Vampires have long been a staple of horror cinema, emerging even before Universal unveiled Dracula in Hollywood’s early days. Since then, the genre has evolved with diverse portrayals—from charismatic heartthrobs to grotesque monsters, comedic roommates, and countless reimaginings. Vampires continue to haunt the shadows, their legacy enduring under moonlit skies. Here, we spotlight the finest vampire films in history, tracing the genre’s evolution through its most iconic eras, as trends in horror flickered faster than a vampire in sunlight.

Some beloved films didn’t make this list but merit honorable mentions. Titles like Suck, The Transfiguration, Byzantium, Blood Red Sky, and Blade spark passionate debates among fans, and we’d love to hear your picks! After exploring our selections below, share your favorite vampire films in the comments, highlighting those you consider genre-defining masterpieces.

Now, let’s dive into this thrilling subgenre. Here are the 25 greatest vampire films ever made. For more monstrous thrills, check out our guide to the best monster movies.

25 Greatest Vampire Films Ever Made

25. Vampyr (1932)

Carl Theodor Dreyer’s Vampyr earns its status as a horror classic, crafting a haunting black-and-white mystery with the limited technology of its era. The film’s innovative use of autonomous shadows creates a dreamlike supernatural atmosphere, setting it apart from contemporaries like Nosferatu. While not as iconic, Vampyr showcases early cinematic ambition, using ghostly visuals and surreal disorientation to redefine vampire storytelling, proving creativity thrives even under technical constraints.

24. Bit (2019)

Brad Michael Elmore’s Bit radiates vibrant Los Angeles energy, following a transgender teen who joins a fierce, all-female vampire crew led by the magnetic Diana Hopper as Duke. With a bold soundtrack featuring Starcrawler’s “I Love LA,” the indie gem blends stylish nightlife, feminist themes, and gritty horror. Authentic and ambitious, it delivers sharp bloodletting for genre fans while staying accessible to younger audiences, all wrapped in a seductive, neon-charged package.

23. Nosferatu (2024)

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a masterful reimagining, blending technical brilliance with chilling atmosphere. Jarin Blaschke’s cinematography, a highlight among the film’s four Oscar nominations, complements Eggers’ meticulous craftsmanship. Bill Skarsgård’s grotesque Count Orlok and Lily-Rose Depp’s haunting muse elevate this gothic spectacle, supported by Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe. Eggers reworks classic vampire lore into a visually stunning, emotionally raw, and gloriously unsettling experience.

22. Fright Night (2011)

The 2011 Fright Night remake surpasses its 1985 original with sharper pacing and fiercer energy. Colin Farrell’s predatory Jerry Dandridge and David Tennant’s flamboyant Peter Vincent stand apart, delivering distinct performances that avoid mimicking their predecessors. While the original boasts superior practical effects, the remake excels in relentless dread and modern polish, with Anton Yelchin and Toni Collette adding depth to this thrilling, blood-soaked update.

21. Bloodsucking Bastards (2015)

Bloodsucking Bastards transforms office drudgery into a horror-comedy gem, using vampirism as a metaphor for corporate exploitation. Fran Kranz and Pedro Pascal shine as a sales team facing nocturnal doom, with the film evolving from spooky workplace satire to sharp, Mike Judge-style commentary. Armed with makeshift weapons, this undead corporate battle delivers laughs and gore, making it a must-watch for fans of “worksploitation” horror.

20. The Lost Boys (1987)

The Lost Boys reimagines Peter Pan as a bloodthirsty ‘80s horror romp, blending gruesome vampire traits with vibrant boardwalk flair. Kiefer Sutherland’s gang of Santa Carla vampires delivers both menace and charisma, from dirt-bike stunts to mind-bending pranks. Joel Schumacher’s maximalist vision, paired with iconic makeup and a bold soundtrack, creates an unforgettable mix of frights and flashy style, epitomizing ‘80s excess.

19. Norway (2014)

Yannis Veslemes’ Norway is a wild, underseen gem, blending Eurotrash aesthetics with a vampire who must dance to survive. Set in the seedy underbelly of 1980s nightclubs, this feverish tale follows a bloodsucker entangled in Nazi conspiracies and vibrant nightlife. With pulsating music and Michel Gondry-inspired visuals, Norway delivers a groovy, kaleidoscopic vampire hallucination unlike any other.

18. Cronos (1992)

Guillermo del Toro’s debut, Cronos, redefines vampirism through a golden scarab device granting eternal life. Featuring a young Ron Perlman and a haunting blood-licking scene, the film explores immortality with curiosity rather than gore. Del Toro’s rebellious spirit humanizes monsters, blending horror with poignant themes of addiction and survival, laying the foundation for his later masterpieces.

17. Blade 2 (2002)

Guillermo del Toro’s Blade 2 outshines its predecessor with vivid visuals, terrifying creatures, and high-tech action. Wesley Snipes’ iconic Blade battles grotesque vampires, amplified by del Toro’s macabre flair and practical effects mastery. The colorful landscapes and mercenary showdowns elevate this sequel, blending comic-book energy with horror roots, a precursor to del Toro’s Hellboy and Crimson Peak.

16. Stake Land (2010)

Stake Land counters Twilight’s romance with a gritty, apocalyptic vampire saga. Jim Mickle and Nick Damici craft a dystopian world where a grizzled hunter mentors a young survivor amid savage vampire hordes. Relentless action and bleak wasteland vibes make this a fierce, beastly response to the genre’s softer trends, prioritizing tension over sentimentality.

15. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive oozes indie rock cool, with Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as brooding vampire lovers. Their moody, musical chemistry explores vampirism as addiction and societal decay, infused with punk-rock rebellion. Mia Wasikowska and Anton Yelchin add chaos to this stylish, introspective tale, effortlessly blending hipster charm with existential dread.

14. 30 Days of Night (2007)

David Slade’s 30 Days of Night, a standout comic book adaptation, traps Alaskan townsfolk in a month-long darkness, hunted by Danny Huston’s feral vampire gang. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George anchor a relentless survival thriller, where primal horror and graphic gore redefine vampire terror, balancing suspense with unflinching brutality.

13. Ganja & Hess (1973)

Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess is a groundbreaking Black vampire romance, weaving cultural identity into its bloodlust narrative. Duane Jones and Marlene Clark’s passionate performances, paired with Sam Waymon’s ritualistic score, create a raw, disorienting exploration of vampirism as imprisonment. Its bold imagery and social commentary shatter the genre’s whitewashed norms.

12. Interview With the Vampire (1994)

Neil Jordan’s Interview With the Vampire is a lavish, seductive epic, spanning from 1791 Louisiana to modern times. Tom Cruise’s charismatic Lestat and Brad Pitt’s tormented Louis lead a stellar cast, with Kirsten Dunst shining as a forever-young vampire. Its opulent settings and fearless queer subtext, backed by an Oscar-nominated art direction, make it a genre classic.

Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire TV series, released in 2022, offers a distinct take on the same tale.

11. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk Till Dawn morphs from a gritty crime thriller into a chaotic vampire brawl. Salma Hayek’s sultry dance and a practical-effects-driven massacre at the Titty Twister bar elevate this Mexican-infused horror fest. George Clooney and Harvey Keitel lead a fierce fight against bloodsuckers, blending sleaze with explosive action.

10. Dracula (1931)

Bela Lugosi’s hypnotic performance in Dracula sets the gold standard for vampire portrayals, with Tod Browning’s gothic masterpiece dripping in atmosphere. Cobwebbed castles, shadowy black-and-white visuals, and minimalistic 1930s effects create a timeless horror experience. Lugosi’s commanding gaze and the film’s brisk pacing cement its legacy as a genre cornerstone.

Explore more of the best horror movies of all time.

9. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a striking Iranian vampire tale, blending black-and-white aesthetics with indie rock and spaghetti Western vibes. Sheila Vand’s lonely vampire stalks Bad City, weaving romance and vengeance with bold style. Amirpour’s debut establishes her as a visionary, delivering a fresh, captivating take on the genre.

8. The Hunger (1983)

Tony Scott’s The Hunger is a sultry vampire classic, opening with Bauhaus’s “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” Catherine Deneuve’s immortal queen deceives lovers with promises of eternal life, sparking a chaotic love triangle with David Bowie and Susan Sarandon. Its seductive chaos and bold sensuality make it a standout in the genre’s lustful canon.

7. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary, skewering vampire tropes with sharp wit. Its goofy take on undead roommates, complete with sloppy feedings and werewolf rivalries, rivals the best comedies of its decade. Endlessly quotable and genre-savvy, it’s a comedic triumph.

Don’t miss the spin-off What We Do in the Shadows TV series for more undead hilarity.

6. Let the Right One In (2008)

Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In transforms John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel into a tender yet brutal vampire tale. The bond between bullied Oskar and vampire Eli explores isolation and survival, balancing heartbreak with visceral horror. Its understated approach and emotional depth make it a modern classic.

5. Near Dark (1987)

Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark reimagines vampires as gritty outlaws in a raw, Western-infused horror tale. Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen lead a ferocious vampire pack, trading capes for rugged intensity. Its sunburnt aesthetic and innovative blood-transfusion twist deliver a vicious, unforgettable spin on the genre.

4. Afflicted (2013)

Afflicted pushes vampire horror into found-footage territory, blending parkour thrills with visceral transformation. Derek Lee’s agonizing descent into vampirism, captured through GoPro lenses, offers a raw, immersive ride. Clif Prowse’s direction and the film’s acrobatic intensity make it a bold, innovative standout in modern vampire cinema.

3. Nosferatu (1922)

F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu is a silent horror titan, with Max Schreck’s grotesque Count Orlok embodying pure dread. Its haunting visuals—talon-like fingers, shadowy staircases—set a chilling standard for vampire films. A century later, its atmospheric mastery and raw terror remain unmatched, cementing its legendary status.

2. Thirst (2009)

Park Chan-wook’s Thirst is a provocative masterpiece, blending vampirism, taboo romance, and existential shame. A priest’s transformation and a wife’s forbidden desires spiral into chaotic, artful mayhem. Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin’s performances, paired with a stunning climax, make this a daring, unforgettable vampire epic.

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a gothic triumph, blending lavish visuals with raw horror. Using only in-camera effects, the film dazzles with werewolf transformations and pulsating imagery. Gary Oldman’s commanding Dracula and Anthony Hopkins’ eccentric Van Helsing lead a stellar cast, making this the pinnacle of vampire cinema.

Discover more of Keanu Reeves’ best films in our dedicated list.

That’s our ranking of the 25 greatest vampire films! Agree with our choices? Share your favorites in the comments or rank them yourself using our tier list tool below!

Craving more vampire content? Explore our guides to the best vampire anime and the top 10 vampire movie deaths.

Upcoming Vampire Films

The vampire genre continues to thrive, with Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu remake captivating audiences in late 2024. More bloodsucking tales are on the horizon for 2025.

Here’s what’s coming:

Dracula: A Love Tale - July 30, 2025 Devour - TBA 2025 Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires - TBA 2025 Brides - TBA Flesh of the Gods - TBA