Monster High's Frankie Stein
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
*ahem*
Did one Miss Frankie Stein enter my home yesterday afternoon? Why, yes. Yes she did. Does she represent yet another collaboration in this, the year of unending American Girl collaborations, 2026? Indeed, she does!
But here's the thing... SHE'S SO FREAKING CUTE!!! 🥰 HOW COULD I RESIST?!
I MEAN...
THAT SAID...
I'm slightly ashamed to admit that American Girl's conditioning worked on me this time. I regretted not getting Wednesday Addams so much, I made my own rendition with Evie. Then I watched Alice sell out so quickly -- faster than I think I'd seen any other collector doll sell out -- that I worried the same would happen with Frankie.
I don't know how to dye dolls! I don't even know how to do an eye swap! And there's no way I'd be able to painstakingly paint on all of her "stitches" or makeup. I was pretty confident I was going to like the outcome when I made my own Wednesday, but I know there's no way I'd be able to make a Frankie up to my standards.
At this point, you might be thinking, "Wow, I didn't even realize you were a Monster High fan."
*ahem* (again)
To be honest, I'm not the hardcore or even nostalgic Monster High fan American Girl might have designed this doll for. I'm not even a true fan.
When Monster High was first released, I thought the dolls' designs were really fun and unique. I thought they'd be especially cute to display for Halloween (I'm more into the lighthearted and kooky side of Halloween than the creepy or gory side). For years, I kind of watched from afar as different variations of the characters were released, but never took the next step in adding one to my doll collection.
Over the years, out of all of the characters, I always seemed to like Frankie Stein's designs the best. There were several times I thought about buying one of her dolls, but each time, I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. I felt like I wouldn't really be able to display her with the rest of my dolls. She wasn't quite the same as a Barbie, and I didn't really like any of the other characters enough to get their dolls, too, and start a Monster High collection.
This continued until recently, when I seriously considered getting the Barbie x Monster High Frankie Stein doll. I love how her design is a play on Barbie's classic "No. 1 Swimsuit" look and the "Solo in the Spotlight" outfit, but made to fit within the Monster High universe. Because she's based on Barbie, I didn't mind the thought of displaying that rendition of Frankie with my other Barbie dolls.
And then American Girl x Monster High Frankie Stein leaked. Sight unseen, I thought it was a surprising but fun idea. Wednesday had been such a hit, why not do another spooky girl? And, why not use a spooky girl you already own? It was hard to imagine how she'd look given her unusual skin tone and hair, but American Girl had already tackled green skin with Elphaba, so why not Frankie and her bright mint green complexion?
Then the first "real life" photo of AG Frankie leaked, and there was a collective "Oh no! She's cute!" from a good chunk of American Girl collectors. By the time the actual stock photos began making their rounds on Instagram and Reddit, there were several non-Monster-High-fans eager to add the fun and unique Frankie to their collection. And honestly, it makes sense why!
A lot of adult doll collectors love collecting because we see each doll as its own unique work of art. Frankie is absolutely no exception. Her makeup is so distinctive and beautiful, her stitches give her such character, and her hair and outfit are such a nostalgic nod to the early 2010s, it's easy to see why people have fallen for her at first sight!
After mulling things over (and despite her hefty price tag), I decided to try for the AG Frankie and forego the Barbie collab.
As her suspected release time drew near, I kept refreshing the American Girl webpage. I've been pretty successful with past American Girl releases, like the Classic Barbie collaboration a few years ago, but I've also missed out on plenty of other collector doll releases, like the 17" Briar Rose doll Disney Store released awhile back. Those experiences have taught me to be as ready as possible ahead of time, because you never know how popular a doll will be -- with both collectors and shady resellers. In fact, I've already come across one post on Instagram and one short form video on YouTube urging people to buy and resell Frankie for "maximum profits"... Have I ever mentioned how much I loathe resellers?
Thankfully, I was able to buy Frankie pretty uneventfully, from the American Girl website. But even then, I was so worried something would happen and the order wouldn't have actually gone through or some other crazy thing would have happened and I'd still miss out on her. I think it was because I saw so many more people interested in her than Alice, I imagined the AG website getting slammed. My fears didn't even go away after her shipping label was finally generated! Once she was on her way to me, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
When she arrived, I carefully freed her from her box and checked her over. There's only one real issue with her -- she has scratched paint on the inner parts of her arms. From what I've seen, it looks like a lot of dolls have that defect. It's annoying to see on such an expensive doll, but it's not the end of the world. Her face is so perfect, I'm willing to overlook any other issues.
As cute as her outfit is, I couldn't help but already try some other clothes on her! I'm so glad her belt is separate from her dress! It's a really good mix 'n' match piece! I'm also tempted to make her a Halloween that Almost Wasn't shirt (it's my husband's and my favorite Halloween special 🎃).
I think the most surprising thing with this doll has been the reaction from hardcore Monster High fans. I expected to have to compete with them to get one of these dolls, but so many of them seem to hate her existence! I've seen people say they think she looks like a "baby doll" or a "toddler." Some even find her more terrifying than other actual Monster High dolls! To each their own, I guess! I do wonder if that might change if AG comes out with other MH dolls, like Draculaura. Apparently she's the absolute fan favorite.
I wouldn't mind seeing AG continue making dolls like these -- definitely not at the cost of historical dolls, but in addition to. Just like when sitcoms do crossover episodes, I kind of like seeing some of the crossovers Mattel is doing with themselves. I don't like when that's all they do. We've been hearing for awhile that American Girl has been steadily losing money. If this is the way they can keep afloat (and maybe bring in new fans?) and then finally get back to making more historical dolls and accessories, so be it. And if they have to do collaborations, I'd much rather see them collaborate with brands designed with younger audiences in mind from the get go, like Disney, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Monster High. I'm sure Wednesday was designed for adult collectors. The rumored Katniss doll is probably the same way.
I suppose all that to say that while I definitely don't want AG to forget its roots and do away with the historical line completely, I also think a few collaborations here and there that are already kid-friendly is not so bad. It just can't be all they do. And would it kill them to throw us a few new historical outfits?! Especially for their 40th anniversary?! I cry.
Anyway, I am very excited and happy to have Frankie in my collection! She's such a huge departure from any other dolls I own (AG or otherwise), and I'm already having fun imagining what outfits might look good on her. I might honestly keep her out well past Halloween at this point, too. She's just too too fun!
Welcome, Frankie!
