The vampire subgenre inhorrorcinema is one of those with an admirable following. It even flowed into more questionable territory when the Twilight franchise was born, but once that was over, the fans of the bloodsucking monsters were still there waiting for the next film (or TV show) to make its statement in the genre. Luckily, films likeRenfield,The Invitation,andThe Last Voyage of the Demeter, are proof that vampires are still profitable.
Chances are you’ve already watchedBram Stoker’sDraculaandThe Lost Boysfor the fourth time each this year, and you’ve realized your unhealthy obsession with the greased-up saxophonists and the bloodsucking undead may need a little variety. Well, no fear, because here are some lesser-known, outstanding, and underrated films to add to your regular vamp rotation.
Updated on August 16th, 2023 byFederico Furzan:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
13Cronos (1993)
In Guillermo del Toro’s first feature film,Cronos, he takes a scientific and parasitic approach to vampirism. An old man and his granddaughter discover an ancient artifact that injects its hosts with a serum that causes them to crave blood.
In true del Toro fashion, the film boasts amazing practical special effects, but also fantastic acting on both the protagonist’s (Federico Luppi) and the antagonist’s (Ron Perlman) parts. The story is unnerving, emotional, and possibly one of the greatest Spanish horror films ever made.
12Subspecies (1991)
Subspeciesis the perfect franchise for vampire lovers that enjoy both classic Romanian vampire lore and great, cheesy effects. The films are made by Ted Nicolau with Full Moon Pictures (Puppet Master,Evil Bong), and have the benefit of being shot at Charles Band’s own castle.
There are fourSubspeciesfilms and a spin-off titledThe Vampire Journals. The franchise boasts fun performances from actors like Angus Scrimm (Phantasm), Melanie Shatner (daughter ofStar Treklegend William Shatner), and Anders Hove as the imposing vampire Radu. Be prepared to see awesome decapitations, well-done mummy makeup, fire suits, and tiny little stop-motion monsters. These films go all-out in the fun department.
11Ganja & Hess (1973)
In 1973, during the prime of the heavy hitters in Blaxploitation, Bill Gunn released a truly unique and beautiful vampire film. Starring Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) and Marlene Clark,Ganja & Hessis a gorgeous and stylistic vampire romance film that brings in interesting lore and vampirism brought on by a magical ceremonial dagger.
The film was created as a metaphor for black assimilation and white imperialism and hits both of those points clearly. If you’re looking for a film with tons of blood and gore, this one may not be for you, but if you’re interested in a gradually-paced piece of beautiful Black art, you can’t go wrong withGanja & Hess.For those of you who may be more in for an updated version, Spike Lee remade the film in 2014, calling itDa Sweet Blood of Jesus.
10Stake Land (2010)
ThinkZombielandbut way more depressing and no comedic quips by Woody Harrelson.Stake Landfeatures three strangers that come together to maneuver across the apocalyptic United States after being overrun by feral vampires. The story is emotional, the acting is well-done, and the creatures and gore effects look fantastic.
The film keeps its audience invested well after the watch, as the filmmakers released prequel shorts on Youtube that dive into the character’s backstories. The film donned one sequel,The Stakelander(2016) which actually wasn’t bad, and it works great in a double bill with this one.
9Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
E. Elias Merhige’sShadow of the Vampireis funny, spooky, and decidedly different from any other vampire film. We still don’t know what to make of it, except it’s one director’s take on a Hollywood legend that still hasn’t been clarified. Did Max Schreck really wear no makeup when shooting F.W. Murnau’sNosferatu?
This film confirms the answer through a hilarious plot that puts Murnau as the director who wasn’t willing to sacrifice his movie. Not even if Schreck was actually a real vampire sucking the blood out of the crew. It’s an underrated film about artistic drive in the face of a crisis, as non-sensical as it can be.
Related:15 Best Horror Movies From The ’90s, Ranked
8What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Before Taika Waititi didThor: RagnarokorJojo Rabbit, he and fellowFlight of the Conchordscreator Jemaine Clement released one of the absolute best horror comedies of all time.What We Do in the Shadowsfeatures a mockumentary-style approach.
It documents the lifestyle of several vampire roommates in a New Zealand flat. All the characters are memorable, the jokes are clever and long-lasting, and the theme song is catchy as hell. The film inspired the filmmakers to create an FX show of the same name, which is curiously as funny as the film is.
7The Hunger (1983)
Tony Scott’sThe Hungeris one of those vampire movies that most people haven’t seen. A damn shame. It tells the story of a couple of vampires who form a love triangle with a doctor researching the process of aging.
It stars a trifecta of beautiful people: David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, and Catherine Deneuve. Its opening scene,a display of style, is pure fuel for a nightmare, a wet dream, or why not, a wet nightmare.
6Martin (1977)
Much like the metaphorical meanings behindGanja & Hess, George A. Romero createdMartinas one giant metaphor for drug addiction. Not your classic vampire tale,Martinfollows a young man that believes he’s a vampire.
However, rather than going through the withdrawals of his blood addiction, he decides to roam the city in search of a way to quench his thirst. This film is more of a message than it is a vampire film, but it does a great job using one thing to tell another. This one is definitely worth a shot if you’re looking for more of an artistic film.
5We Are What We Are (2010)
Jorge Michel Grau madeWe Are What We Are(aka Somos Lo Que Hay) in 2010, and right from that moment people were in awe. The film told the story of a cannibalistic family forced to continue the tradition after the patriarch and leader passes away.
It’s all in the hands of the teenage children now. Technically, not a vampire movie because bloodsuckers are nowhere to be seen, but do blood eaters work for you? This one takes place in the same universe asCronos, as Daniel Giménez Cacho reprises his role as Tito, the coroner.
4A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
An artsy black and white slow-burn,A Girl Walks Home Alone at Nightis an absolute masterpiece in all the cinematographic categories. English-Iranian-American filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour created a gorgeous “Iranian-horror-western” film chock-full of woman empowerment.
The action might not be there, but the intense and quiet moments of dread throughout the film more than makeup for constant blood and guts. Sheila Vand is stunning as “The Girl” and she perfectly toes the line between alluring beauty and sneaking terror.
