A Look Back At Some Of The Greatest Vampire Movies Ever

February 27, 2023

Written by Ella Rebecca Horton

Ella Rebecca has been in love with the horror genre since an early age. The Bride of Frankenstein began her love of the classics and she's been writing and collecting since.

When assessing the horror genre, it’s fair to say that vampires have more than played their part in several classics over the years. From movie trailers to memorable scenes, these blood-sucking creatures have impacted the horror genre throughout the history of cinema.

 

Vampires come in all shapes and sizes, too. Some vampires are sex symbols, while others are warriors. Ultimately, though, vampire movies provide some of the best entertainment in the horror genre. In fact, vampires are prominent in a range of other entertainment-based products, too, with people exploring titles like NetEnt’s popular Blood Suckers game today, a vampire-themed product that is a huge hit with casino players due to its high RTP. It’s in the movies where vampires are perhaps best showcased, though, with some truly memorable characters coming to the fore in a variety of much-loved vampire-themed classics. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look back at some of the greatest vampire movies ever made, some of which were popularised in folklore and books.

 

Near Dark (1987)
A vampire Western with a solid supporting cast, Near Dark is a film that tends to get forgotten. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the likes of Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen more than play their part in this undoubted classic, with the dangerous biker gang aspect providing viewers with a glimpse into a truly unique ensemble of vampires. The story is certainly powerful in parts too, with these lost outlaws championing what they see as a free way of living, only to be brought back to reality when a ray of sunlight suddenly sees one of them off. Highlighting the fragility of their existence, Near Dark warrants a watch.

 

 

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
Although the story of Nosferatu is commonly known, it’s perhaps best on show in this 1979 masterpiece by German director Werner Herzog. Played by Klaus Kinski, Count Dracula is exactly how you’d expect him to be. This chilling watch provides viewers with a glimpse into the seriousness of vampires and how they’d look and act if they were real. As far as vampire-themed movies go, this 1979 classic is well worth watching if you can manage to find it somewhere. The original movie, Nosferatu, which was made in 1922, is a must-see classic also.

 

(Image via https://twitter.com/VampireOfTheDay)

 

As we’ve already touched on, vampires can come in a variety of forms and have impacted the horror genre in particular. Still, they have also managed to find success in the comedy category. A vampire-themed movie that immediately springs to mind in that respect is What We Do in the Shadows, a highly successful release by Taika Waititi. Shot in the style of a mockumentary, despite the large doses of blood-sucking and gore, there is plenty of comical value on offer in this 2014 production, as a set of friendly vampires hope to adjust to modern living.

 

Dracula (1931)
We couldn’t leave this 1931 classic out, could we? For many millions of people, Dracula is the ultimate vampire movie on earth. Simply put, Tod Browning’s masterpiece is an iconic production that enabled audiences to identify with a gruesome killer, with Bela Lugosi absolutely nailing the role from the offset. Cinematographer Karl Freund also deserves a lot of credit for this undoubted success story, with the movie’s shadowy and gothic look adding perfectly to a truly iconic creation.

 

Special mention must also go to Let the Right One In (2008), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), and Black Sunday (1960).

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