became a star during the silent era when he portrayed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in this 1920 adaptation.
Like most early iterations of the character, Hyde was more man than monster — slouched, twisted, and undeniably evil. But this was the novella’s first full-length film adaptation, which really allowed the character to shine compared to previous adaptations.
Barrymore had a wig and some make-up to enhance his ghastly appearance. But most of the film’s horror came from the actor’s performance. His slouched posture and ability to contort his face terrified audiences — and Barrymore did it without even saying a word.
Stream Dr. Jekyll and My. Hyde on Prime Video
5The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Based on the comic book series of the same name,The League of Extraordinary Gentlemenfollows a group of famous literary characters who serve as Victorian-era superheroes. These characters include Allan Quartermain (Sean Connery) fromKing Solomon’s Mines, Tom Sawyer fromThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer,Dorian Gray fromThe Picture of Dorian Gray, and of course, Jekyll and Hyde.
The film was a critical and commercial disaster that scrapped any future plans for a franchise. But don’t worry, you can always count on Hollywoodto shove out another unwanted reboot.
A Hulking Version of Hyde
Despite its many flaws,The League of Extraordinary Gentlemenprovides a unique version of Jekyll and Hyde. As usual, Jekyll (Jason Flemyng) looks like an ordinary man. Hyde, however, is a massive, beastly brute with superhuman strength and a love for violence.
He’s basically a Victorian caricature of the Hulk. We’ve seen Hyde as a monster plenty of times before, but never quite like this. Sure, his enormous hands and arms are a little ridiculous, but this version is still a pretty cool representation of the character.
Stream The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen on Hulu
4Jekyll (2007)
Jekyllis a five-part British TV serial that appeared on the BBC. It’s technically not an adaptation of Stevenson’s novella. Rather, it’s a sequel that reimagines the Victorian story in modern times and with new characters.
It also presentsStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hydeas a fictionalized account of true events.Jekyllfollows Dr. Tom Jackman (James Nesbitt), a modern-day descendant of Dr. Jekyll, who seems to have inherited the famous doctor’s deadly transformation.
If Hyde Was the Joker
Although this series is about Dr. Tom Jackman instead of Jekyll, Jackman’s alter ego still calls himself Hyde after learning about the character from Stevenson’s story. Unlike other iterations on this list, there are no physical differences between Jackman and Hyde in this film. No prosthetics, no make-up, not even a change in their hair and teeth.
The differences lie solely in the characters' personalities. Jackman is weak, timid, and goodhearted. But there’s a noticeable change in his demeanor as soon as Hyde takes over.He basically becomes the Joker, a murderous and arrogant madman with no fear and a touch of charisma.
In one scene, a mugger has no issue threatening the meek Dr. Jackman. But mere seconds later, after meeting Hyde, he immediately becomes terrified — and all it really takes is that maniacal smile. Between Nesbitt’s performance and this modern telling,Jekylldefinitely stands out as a unique take on this classic tale.
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3The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
Between the 1950s and ’70s, British studio Hammer Film Productions became known for producing quality films based on horror icons, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and, of course, Jekyll and Hyde. These movies also starred famous British actors like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, who co-starred in Hammer Productions' adaptation of Stevenson’s novella,The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll.
A Handsome Devil
This film flips the Jekyll and Hyde formula on its head, offering a unique take on these classic characters. Here, the middle-aged and undesirable Dr. Jekyll concocts a serum that transforms him into his wicked alter ego, a young man with devilish good looks.
Paul Massie’s Hyde is a charming and debonair ladies man, who spends his screen time murdering people and sleeping with women across London.The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyllis the first adaptation to turn Hyde into a handsome and charismatic villain, a formula that’s since been copied byother adaptations and reimaginingslikeThe Nutty Professor.
2Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)
Hammer Film Productions couldn’t take their hands off Jekyll and Hyde. Just eleven years later, they pumped out another adaptation of Stevenson’s story:Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde.
Related:The 10 Best Portrayals of Frankenstein’s Monster
Jekyll’s Transformation Changes More Than His Name
This movie takes the formula from Hammer’s 1960 original,where Jekyll transforms into a charismatic murderer, and goes even further with it. InDr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, Jekyll (Ralph Bates) loses more than his sanity and name during his transformation.
He also loses his biological gender and transforms into a beautiful and sexual woman named Edwina Hyde (Martine Beswick). Beswick’s Hyde murders young women for their hormones, a key ingredient in Jekyll’s potion, while relishing the bloodshed. By 1971, we’d seen all kinds of Mr. Hydes — monstrous beasts, handsome devils, ordinary yet sinister individuals — but this marks the first time thatwe’ve ever seen Mr. Hyde as a Ms.
Stream Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde on Peacock
1Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Yes,Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeis another black-and-white adaptation of Stevenson’s novella, but it’s the first one to actually utilize sound. It’s since become a classic, and was nominated for three Academy Awards at the time of its release.
Frederic March went home with the Oscar for Best Actor for his frightening performance as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.Of the many on-screen adaptations,Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeis widely regarded as the best film.
The First of Its Kind
This 1931 classic did what no on-screen adaptation could do before: it gave Mr. Hyde a voice. For the first time, movie-goers could hear the unsettling words that crept from Mr. Hyde’s mouth, which gave him a more frightening edge. But more importantly, this is the first version to transform Mr. Hyde into a physical monster, the first time that his vile nature was really reflected in his outward appearance.
Wally Westmore, a legend in the world of movie make-up, gave Jekyll’s violent alter ego an ape-like face, canine teeth, and sagging eyes to enhance his monstrous form. March’s creepy performance did the rest of the work. Together, these elements created a haunting portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde that stood apart from its predecessors, an iteration that continues to spook viewers today.
