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16 Vampire Movies That Are Actually Scary
Let The Right One In (2008)
Atmospheric and chilling, the story features a lonely boy and a girl who holds a terrifying secret, further proving that kids are just creepy, man. Photo: Magnolia Pictures
The Hunger (1983)
Offering immortality, Egyptian vampire queen Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) feeds on the blood on her lovers while exacting a horrifying price. When scientist Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) discovers what is going on, she attempts to help Miriam's current lover (played by David Bowie) but finds herself instead drawn to the vampire queen. Surreal and fantastical, it's the creepiest version of a love triangle ever. Photo: Warner Bros.
30 Days of Night (2007)
I'm sorry, but Alaska is already creepy, the way it's shrouded in utter darkness for a good part of the year. With that in mind: Add a bunch of ravaging vampires just waiting for all light to fade so they can come and tear your town apart, and you have an epic monsters-in-the-dark movie. Photo: Columbia Pictures
Byzantium (2012)
The two main characters of Byzantium (played by Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton) have been hunted for 200 years, keeping the secret they can survive only on human blood. When they arrive to settle in a small coastal town, their true identities are revealed, with potentially deadly consequences. Photo: IFC Films
Daybreakers (2009)
In this post-apocalyptic scenario, a plague destroys humanity and turns them into vampires. Those not turned are farmed for their blood. The movie showcases plenty of action and adventure. With Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill, it will certainly get your pulse racing. Photo: Lionsgate
Immortality (1998)
He's just a vampire looking to find the right woman–but what he does with that woman is the stuff of nightmares. Starring a young Jude Law using his gorgeous looks to a very menacing effect, the movie centers around a vamp named Steven, who is basically every girl's worst-date-ever times a thousand. Photo: Lionsgate
I Am Legend (2007)
An adaptation of the classic sci-fi horror novel by Richard Matheson, the film stars Will Smith as the last man on Earth. The rest of humanity has succumbed to a plague that turns them into night-hunting, blood-sucking monsters. How does the only human survive against the horde? Will he eventually give in to the loneliness of his days?
With a beautifully elegiac beginning, featuring deserted New York City streets, this movie poses questions that will continue to haunt you long after it's over. Photo: Warner Bros.
Nosferatu (1922)
Based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this classic silent film broods with horror. With a masterful use of light and shadow and no big special effects, it still manages to stand the test of time. Photo: Kino Lorber films
Vampyr (1932)
Allan Gray visits an inn in a secluded hamlet. He soon learns that he's fallen into the clutches of a vampire, and must race to break the evil one's curse before it's too late. Photo: Criterion
Fright Night (1985)
Ok, technically this is a comedy, but wouldn't you be terrified if you discovered your charming neighbor was actually a blood-sucking demon of the night? As well as being a love-letter to the horror genre in general, the movie provides plenty of actual jump-in-your-seat moments. Besides, who says a movie can't be terrifying and funny? Photo: Columbia Pictures
The Lost Boys (1987)
As if moving isn't hard enough, imagine how horrifying it is when you start to suspect your new town is chock-full of vampires. With a super-80s cast including Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland, the movie guarantees that you'll laugh, you'll scream, and your eyes will be glued to the screen. Photo: Warner Bros.
Blade (1998)
He's half-man, half-vampire, and he protects the human race from the undead who roam the night. Granted, there's a lot of 90s schtick, but still, for a fast-paced, action-adventure vampire movie with some pretty high stakes (see what we did there?), it's worth the watch. Plus, Wesley Snipes is a badass. Photo: Warner Bros.
Martin (1977)
The most terrifying part of Martin is you can't tell if the main character is just delusional or if he really is an actual vampire. After all, isn't the real horror always in your mind? Photo: Lionsgate
Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Talk about meta. This is a film about vampires about making a film about vampires. Willem Dafoe got nominated for an Oscar for his performance of Max Schreck. Dafoe takes the sinister to the max as he explores when the line between fiction and reality blurs. Photo: Lionsgate
Cronos (1993)
A mechanism that can give eternal life ... for a very bloody price. That's the crux of this Mexican vampire movie, written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Gorgeous and eerie, the story is as smart as it is scary. Photo: The Criterion Collection
Thirst (2009)
It's directed by Chan-wook Park (Oldboy), soit's no wonder menace abounds in this film. When a medical experiment goes wrong, priest Sang-hyeon's life is saved by an infusion of vampire blood. You can just guess what happens next. Photo: NBC Universal
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Atmospheric and chilling, the story features a lonely boy and a girl who holds a terrifying secret, further proving that kids are just creepy, man. Photo: Magnolia Pictures
The Hunger (1983)
Offering immortality, Egyptian vampire queen Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) feeds on the blood on her lovers while exacting a horrifying price. When scientist Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) discovers what is going on, she attempts to help Miriam's current lover (played by David Bowie) but finds herself instead drawn to the vampire queen. Surreal and fantastical, it's the creepiest version of a love triangle ever. Photo: Warner Bros.
30 Days of Night (2007)
I'm sorry, but Alaska is already creepy, the way it's shrouded in utter darkness for a good part of the year. With that in mind: Add a bunch of ravaging vampires just waiting for all light to fade so they can come and tear your town apart, and you have an epic monsters-in-the-dark movie. Photo: Columbia Pictures
Byzantium (2012)
The two main characters of Byzantium (played by Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton) have been hunted for 200 years, keeping the secret they can survive only on human blood. When they arrive to settle in a small coastal town, their true identities are revealed, with potentially deadly consequences. Photo: IFC Films
Daybreakers (2009)
In this post-apocalyptic scenario, a plague destroys humanity and turns them into vampires. Those not turned are farmed for their blood. The movie showcases plenty of action and adventure. With Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill, it will certainly get your pulse racing. Photo: Lionsgate
Immortality (1998)
He's just a vampire looking to find the right woman–but what he does with that woman is the stuff of nightmares. Starring a young Jude Law using his gorgeous looks to a very menacing effect, the movie centers around a vamp named Steven, who is basically every girl's worst-date-ever times a thousand. Photo: Lionsgate
I Am Legend (2007)
An adaptation of the classic sci-fi horror novel by Richard Matheson, the film stars Will Smith as the last man on Earth. The rest of humanity has succumbed to a plague that turns them into night-hunting, blood-sucking monsters. How does the only human survive against the horde? Will he eventually give in to the loneliness of his days?
With a beautifully elegiac beginning, featuring deserted New York City streets, this movie poses questions that will continue to haunt you long after it's over. Photo: Warner Bros.
Nosferatu (1922)
Based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this classic silent film broods with horror. With a masterful use of light and shadow and no big special effects, it still manages to stand the test of time. Photo: Kino Lorber films
Vampyr (1932)
Allan Gray visits an inn in a secluded hamlet. He soon learns that he's fallen into the clutches of a vampire, and must race to break the evil one's curse before it's too late. Photo: Criterion
Fright Night (1985)
Ok, technically this is a comedy, but wouldn't you be terrified if you discovered your charming neighbor was actually a blood-sucking demon of the night? As well as being a love-letter to the horror genre in general, the movie provides plenty of actual jump-in-your-seat moments. Besides, who says a movie can't be terrifying and funny? Photo: Columbia Pictures
The Lost Boys (1987)
As if moving isn't hard enough, imagine how horrifying it is when you start to suspect your new town is chock-full of vampires. With a super-80s cast including Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland, the movie guarantees that you'll laugh, you'll scream, and your eyes will be glued to the screen. Photo: Warner Bros.
Blade (1998)
He's half-man, half-vampire, and he protects the human race from the undead who roam the night. Granted, there's a lot of 90s schtick, but still, for a fast-paced, action-adventure vampire movie with some pretty high stakes (see what we did there?), it's worth the watch. Plus, Wesley Snipes is a badass. Photo: Warner Bros.
Martin (1977)
The most terrifying part of Martin is you can't tell if the main character is just delusional or if he really is an actual vampire. After all, isn't the real horror always in your mind? Photo: Lionsgate
Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Talk about meta. This is a film about vampires about making a film about vampires. Willem Dafoe got nominated for an Oscar for his performance of Max Schreck. Dafoe takes the sinister to the max as he explores when the line between fiction and reality blurs. Photo: Lionsgate
Cronos (1993)
A mechanism that can give eternal life ... for a very bloody price. That's the crux of this Mexican vampire movie, written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Gorgeous and eerie, the story is as smart as it is scary. Photo: The Criterion Collection
Thirst (2009)
It's directed by Chan-wook Park (Oldboy), soit's no wonder menace abounds in this film. When a medical experiment goes wrong, priest Sang-hyeon's life is saved by an infusion of vampire blood. You can just guess what happens next. Photo: NBC Universal
More...