Without a doubt, my favorite subgenre of horror is the vampire. I’ve seen a million vampire movies (not literally, but almost) in my lifetime. There’s something about these tragic immortal beings forever stalking the night in search of human blood that I find immensely compelling. When I was a wee ghoul 1931’s Dracula was probably one of the earliest films I watched. When I started collecting comic books in 1973 one of my very first purchases was The Tomb of Dracula #10, featuring both the legendary Count and none other than Blade the vampire hunter.

The vampire has been a staple of film makers for a long time, beginning with the German film, Nosferatu from 1922, an unauthorized and unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel that resulted in a lawsuit with the court ordering all copies of the film to be destroyed. Fortunately for us, a few copies survived. Since then, there have been a legion of films made featuring the blood thirsty vampire prince and others of his ilk. And here we are a century later, and another film, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, based on a portion of Bram Stoker’s book, is now playing on a streaming service near you (and might have been on this list, but I haven’t managed to see it yet!). Like Dracula himself, vampire movies are tough to destroy.

I have to admit, I had a hard time narrowing this list down to just ten movies. There are just too many good ones out there! So, I included a list of ten “honorable mentions” (mostly ‘because I couldn’t help myself). Some of the films didn’t make the main list because they’re older, a little dated (okay, a lot dated) and by today’s standards  not all that scary. Still, if you’re a fan of vampire flicks, they are definitely worth checking out.

Top 10 vampire movies, in no particular order:

  1. Let the Right One In (2008) – Swedish horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson that focuses on the unique relationship between a bullied young boy and his friendship with a mysterious girl who moves in next door (although she only comes out at night). Based on the best-selling novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
  2. Interview with the Vampire (1994) – A lush and Gothic adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, featuring compelling performances by Tom Cruise as the charismatic vampire Lestat and Brad Pitt as the tormented Louis. Director Neil Jordan successfully captures the romantic and horrific aspects of the vampire mythos. (A note here: The AMC series adaptation of Interview with the Vampire is even better and, if it had been a movie, it would have been on this list!)
  3. Near Dark (1987) – A gritty and unique vampire film that blends elements of horror and western genres with intense action and atmospheric storytelling. Standout performances by an ensemble cast that including Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, and Jenette Goldstein (who had just worked together on the movie Aliens). Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film explores a young man’s transformation into a vampire as he becomes entangled with a roving group of bloodsuckers.
  4. The Lost Boys (1987) – Directed by Joel Schumacher, this classic vampire film is a perfect blend of horror and humor, featuring a killer soundtrack (pun intended), charismatic performances, and a timeless appeal for fans of ‘80s horror. A recently divorced mom and her two teenage sons move to a small town in northern California. The town has a bit of a gang problem. Only these young thugs have an unquenchable thirst for human blood.
  5. Blade (1998) – A groundbreaking vampire action film that kick-started the modern superhero genre, blending stylish action sequences with Wesley Snipes’ charismatic performance as the vampire hunter, Blade, who first appeared in the 70s Marvel comic book, The Tomb of Dracula.
  6. 30 Days of Night (2007) – Based on the comic book series of the same name, this chilling vampire film stands out for its unique setting and compelling story of survival against impossible odds. The residents of Barrow, Alaska have just seen their last sunset for a month. As darkness falls, a group of vicious bloodsuckers descend upon the town. With its innovative take on vampire lore and compelling mix of horror and action, the movie offers an intense cinematic experience.
  7. Fright Night (1985) – This film is a delightful blend of horror and humor, with charismatic performances and inventive special effects, making it a beloved cult classic. Roddy McDowall is brilliant as the late-night movie host, turned vampire hunter, Peter Vincent, and Chris Sarandon is truly terrifying as the vampire who moves in next door to a single mom and her horror movie obsessed teenage son.
  8. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) – A raucous genre-blender that begins as a crime thriller before taking a sharp turn into vampire horror, showcasing Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney’s performances and Robert Rodriguez’s kinetic direction. The film’s wild tonal shifts and memorable characters, along with its mix of gore and humor, make it a cult classic.
  9. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – Count Dracula is arguably the prototypical and archetypal vampire of all time and has been featured in numerous films. This version, while not completely accurate, probably does the best job of translating the classic novel into film. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it features Gary Oldman as the immortal vampire and Winona Ryder as Mina Harker.
  10. Underworld (2003) – A stylish and darkly atmospheric take on vampires and werewolves locked in a centuries long struggle for dominance. The film’s blending of gothic aesthetics and action-packed sequences creates a compelling and visually engaging world, and Kate Beckinsale delivers a strong performance as the leather-clad vampire warrior, Selene.

Honorable mentions:

  1. Nosferatu (1922) – Directed by F.W. Murnau, this silent classic was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and introduced Count Orlok, one of cinema’s earliest iconic vampires.
  2. Dracula (1931) – The Universal Pictures adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, starring Bela Lugosi, is a landmark film that helped define the vampire genre.
  3. What We Do in the Shadows (2014) – A mockumentary-style comedy film from New Zealand that hilariously portrays the lives of modern-day vampire roommates.
  4. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) – A visually striking and intellectually engaging film that explores the enduring love and existential dilemmas of immortal beings. Directed by Jim Jarmusch, the film follows a centuries-old vampire couple, played by Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, as they attempt to navigate through modern society.
  5. The Hunger (1983) – A stylish and erotic vampire film that stands out for its unconventional take on immortality, anchored by the magnetic presence of Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie, and featuring striking visuals and a haunting atmosphere.
  6. Brides of Dracula (1960) – A captivating addition to the Hammer Horror series, with Peter Cushing reprising his role as Van Helsing and a memorable performance by David Peel as the charming and sinister Baron Meinster, offering a compelling twist on the Dracula mythos without the Count even being present.
  7. The Horror of Dracula (1958) ­– A classic Hammer Horror film that introduces the iconic vampire, delivering a gothic atmosphere and Christopher Lee’s imposing performance as the titular Count.
  8. The Night Stalker (1972) ­– A made for TV movie that spawned the popular series Kolchak: The Night Stalker, featuring Darren McGavin as a tenacious reporter investigating a series of grisly murders attributed to a vampire. Based on the then-unpublished novel by Jeff Rice titled The Kolchak Papers, adapted by Richard Matheson, and produced by Dan Curtis (best known at the time for Dark Shadows) this vampire film is a classic of 70s horror.
  9. John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998) – A fast-paced and action-packed vampire film that serves as a darkly entertaining addition to the genre. Based on the book by John Steakley, the story follows Jack Crow, a church sponsored vampire hunter on a mission to destroy an ancient vampire.
  10. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) – This Iranian American vampire film, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, blends genres and features a skateboard-riding female vampire who is strangely alluring.

Next time, we’ll take a look at werewolf movies. Stay tuned…