Across generations, the allure of vampires has remained undiminished. These enigmatic creatures, stemming from ancient folklore and immortalized in literature like the 1819 short story “The Vampyre,” have captured our morbid fascination for centuries.
This enduring fascination has seamlessly transitioned into the modern era, where a constant stream of vampire movies and TV shows has kept fans captivated. From cult classics like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to atmospheric tales like “Interview with the Vampire,” the seductive and compelling nature of vampires continues to grip our collective imagination.
Even when vampire content veers into the realm of cliché and campiness, it often becomes a guilty pleasure we indulge in secret. Whether you prefer the eerie atmosphere of “Nosferatu” or the comedic escapades of “What We Do in the Shadows,” there’s a wide range of streamable vampire shows and movies to satisfy every flavor of vampiric bloodlust. So, let’s delve into this world of eternal night and explore the best vampire content available for your viewing pleasure.
The Vampire Diaries: A Unique Take on the Love Triangle Trope
While some may categorize The Vampire Diaries alongside its early 2000s counterparts, the series stands out due to its exceptional world-building and epic storytelling. Julie Plec, the show’s franchise runner, presents the love triangle trope in a fresh and captivating manner.
Nina Dobrev takes on multiple roles in the original series, portraying doppelgängers like modern-day lead Elena Gilbert, the centuries-old vampire Katherine Pierce, and the original star-crossed immortal lover, Amara. Meanwhile, Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) and Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) engage in a gripping battle to keep Elena alive while simultaneously vying for her affection. However, Elena proves to be no damsel in distress; she frequently takes matters into her own hands and showcases her resilience.
The series achieved remarkable success during its eight-season run, leading to the creation of two spinoffs. The Originals, set in New Orleans, delves into the lives of the Mikaelsons, the original vampire family. On the other hand, Legacies introduces a new generation of supernatural teenagers attending a special boarding school. The possibilities for mayhem in such a setting are endless.
You can catch The Vampire Diaries on Max, The Originals on Freevee, and Legacies on Netflix.
Interview With the Vampire: An Iconic Tale of Immortality
Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire is a celebrated modern vampire novel that eventually found its way to the big screen in 1994. The film boasts an iconic cast with Tom Cruise as Lestat, Brad Pitt as Louis, and Kirsten Dunst as Claudia.
In the story, Louis recounts his adventures with Lestat and their eternally youthful vampire daughter, Claudia, during an interview with a reporter. While some plotlines haven’t aged well, both the book and the movie remain influential and important parts of the vampire genre.
In 2022, the story received a modern update through AMC’s Interview With the Vampire TV series. This adaptation features a more diverse cast, including Sam Reid as Lestat, Jacob Anderson as Louis, and Bailey Bass as Claudia. Unfortunately, the series was canceled after its first season.
You can watch the movie on Paramount Plus and the series on Max.
What We Do in the Shadows: A Mockumentary with a Bite
Taika Waititi (Viago) and Jemaine Clement (Vladislav) not only starred in but also co-wrote and co-directed the 2014 film of the same name. They took the mockumentary genre and added a vampire twist, creating a comedy masterpiece.
The 2019 TV series, also titled What We Do in the Shadows, maintains the mockumentary style and features a new ensemble of vampires living in a run-down Staten Island mansion. Jemaine Clement serves as the showrunner and producer, while Taika Waititi is involved in producing, directing, and writing for the series.
The ensemble cast includes Kayvan Novak as Nandor, Matt Berry as Laszlo, Natasia Demetriou as Nadja, Harvey Guillén as Guillermo, and Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson (also known as Vampire Toby Flenderson). With five seasons and counting, the show continues to thrive, thanks to its ability to reinvent itself and the hilarious plotlines and chemistry of its leads.
You can rent or buy the movie on Apple TV and watch the series on Hulu.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Timeless Tale of Vampires and More
The Buffyverse began with Kristy Swanson’s 1992 movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” While it may be campy, it provides a fun contrast to the darker vampire franchises. In the movie, you can witness a staked vampire uncomfortably groan for three minutes until meeting his dusty demise.
However, the heart of Buffy lies in the iconic TV series created by Joss Whedon. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, the series serves as both a sequel and a fresh start compared to the movie. Buffy’s Scooby gang includes Alyson Hannigan as her best friend Willow, Nicholas Brendon as the ever-loyal Xander, and Anthony Stewart Head as her Watcher, Giles.
No vampire series would be complete without a love triangle, and Buffy delivers with David Boreanaz as Angel and James Marsters as Spike vying for her affections. As Buffy battles vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness, she does it all in style, even in heels.
You can catch both the movie and the series on Hulu.
Vampire Academy: From Campy Movie to Darker TV Series
Mark Waters’ “Vampire Academy” movie, although roasted for its campy nature, offers a fun spin on Richelle Mead’s book series. Zoey Deutch as Rose Hathaway and Lucy Fry as Lissa Dragomir bring the lighthearted essence of the first book to life, providing an entertaining experience that sticks closely to the book’s plot.
In 2022, fans got a darker and more nuanced adaptation of Mead’s universe with the “Vampire Academy” Peacock series. Despite lasting only one season, the show, created by Julie Plec and Marguerite MacIntyre, introduced a diverse cast and delved into the darker themes and class issues found in later books.
Sisi Stringer as Rose and Daniela Nieves as Lissa lead the series, which centers on the friendship between Lissa, a Moroi royal with rare spirit magic, and Rose, a Dhampir tasked with protecting Lissa from the evil Strigoi. As if that weren’t enough, they also have to navigate the complexities of school life, where teenage drama can be even more brutal than fangs.
You can catch the movie on Netflix and the series on Peacock.
Dracula: A Timeless Vampire Icon
The name Dracula is synonymous with vampires, transcending centuries to become a timeless icon in both classic and modern vampire pop culture. Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula” has served as the foundation for countless adaptations and continues to influence pop culture to this day.
Among the myriad Dracula adaptations, two stand out as iconic renditions of the infamous vampire:
1. Bela Lugosi’s Dracula (1931): Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Dracula in the 1931 black-and-white film is legendary. His performance has left an indelible mark on vampire lore and remains a cornerstone of classic horror cinema.
2. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992): This 1992 film, led by Gary Oldman in the titular role, boasts a stellar cast featuring Winona Ryder as Mina, Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing, and Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker. It offers a compelling and visually striking adaptation of Stoker’s novel.
These two films exemplify the enduring appeal of Dracula and his captivating story. You can watch “Dracula” on Prime Video and rent or buy “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” on Apple TV.
Nosferatu: Dracula’s Monstrous Grandfather
Nosferatu, released in 1922, is often considered the forebear of the vampire genre in cinema. While it is a loose adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this silent black-and-white film takes a drastically different approach to the vampire mythos.
In Nosferatu, the vampire Count Orlok, portrayed by Max Schreck, is a far cry from the charismatic and seductive vampires that have become staples in pop culture. Instead, he is a haggard and monstrous figure, truly embodying the essence of the word “Nosferatu.”
The film’s abrupt stop-and-go filming style, characteristic of silent films, adds an eerie and traditional layer of spookiness rarely seen in contemporary cinema. While inspired by Dracula, Nosferatu evokes the eerie and macabre atmosphere of an Edgar Allan Poe short story.
Directed by F.W. Murnau and written by Henrik Galeen, Nosferatu remains a classic in the horror genre and offers a different perspective on vampires.
You can watch Nosferatu on Tubi to experience this iconic piece of cinematic history.
