Over the years, Vampires have been the pioneer monsters of the film industry. One cannot recognize horror without the creatures of the night such as vampires. Whether people interpret the species as real or fiction, vampires have cemented their status as a dominant part of our popular culture. Here’s our list that chronicles the best vampire movies of all time:
15. Fright Night (1985)
Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Gothic horror film fanatic Charlie Brewster finds out that his new neighbor, Jerry Dandrige is a vampire thirsty for his and his girlfriend’s blood.
With the help of his favorite actor Peter Vincent, a veteran vampire-killer portrayer in show business, the team realizes that this is the real world with no lights, camera, and action.
14. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
The epic conclusion to the romantic fantasy film saga proved to be one of the most heart-pounding and anticipated vampire films of its time. Business picked up right from where it left: the battle for dominance and love.
Bella finally gives birth to Renesmee and becomes a vampire herself, which triggers a false allegation that forces Team Edward to challenge the might of Volturi.
13. Queen of the Damned (2002)
Based upon Anne Rice’s vampire novels The Vampire Lestat and The Queen of the Damned, the film stars singer-turned-actress Aaliyah as the attractive yet deadly Queen Akasha, the very first vampire ever created.
The 2002 film tries its best to reach out and grab the brilliance of the horror that the literature represented; even urging the author to give the film adaption its blessing.
12. Vampires (1998)
Adapted from John Steakley’s horror novel Vampires, trouble resides in New Mexico as vampires are on the loose wreaking havoc and causing mayhem and it’s up to Jack Crow and his team of vampire hunters to save the day.
Supported by the Catholic Church, the posse battles master vampire Valek to death.
11. Blade II (2002)
Based upon Marvel Comics’ Blade and starring Wesley Snipes as the Dhampir (half-human, half-vampire) vampire hunter, the sequel of the 1998 film kicks off with a bang.
Blade continues his path as the savior of humanity from the evil that is the vampire species and his longtime rival Bloodpack member, the sinister Reinhardt.
10. Van Helsing (2004)
Anna Valerious, alongside vampire hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, fights for redemption against Count Dracula before the latter unleashes a flock of vampire offspring upon the innocence of Earth.
Gothic culture, ghoulish figures, vampires, werewolves, Igor, Frankenstein’s monster, Dr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde, the film had it all to be one big monster brawl.
9. From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
Life takes a terrible twist for partners in crime and brothers Seth (George Clooney) and Richard “Richie” Gecko when their rough and hard-hitting attitude encounters something even more intimidating: a clan of vampires.
Despite a poor performance at the box office, the film reached a cult following and cemented its reputation as one of the most well-prolific vampire films of all time.
8. Blade: Trinity (2004)
Just when Blade thought he was out, he was pulled back in. The cunning Dhampir’s journey of vampire slaying spree is far from over as Drake aka Dracula has risen from the dead to unleash a fury upon the modern world.
Fortunately, a group of vampire hunters known as the Nightstalkers joins Blade in his quest to rid the world of the undead menace.
7. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
It is safe to say that Kate Beckinsale has a thing for the creatures of the night as she once again takes the role of a Death Dealer in the epic 2006 sequel of Underworld.
Accompanied by vampire/lycan hybrid Michael Corvin, the duo engages in a battle against brothers Marcus and William – head honcho vampires and werewolves, respectively – on which the fate of the human race depends.
6. Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Anne Rice changed the face of gothic literature with her 1976 novel Interview with the Vampire and the film adaption perfectly managed to do just that.
Focusing on the horrific story of two vampire brothers Lestat de Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac from 1971 to the present day, the film highlights Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in a way the world has never seen before.
5. Nosferatu (1922)
Back when silent films were mainstream, actor Max Schreck donned the role of the vampire Count Orlok and gave the audience a chill through their spines.
The 1922 German silent film made a cultural impact in the world of vampires and became responsible for the immense popularity the vampires achieved in later years.
4. The Lost Boys (1987)
When Michael and his younger brother, Sam Emerson move from Arizona to California, things get complicated. If they thought their parents were bad enough, their next encounter would prove to be even worse as the two brothers end up fighting a gang of teenage vampires.
Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film is considered one of the greatest vampire movies of all time.
3. Dracula (1931)
Directed by Tod Browning and starring Bela Lugosi, the 1931 film is one of the most decorated and recognizable vampire films known to the fans of horror theatricality.
Best known to exhibit Dracula’s powers such as invincibility, turning into a bat, hypnotism, etc, the villainous Count forces Van Helsing to put him out of his misery by driving a wooden stake through his heart, impaling him.
2. Let the Right One In (2008)
When 12-year-old bullied kid Oskar befriends a centuries-old vampire Eli, his luck changes for the better.
Based on John Ajvide Lindqvist’s bestseller fictional novel of the same name, the Swedish gothic horror film capitalizes on overcoming fear and trusting the undead when life’s darkest and gloomiest moments hit you in the face.
1. Dracula (1992)
No one defines direction like Francis Ford Coppola. The uncanny director of The Godfather and its sequel brought the audience what others desperately failed to do: staying true to the beauty and brilliance of Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic novel, Dracula.
Starring Gary Oldman as Count Dracula, the 1992 film holds the undisputed reputation as the greatest vampire film of all time.
Honorable Mentions
Our list of greatest vampire films of all time cannot be completed without mentioning these titles:
- Martin (1976)
- Near Dark (1987)
- 30 Days of Night (2007)
Did you like our list of the best vampire movies of all time? Did we miss any good vampire films that you believe should have been included in this list? Let us know in the comments section below!
