Top 10 Vampire Films

Well, here we are with Halloween approaching so why not discuss some horror movies.  To kick us off let’s start with vampires.  It is hard as hell trying to narrow movies down to a numbered list as it most certainly is not an exact science (nor having seen all of the hundreds of potential candidates).  So without wasting any more time stating the flaws with this type of a post, here we are with the top 10 countdown of best vampire movies of all time: 

 10. John Carpenter’s Vampires – Right off the bat (no pun intended) with the opening scene of this film comes right at you.  Certainly, not Carpenter’s best work by any means, but what more could you ask for in a vampire movie.  Western feel theme with James Woods…yes James Woods in probably his most sarcastic and funniest role.  Toss in the worst of the Baldwin’s into the mix and you’ve got a recipe for awesome.  I’ll probably get blasted for even putting this film in the top 10 as it really isn’t all that great of a film at all and can be pretty cheesey at times, but there’s something about this one I just like.  After watching this film, you’ll see why Seth Macfarlane named the school after Woods in his show Family Guy.

 9. 30 Days of Night – Talk about an original backdrop for a vampire film by placing it way up in Alaska where every year the town basically shuts down due to a month of non-stop darkness.  This is about the most perfect feeding opportunity out there in the middle of nowhere a blood sucker could imagine.  Some of the shots in this one are really well done.  The most notable is the aerial view of the main invasion.  It is chaotic with a perfect white snow background for the contrasting blood splatter action.  The best thing about this film has to be the vampires themselves.  Cool European dialect and a very interesting look to them with well done facial bone structure and teeth.  I wasn’t a big fan of the ending of this one or it may have scored higher, but all in all this one is must see.  Be sure to locate the prequel and post film shorts that are also available.

 8. Shadow of the Vampire – A film about the making of the classic vampire film Nosferatu.  The premise here is that the director of the film wants to make the most realistic vampire movie possible, so he hires a real vampire to play the role.  Great concept and excellent performances from both John Malkovich and William Dafoe.  If you haven’t seen this film, you should watch it just for Dafoe IMO.

  7. From Dusk til Dawn – Rodriguez and Terrentino team up to make a fantastic fun ride of a vampire film.  This one has a knockout cast including George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, and Terrentino himself.  They offer up a ton of other great cameos.  The best are from Cheech and Salem Hayek’s strip dance scene (for some this will be the only reason you need to see the film).  Film has some hilarious lines and terrific scenes.  A modern day classic in the non-traditional vampire film sense.  A must see.  It spawned a series of sequels that the original team was not involved with, which were certainly not the same caliber.  Watch those at your own risk.

 6. Underworld – Adds an interesting twist on the traditional vampire and werewolf history by intertwining the legends.  The vampires (called Death Dealers) are at war with the werewolves (Lycans) which has waged on for centuries.  Very dark and rainy scenes located in some spectacular European architecture provides the backdrop for this film, which works well.  Kate Beckinsale stars as the central figure the story follows who happens to be a vampire.  Beckinsale kicking werewolf ass dressed in leather…yep I don’t need to say any more on this one.  The film is followed by a sequel which takes place immediately in sequence to the end of this film.  Not a terrible sequel and worth the watch, but not as good as the original.

 5.  Lost Boys – This is pure 80s horror/comedy/action at it’s finest.  I say that as it has everything you could want in an 80s film.  It stars 80s icons Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, Keifer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Jami Gertz, and more.  Probably has one of the best soundtracks to come out of the 80s to boot.  All in all this film has great writing, special effects, and the acting was spot on.  This film will span the generations and go down as a modern day classic.  19 years after it’s 1987 release, a sequel was finally made.  They could have waited another 19 to actually serve the original with some respect.  Don’t waste your time with it.  Stick with the original.  Even if you have seen it, but it has been a while…go watch it again…now.

4.  Interview with the Vampire – The first of Anne Rice’s famous series of vampire books that was set to film (fans of the series are still hoping for a Vampire Lestat film).  Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas lead the all star cast of this fantastic epic film which spans across 18th century New Orleans to 19th century Europe to finally modern day America.  The story is follows the path of Lestat (Cruise) and his newly made vampire friend Louis (Pitt) as they live and deal with the life as a night dweller.  Dunst shows her acting is well beyond her years with her performance in this film.  Beautiful and elaborate, this film pulls you in and never lets you go til the credits roll which will leave you disappointed that you dont have more to watch.

 3. Dracula (1931) – Sometimes the oldies really are the best.  Bela Lugosi takes on his most famous role as the main man himself, Count Dracula.  The story follows the traditional story set forth in the novel from Bram Stoker.  Fantastic classic gothic settings with great use of light and shadow in this black and white classic.  Keep in mind you this is a film that is almost 80 years old so don’t expect the modern day special effects, but don’t let that deter you.  This film still holds its own even by today’s measures. 

 2. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Again, I’ll probably get bashed for putting this film ahead of the ‘31 Lugosi one.  This film also tells the story following the original novel and does it quite well.  Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder, and Cary Elwes head up this wonderfully cast group.  I would say that Oldman’s portrayal as Count Dracula is probably the best on film and Hopkins is exactly who you would mentally imagine as what Van Helsing should look like.  Terrific special effects and elaborate sets, this film will not disappoint even the most critical of movie goers and was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.  A classic that repeat viewing does not ruin at all.  Everyone should own at least one vampire film in their movie collection, and this would be that film.

 1.  Nosferatu (1922) – I can see the eyes rolling on some of you now.  Boring ass black and white, silent vampire film that isn’t even about Count Dracula.  Max Schrek gives a very creepy performance as Count Orlok in this film which carries the film and the reason for the 1st place blue ribbon.  Widely controversial upon its release as an unauthorized ripoff of the Bram Stoker novel, it was modified slightly.  I’m not a huge fan of silent films personally, but this one has a setting and mood that is fascinating to watch on film.  If you haven’t seen this one yet it deserves a watch.  Sure it is silent and takes some getting used to, but just roll with it and you won’t be disappointed.  Not all things that are older are better, but this one still takes the top spot. Give it a shot.  You’ll be glad you did.

Honorable Mentions – Narrowing the vast array of possible vampire films that are out there is certainly not an easy task and one that folks will never universally agree on whatever films are placed in the list.  I would like to mention a few others that are certainly worth watching and could have easily made the list as well. 

• Night Watch – First installment of the Russian made trilogy.  Interesting concepts.
• Blade – Wesley Snipes takes on the role of the comic character.  I really like this one.  Best of the 3.
• Horror of Dracula – Christopher Lee in his first film as the Count.  Classic Hammer film.
• Near Dark – Bill Paxton as a vampire.  Yep.  Don’t need to say more about this 80s cult classic.
• Fright Night – This film scared the hell out of me as a lil Corndogger back in the 80s.  Awesomeness.

Got an opinion on others that were left out or that my list is totally wrong (or right)?  Drop in a comment and let’s discuss. 

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