The Top Vampire Movies You Need to See

Nosferatu (1922): Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von Wangenheim (Gene pick)

This film is iconic. Even if you've never seen it, you've probably seen clips from it, as they frequently show up in other films, or in montages of vampire films. It's an unauthorized adaption of "Dracula," which shows vampires as they were originally thought to be - horrific undead creatures that used to be human, that sort of remember being human, but clearly they are human no longer.

Dracula (1931): Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye (Gene pick)

This film is probably the most iconic vampire film of all time. Based on the original novel by Bram Stoker, the film stars Bela Lugosi, who also starred in the play, and the role made him a legend. Far more human than Nosferatu, Lugosi's Dracula appears to be a normal man, but appearances are deceiving, as he walks through large cobwebs, and loses his composure at the sight of blood. He also never drinks...wine.

The Horror of Dracula (1958) Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing (Gene pick)

There are debates about who portrayed Dracula the best, and it usually comes down to Bela Lugosi vs. Christopher Lee. Lugosi portrayed him first, but Lee portrayed him longer, and there's no doubt that he was an excellent Dracula, and Peter Cushing an excellent Van Helsing. Lee redefines the character, plus there are nice touches like color, fangs, and blood-red eyes.

Last Man on Earth (1964) : Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia, Emma Danieli (Gene pick)

There have been several adaptations of Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend." This is the first, and the most faithful to the book, though none have been 100% true to the book. Both the film and the book are centered around the terrifying concept of being the last man left alive in a world populated by vampires. Horror icon Vincent Price plays the title role as a man, who, narrating the film through his diary, logs his bleak existence in which he goes out by day, foraging for supplies, and, block by block, staking every vampire he finds in every home, building, and apartment complex, then bringing their bodies to be burned in a pit. He then repairs the damage to his house and locks himself in before dark, because at night the vampires come for him.

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979): Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz (Gene pick)

This remake of the silent original stars Klaus Kinski as the vampire. Significantly longer, in color, and with sound, the film is also more terrifying. Kinski looks about as creepy, but what's far, far more disturbing is the film's ability to portray the effect a vampire will have on a populace, something most films and books never consider. If a vampire feeds on just one person a night, and each person dies, that's 365 dead people per year. In the film, the vampire is feeding on far more than one person a night, as the city he comes to quickly becomes a ghost town, where he is able to run through the town square freely, and the people become outnumbered by the rats.

The Hunger (1983): David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve (Gene pick)

After "Dracula," romance became part of the vampire mythos, and it was ramped up considerably over the years. "The Hunger" fully melded the vampire film with the sexual thriller, with a twist, multiple twists actually. First, no fangs. Second, the idea of being beautiful forever doesn't really work. Catherine Deneuve plays the actual vampire. David Bowie is her lover, who has been kept alive for a very long time, but only true vampires live forever, and Bowie's character is starting to age...rapidly. Susan Sarandon plays the woman who may be the next to spend time at Deneuve's side.

Fright Night (1985): Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Roddy McDowell, Amanda Bearse (BOTH pick)

This film has a unique premise. A teen suspects his new neighbor is a vampire, so he turns to the host of the local late-night horror movie show (Roddy McDowell), who is supposedly a vampire hunter, to help destroy the creature. While the horror host at first doubt's the boy's claim, and then says he's just an actor, the two eventually team up in the perfect mix of comedy and horror that seemed to take place only in the 80s.

Once Bitten (1985): Jim Carrey, Lauren Hutton, Cleavon Little, Karen Kopins (Dandy pick)

In his first starring role, Jim Carrey plays a high school student who has yet to have sex with his girlfriend. He encounters a mysterious woman (Lauren Hutton) in a bar and she seduces him. Thinking he has had sex with her, he notices a bite from her on his thigh. He also begins to exhibit odd vampire-like behaviors. The race is then on for the vampire to bite hin two more times before he loses his virginity, as she needs the blood of virgins to survive.

The Lost Boys (1987): Jason Patric, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest ( BOTH pick)

Another iconic film, this one finds a high school student (Jason Patric) drawn to a group of teens who seem to be living the ideal teen life - partying all night, sleeping all day, living on the edge, except they're vampires, and they want him to join them. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman play the Frog Brothers, young vampire hunters out to stake them all.

My Best Friend is a Vampire (1987): Robert Sean Leonard, Cheryl Pollack, David Warner (Dandy pick)

This teen comedy combines vampire films with the themes of teen coming of age films, as an awkward high school student is seduced and turned by a female vampire. As he begins to turn, his parents wonder if his odd behavior is due to being gay. Meanwhile, a pair of bumbling vampire hunters are on his trail.

Near Dark (1987): Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Adrian Pasdar (Gene pick)

While this film has similar themes to other vampire films at the time (particularly "The Lost Boys"), it's unlike any other vampire film. Because of it's outlaw themes and desert Southwest setting, it has been called, "a vampire western." Adrian Pasdar plays a high school student who meets a mysterious young woman. They kiss and she bites him. As he begins to turn, he's captured by her clan, a ragtag group of vampires who travel from town to town, feeding on humans and stealing different cars every night so they're never caught. The clan decides to take him in, but he doesn't want to kill to survive, so he must choose between love and a normal life. Meanwhile, the police are closing in and the clan is running out of places to hide.

Fright Night 2 (1988): William Ragsdale, Roddy McDowell, Traci Lind (Dandy pick)

Many sequels are pale comparisons to the original, but this one is good, primarily because it brings back both Roddy McDowall and William Ragsdale in their original roles. Set 3 years after the original, Charlie (Ragsdale) is now a college student, but he no longer believes his former neighbor was a vampire. Therapy has led to him believing the man was a serial killer, whom Charlie still managed to stop. However, there may be more vampires, and now they're after Charlie.

Vampire's Kiss (1988): Nicolas Cage, Jennifer Beals, Maria Conchita Alonso (Gene pick)

It's Nicolas Cage playing someone who's totally unhinged, what more could you want? In a psychological comedy, Cage plays a man who believes he may be turning into a vampire. Maybe he is, or maybe he's just insane.

[Bram Stoker's] Dracula (1992): Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves (BOTH pick)

In all the many adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," this is the only one that follows the format of the original novel, in which the story is told through the diaries and journals of the various characters involved. While it does add an origin of sorts for Dracula, and plays up the romance between Dracula and Mina quite a bit, the film sticks closely to the novel, and is a mix of sensual, stylish, and horrifying.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992): Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry (BOTH pick)

Where's Sara Michelle Gellar? Not here! This is the hit film the iconic TV show was based on. No Willow, no vampire love interest, just cheerleader Buffy finding out she's a Slayer, and being trained in her skills. While Willow is missed, this film has Paul Reubens in his comedic best as a vampire henchling, plus Rutger Hauer, who more than makes up the difference.

Interview With the Vampire (1994): Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas (BOTH pick)

Anne Rice fans and Anne Rice herself dreaded the release of this adaptation of her groundbreaking novel, in which Tom Cruise, regarded a not a serious actor at the time, was cast in the role of the central vampire in the Rice mythos, Lestat. However, Rice and most fans changed their mind upon seeing the film, which was very faithful to the source material. Brad Pitt plays 19th century New Orleans gentleman Louis, who is turned by Lestat. A very young Kirsten Dunst plays the dying girl turned by Louis who complete the odd "family" of vampires. The film explores the mixed blessing and curse of being a vampire, being beautiful forever, loving beauty, but seeing all those you care about die while you stay young.

Vampire in Brooklyn (1995): Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, Allen Payne (Dandy pick)

Casting Eddie Murphy in a comedic vampire film may seem odd, but perhaps not as odd as also having it directed by horror legend Wes Craven. Yet the pairing worked, and the film has gone on to become a cult classic.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996): George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis (BOTH pick)

This film brings together writer/directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who mash up the vampire genre and the caper film when a couple of criminals go into a bar, not knowing it's a vampire bar. Full of action, comedy, and gore, the film does not disappoint.

Blade (1998): Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson (BOTH pick)

There was a time when Marvel just couldn't make a good movie. Any attempt (Punisher, Captain America) was either so bad it went right to video or (Roger Corman's Fantastic Four) shelved and never released. Until "Blade." Based on the half-human/half-vampire vampire hunter seen in the legendary "Tomb of Dracula" comics, Blade is known as the Daywalker, posessing all of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of his mixed heritage. With amazing effects, action sequences, and solid performances, the film still holds up well almost a quarter of a century later.

Dracula 2000 (2000): Gerard Butler, Justine Waddell, Jonny Lee Miller, Christopher Plummer (Dandy pick)

Produced by Wes Craven, this film literally brings Dracula to the modern day as he awakens in the present to a world where his name is known all over the world, but he is thought to be the stuff of pure fiction or legend. Not just following the themes of previous vampire movies, this film sets out to do something new.

Queen of the Damned (2002): Aaliyah, Stuart Townsend, Marguerite Monroe, Vincent Perez (Dandy pick)

Fans of "Interview with the Vampire" wondered why a sequel was never made, given that there were many more books in the series and the film was a hit. This was that sequel, it just happened to be released 8 years later, include none of the original cast, and skip straight to the third book, skipping "The Vampire Lestat," which told Lestat's origin. In this film, Lestat, now played by Stuart Townshend, awakens the very first vampire, the Queen of the Damned of Ancient Egypt, and the two of them begin a vampiric love affair as she learns about the modern world.

30 Days of Night (2007): Josh Harnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston (Gene pick)

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel, this film takes vampire films where they have never gone before. Set in a very small town in far northern Alaska, within the Arctic Circle, the movie depicts an attack from a group of vampires who come to wipe out the town, where in winter there is no sunlight for 30 days, making it a vampiric paradise. The film is pure horror, making the viewer imagine what it might be like just before "Last Man on Earth", when the vampires were wiping out the humans, and hope of survival seemed bleaker with each death.

Let the Right One In (2008): Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar (Gene pick)

Based on the original novel, this film takes one of the core concepts from "Interview With the Vampire" and expands upon it. Namely, while many of us would like to live forever and never grow old, what if that meant you were trapped in the body of a 12 year old, your body always staying on the edge of puberty while your mind developed into that of an adult? That alone is a deep concept, but this film also pairs it with another theme, what happens when those around you grow old and die? Those are the concepts beneath the film, which otherwise is a really beautiful love story between a boy and a girl, one of them actually 12, the other only physically 12.

Twilight (2008): Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner (Dandy pick)

Speaking of love stories, maybe you've heard of this one. Belle is a teenage girl, torn between two men. One is a vampire, the other a werewolf. Not only does Belle care for each of them, there's conflict between their clans.

Stake Land (2010): Connor Paolo, Nick Damici, Kelly McGillis (Gene pick)

You've heard of the concept of the Zombie Apocalypse. This film, along with "Last Man on Earth," shows us the Vampire Apocalypse. Vampires, tired of hiding in the shadows, decide to wage war on humanity, and they're winning. Nick Damici plays a legendary vampire killer who may be humanity's best hope. There's no romance in this film, but it does have heart, plus a whole lot of violence and gore.

Fright Night (2011): Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, David Tennant, Toni Collette (BOTH pick)

As much as remakes of classic films are beleaguered, sometimes, as in the case of this one, they're good. With essentially the same plot as the original "Fright Night", this film features Colin Farrell as the charming and sexy but deadly neighbor, while the brilliant David (Dr. Who) Tennant reinterprets Roddy McDowall's role from a schlock horror host into more of a Criss Angel type. Still scary and charming, this film is a good reinterpretation of the original.

Dark Shadows (2012): Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green ( Dandy pick)

The original tv show "Dark Shadows" blended horror and soap opera, and it was a cult phenomenon that networks attempted to remake later, with better acting and a bigger budget. Here, Tim Burton and an all-star cast turn up the comedy meter with all the elements of the original series. The central plot revolves around Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), cursed by a witch centuries ago, becoming a vampire. Awakening in the modern world and saying he merely resembles his ancestor, Barnabas finds he's not the only holdover from the past.

Vamps (2012): Alicia S ilvertsone, Krysten Ritter (Gene pick)

The concept on this film is simple, and it's done really well. Imagine if Cher from "Clueless" was a vampire. It's not surprise it is done well, since Cher herself, Alicia Silverstone, stars in the film, and both films have the same director. If she and her best friend (Krysten Ritter) were both vampires, what would they do for eternity? Shop and chase boys of course. But mainly to feed on them.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013): Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska (Gene pick)

If you're a fan of director Jim Jarmusch, you know that no two films of his are alike, the soundtracks tend to be good, and music is a common theme. That's certainly true of this film, directed by Jarmusch in which Tom Hiddleston plays a vampire who spends most of his time as a reclusive musician. He has known everyone, played with everyone, and many of the best licks you've heard in songs actually come from him. Tilda Swinton plays his estranged lover who comes running when she learns he's seriously thinking of killing himself.

Vampire Academy (2014): Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovskiy (Dandy pick)

Based on the series of young-adult novels, the film depicts friends at a literal academy for vampires, with a well-rounded culture of vampires, vampire hybrids, and vampire hierarchy, as the friends investigate disappearances in and around their school.

Stake Land 2: The Stakelander (2016): Connor Paolo, Nick Damici, Laura Abramsen (Gene pick)

This sequel does what good sequels should do - it includes the original characters, played by the original stars, and it develops their characters. The vampire apocalypse isn't over and while there are now two vampire slayers, has one outgrown the other, and how long can they go on fighting?

Gene Lass and Dandy J. West are lifelong horror fans and film buffs. They are the former editors of the blog "So Good It's Scary."