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Creature Features: 8 Vampire Movies to Watch This Halloween

All sorts of things go bump in the night. Ghosts, ghouls, werewolves, witches — creatures that haunt our nightmares and ignite our imaginations. Then, there are vampires. These denizens of the dark hold a special place in human history; our ancestors were genuinely afraid to travel when the sun was down, lest vampires bleed them dry. Entire communities feared bats and wolves, believing them to be bloodsuckers in disguise. Vampire hunting  became a legitimate profession in 18th century Europe. We really can’t overstate how much these monsters have messed with our minds over the years.

Maybe that’s why vampires have experienced so much success on the big screen. Vampires have frightened and excited audiences for decades — changing with the times and reflecting some of our darkest desires. As much as we dread these creatures of the night, there’s a small part of us that’s utterly fascinated with them.

Spooky season is in full swing this year, and many of us will participate in the festivities at home. Looking for a way to liven up the night? Here are eight iconic vampire movies to watch this Halloween.

Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror  (or Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens  in German) is a staple of the horror genre. This German Expressionist masterpiece was helmed by director F. W. Murnau and stars Max Schreck as the infamous Count Orlok.

Special effects and robust film sets weren’t exactly a thing in the early 20th century. Murnau instead relied on mind-bending camera angles, striking shadows and innovative set design to scare audiences. This film’s impact on the history of cinema can’t be exaggerated — many horror film franchises likely wouldn’t exist if Nosferatu  hadn’t crept onto the scene and paved the way.

Dracula (1931)

Nosferatu’s  popularity spread across Europe like wildfire. It didn’t take long for American filmmakers to catch wind of F.W. Murnau’s success either. But here’s the thing: Nosferatu was essentially an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula   — one that Murnau filmed without permission. Stoker’s wife successfully sued Murnau and Nosferatu  was pulled from theaters. Enter Universal Pictures, which paid approximately $40,000 for the rights to adapt Dracula . Garrett Fort penned the script while Tod Browning took the director’s chair. Bela Lugosi was cast as the titular prince of darkness, and the rest is cinematic history.

Dracula  is a genuinely terrifying landmark film. When many people think of Count Dracula, they think about Lugosi’s chilling performance. Universal’s adaptation takes plenty of inspiration from Nosferatu . However, Dracula is not a silent film; characters deliver their lines either with palpable dread or devilish delight. “Talkies” had only recently hit theaters in the early 1900s. Dracula helped legitimize sound films and reshape the movie industry.

Dracula/The Horror of Dracula (1958)

Similar to sound films, Technicolor movies were also relative rarities in the early 20th century. Films were primarily shot on black and white stock, and filmgoers were accustomed to greyscale pictures. The opposite was true by the 1950s, which is when The Horror of Dracula  hit the scene. Hammer Films spared no expense when it adapted Bram Stoker’s timeless tale; special effects and ornate gothic sets were specifically created for this film. The Horror of Dracula  is also a much more visceral visual experience due to being shot in color.

We’d be remiss not to praise Christopher Lee’s performance as Count Dracula; he aimed to play the character as a “heroic, erotic and romantic”  figure — one that was just as mystifying as he was terrifying. Lee’s good friend Peter Cushing starred as Doctor Van Helsing, further elevating the film. And The Horror of Dracula  revealed something truly harrowing about vampires: they were dark reflections  of human nature.

Blacula (1972)

The United States’ counterculture movement gathered momentum in the 1960s and persisted well into the 1970s. People vocalized dissatisfaction with the government, civil rights initiatives swept the nation and artists used their platforms to critique the powers that be. The Blaxploitation films of the 1970s echoed these sentiments, challenging decades-old stereotypes  that were (and still are) imposed on the Black community. Blacula  is precisely what its name implies; an adaptation of Stoker’s tale made primarily for Black people by Black people.

The late William Marshall portrays Prince Mamuwalde, a Nigerian man who asked the original Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay) to intervene during the transatlantic slave trade. For his trouble, Prince Mamuwalde was transformed into Blacula, sealed in a coffin and transported to America. Indeed, Count Blacula is a tragic anti-villain; he was stripped of his identity, taken from his homeland and left to fend for himself in a hostile environment. Allegorical, innovative and genuinely frightening, Blacula is worth a watch — and post-screening analysis.

The Lost Boys (1987)

Drugs, sex, rock n’ roll and excess are hallmarks of the 1980s  — hallmarks that naturally found their way into ’80s cinema. The Lost Boys  epitomizes this trend; “It’s fun to be a vampire” is the film’s tagline, and that sentiment is more than reinforced throughout its runtime. Vampires are ageless, powerful, beautiful beings who live by their own rules and party like rockstars in The Lost Boys. That’s the scariest part about this film — how enticing vampirism can seem on the surface.

The Lost Boys can also be viewed as a metacommentary of the 1980s. Vampirism is an analogy for the excess and hedonism of the decade. Just like it seemed “fun to be a vampire,” it also seemed fun to be a hard-partying rockstar. Spellbinding performances by a committed cast, strong directing by Joel Schumacher and a compelling script helped The Lost Boys break new ground. Vampires weren’t just creepy anymore. They were also undeniably cool.

Blade (1998)

You can’t talk about cool vampire movies without giving Blade  its due. The 1990s were an incredibly experimental time for the film industry; spec scripts were being produced by the dozens and comic book adaptations were becoming much more prevalent. Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan created Blade in 1973 for Marvel Comics. At last, in 1998, Wesley Snipes would bring the Daywalker to life on the big screen. Directed by Stephen Norrington and written by David S. Goyer, Blade  redefined what superhero movies  and vampire films could be. Action, horror, pathos and even a bit of comedy are seamlessly woven into this film.

Though Blade  was initially overlooked when it premiered, the film has since been recognized for setting several precedents. It’s one of the first Black superhero movies to achieve widespread critical and commercial success, grossing $131.2 million off of a $45 million budget. Blade  also paved the way for many of the superhero films that have become commonplace today; it’s not a stretch to suggest that Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man  trilogy, the Underworld franchise and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe wouldn’t exist if Blade  hadn’t resonated with audiences. Lastly, this film proved that vampires could transcend genres; Blade  is more of an action film than a horror flick, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Twilight (2008)

Hate it or love it, Twilight’s  impact on cinema is undeniable. This adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s 2005 novel was an international phenomenon in its heyday. It focused solely on the romantic aspects of vampirism  — living forever, being young forever and loving forever. If reading that sentence was painful for you, imagine how excruciating it was to write. 

Personal feelings aside, Twilight is an iconic film in its own right. It spawned four sequels, launched numerous careers and kept vampires at the forefront of our collective imagination from 2008 to 2012. Even Burger King  got in on the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debacle. Twilight  ultimately proved that there was still a thriving, thirsting market for vampire films in the 21st century.

Blood Red Sky (2021)

We end with Blood Red Sky, a British-German Netflix film  that’s equal parts graphic, terrifying and heart-wrenching. The film follows Nadja and her son Elias as they try to survive aboard a hijacked airplane. Discussing this film in detail without spoiling it is virtually impossible, but we can say this: Blood Red Sky  focuses on the toll that vampirism would exact on a person’s family, community and mental state. Scenes unfold at an intentionally deliberate pace. Minor characters and extras are treated with a degree of respect that we don’t often see.

In many ways, Blood Red Sky is the culmination of the vampire films that precede it; there are genuine scares here, alongside meta-commentary, dazzling action scenes and genuine pathos. Blood Red Sky  proves that vampire films can make viewers cry — not out of fear, but out of true remorse.

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Product Description

Think of the most touching love story you ever saw. Think, too, of the brightest comedy, the most astonishing supernatural tale and a sleek mystery-thriller. Did you come up with four separate films? Or are you among the millions of fans and critics who've discovered Ghost, the #1 film of 1990? Ghost will surprise you, delight you, make you believe. Patrick Swayze plays a ghost who teams up with a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) to uncover the truth behind his murder - and to rescue his sweetheart (Demi Moore) from a similar fate. The word of mouth is that Ghost is a must-see romance, says Entertainment Weekly. Ditto to that!

Product details

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 Ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Jerry Zucker
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 7 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2001
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Stanley Lawrence
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
• Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Paramount
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000059TEP
• Writers ‏ : ‎ Bruce Joel Rubin
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
• #521 in Fantasy DVDs
• #1,573 in Romance (Movies & TV)
• #7,092 in Drama DVDs

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1990, Fantasy/Romance, 2h 7m

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Critics Consensus

Ghost offers viewers a poignant romance while blending elements of comedy, horror, and mystery, all adding up to one of the more enduringly watchable hits of its era. Read critic reviews

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Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is a banker, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) is an artist, and the two are madly in love. However, when Sam is murdered by friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner (Tony Goldwyn) over a shady business deal, he is left to roam the earth as a powerless spirit. When he learns of Carl's betrayal, Sam must seek the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to set things right and protect Molly from Carl and his goons.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Original Language: English

Director: Jerry Zucker

Producer: Lisa Weinstein

Writer: Bruce Joel Rubin

Release Date (Theaters): Jul 13, 1990  original

Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013

Box Office (Gross USA): $214.3M

Runtime: 2h 7m

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Production Co: Paramount Pictures

Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby SR, Surround

Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Cast & Crew

Patrick Swayze

Molly Jensen

Whoopi Goldberg

Oda Mae Brown

Tony Goldwyn

Carl Bruner

Rick Aviles

Willie Lopez, Burgler

Oda Mae's Sister

Armelia McQueen

Vincent Schiavelli

Subway Ghost

Stephen Root

Police Sergeant

Jerry Zucker

Bruce Joel Rubin

Steven-Charles Jaffe

Executive Producer

Lisa Weinstein

Associate Producer

Maurice Jarre

Original Music

Adam Greenberg

Cinematographer

Walter Murch

Film Editing

Janet Hirshenson

Jane Jenkins

Production Design

Mark W. Mansbridge

Art Director

Joe D. Mitchell

Set Construction

Kendall Errair

Costume Design

Eric Harrison

Dawn J. Jackson

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Critic Reviews for Ghost

Audience reviews for ghost.

Iconic and heartwarming, this romantic thriller film delivers strong performances and memorable sequences despite an occasional lack of sophistication in the production.

"Ghost" is one of those films that is filmmaking at its most effective: It is uncomplicated, entertaining and engrossing with surprisingly good performances. And while many may scoff at the film as pure fluff, their scoffs unfairly overlook "Ghost"'s amazing balance of drama, comedy and action - a feat that is very hard to achieve in films. "Ghost" is smart enough to work off a very uncomplicated script. The plot is very basic and doesn't try to fool you with too many twists and turns - keeping the twists to just one very effective one at the film's climax. This allows the viewer to just engross themselves into the lives of the characters without having too much to figure out. You become invested in the central relationship. The performances work. "Ghost" takes advantage of Whoopi Goldberg at her best and she plays Oda Mae Brown with a gusto that makes her irresistible. She carries the film's comedy squarely on her shoulder but doesn't venture into cartoonish territory allowing Oda Mae's journey to be just as important to the viewer as Sam and Molly's. Speaking of Molly Jensen and her doomed lover Sam Wheat (the titular Ghost), they are played with uncomplicated effectiveness by star-on-the-rise Demi Moore and hot-after-"Dirty Dancing" Patrick Swayze. She cries. He swoons. And Swayze proves to have just as much chemistry with Goldberg as he does with Moore. While Goldberg got the Academy Award and Moore became an A-lister, Swayze is the one that anchors the film. Jerry Zucker assembles this film amazingly well. He keeps it simple, he knows that when a scene is meant to make you swoon he puts it on overdrive (the use of "Unchained Melody" in the pottery scene is brilliant). When the scene is meant to make you laugh he doesn't get in the way of the joke - nothing else happens. When he wants you to feel Molly's sadness, a major close up of her crying face and falling tears is in frame. Zucker guides the movie effectively. "Ghost" is an underrated gem. Not the most substantive film, but so what? It's funny, it's sad, it's romantic, it's thrilling. Just what a pure Hollywood film needs to be. Nothing more, nothing less.

I only thought this was okay when I saw it as a kid, but now that I'm older, more seasoned in film criticism, and less ironically embracing of supernatural melodrama, I can truly appreciate Ghost for the stylish, thrilling, Academy Award-winning tearjerker it is. If you don't wanna throw some pots after watching this, you're dead to me.

A very heartwarming, charming and smart movie, with a flawless funny script, original and great special effects, and with powerful performances. This movie literally showcases the whole cast, Patrick Swayze was great, Demi Moore was fascinating, Whoopi Goldberg was just plain awesome, if there is someone that can make you laugh your pants out, its Whoopi Goldberg, she had that comedic and dramatic power and she definitely pulled it off, and that gained her an Oscar. And I like how the story says that if you die good, you go to heaven or you stay for a while in the real world, and the people who die bad go directly to hell, and they never come back. And when that is displayed in the screen on how they go to hell is terrifying. Another element I like is how the dead who are still in the world can walk through anything, even move things, if they really concentrate, and it gives you that feeling, that when something moves alone, its a spirit thats still in Earth. All I can say is that Ghost was fantastic, it showcases its cast, its original, its very funny, and says things that are very true, and I was glad I saw this movie.

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