I love vampires, and even though Twilight isn’t literally everywhere anymore, it did overshadow the genre. So these are 10 vampire movies you must watch from classics to horror.
Have a happy Halloween, grab some popcorn, a pumpkin spice hot chocolate, and turn the lights off – because it’s fright night!
Classic Vampire Movies
1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula
It would be sinful not to include Dracula on this list! There are countless adaptions and versions of this vampire movie based on a book, but I’m going to opt for the 1992 version starring Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder.
Although Dracula is a vampire movie based on a book, at the end of the day, it’s a classic within the genre which is why it had to fit in this category (even thought it also has some sapphic moments too).
Vlad Dracula was a normal guy in 1462, until he came home from war to find that his wife, Elisabeta, had died by suicide after he was falsely reported dead. He renounces God, and swears to rise from the grave to avenge her. In 1897. Jonathan meets the Count in his castle in Transylvania, as he’s planning to move to London. He sees a picture of Jonathan’s fiancée Mina, and believes her to be the reincarnation of Elisabeta.
2. The Fearless Vampire Killers
I considered putting The Fearless Vampire Killers in the spoopy section because it’s comedy, but the 1967 film is referenced quite a lot in pop culture which is why it feels right as a classic vampire film. Even if you never heard it or seen it, a certain scene of Sharon Tate in a bathtub is instantly recognisable. Shows like Stranger Things and even The Simpsons have given it a nod.
The film follows a vampire hunter and his assistant as they venture to a small town with signs of vampireism – except, they’re not actually very good at vampire hunting. The assistant falls for a tavern keepers daughter but she’s abduction, they confront the vampire in his castle to try save her.
Fun fact: one of my favourite bands, Fearless Vampire Killers named themselves after this movie, and I would 110% recommend checking them out, and the world they built; Grandomina.
Vampire Movies Based On Books
3. Interview With The Vampire
Interview with the Vampire is one of the best vampire movies and books out there in my opinion. The film based on the Anne Rice book of the same name.
It follows Louis tells his life story to a biographer. The sceptical writer is soon convinced by his story of Lestat.
4. The Vampire’s Assistant
A lot of people hate The Vampire’s Assistant, which is fair. As an adaption of a book, it was terrible, but if you haven’t read the book or ignore the changes, it’s a solid movie. Personally, I find it cosy and nostalgic.
The Vampire’s Assistant follows Darren as he navigates his new life as a vampire. Darren traded his mortality to save his best friend, who was bitten by the spider Darren stole from the Cirque Du Freak. Except Darren and Steve have been pulled into a war between vampires and the vampaneze which is bigger than them.
Horror Vampire Movies
5. Fright Night
There are two versions of Fright Night, the original 1985 version, and the 2011 remake. Although I tend to prefer the originals, I did see the 2011 version first so I personally like that one better.
This horror vampire movie is about Charley’s new neighbour, who is a vampire. When “Evil Ed” warns Charley he’s dismisses him and ends the friendship, but then Ed goes missing too.
Spoopy Vampire Movies
6. Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania is one of my favourite not-so-scary Halloween movies.
Drac owns the Hotel Transylvania, which is a safe haven for monsters to hide from humans. He throws a big party for his daughter, Mavis’ 118th birthday but all she really wants is to see the world. Drac raised Mavis alone after humans killed her mother, and isn’t happy when one stumbles into the hotel on her birthday.
7. The Little Vampire
The Little Vampire technically also falls into vampire movies based on books, but because it’s a comedy it’s staying in the spoopy section.
In a wholesome twist, The Little Vampire is about a young boy trying to save the little vampire from a vampire hunter. Tony moves from America to Scotland and struggles to fit in. The other kids pick on him, until he meets the little vampire, Tony, who’s happy to be his friend.
8. Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows is Tim Burton‘s only attempt at taking on vampires, and of course, it stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
The film is about the vampire Barnabas as he tries to get revenge. Barabas was buried alive and turned into a vampire by a witch, Angelique, and now two centuries later he’s finally free.
Queer Vampire Movies
9. Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary
There are a lot of LGBTQ vampire movies, many of which are saphhic, especially in the 60s and 70s, but I had to narrow it down to Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary. I didn’t want to include Lesbian Vampire Killers because it’s just cringe.
The cult classic is about a bisexual artist who has a nightlife as a vampire. The only one who can stop her reign of terror is her father… who’s also a vampire.
10. The Carmilla Movie
Carmilla deserves a spot in the classic vampire movies section as well as vampire movies based on books, but at it’s heart, this belongs on the queer vampire movies list.
Carmilla was originally a book in 1872, which was written 26 years before Dracula! There’s been many adaptions over the years, and nods in pop culture such as Blood and Roses, and The Vampire Lovers.
The Carmilla Movie takes place 5 years after Laura and Carmilla beat the apocalpse and turned Carmilla back into a human. The settle back into a normal life, which is too good to be true as she starts to show signs of re-vamping. With the help of some old friends the couple head out to save humanity and Carmilla.
What do you think are the best vampire movies?