Top 10 Movies We All Watched During Our Vampire Phase
#10: “Only Lovers Left Alive” (2013)
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Rather than a war between vamps and werewolves or a quest to kill Dracula, this comedy-drama simply focuses on a relationship. Although they’ve been together for quite some time, Adam and Eve have their fair share of issues. Besides living on different continents, they rely on precious stores of uncontaminated blood for sustenance. And that’s not even mentioning Adam’s misery over his place in the world as a revered yet reclusive musician. Although it draws on fantasy tropes, the film’s exploration of motivation and depression is deeply human. We’ll admit it: we also envy the couple’s unique style.
#9: “Queen of the Damned” (2002)
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Stuart Townsend, Aaliyah, and Anne Rice walk into a bar… Nevermind. The appearance of an R&B princess in an adaptation of Rice’s novels may seem odd, but hear us out. Her fashions in the role of the original vampire Akasha remain truly iconic. Plus, the film allows fans of 1994’s “Interview With the Vampire” to see Lestat, originally portrayed by Tom Cruise, back in action. In this film, that ancient vamp gets famous by fronting a rock band. However, his new musical career threatens to re-awaken Aaliyah’s bloodthirsty queen. It’s campy and a bit ridiculous, but a worthy watch for music and horror fans alike.
#8: “Underworld” (2003)
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The films in this series aren’t exactly critical darlings. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t thoroughly entertaining as horror-action hybrids. In the first movie, we meet Selene, a vampire hit-woman with a grudge against a faction of werewolves. As war between the groups rages on, Selene forms a bond with an average joe who possesses untapped potential. Kate Beckinsale’s role as a gun-toting heroine is one of the most recognizable of her career. But besides its leading lady, this flick also features recognizable talents like Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen. For building a new mythology around “Death Dealers” and lycans, “Underworld” is arguably underappreciated.
#7: “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996)
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The personal and professional relationship between writer-directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino is well-known. The duo brought their talents together for this action-packed entry in the vampire canon. Tarantino and George Clooney star as morally corrupt brothers whose trip to Mexico doesn’t go as planned. Having forced a family to transport them across the border, they take refuge at a strip club infested with bloodsuckers. While it lacks the romantic and Gothic qualities of some vamp fiction, it has no shortage of excitement. Tarantino and Rodriguez’s unique sensibilities are on full display, making for a one-of-a-kind watch.
#6: “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” (2014)
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Ana Lily Amirpour both penned and directed this genre mashup. Set in an Iranian town and filmed in Persian, the American production focuses on a lonesome young woman who moonlights as a vampire. Although she strays from the archetype of a Transylvanian count, The Girl is no less morally ambiguous. She may be a feminist hero to some viewers, but she isn’t exactly a pacifist. Aside from the gothic shenanigans one might expect, the film also has its share of family drama. While building a friendship of sorts with The Girl, breadwinner Arash tries to support his struggling dad. A new classic of the vampire genre, this flick is downright hypnotizing.
#5: “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992)
Francis Ford Coppola is recognized as one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. Unsurprisingly, his attempt at a vampire flick is a major triumph. While some of our favorite films in the genre tell cutting-edge tales, this movie interprets classic Gothic literature. You know the story: Jonathan Harker visits Count Dracula in Transylvania unaware of the latter’s true nature. The centuries-old vampire attempts to win over Mina, in whom he sees his deceased wife Elisabeta. With exciting action sequences and some stellar acting, it’s a must-see movie for vampire fans. Plus, Keanu Reeves’s English accent is incredibly entertaining all on its own.
#4: “What We Do in the Shadows” (2014)
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New Zealand auteur Taika Waititi collaborated with Jemaine Clement of “Flight of the Conchords” on this horror comedy. Filmed in a mockumentary style, it follows four roommates who happen to be vampires. Representing historical figures such as the dandy and even Vlad the Impaler, it’s safe to say the group is eclectic. To make matters even more ridiculous, they possess a slew of magic powers. As they navigate 21st century norms and even bring new converts into their fold, hilarity ensues. It might not be as genuinely frightening as some other flicks. However, “Shadows” provides a totally original perspective on the vampire lore we know and love.
#3: “Let the Right One In” (2008)
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Adapted from a 2004 novel, this movie has a tone as chilly as its Swedish setting. But at its core, it’s a heartwarming story of young love. Young Oskar has grown resentful of the bullying he experiences at school, but a newcomer in his apartment building changes things. He slowly builds a friendship with a mysterious neighbor named Eli, unaware that the latter needs blood to survive. With a somewhat morbid outlook and plenty of violence, this isn’t your average romance flick. However, it’s hard not to root for the underdog and his vampire crush.
#2: “Interview With the Vampire” (1994)
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The debut novel by horror queen Anne Rice got the Hollywood treatment some 20 years after its release. Starring heavy-hitters Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, this film focuses on the relationship between two male vampires, Lestat and Louis. With different approaches to their blood-sucking lifestyle, the characters represent different vampire archetypes. Things only get more interesting when they begin caring for a 10-year-old girl, played by Kirsten Dunst. As the years pass and the trio’s relationships change, scheming and betrayal abound. With touches of gothicism as well as melodrama, this is one interview that can’t be missed.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Vampire Academy” (2014)
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“Thirst” (2009)
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“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992)
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“Fright Night” (1985)
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#1: “The Twilight Saga” (2008-12)
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When it comes to a devoted fanbase, this media franchise is in a league of its own. The movies, adapted from novels by Stephenie Meyer, tell a compelling story of romance and horror. In “Twilight,” teenager Bella Swan meets bloodsucker Edward Cullen in the overcast Forks, Washington. Over the course of four more films, she’s introduced to the competing interests of vampires and werewolves — not to mention parents. Despite all of the drama, the flicks definitely have their cringe-worthy moments. However, that only makes them more watchable. Like some of its characters, “Twilight” will certainly live on forever.
