Welcome back, readers! We have another edition of our From Streams to Screams series we’ll be running throughout the month of October. Since there are thousands of genre films out there on a variety of digital platforms, I’ve gone ahead and put together this list of 18 fang-tastic vampire movies that genre fans should enjoy watching this Halloween season, including a great mix of classic films and some new genre offerings as well. And while I generally try to avoid including television series, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the original Dark Shadows here, especially since Hulu currently has all 26 seasons streaming on their platform. Happy streaming, everyone!
Dark Shadows: The Entire Series (Streaming on Hulu)
With its alluring tales of Gothic mystery and supernatural intrigue, Dark Shadows became one of the most popular daytime series of all time. Since first airing on ABC-TV from 1966 to 1971, Dark Shadows has earned the reputation of being one of the most unusual and enduring programs in television history. The character of Barnabas Collins, a guilt-ridden, 175-year-old vampire, brought the show tremendous success.
Daybreakers (Streaming on Amazon Prime & Hulu)
A malicious plague has befallen the human race, transforming the majority of the Earth's population into vampires and draining the world of an increasingly precious resource: blood.
Nosferatu (Streaming on Shudder)
F.W. Murnau’s silent version of Dracula is one of the greatest horror films ever made.
Cronos (Streaming on FilmStruck)
Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with Cronos, a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immortality. Kindly antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) happens upon an ancient golden device in the shape of a scarab, and soon finds himself the possessor and victim of its sinister, addictive powers, as well as the target of a mysterious American named Angel (a delightfully crude and deranged Ron Perlman). Featuring marvelous special makeup effects and the haunting imagery for which del Toro has become world-renowned, Cronos is a dark, visually rich, and emotionally captivating fantasy.
What We Do in the Shadows (Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane - like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.
Shadow of the Vampire (Streaming on Vudu & Tubi TV)
During the filming of director Murnau's (Malkovich) vampire movie, the cast and crew begin to disappear and suspect that the actor (Dafoe) who plays the vampire may not be acting after all.
Byzantium (Streaming on Hulu)
Two female vampires wreak havoc on an unsuspecting English seaside community in this deliciously depraved supernatural drama from Oscar®-winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire). Introverted Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan) and the outgoing Clara (Gemma Arterton) both carry secrets from deep in their shared past—all 200 years of it. Shacked up in the seedy Byzantium Hotel, they scheme to keep their secret from unsuspecting new marks in Jordan’s seductive, stylish new take on the vampire genre.
Interview with the Vampire (Streaming on Netflix)
The lives of a trio of vampires are interconnected for centuries in this tale that explores betrayal, love, loneliness and hunger.
Once Bitten (Streaming on Hulu)
A centuries-old vampiress comes to Los Angeles and stalks male virgins -she needs their blood to retain her youth and beauty.
Vampire in Brooklyn (Streaming on Amazon Prime & Tubi TV)
As the vampire Maximillian (Eddie Murphy), the popular star is the most diabolical, dashing and definitely undead dude in the 'hood'.
Rockula (Streaming on Vudu)
Ralph is a sexually frustrated vampire who suffers from a peculiar curse. He's condemned for eternity to watch his one true love, Mona, be murdered by a ham bone. Now it's 1990, and Ralph is determined to break the cycle of reincarnation and death. But, before he can think about saving Mona's life, his first order of business is winning her affections. He does that by starting Rockula -- a rock band that's sure to stake a claim on her heart.
Blood of the Vampire (Streaming on Amazon Prime)
A man and wife are terrorized by Mad Scientist Dr. Callistratus who was executed but has returned to life with a heart transplant. Along with his crippled assistant Carl, the 'anemic' Mad Scientist, believed to be a vampire, conducts blood deficiency research on the inmates of a prison hospital for the criminally insane to sustain his return to life.
Kiss of the Damned (Streaming on Hulu)
Beautiful vampire Djuna tries to resist the advances of the handsome, human screenwriter Paolo, but eventually gives in to their passion. When her seductive and highly volatile sister Mimi unexpectedly comes to visit, she threatens Djuna’s new relationship, and the whole vampire community becomes endangered.
Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride (Streaming on Tubi TV)
Van Helsing, the notorious vampire hunter, is on a quest to find Dracula, his cohorts, and his bride before they grow too powerful.
Nosferatu, The Vampyre (Streaming on Shudder)
Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake stars the ghoulish actor Klaus Kinski.
The Transfiguration (Streaming on Netflix)
Obsessed with vampires and on a dangerous path, a troubled but self-aware 14-year-old New Yorker with a taste for blood sees a chance for redemption.
Vampire Bats (Streaming on Amazon Prime)
A scientist (Lucy Lawless) gets caught up in the investigation of a slain student whose body is found mysteriously drained of blood. Delving deeper and deeper into the mystery, she discovers a shocking secret.
Let the Right One In (Streaming on Shudder & Hulu)
Lonely, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates. A new friendship develops when Eli, a pale, serious young girl who only comes out at night, moves in next door.
Thirst (1979) (Streaming on Shudder)
A vampire cult kidnaps a descendant of the evil, blood-crazed Countess Bathory, hoping to reboot her depraved legacy and create a vampire master race. Now Kate must try to escape from the Brotherhood’s human blood farm, but the group’s leaders, David Hemmings (DEEP RED) and Henry Silva (ALLIGATOR) and their ultra-evil female henchmen, won’t be so easily outsmarted. This Ozploitation classic starring Chantal Contouri (THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN) is one of the most unique vampire movies ever made, and a direct precursor to 2009’s Australian cult vampire flick DAYBREAKERS.
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In case you missed them, check here to read all of our other 2018 special features celebrating the Halloween season!
Heather A. Wixson was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, until she followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. A 14-year veteran in the world of horror entertainment journalism, Wixson fell in love with genre films at a very early age, and has spent more than a decade as a writer and supporter of preserving the history of horror and science fiction cinema. Throughout her career, Wixson has contributed to several notable websites, including Fangoria, Dread Central, Terror Tube, and FEARnet, and she currently serves as the Managing Editor for Daily Dead, which has been her home since 2013. She's also written for both Fangoria Magazine & ReMind Magazine, and her latest book project, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Volume One will be released on October 20, 2021.
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