The Best Vampire Movies
I plan to put out some other Halloween themed lists as well, but figured this was a good place to start. Vampires have been a constant in film since the earliest days of cinema and in this list we’ll look at some of the vampire movies you could watch this Halloween! There are a ton of vampire movies, so I’ll just highlight some of the most iconic on this list.
Dracula - Which one? IDK. Take your pick. You could take the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi (stream it on Prime). You could take the 1958 version starring Christopher Lee (stream it free on Tubi). You could take the 1979 version starring Frank Langella (stream it on Netflix). You could take the 1992 version starring Gary Oldman (stream it on Netflix). You could take the 1995 comedy, ‘Dracula: Dead and Loving It’ starring Leslie Nielsen (stream it free on Plex). Or you could take some of the more recent versions like the action horror film, ‘Dracula Untold’ (stream it on Prime), the horror comedy, ‘Renfield’ (rent it on digital), or the horror film, ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ (rent it on digital). Or one of the several other versions. The most famous vampire gives us several options.
Nosferatu - Perhaps the most famous knockoff of all time, the original 1922 silent film is just the story of Dracula with names changed due to legal reasons. That original version can be streamed on Prime, or free on Tubi, Plex, Philo, or Pluto TV. The 1979 German remake, ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre’ can also be streamed on all those previously listed services. And the most recent remake, the 2024 version from Robert Eggers, can be streamed on Prime.
Twilight - Real horror fans probably hate ‘Twilight’ and the impact it had on vampire so much. But aside from Dracula, no vampire has been able to reach the mainstream fame of the sparkly Cullen family from Stephenie Meyer’s book series and their film adaptations. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, & Taylor Lautner, the first film can be streamed on Hulu. As a matter of fact, all 5 films can be streamed on Hulu. Maybe you should binge them all together while you try to complete a ‘Try Not to Cringe’ challenge. Or, if you really want to push your limits, you could watch the ‘Twilight’ parody film, ‘Vampire Suck,’ also available on Hulu.
Sinners - My hands down favorite vampire film (& still my movie of the year so far), you are almost certainly familiar with ‘Sinners,’ and I’d be shocked if you’re reading this blog and haven’t seen it. But if you haven’t, or you just want to rewatch the film, it’s available to stream on HBO Max. While I don’t think the film will fair as well as the general populous may think it will come awards season, I am certainly excited to give it another watch once nominations are released for the various awards.
Blade - The first successful film based on Marvel Comics, the 1998 superhero film carefully balances the horror & action elements. I’d say this movie is more of a hybrid-vampire movie, just like it’s main character. The first film can be streamed on Hulu, as can it’s two sequels, ‘Blade II’ & ‘Blade Trinity.’
Underworld - A film that has spawned 4 sequels, various comics, books, & video games, and a lot of lore, the ‘Underworld’ series follows the historical war between vampires and lycans (werewolves). Starring Kate Beckinsale in the lead role, the first film released in 2003, with the 5th film coming out in 2016. The first film can be streamed free on Pluto TV. The second film, ‘Underworld: Evolution’ is also available free on Pluto TV. The third film, ‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans’ is available on Starz. The fourth & fifth films, ‘Underworld: Awakening’ & ‘Underworld: Blood Wars’ are both available for free on Pluto TV.
From Dusk Til Dawn - Written by legendary director Quentin Tarantino & directed by legendary director Robert Rodriguez, this film stars Tarantino & George Clooney as outlaw brothers who encounter a horde of vampires across the border in Mexico. The film is considered a cult classic & a clear influence for many more recent film, such as ‘Sinners.’ It can be streamed on Peacock, Paramount, or free on Tubi & Pluto TV.
What We Do in the Shadows - From the minds of New Zealanders Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement, this film is a mockumentary style horror comedy starring the two filmmakers as vampire roommates. The film has spawned two spinoff TV series, one of which has the same name as the film. Rent it on digital.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Heck yeah, I love movies. This movie is exactly what you think. A reimagining of the Civil War-era US but with Abe Lincoln moonlighting as a vampire hunter who kills vampiric slave owners. What’s not to like about this? Rent it on digital. And you can also check out the mockbuster, ‘Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies’ free Tubi or Pluto TV.
Hotel Transylvania - A little something for the little ones. Adam Sandler stars in this 2012 film as Count Dracula, who owns and operates a hotel for his fellow monsters. The film stars Sandler’s frequent collaborators, as well as Selena Gomez & Andy Samberg, and has spawned three additional sequels & a television series. The first two films are available on Hulu, with the third available on Netflix, and the fourth on Prime. Gotta have ‘em all.
The Little Vampire - This is a fever dream of a movie for me. A 2000 horror comedy geared to a younger audience, I distinctly remember watching this movie several times in my adolescence. It stars Jonathan Lipnicki as a young boy trying to save his newly acquainted vampire friends from an antagonistic vampire hunter. Available to rent on digital.
The Lost Boys - Another comedy horror, though geared to a more teenage audience, this 1987 film stars several Brat Pack members in a story about a family who moves to a town, only to discover the town is a vampire haven. And if there’s one thing I can’t stomach about watching this movie - it’s all the dang vampires. Stream it on Philo or rent it on digital.
Dark Shadows - A Gothic horror comedy from Tim Burton, the film of course stars Johnny Depp & Helena Bonham Carter (it’s a Burton movie!) and is a remake of the 60s TV series. The film stars Depp as an 18th century vampire reawakened in the 1970s. The film isn’t really remembered fondly, but maybe you’ll enjoy it! Stream it free on Prime.
Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire - Another fever dream of a movie, this one was a Disney Channel Original Movie from 2000 that I also remember from watching as a kid. My wife & I actually watched it a couple years back and it’s honestly pretty bad. But if you want something low stakes with minimal scares, check it out on the House of Mouse (stream it on Disney+).
Interview with the Vampire - Rounding us out is the legendary 1994 team up of Pitt & Cruise, with an all-time great child acting performance from Kirsten Dunst. A gothic horror film, I think this is one of the stronger entries on this whole list & though I haven’t watched the remake currently airing on AMC, I’ve heard good things. The film can be streamed on HBO Max or free on Tubi.
