Best of the Undead: the 25 Finest Vampire Films
Of all the classic movie monsters, vampires are perhaps the most darkly charismatic, and there seems to be no end to the public's desire for movies featuring these creatures of the night. The public is fickle, though, and today vampires are as likely to be portrayed as tragic heroes as they are dangerous predators. Though some interpretations of the sympathetic vampire (as especially popularized by Interview With the Vampire and Twilight) are well done, it is the classic version of the undead--ruthless, seductive, and hopelessly evil--that is generally the most powerful. Below are listed what I consider to be the elite of the vampire films. Unsurprisingly, Dracula reigns supreme.
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- DirectorPhilip SavilleStarsLouis JourdanFrank FinlaySusan PenhaligonThe vampire count leaves his Transylvanian home to wreak havoc across the world.I know this is a controversial choice to put at the top of the list, but this is a production with a long list of superlative qualities. To start with, it is the most faithful of all adaptations of the source novel, although inevitably there are after all some significant deviations. Even so, the production never strays far from the original masterpice. Louis Jourdan delivers a very unique interpretation of Dracula which emphasizes the vampire lord's cold, Machiavellian ruthlessnes and superhuman arrogance. Jourdan's portrayal is perhaps the most genuinely frightening version of Dracula outside of Nosferatu. Acting all round is superb, including the definitive portrayal of Mina courtesy of the lovely Judie Bowker and a fabulous turn by Frank Finlay as Van Helsing. Critics will scoff at this adaptation's TV-grade production values and slow pace, but despite its budgetary constraints COUNT DRACULA maintains a beautiful, haunting Gothic atmosphere that transcends its weaknesses thanks to its literate script, solid performances, and fidelity to Bram Stoker's original vision.
- DirectorTerence FisherStarsPeter CushingChristopher LeeMichael GoughWhen Jonathan Harker rouses the ire of Count Dracula for accepting a job at the vampire's castle under false pretenses, his friend Dr. Van Helsing pursues the predatory villain.Hammer Films specialized in Gothic horror films that were as classy as they were terrifying, and though Hammer produced a host of excellent movies the best of them all is Horror of Dracula. Christopher Lee's portrayal of the Lord of Vampires may not necessarily be better than those of Bela Lugosi or Max Schreck, but Lee dared to take the part as immortalized by those other great actors and made it very much his own. Urbane, coldly aristrocratic, and superhumanly malevolent, Lee's Dracula keeps his insatiable hunger under an iron discipline until the moment to strike is at hand--and only then explodes like a red-eyed cobra upon his prey. But fine as Lee's performance is, Peter Cushing is just as good as Van Helsing, his implacable foe. Cushing plays Van Helsing as a zealous crusader, a man of science and faith alike who will not--cannot!--rest until the world is rid of Dracula and his evil. The battle of wills between the two titans is cinema magic. The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, and includes the lush, Gothic sets that would become Hammer trademarks, and moreover features several of the luscious female starlets that Hammer productions are still fondly remembered for. A true Gothic masterpiece.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsMax SchreckAlexander GranachGustav von WangenheimVampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.No one, having once seen Max Schreck's performance as the ghoulish Orlok, can easily forget it. Schreck's vampire is no gothic playboy, but rather a monstrous, ratlike goblin of the shadows whose bite brings death and leaves the plague in his wake. One of the most renowned of all silent films, and the basis for the popular film Shadow of the Vampire, Nosferatu's production is itself the stuff of legend. The first adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nosferatu was found to be in violation of copyright and all copies were ordered to be destroyed. Fortunately for movie lovers, a number of prints survived and Nosferatu continues to haunt viewers today. Directed by F.W. Murnau with the intensity of a lucid nightmare, boasting some of the most haunting shots in the history of horror cinema and culminating in a heartbreaking and powerful climax, Nosferatu is a classic in every sense of the word.
- DirectorTerence FisherStarsPeter CushingMartita HuntYvonne MonlaurVampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing returns to Transylvania to destroy handsome bloodsucker Baron Meinster, who has designs on a beautiful young schoolteacher.Despite the misleading title, Dracula isn't anywhere in this film. Instead, the villain is the Baron Meinster, a young man cursed with vampirism and kept imprisoned by his domineering mother lest he ravage the countryside. Inevitably, Meinster escapes, and the bloodletting begins. While Christopher Lee's Dracula doesn't appear in this, Hammer's first sequel to Horror of Dracula, Peter Cushing does reprise his earlier performance as Van Helsing. Cushing plays the role to the hilt, solidifying his version of the character as the definitive cinematic portrayal. Though rather slow at times, Brides of Dracula succeeds in establishing a rich, dreamlike mood that slowly builds to a unique, frantic climax in a burning windmill. Required viewing for all Hammer afficianados and vampire fans in general.
- DirectorTod BrowningKarl FreundStarsBela LugosiHelen ChandlerDavid MannersTransylvanian vampire Count Dracula bends a naive real estate agent to his will, then takes up residence at a London estate where he sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.It's a certainty that when most people think of Dracula, the image that first comes to mind is that of Bela Lugosi. Lugosi's portrayal of the undead Count is truly uncanny, and when the Hungarian actor opens his ruthless smile and gravely intones, "I am...Dracula," there is no doubt that he speaks the truth. Lugosi's towering performance so dominates the viewer that the rest of the film is perhaps too easy to undervalue. Director Tod Browning creates a film that virtually drips with an eerie atmosphere of dread, and while Lugosi's starring role is impossible to overstate, it is, incredibly, at least equalled by Dwight Frye's turn as the tortured, damned Renfield. Reduced to madness by his dark lord, Renfield's inner struggle is amazing to behold, and adds more than a touch of spiritual pathos to the fairy tale-like plot. The story undeniably slows to a crawl following the imaginative prologue, a few plot strands are left inexplicably dangling, and some of the comic relief falls like a lead balloon, but despite its weaknesses this remains one of the most glorious films in the horror canon.
- DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsJulian WestMaurice SchutzRena MandelA drifter obsessed with the supernatural stumbles upon an inn where a severely ill adolescent girl is slowly becoming a vampire.A mesmerizing, dream-like experience that defies conventional narrative but succeeds as a weirdly evocative cinematic nightmare. The richly symbolic plot seems impenetrable at times, but improves dramatically with repeated viewings. Evokes the true evil of vampires as the ravagers of souls they surely must be. Totally unique among not only vampire films, but movies in general.
- DirectorBrian ClemensStarsHorst JansonJohn CarsonShane BriantA master swordsman and former soldier and his hunchbacked assistant hunt vampires.By the 1970s, Hammer was looking for a fresh approach to vampire cinema and a way to put a fresh spin on its long-running series of Dracula films. And whatever else it may be, Captain Kronos is certainly different. Kronos, the eponymous hero of our film, is an enigmatic, world-weary soldier from an unnamed army who roams the world in search of vampires to vanquish. A combination of swashbuckler adventure, Western, and Gothic horror story, Captain Kronos blends several genres to great success. Featuring an unconventional but particularly fearsome vampire along with several great performances and sure direction, Captain Kronos may be the most underrated vampire movie ever made. And it would be a crime to write a review of this fine movie without praising Caroline Munro as Kronos's romantic interest. Hammer employed an incredible stable of lovely and talented actresses over the years, but Caroline Munro was one of the most beautiful and talented of them all. Munro's role as a downtrodden gypsy girl whom Kronos first rescues and then accepts into his train is one of the movie's special highlights, and every time she steps in front of the camera she lights up the scene. Exciting, imaginative, and great entertainment, this is one of Hammer's unheralded classics.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsKodi Smit-McPheeChloë Grace MoretzRichard JenkinsA bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.An American remake of the acclaimed international hit, Let the Right One In, in many ways the remake surpasses its inspiration. The tale of a vampire-girl and the young, repressed and neglected boy who becomes infatuated with her, Let Me In is as moving as it is terrifying and tragic. A morality tale that deals with the human quest for love and the need for hope--even if it is a false hope--Let Me In is a world removed from most other genre films that deal with the "sympathetic vampire" in its willingness to take on issues of real morality and the reality of good and evil, even allowing for the way human perceptions don't always clearly discern the two.
- DirectorRobert SiodmakStarsLon Chaney Jr.Robert PaigeLouise AllbrittonWhen Katherine, a beautiful Southern girl obsessed with thoughts of eternal life, invites Count Alucard to come to her mansion in the U.S., she unleashes a Pandora's box of horror on unsuspecting relatives and neighbors.Following Dracula's Daughter, Universal produced this, the first vampire film to bring Dracula to America. An ambitious and quite complex plot brimming with ideas explores not only another take on the Dracula legend, but also deals with the lure of evil, the price of forbidden knowledge and the danger of the occult, and the lengths men and women in love will go to for one another. Lon Chaney, Jr., is often harshly maligned for his version of Dracula, which admittedly is very different from that of Bela Lugosi, but in fact his Dracula is a strong, potent villain. Son of Dracula is filled with memorable images, including alligator-filled marshes from which Dracula emerges with an imperious arrogance to claim his bride and a fiery climax.
- DirectorLew LandersStarsBela LugosiFrieda InescortNina FochWhen an errant bomb unearths the coffin of a vampire during the London Blitz, a gravedigger unknowingly reanimates the monster by removing the stake from his heartThis is NOT a sequel to Bela Lugosi's 1931 Dracula--but it should have been! Lugosi once more plays an undead Count with evil designs, and if anything his performance this time around is even more frightening than it was in Dracula. A werewolf stands in for Renfield, and while there's no matching the gravitas of Dwight Frye's performance in the 1931 film this is still a fine movie with several engrossing dramatic threads, creepy atmospherics, and a talented cast. Direction is solid and there are some neat camera shots. Nina Foch is exceptionally beautiful and endearing as the innocent girl who captures the vampire's eye.
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsOtto KrugerGloria HoldenMarguerite ChurchillWhen Countess Marya Zaleska appears in London, mysterious events occur that lead Dr. Von Helsing to believe that the Countess must be a vampire.Universal's first sequel to Bela Lugosi's Dracula, Dracula's Daughter may not be the equal of its predecessor but all the same is a fine all-round film. Gloria Holden delivers a remarkable distaff impersonation of Lugosi, and this is one time the exploration of the vampire as tragic figure actually works. Holden's character longs to be free of her father's curse and fights to live a normal life, but destiny has other plans. Unfairly overlooked, this is a very good film and a worthy sequel to its immortal forebear.
- StarsDavid SoulJames MasonLance KerwinA novelist and a young horror fan attempt to save a small New England town which has been invaded by vampires.Originally a two-part TV production, Salem's Lot compares favorably to most big-budget horror movies. David Soul plays a writer tormented by visions from his childhood who returns to his hometown to craft a new novel, only to find that the horrors from his youth have been surpassed by a new terror that has come to the sleepy New England town of Salem's Lot. Though the movie is based on a Stephen King novel, I'd advise no one to hold that against the film, which is well-directed by Tobe Hooper and maintains a superb tone of encroaching terror throughout. The cast is outstanding, and includes Bonnie Bedelia as David Soul's girlfriend and James Mason as a mysterious outsider who brings a dire secret to Salem's Lot with him. And while there may never be another movie vampire as terrifying as Max Schreck's Nosferatu, Salem's Lot's ghastly master vampire, Barlow, isn't far behind. Intelligent scripting, fine acting, and masterful direction make this a first-class production that inspires real vampiric dread.
- DirectorTobe HooperStarsSteve RailsbackMathilda MayPeter FirthA race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, beginning an apocalyptic descent into chaos.Tobe Hooper's extravagant sci-fi/horror opus is often overlooked and frankly very underrated. Lifeforce is a fast-moving epic that brings space vampires to earth, and while these alien creatures are in some ways far removed from the more traditional vamps Hooper works with in Salem's Lot, the vital essence of vampire legend remains very much the same. Fine special effects, a simply magnificent musical score, and the ravishing Mathilda May as an alluring female vampire make this one of the genre's most underappreciated gems.
- DirectorTerence FisherStarsChristopher LeeBarbara ShelleyAndrew KeirTen years after his demise, Count Dracula is resurrected by his servant and preys on four unsuspecting English tourists who have taken shelter in his castle.It took a while for Hammer to get Christopher Lee back on set for a follow-up to Horror of Dracula, but the wait was worth it. A superb resurrection sequence brings the Count back to life and he wastes no time in finding new victims. Featuring one of the best staking sequences ever (courtesy of a vamped-up Barbara Shelley) and an exciting climax, the film's only genuine weakness is the absence of Peter Cushing/Van Helsing. Still one of the best vampire films yet produced.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsJames WoodsDaniel BaldwinSheryl LeeRecovering from an ambush that killed his entire team, a vengeful vampire slayer must retrieve an ancient Catholic relic that, should it be acquired by vampires, will allow them to walk in sunlight.Probably John Carptenter's second-best film (Halloween, of course, being the best), Vampires features one of the scariest post-Nosferatu master vampires, an arrogant lord of the undead who seeks a black cross that will make him virtually invincible. Perhaps more of an action movie than a horror film, Vampires still includes a number of suspenseful and even eerie moments, and the final showdown between our hero, Jack Crow, and the master vampire is awesome.
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsChristopher LeeRupert DaviesVeronica CarlsonAfter a Monsignor accidentally brings Count Dracula back from the dead while exorcising his castle, the vampire preys on the holy man's beautiful niece and her friends.Not the best of Hammer's many fine vampire films, but almost certainly the most ambitious. The script is full of interesting ideas that touch upon religion, lack of faith, redemption, courage, innocence, and the reality of absolute good and absolute evil. Christopher Lee is as always magnificent as Dracula, but the rest of the cast is outstanding as well, and far from being filler the supporting characters represent important archetypes that represent the various themes being played out in the artfully constructed plot. Veronica Carlson is especially wonderful as the object of Dracula's unholy lust, and it's hard to imagine any actress has ever brought the same caliber of virginal beauty to the role of Dracula's bride. Flawed by a slow pace and the simple fact that there isn't room in the picture for all the ideas to work themselves out to the full, Dracula Has Risen From the Grave is still a must-see for all fans of Hammer vampires.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsKate BeckinsaleScott SpeedmanShane BrollySelene, a vampire warrior, is entrenched in a conflict between vampires and werewolves, while falling in love with Michael, a human who is sought by werewolves for unknown reasons.A dark, highly stylized film about the brutal war between vampires and werewolves that has been going on undetected by humans for centuries. Rich in atmosphere and packed with incredible energy and excellent special effects, Underworld is a unique blend of action, sci-fi and a little horror. Kate Beckinsale, as the gorgeous vampire death dealer Selene, is the cinematic epitome of 'dangerous curves.'
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsJason PatricCorey HaimDianne WiestAfter moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires.Sometimes a bit too cool for its own good, The Lost Boys nails the trials and trevails of teenage life far more accurately than its exaggerated plotline might first lead one to believe. Notable for a fine soundtrack and a (usually) fine mix of comedy and thrills. Several excellent performances, especially Kiefer Sutherland as the ultimate Lost Boy. Jami Gertz is also terrific as the irresistible Star.
- DirectorRobert YoungStarsAdrienne CorriThorley WaltersAnthony HigginsAs the plague sweeps the countryside, a quarantined village is visited by a mysterious traveling circus. Soon, young children begin to disappear, and the locals suspect the circus troupe might be hiding a horrifying secret.Another Hammer production, this one takes a somewhat different perspective on the vampire legend with fine results...think Something Wicked This Way Comes with the undead and you'll have an idea what to expect from this neglected gem.
- DirectorRoy Ward BakerStarsChristopher LeeDennis WatermanJenny HanleyA young man is murdered while spending the night at Count Dracula's castle, prompting his brother to come to the small town where all the traces end to look for him.Another masterful perforance from Christopher Lee highlights this creepy Hammer thriller. Bloodier and more violent than previous Hammer vampire films, Scars has some great atmosphere and the tension is continually escalated as Dracula claims one victim after another. The angelic Jenny Hanley shines as his ultimate prey.
- DirectorJ.S. CardoneStarsKerr SmithBrendan FehrIzabella MikoA young man gets embroiled in a war against vampires.Combining elements of the Lost Boys with road thrillers like The Hitcher, this film keeps the suspense mounting as we follow a traveler named Sean and his very weird new friend, Nick, through the desert as they are tracked by merciless vampires.
- DirectorPeter SasdyStarsChristopher LeeGeoffrey KeenGwen WatfordAfter killing his disciple, three English gentlemen unwittingly resurrect Count Dracula, who seeks to avenge his servant by making the trio die by the hands of their own children.Another masterpiece from Hammer, though this one tampers with the existing Dracula formula a bit. Christopher Lee doesn't have as much screen time as one might expect, though naturally he dominates every scene he's in, and the plot is heavily invested with more character-driven drama than usual. Great cinematography, perhaps the most creatively shot of all Hammer's vampire films. Linda Hayden does a magnificent turn as the latest young innocent to draw the Count's nefarious attentions. The climax, unfortunately, is somewhat underwhelming, but overall this is still a fine movie.
- DirectorDavid SladeStarsJosh HartnettMelissa GeorgeDanny HustonAfter an Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, it is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires.These vampires definitely don't sparkle! Brutal, if at times excessively gory story of vampire terror in an isolated Alaskan town. Credibly acted with a moving climax. The novelization by Tim Lebbel is actually even better than the film.
- DirectorJesús FrancoStarsChristopher LeeHerbert LomKlaus KinskiCount Dracula, a vampire who regains his youth by drinking the blood of maidens, is pursued in London and Transylvania by Professor Van Helsing, Jonathan Harker and Quincey Morris.At the time it was released, this was probably the most faithful film adaptation of Stoker's novel, for all that it nonetheless takes considerable liberties with the book once it moves beyond the first act. Looks a lot like a Hammer film, and it even stars the great Christopher Lee in the title role, though it lacks some of the energy and style of Hammer's best productions. Moves a bit too leisurely at times, but still a finely mounted film with Lee in fine form and a number of elegant and beautiful female co-stars. Not the definitive Dracula, but all the same a worthy effort.
- DirectorAlan GibsonStarsChristopher LeePeter CushingMichael ColesIn 1974, Professor Lorrimer Van Helsing investigates a satanic cult on behalf of Scotland Yard, only to discover a plot by Count Dracula to commit global genocide.Another excellent film from Hammer starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Often harshly criticised for its somewhat anachronistic plot, which combines elements of science fiction and espionage thrillers with the usual Hammer formula, but IMO the combination works quite well and produces some unexpected but enjoyable twists.