Best movies about vampires to stream

By Neia Balao 8:20am PDT, Oct 31, 2020

It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since Wes Craven's horror-comedy flick "Vampire in Brooklyn" starring Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett hit theaters on Oct. 27, 1995! To mark the hilarious movie's milestone anniversary, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at the best movies about vampires that you can stream! Keep reading for more…

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on Amazon Prime Video

Before there was Sarah Michelle Gellar, there was Kristy Swanson! The 1992 movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," which was written by Joss Whedon, follows Buffy Summers, a teenager whose life changes after she meets Merrick Jamison-Smythe (Donald Sutherland), her watcher. She goes from being a normal Los Angeles teen to a young heroine tasked with protecting those around her from the evil clenches of vampires — but there's one vampire who Buffy has an especially difficult time defeating. The film, which inspired Joss to create the acclaimed series of the same name five years later, earned $16.6 million on a $7 million budget.

"What We Do in the Shadows" on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube & more

2014's "What We Do in the Shadows" — which was written and directed by its stars, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi — is a mockumentary horror film that follows a house of very old vampire roommates in Wellington, New Zealand, as they're followed by a documentary film crew while trying to make the best of living in the modern world. "What We Do in the Shadows," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, earned $7 million on a $1.6 million budget and spawned an Emmy-nominated TV spinoff set on New York's Staten Island.

"Twilight" on YouTube, Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

Who could forget the love affair between these two? Starring Kristen Stewart as high school student Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as the brooding Edward Cullen, 2008's "Twilight" was among the most awaited book-to-film adaptations of the 2000s. The first installment of the "Twilight Saga" film series follows Bella's burgeoning romantic relationship with the well-intentioned vampire as he ceaselessly tries to protect her from a brood of bloodsuckers. "Twilight" was a major box office success: It grossed $407.1 million on a $37 million budget and launched its leads to superstardom.

"Nosferatu" on YouTube & Amazon Prime Video

The 1922 silent German horror film "Nosferatu" tells the story of vampire Count Orlok (Max Schreck), who takes an interest in the home and wife of his estate agent, Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim). When Thomas, who was called to the vampire's eerie and remote Transylvania castle, realizes that his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder), is in serious danger, he's locked up before he's able to warn her of Orlok's plans. The film, which was an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula," has long been regarded as an influential piece of cinema.

"Blade" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

1998's "Blade," which stars Wesley Snipes as the titular half-mortal being, follows his journey to take down all vampires in an effort to avenge the death of his mother. As he works to eradicate the bad guys, they also search for him — specifically his blood, which is a key component for summoning a diabolical god who will aid in their annihilation of humankind. "Blade" earned a cool $131.2 million on a $45 million budget.

"Only Lovers Left Alive" on Hulu, Starz & Amazon Prime Video

Starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, "Only Lovers Left Alive" follows two enlightened vampires who contemplate their existence in the modern world. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, the comedy-drama was in 2016 named by the BBC to its list of the 100 greatest films released since 2000. The film — its title is a tribute to the 1964 sci-fi novel by Dave Wallis — earned $7.6 million against a $7 million budget.

"Fright Night" on Amazon Prime Video

2011's "Fright Night," an updated retelling of the 1985 film of the same name, follows popular high school student Charley (Anton Yelchin), whose life is turned upside down upon meeting Jerry Dandridge (Colin Farrell), a new neighbor. After witnessing peculiar activity next door, Charley deduces that Jerry is actually a vampire — but with no one to believe him, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Colin earned widespread praise for his performance in the horror flick, which made $41 million on a $30 million budget.

"The Lost Boys" on YouTube & Amazon Prime Video

"The Lost Boys" chronicles the experiences of Michael (Jason Patric) and younger brother Sam (Corey Haim), who relocate to a rural town in Northern California. Michael develops feelings for Star (Jami Gertz), but he has no idea she's involved with David (Kiefer Sutherland), the leader of a local group of vampires. Soon, Sam is tasked with saving both his brother and Star from the grips of the vampires before it's too late. The film, which earned $32.2 million on a $8.5 million budget and also memorably starred Corey Feldman, was the first of three installments in a franchise that also includes "Lost Boys: The Tribe" and "Lost Boys: The Thirst."

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" on Amazon Prime Video

After Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) meets lawyer Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves), he sees a picture of the man's fiancée, Mina (Winona Ryder), who bears an uncanny resemblance to the aristocrat's deceased wife. In an effort to track Mina down and keep her for himself, Dracula imprisons Jonathan and travels to London to find his love. The 1992 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, earned an Academy Award for best makeup and hairstyling. The gothic-horror flick also earned an impressive $215.8 million on a $40 million budget.

"Shadow of the Vampire" on Amazon Prime Video

2000's "Shadow of the Vampire" is a metafiction documentary about the making of the silent 1922 German horror film "Nosferatu." In an effort to make the most realistic vampire movie to date, director F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) hires a real vampire, Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe), to play the starring role. When Max exhibits peculiar behaviors and tendencies — like appearing only at night and only as his character, Count Orlok — the crew grows suspicious of him. Willem earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his performance.

"Vampire Academy" on Netflix & Amazon Prime Video

2014's "Vampire Academy" stars Zoey Deutch as Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir — a half-human, half-vampire — who's training to be the guardian of her mortal best friend, Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry). However, as enemies loom near and threaten Lissa's well-being, Rose soon realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect her friend — both inside and outside of their high school, St. Vladimir's Academy. While "Vampire Academy" dishes out some juicy vampire teen fun, the film failed to impress at the box office — it earned $15.4 million on a $30 million budget.

"From Dusk Till Dawn" on Amazon Prime Video

The 1996 cult classic horror flick "From Dusk Till Dawn" stars George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino, who also wrote the film, as brothers who go on the run after carrying out a bank robbery that results in several deaths. After sneaking into Mexico, the criminal siblings seek refuge at a bar — only to realize that its patrons are evil vampires who refuse to let them leave. The movie, which also stars Harvey Keitel and Juliette Lewis, was a box office success that earned $59.3 million on a $19 million budget.

"Byzantium" on Amazon Prime Video

2012's "Byzantium," directed by Academy Award winner Neil Jordan, is a drama that follows mother-daughter vampires Clara (Gemma Arterton) and Eleanor Webb (Saoirse Ronan) as they find solace in a coastal town in England while on the run from other vampires.

"Let the Right One In" on YouTube, Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

Set in a suburb of Stockholm in the 1980s, "Let the Right One In" chronicles the friendship between lonely, bullied 12-year-old Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) and his new neighbor, Eli (Lina Leandersson). As their bond deepens, so does their trust, and Oskar eventually comes to learn that Eli is a vampire who played a role in the recent murders of some local residents. The romance-horror film, which is based on the 2004 novel by Swedish novelist John Ajvide Lindqvist, earned $11.2 million on a $4.5 million budget.

"Near Dark" on Amazon Prime Video

1987's "Near Dark" stars Adrian Pasdar as Caleb Colton, a cowboy who immediately falls for a woman named Mae (Jenny Wright) at a bar. However, when Mae, who's actually a vampire, transforms him into one as well, Caleb's entire world is turned upside down. Now, faced with an unyielding craving for human blood, he must decide what's more important: his relationship with Mae or his loyalty to his family. The Western horror flick, which also marked Kathryn Bigelow's solo directorial debut and starred Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein (pictured) and Bill Paxton, earned $3.4 million on a $5 million budget.

"Cronos" on Amazon Prime Video

Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, "Cronos" — which was also his first feature film — tells the story of Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi), a man who's granted eternal life and a subsequent craving for blood after he comes in contact with Cronos, a 400-year-old scarab. However, when Angel (Ron Perlman) is tasked with locating the scarab and bringing it back to his dying uncle, Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook), Jesus does whatever he can to ensure that his youthful appearance and eternal life won't be taken away from him. "Cronos," which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993, earned $621,392 on a $2 million budget.

"Fright Night" on YouTube & Amazon Prime Video

We love the original just as much! 1985's "Fright Night," written and directed by Tom Holland — the filmmaker, not the actor — tells the story of high school student Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale), who discovers that his next door neighbor is a bloodsucking vampire. Desperate to take him down and protect those around him, Charley seeks aid from the only person he thinks can help: Peter Vincent, a has-been television vampire slayer. The cult classic horror flick grossed $24.9 million at the box office.