The 20 Best Vampire Movies to Sink Your Teeth Into
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Spooky season is full of yummy treats: Caramel apples, candy corn, apple cider donuts, and of course, deliciously deranged scary movies. One bloody good (heh) genre of horror in particular is the vampire film. And there's no better time than Halloween to queue up a sometimes sexy, always creepy vampire movie—especially since we're all gonna spend the holiday chilling at home this year, right?? Right.
The best vampire movies strike just the right balance of fantastical and realistic. When the credits start to roll and you're left wondering, "Wait, um, do vampires actually exist and, like, do I maybe wanna try making out with one of them, just to see what it feels like?" then as far as I'm concerned, that movie did a damn good job. So if ghost movies aren't your jam and the last shark movie you saw totally ruined the beach for you, consider one of the following top-notch vampire movies.
Twilight (2008)
You didn't think I would make a list of the best vampire movies and neglect to mention the iconic Twilight franchise, did ya? Edward Cullen turned a whole new generation into bloodthirsty fang lovers in this mega-successful series based on Stephenie Meyer's books. You can even make a weekend of it and all watch all four installments. I won't judge.
Fright Night (2011)
High school senior Charley starts spying on his neighbor, Jerry, and soon comes to the conclusion that he's a vampire. Which is a total normal thing to think, obvs. The only problem is that no one believes him, so he's tasked with taking his neighbor down all by himself. And you thought your neighbor was a nuisance.
Byzantium (2013)
I will watch an-y-thing starring Saoirse Ronan, and you should too. But in case you need a bit more convincing, here ya go: Byzantium features female vampires, a coastal British town, and two women separated by 200 years and tied together by a mysterious secret. Oh, and some truly deadly consequences.
Vampire Academy (2014)
So this movie is actually kinda bad, but in a pretty satisfying way, ya know? Think of it like a Harry Potter/Twilight mashup but with more giggles. Half human-half vampire Rose Hathaway (played by Zoey Deutch) is studying to be a guardian at St. Vladimir's Academy, but even the safety of the school's walls might not be enough to protect her from her enemies.
Underworld (2003)
Another vampire franchise for your viewing pleasure, yay! Take your pick of the six Underworld movies that follow Selene (aka the badass Kate Beckinsale), a vampire who works as a "Death Dealer," killing everyone who supposedly murdered her family.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
No, not the TV show. Keep up, people! Before the very lovable Sarah Michelle Gellar brought Buffy to the small screen, Kristy Swanson portrayed the cheerleader-turned-vampire-hunter on the silver screen. The movie was written by Joss Whedon, who also created the series.
Thirst (2009)
This Korean film tells the story of a Christian priest who volunteers to be infected with a deadly virus in an effort to help find a cure. The only problem? The virus makes hungry him for blood...and sex.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
Don't ever doubt a vampire's capacity to love. In this Jim Jarmusch-directed dark comedy, Adam and Eve have been together for several centuries (!!!), but their relationship comes under threat once Eve's wild younger sister shows up. Ugh, siblings.
Interview With the Vampire (1994)
Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst star in this Oscar-nommed movie that's told through the lens of an interview between an 18th-century lord/vampire named Louis de Ponte du Lac (played by Brad) and a reporter (played by Christian). I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just say...themes of mentorship, parenting, and murder await you. This one's based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
The Quentin Tarantino-penned movie tells the tale of two criminals who seek refuge with their hostages. But unbeknownst to them, their place of "refuge" is actually populated by vampires. Whoops.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Just about as classic as it gets. What started as a 19th century gothic horror novel has since inspired countless works of pop culture, including this interpretation directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Count Dracula comes to England to win over his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancée and inflict chaos, which is pretty much what vampires always do.
Blade (1998)
Another half human, half vampire makes the list. This creature, however, wants to avenge his mother's death and put an end to vampires. If you have a soft spot for superhero movies, you'll def be into this.
The Little Vampire (2000)
After Tony moves to Scotland, he struggles to make friends and is bullied nonstop. Things begin to change though after he befriends a kid vampire named Rudolph, and is challenged to make a brave choice. This movie will warm even the coldest, deadest of hearts.
Daybreakers (2010)
This 2009 film crosses all the genres – sci fi, action, and horror – and is available to stream on HBO Max. It stars Ethan Hawke as a vampire hematologist (what in the Ryan Murphy is this?) Willem Dafoe plays a former vampire with the cure to vampirism working against a powerful vampiric corporation to save the human species.
30 Days of Night (2007)
If you still think Alaska experiences six months of darkness, we hate to break it to you, that’s a myth. The state does however experience longer periods of darkness in the winter season, which makes for the perfect vampiric movie set-up. 30 Days of Night takes place in an Alaskan town riddled with vampires as it enters a 30-day period of polar night. If you’re new to vampy lore, sunlight is the enemy.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
If you’re a foreign film lover looking to join in on the vampy fun, look no further. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a horror Western, made in the U.S. but entirely in the Persian language. It follows a lonely vampire in an Iranian ghost-town and was featured in the Sundance Film Festival in 2014.
Nosferatu (1922)
Released in 1922, the original Nosferatu is a deep cut, but a classic for any spooky film lover. A fun bonus, you’ll finally understand that one scene from the Hash Slinging Slasher episode of Spongebob (it was Nosferatu flickering the lights all along).
The Lost Boys (1987)
This 1987 comedy horror follows two brothers who move to a new town – shocker incoming – riddled with vampires. The film stars Corey Feldman and launched the career of Jami Gertz, spawning an entire franchise of Lost Boys films along the way.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
The original source material for FX’s hugely popular series of the same name, What We Do In The Shadows is a mockumentary comedy from Taika Waititi, who later brought us Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, and most recently, Thor: Love and Thunder. The film follows four vampire roommates living their truths, and was inspired by some of the other major players on this list like The Lost Boys, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Interview with the Vampire.
Let The Right One In (2008)
If your experience with vampire romance begins and ends with Twilight, give Let the Right One In a try. This Swedish film follows a 12-year-old boy who, out of place and bullied in school, forms a connection with a strange child who, get this, turns out to be a vampire. Ah, young love.
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