The vampire genre has been around for over a century, and it always finds a way to keep coming to life. Fans of vampires are particularly spoiled in that films about them have become so diverse that they can cover nearly any genre.
Whether you plan on putting together a diverse vampire marathon or just want something fitting your current vibe to sink your teeth into, here are some of the best vampire movies across various genres!
Horror
Sinners
Horror is easily the most common genre for all of the vampire movies to come out in the last decade. That being said, when looking for something that would be both frightening and entertaining by 2025 standards, Sinners would likely be your best bet.
The movie opens with two veterans-turned-mobsters (both played by Michael B. Jordan) as they attempt to start a juke joint for the local Black community after returning to their hometown. This period-piece horror starts as a rich look at Southern culture in the 1920s. The movie is also notable for its exploration of themes such as race, spirituality, and the artistic process. Oh, and then vampires show up.
The film is notable for its fresh take on the vampire mythos, which borrows from classic films while inserting new lore. The latter half of the movie serves as a brutal survival horror that sees our protagonists fight for their lives against eerily cheery hordes of the undead.
Honorable Mention: Nosferatu (2024)
Action
Blade
The most notable vampire action film is Blade, starring Wesley Snipes as a ninja-like half-vampire who fights his own kind to protect humanity. This movie is a must-see for anyone who enjoys Matrix-style action and brooding Y2K aesthetics.
The character, who originates from Marvel comic books, has access to vampire-like powers due to his mother being bitten by a vampire during pregnancy. Throughout the first two films (skip the third), Blade fights against undead foes using a variety of magical and human weapons.
Like its protagonist, the franchise is far from dead, as Snipes made a cameo as the character in Deadpool & Wolverine. There is also an announced upcoming Blade movie that seeks to integrate a rebooted version of the character into the current Marvel universe.
Honarable Mention: Van Helsing
Artsy Black-and-White Classic
Nosferatu (1922)
Nosferatu needs no introduction, as it is arguably the most iconic vampire movie to date. While it may not be as intense as more modern entries, this film maintains popularity with modern viewers for its rich aesthetic and haunting vibe.
The story, which is a loose adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, follows a man sent to Transylvania to meet with a client who, unbeknownst to him, is a predatory vampire. The vampire, Count Orlok, becomes infatuated with the man’s wife and travels to England in pursuit of her.
Honorable Mention: Dracula (1931)
Comedy
What We Do In The Shadows
Now known as a popular TV show, What We Do in the Shadows started as a 2015 mockumentary about the lives of a house of vampires. The movie combines absurd humor about the life of vampires with everyday relatable comedy similar to The Office.
The film follows a young man who is unwittingly recruited into a brood of centuries-old vampires and explores their friendship as he is shown the ins and outs of vampire life. Meanwhile, the ancient vampires are shown trying to adapt to modern surroundings with varying success.
This movie is notable in large part due to the strength of its comedy and performances. The cult following it developed was significant enough for it to become the aforementioned TV series. Both the show and movie are great watches, but the film fits more neatly into a vampire movie marathon than the multi-season series.
Honorable Mention: Hotel Transylvania
Coming of Age
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
The idea of a coming-of-age movie about ancient creatures may raise some eyebrows, but the French film Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person more than pulls it off. The plot concerns an adolescent vampire who lacks the killer instinct of her family. Her objection to violence reaches a boiling point as her family gives her an ultimatum: they will no longer supply blood for her, meaning she has to hunt and kill for herself.
She eventually crosses paths with a suicidally depressed human teenager, and the two of them make a pact in which he agrees to let her kill him for his blood. Still feeling conflicted, she asks if he has any last wishes to delay the inevitable.
This attempt to honor his last wishes turns into an all-night quest of hijinks as the two grow and learn about each other in classic coming-of-age fashion.
Honarable Mention: Let The Right One In
For all of the vampire fans, there is a truly rich selection of movies to choose from. Whether you are into black and white dramas or fast-paced katana fights, there is something for you out there.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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