Nosferatu (1922)
Director: F.W. Murnau
Written By: Henrik Galeen, based on Bam Stoker’s Dracula
Stars: Max Schreck, Greta Shroder, Gustav Von Wangenheim
Synopsis: Vampire Count Orlok fakes interest in a new a property to get closer to real estate agent Hutter’s wife. Silent Film
Thoughts: You may be wondering why an old black and white silent film made it on this list. That’s simple, ‘Nosferatu’ was the first vampire movie ever made, therefore, it’s the most important.
Fright Night (1985)
Director: Tom Holland
Written By: Tom Holland
Stars:Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Roddy McDowall, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding, Art Evans, Stewart Stern
Synopsis: A teenager discovers that his neighbor is a vampire, but no one believes him, until it’s almost to late.
Thoughts: ‘Fright Night’ was great then and is still great now. There was a remake in 2011, but it’s very different than the original.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Written By: Jan Fisher, James Jeremias
Stars: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Jamison Newlander, Brooke Mccarter, Billy Wirth, Alex Winter, Chance Michael Corbit
Synopsis: After moving to Santa Carla, a family is drawn into the world of vampires. The two brothers, Michael and Sam, team up with the Frog brothers to kill a pack of vampires before Michael turns.
Thoughts: Who doesn’t love ‘The Lost Boys’ ? In the film the vampires are hungry, brutal and hot. These vampires don’t sparkle.
Bam Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Written By: James V. Hart, based on Bam Stoker’s Dracula
Stars: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves
Synopsis: While meeting with real estate agent Johnathan Harker, Dracula sees a photo of Harker’s wife, who he believes is the reincarnation of his lost love. Dracula goes to London to find her and win her heart.
Thoughts: ‘Bam Stoker’s Dracula’ is based on one of the most important books in the history of horror. Every vampire film and story has been influenced by the book in some way or another, none more so than this film and ‘Nosferatu’.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui
Written By: Joss Whedon
Stars: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry, David Arquette
Synopsis: Buffy, a high school cheerleader, learns that she is her generation’s chosen warrior against vampires.
Thoughts: ‘Buffy’ is action-packed and fun, without being silly. It’s a great film that inspired a cherished TV series by the same name.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Director: Neil Jordan
Written By: Ann Rice
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kristen Dunst and Christian Slater
Synopsis: After losing his family, Louis hits rock bottom. Vampire Lestat prays upon him and turns him. Still unhappy, Louis finds his way to Claudia (a child). To keep Louis with him Lastat turns Claudia, making her their daughter, but Louis and Claudia only remain content for a time. They leave Lastat to find a new life.
Thoughts: ‘Interview with the Vampire’ is romantic, dark, tragic and brooding, in a fantastic way.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Written By: Robert Kurtzman, Quentin Tarantino
Stars: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini
Synopsis: The Gecko brothers, bank robbers and escapees, are on their way to Mexico, when they come across a family with an R.V. The brothers take the family hostage, but make them a deal, if they can make it to their meeting place, the family will go free. The meeting place happens to be a biker and trucker bar called The Titty Twister. What they don’t know is that the bar is a haven for vampires. When all Hell breaks loose the brothers and the framily must team up to try to survive the night.
Thoughts: ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ has everything you want, blood, action, great effects, vampires, strippers, and George Clooney being badass. Let’s not forget about a fantastic soundtrack.
Blade (1998)
Director: Stephen Norrington
Written By: David S. Goyer
Stars: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, Donal Logue, Udor Kier
Synopsis: Half-vampire, half-human, Blade hunts vampires to protect the human race.
Thoughts: Blade is a badass “day-walker” with love of humans. he fight’s his nature so that he can kick vampire ass, and he does it well. Besides having several squeals the movie also inspired a TV series.
Underworld (2003)
Director: Len Wiseman
Written By: Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman
Synopsis: Selene, a beautiful and badass vampire, is caught in a centuries long battle between vampires and Lycans. When she falls for Michael, a decedent of the original family, she must fight to keep him safe from both sides, vampires and Lycans.
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighly
Thoughts: ‘Underworld’ is a seriously badass franchise. Selene is not someone you want to cross. Her love for Michael is touching, but when he becomes a hybrid and the two fight together it’s beyond impressive. The good news for fans of the franchise is Underworld V will be out next year.
30 Days of Night (2007)
Director: Davis Slade
Written By: Steve Niles and Stuart Beattie
Synopsis: After the sun goes down in Alaska for a month, a remote town is descended upon by a horde of blood thirsty, brutal vampires. The town’s chief, Eben Oleson, and a small group of residents fight to find a way to survive.
Stars: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, Mark Rendall
Thoughts: There are so many great things about ’30 Days of Night’. My favorite happens to be the vampires. For so long vampire movies were full of brooding and over emotional vampires. ’30 Days’ is nothing like that. These vamps are cruel, brutal and look scary as Hell. They don’t mind being drenched in blood or ripping out throats. They have one concern, blood. The plot is great, the effects are mind blowing. I could go on…and on… and on. In my opinion, ’30 Days of Night’ is one of the best horror movies of the decade.
What We Do in the Shadows
Director: Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi
Written By:Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi
Stars: Jemaine Clement, Taika Watiti, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Ben Fransham, Jackie Van Beek, Elna Stejko and Jason Hoyte
Synopsis: Four vampires are being filmed by a documentary through out their daily lives and their everyday struggles of being in modern time.
Thoughts: ‘What We Do in the Shadows is hilarious! The vampires are not tough, brutal beasts. They’re funny, down to earth and are struggling. The first time I saw this movie, I actually rolled off the couch laughing. You have to see this movie. It’s in stores and on Netflix streaming.
Contact us on Twitter if you have questions or if you would like to talk about these films or any horror films.
