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Best vampire movies

post #1 of 41
8/29/06 at 11:20am
Thread Starter 
I'm going to go with an all 80's list, because oddly enough all my favorite vampire movies are from the 80's:

3. The Lost Boys. Lots of fun. Never really gets old.


2. Near Dark. A great vampire film with most of the cast of James Cameron's Aliens. I used to watch this late nights on HBO(seems thats the only time they played it) in the 80's. Forgot all about it until it got released on dvd a couple years ago. I have to hand it to Anchor BAy, they really did a great job on this release. The documentary on disc 2 was absolutely wonderful.

1. Fright Night. My all time favorite vampire flick. Roddy Mcdowell is awesome, and the story for this is just great. What would you do if a vampire lived next door to you, you are his next victim, and no one believed
you? It's got everything. Comedy, suspense, tension, and drama. Fright Night 2 was pretty good, but not near as good as this classic.
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post #2 of 41
8/29/06 at 12:11pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Strong list, as all three of those are quite good ( I thought FN2 sucked myself). I enjoyed the mid-90's as well, with Coppola's Dracula and Interview both being pretty good films.

Haven't had a good vampire flick in some time. Horror weenies need to get hot.
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post #3 of 41
8/29/06 at 12:16pm

Re: Best vampire movies

When I first read the decade requirements I kind of scoffed for a moment until I realized that FRIGHT NIGHT is a pretty good vampire film.
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post #4 of 41
8/29/06 at 1:10pm

Re: Best vampire movies

I like Fright Night and Near Dark a good deal. Never could get into The Lost Boys.

My favorites are probably the old Universal and Hammer series, along with Bava's Black Sunday, Blacula, The Night Stalker...

Interview leaves me cold - I'm just not into Anne Rice's style - and Coppola's Dracula sounded like a good idea until they wussed out and tried to make him a tragic romantic type.
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post #5 of 41
8/29/06 at 2:20pm

Re: Best vampire movies

I really like the Underworld movies.
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post #6 of 41
8/29/06 at 4:22pm

Re: Best vampire movies

- Shadow Of The Vampire (A underrated gem!)
- Cronos
- The Hunger
- Nosferatu and the remake is pretty good too! Theres a DVD out there with both the english and german versions
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post #7 of 41
8/29/06 at 5:24pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Horror Of Dracula (Hammer)--I prefer this to the Universal original. Christopher Lee will always be the best Dracula for me.

George Romero's "Martin"--A pretty strange vampire film for sure.
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post #8 of 41
8/30/06 at 10:58am

Re: Best vampire movies

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror and Herzog's remake Nosferatu: Phantom Der Nacht are my favorites.

Outside of those, my next 3 favorites are these genre-bending 70's films:

Martin
Ganja & Hess
Blood For Dracula

and Larry Fessenden's low budget urban myth bender from the late 90's - Habit

I've only seen a couple of the Hammer entries that I can remember. I liked the one that doesn't have Dracula ( Daughter of Dracula?) and the cheesy fun of Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
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post #9 of 41
8/30/06 at 11:55am

Re: Best vampire movies

I think that the best vampire film ever made is probably Carl Dreyer's 1931 VAMPYR. It has a dreamlike quality to it, and is loaded with visual poetry. It's a Danish film, but there are very few subtitles because dialogue is very sparse. I wish Criterion would release this to DVD, it's only available from Image, and they use an old laserdisc master, with big, burnt in subtitles.

DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, NOSFERATU(1922) and the 1979 DRACULA with Frank Langella are also good films. The latter film has a great John Williams score, well worth checking out.
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post #10 of 41
8/30/06 at 12:12pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Innocent Blood, the one with La Femme Nikita as a vampire who snacks on mobsters. Unfortunately the director's cut is not available in the United States, and the version that is available is 4:3.
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post #11 of 41
8/30/06 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Best vampire movies

I have seen the original Nosferatu, but I really want to see the remake that was done in the late 70's. I am told that this is pretty phenomenal with the atmosphere, and sets. It's now on my list of films to buy.
Of course I love the Hammer Dracula films, and I completely agree that Christopher Lee is the best screen Dracula ever.
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post #12 of 41
8/30/06 at 2:04pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Herzog's remake of 'Nosferatu' is an absolute gem, although I wouldn't classify it as a traditional horror film. It's a more philosophical, dream-like take on the story, and the ending will really throw you. Klaus Kinski is superb as a sad, somewhat pitiful Dracula...apparently it was his calmest collaboration with Herzog.

Once again, though, Christopher Lee simply IS the fanged one. The guy could still play Dracula now...
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post #13 of 41
8/30/06 at 3:41pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Sutliff
I think that the best vampire film ever made is probably Carl Dreyer's 1931 VAMPYR. It has a dreamlike quality to it, and is loaded with visual poetry. It's a Danish film, but there are very few subtitles because dialogue is very sparse. I wish Criterion would release this to DVD, it's only available from Image, and they use an old laserdisc master, with big, burnt in subtitles.

DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, NOSFERATU(1922) and the 1979 DRACULA with Frank Langella are also good films. The latter film has a great John Williams score, well worth checking out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JonZ
- Shadow Of The Vampire (A underrated gem!)
- Cronos
- The Hunger
- Nosferatu and the remake is pretty good too! Theres a DVD out there with both the english and german versions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brook K
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror and Herzog's remake Nosferatu: Phantom Der Nacht are my favorites.

Outside of those, my next 3 favorites are these genre-bending 70's films:

Martin
Ganja & Hess
Blood For Dracula

and Larry Fessenden's low budget urban myth bender from the late 90's - Habit

I've only seen a couple of the Hammer entries that I can remember. I liked the one that doesn't have Dracula ( Daughter of Dracula?) and the cheesy fun of Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
All good picks--I'm quite fond of the Carl Dreyer and Nosferatu. I'd add the Spanish Dracula, better to my eyes than the English version.
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post #14 of 41
8/30/06 at 5:39pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick H.
Herzog's remake of 'Nosferatu' is an absolute gem, although I wouldn't classify it as a traditional horror film. It's a more philosophical, dream-like take on the story, and the ending will really throw you. Klaus Kinski is superb as a sad, somewhat pitiful Dracula...apparently it was his calmest collaboration with Herzog.

Once again, though, Christopher Lee simply IS the fanged one. The guy could still play Dracula now...

I saw Herzog's NOSFERATU at the legendary TLA Cinema in Philly in the late eighties. It was a midnight showing, and a completely eerie and surreal experience. Excellent film.
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post #15 of 41
8/30/06 at 6:00pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Since the OP did an all 80's list, I'm going with an all 90's:

The Addiction (1995)
by Abel Ferrara with Lili Taylor

The Wisdom of Crocodiles (1998)
by Po-Chih Leong with Jude Law, Elina Loewensohn

Nadja (1994)
by Michael Almereyda with Elina Loewensohn

Ultraviolet (UK 1998)
TV mini series (6h) by Joe Ahearne
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post #16 of 41
8/30/06 at 6:22pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Lots of good choices already listed. I do love The Hunger, Near Dark, Shadow of the Vampire and Vampyr.
You may never have seen Dracula (1973) a TV production starring Jack Palance. I saw it first run and was very impressed. The director was Dan Curtis and Richard Matheson shared a writing credit with Mr. Stoker. Isn't it nice knowing that Jack's birth name was Vladimir?
I rented a tape years ago, which unfortunately had Elvira interjecting "witty" comments. I believe the current DVD releases are more respectful.
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post #17 of 41
8/30/06 at 8:15pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Great choices so far.....I'll add Blade I & II.

Since we're crossing over into TV movies, I'll add Salem's Lot (70's miniseries)....Reggie Nalder as Barlow has to be one of the scariest vampires ever put on the screen.

Another one to add would be the TV production of Dracula starring Louis Jordan.......I believe I still have a tape of this somewhere. Wish it were available on DVD though.
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post #18 of 41
8/30/06 at 8:26pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
Since we're crossing over into TV movies, I'll add Salem's Lot (70's miniseries)....Reggie Nalder as Barlow has to be one of the scariest vampires ever put on the screen.

I jumped out of my skin when his face first appeared on screen!
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post #19 of 41
8/31/06 at 5:03am

Re: Best vampire movies

What, no one's gonna mention Van Helsing???
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post #20 of 41
8/31/06 at 9:02am

Re: Best vampire movies

I am a sucker for a vampire flick, and love doing "favorite" lists, so I thanks for starting the thread Bryan

I'm gonna do more than three here.

1. Underworld - Not your average Vampire flick, but I absolutely loved it
2. Interview w/ a Vampire- After additional viewings IwaV has grown on me. And it could have been even better
3. Dracula (1931)- Bella Lugosi will always be Dracula in my mind. This one gets some additional nostalgic love for being the original
4. The Lost Boys- Pure 80's greatness
5. Blade- This movie did more than most give it credit for with special effects.
Honorable Mention- Embrace of the Vampire- If you want to see Alyssa Milano like you never have before, here you go....
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post #21 of 41
8/31/06 at 2:50pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh.C
Dracula (1931)- Bella Lugosi will always be Dracula in my mind. This one gets some additional nostalgic love for being the original

It is?
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post #22 of 41
8/31/06 at 3:25pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Well it's the earliest one I know of. Either way, it is one of the firsts, and the foundation of the Dracula movies IMO.

JC
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post #23 of 41
8/31/06 at 8:48pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Mentioned in this thread: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922) and made at the same time with the same sets but different casts (and in Spanish) Draculá, with a different lead character who was equally (if not more so) effective.

Additionally there was Kiss of a Vampire (1916) and Drakula halala (1923) which was taken directly from Bram Stoker’s novel.

Your opinion is fine—you just need to see a few more movies.
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post #24 of 41
8/31/06 at 9:00pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Always looking for additional movies to add to my Netflix list.

Nosferatu (1922) seems to be a favorite of many of the genre. Haven't heard much about Kiss of a Vampire, but I'm willing to give it a try. I typically don't go for films that old, which is why Dracula (1931) is the only "golden oldy" on my list. It mostly held special meaning to me because I watched it as a kid, and Lugosi's character personified Dracula in my mind.

You can tell by my list that I'm much more into the newer vampire flicks, that veer far from the original Dracula films. I'm still willing to give the older films you mentioned a look.

Thanks for the recommendations.

JC
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post #25 of 41
8/31/06 at 9:17pm

Re: Best vampire movies

I’d pass on a them Josh except for Nosferatu and Vampyr unless you just want to be more aware of the history of these films.

Make sure you put the ’31 Spanish version of Dracula on your list—I’m not saying that you will replace Bella Lugosi as your benchmark, but this version is much less of a compromise (compared to Stoker’s tale) than is the version in English.
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post #26 of 41
8/31/06 at 11:50pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Bela Lugosi is the MAN portraying Dracula. Everyone else WANTED to be Lugosi. A pity the script for 1931's Dracula was kind of strange.

Bram Stoker's Dracula comes in a very close second, due to Gary Oldman.

1979's Dracula with Frank Langella brought up the seductive power of the vampire, which I thought was pretty well done. I was a little disappointed with the lack of a Slavic accent, however.

The Hunger was kind of surreal, but cool at the same time. Catherine Deneuve (sp?) was likewise seductive and irresistable, something that abounds in vampire lore.

Fright Night was damned cool, with the twist of no one believing the horror film geek about the real vampire next door!

Underworld was interesting, reminding me of the Vampire: The Masquerade role playing game. Kate Beckinsale too matronly?

Kindred: The Embraced - there's a series that had all the right performers, the tension between characters, and a pretty charismatic lead. Cancelled way too soon by idiots. This series was created by the maker of Vampire: The Masquerade.

Forever Night - A vampire atoning for his crimes by becoming a homicide detective? Another good one cancelled too soon by idiots.

Speaking of vampire movies, can anyone recommend good ones from Hammer films available on DVD? Unfortunately, I have never seen any of those, and I love Christopher Lee!
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post #27 of 41
9/1/06 at 7:10pm

Re: Best vampire movies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Gale
You may never have seen Dracula (1973) a TV production starring Jack Palance. I saw it first run and was very impressed. The director was Dan Curtis and Richard Matheson shared a writing credit with Mr. Stoker. Isn't it nice knowing that Jack's birth name was Vladimir?
I rented a tape years ago, which unfortunately had Elvira interjecting "witty" comments. I believe the current DVD releases are more respectful.
I remember seeing this and can only recall that I liked it very much. Also terrific was a version of Dracula broadcast on PBS with Louis Jordan. He was a sensual and sexy Dracula.
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post #28 of 41
9/2/06 at 8:41am

Re: Best vampire movies

Overall Best Vampire film = Horror of Dracula (1958)

Best Golden age (B&W) Vampire film = Dracula (1931)

Best Modern age Vampire Film = Near Dark (1987)

Best Foreign language (or dubbed) Vampire film = tie - Black Sunday (1960) and The Wurdalak (1963)

Best silent vampire film = Nosferatu (1922)

Best Made-For-TV Vampire film = Dracula (1973)

Best Van Helsing film = Brides of Dracula (1960)

Best Dracula sequel = tie - Dracula Prince of Darkness (1965) and Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)

Best non-Dracula Hammer Vampire film = Kiss of the Vampire (1963)

Best Lesbian vampire film = tie - The Vampire Lovers (1970) and The Hunger (1983)

Best Gay Vampire film = Interview With A Vampire (1994)

Best looking/visuals in a Vampire film = Bram Stokers Dracula (1992)

Best decapitation in a vampire film = Twins of Evil (1971)

That's all I can think of for now.
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post #29 of 41
9/2/06 at 9:38am

Re: Best vampire movies

Excellent lists! To the wonderful films you've all mentioned I'd like to add two more from Hammer Studios. "Brides Of Dracula" (1960) was the first sequel to "Horror Of Dracula" but instead of Christopher Lee had David Peel as a Dracula protoge. Once again Peter Cushing was Van Helsing. "Kiss Of The Vampire" (1963) featured a vampire cult and was one of the few Hammer vampire films unrelated to the mythology of Dracula.
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post #30 of 41
9/3/06 at 7:07am

Re: Best vampire movies

One of my all time personal favourites is "Mr. Vampire" (Geung si sin sang) HK 1985. Vampirisim, eastern style. Fresh, original and funny, starring the Peter Cushing of HK, the late great Lam Ching. Essentially a horror comedy, but executed with such inventiveness and imagination it comes off like a period Chinese "Ghostbusters".
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