The best vampire movies have long been a staple of the horror genre since Georges Méliès’ The House of The Devil. For years, they played a huge part in the genre. Classics like Dracula (1931), Ganja & Hess (1973), and Nosferatu The Vampyr (1979) all proved the importance and versatility of the genre. It is easy now to look at the vampire film as an oversaturated sub-genre, but with the boom of slasher movies in the 1980s, there came somewhat of a drought.
Hits like Fright Night (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987) proved few and far between, leading to a decade filled with more obscure cult classics. Vampire movies ended up taking on all sorts of different forms; anthologies, comedies, and even kids’ films. Many of these have come to be well renowned within the horror community, but have yet to fully receive the appreciation they deserve.
10 The Monster Club (1981)
Directed By Roy Ward Baker
The Monster Club proves a good example of the types of vampire films that would populate the horror genre for the decade. An anthology film that mixes genuine scares with a delightful sense of humor. Inspired by the horror stories of Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes, the film is broken apart into three separate stories as told by a vampire. The film takes place in the titular monster club and is introduced to us by Vincent Price’s delightful vampire narrator.
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Fun musical numbers are spattered throughout the film and provide for a good deal of fun, especially when the ghouls party on the dance floor. Vincent Price is excellent in the role and delivers his lines with sincerity and humor, allowing for a fun if not too frightening film. The Monster Club is a good example of what the decade would offer, if not the highest point.
9 My Best Friend Is A Vampire (1987)
Directed By Jimmy Huston
Part horror, part teen movie, My Best Friend Is A Vampire is a fun investigation into attempting to navigate teen life as the undead. The movie would follow a teen (Robert Sean Leonard) after being turned into a vampire and attempting to survive without feeding on humans. The movie features strong themes of prejudice and identity, as he is guided through his change by an older mentor who tells him about the discrimination vampires have faced.
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The movie doesn’t attempt many scares, but manages to elevate the vampire story by making it one focused on identity. Whether it be his parents who believe he might be gay or the vampire hunters intent on his death, there is a good deal of subtext to explore within this horror comedy. The always fantastic René Auberjonios is a particular highlight and demonstrates why this movie is worth discovering.
8 Lifeforce (1985)
Directed By Tobe Hooper
Lifeforce is a science fiction horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. The story follows a crew of astronauts who discover a derelict spaceship containing humanoid creatures in suspended animation. Upon returning to Earth, they unwittingly unleash a malevolent alien force that threatens to drain the lifeforce of humanity. Starring Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, and Peter Firth, the film combines elements of space exploration with supernatural terror.
- Release Date
- June 21, 1985
- Writers
- Colin Wilson , Dan O’Bannon , Don Jakoby , Michael Armstrong , Olaf Pooley
- Cast
- Steve Railsback , Peter Firth , Frank Finlay , Mathilda May , Patrick Stewart , Michael Gothard , Nicholas Ball , Aubrey Morris , Nancy Paul , John Hallam , John Keegan , Chris Jagger , Bill Malin , Jerome Willis , Derek Benfield , John Woodnutt
- Director
- Tobe Hooper
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Vampires rarely mix with science fiction, but if there were any director to attempt such a feat, it would be the great Tobe Hooper. His hypnotic style, as demonstrated in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, is perfectly suited to vampires and their powers. The movie is ambitious and was the biggest budget Hooper would ever receive, disappointing at the box office but quickly growing a cult following.
It follows the crew of a space mission as they inadvertently unleash an alien race of vampires upon London. The movie gives a different take on vampires, which possess more threatening and alien powers. They can shape-shift, possess, and manipulate energy as a weapon, proving themselves as different and even more unpredictable threats. Mathilda May’s performance as one of the alien vampires is particularly iconic, expressing so much with just her facial expressions.
7 The Hunger (1983)
Directed By Tony Scott
The Hunger is a horror film directed by Tony Scott, starring Catherine Deneuve as the ancient vampire Miriam Blaylock and David Bowie as her lover, John. As John begins to rapidly age, they seek the help of a gerontologist, played by Susan Sarandon, leading to a complex and haunting story of eternal life and love. Based on the novel by Whitley Strieber, the film combines striking visuals with an atmospheric soundtrack.
- Release Date
- April 29, 1983
- Writers
- Michael Thomas , James Costigan , Whitley Strieber
- Cast
- Catherine Deneuve , David Bowie , Susan Sarandon , Cliff DeYoung , Beth Ehlers , Dan Hedaya , Rufus Collins , James Aubrey
- Runtime
- 96 Minutes
- Director
- Tony Scott
The Hunger possesses possibly one of the most interesting casts that a vampire movie has ever had. Featuring performances by Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon, this horror film is sensual and unique. Effortlessly beautiful in its cinematography, Tony Scott’s debut blends age-old vampire aesthetics with unique ’80s imagery. The cinematography is possibly the biggest highlight, as cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt fills the frame with haze and shadow.
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It tells the story of a vampire named Miriam and her companion John, who has suddenly begun to age rapidly, causing them to seek the help of an expert in aging. The plot is ostensibly the weakest element of the movie, but it is the atmosphere which Scott is able to create that makes it such a highly unique take. That paired with Sarandon and Deneuve’s performances makes it a worthwhile entry into the genre.
6 Dance Of The Damned (1989)
Directed By Katt Shea
Built around preexisting sets that Roger Corman had from previous projects, Katt Shea created a unique and small scale take on a vampire story. It deals more heavily with the themes of life and death that are inherent to the monster, without losing the sensationalism. It deals with the story of a suicidal exotic dancer as she agrees to become the next meal for a vampire. It’s a small and grounded story, but one that keeps true to the imagery and aesthetics that vampire films can’t go without.
Roger Corman had the film remade by Adam Friedman in 1993 as
To Sleep With A Vampire.
Featuring a solid performance from Starr Andreeff, it’s able to convey a lot more emotion than many larger scale approaches to the monster. While the film is not always successful at balancing its more exploitative features with its weightier subjects, it does prove an interesting development in the genre. It is an ambitious movie and one more deserving of the attention it has failed to garner, upon release and to this day.
5 The Monster Squad (1987)
Directed By Fred Dekker
The Monster Squad is a 1987 film by director Fred Dekker that revolves around the Universal Monsters, a group of classic creatures including Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolf Man, Gill-Man, and the Mummy. The film follows a group of teenagers that use a book written by Van Helsing to help protect the world from the monsters.
- Release Date
- August 14, 1987
- Writers
- Shane Black , Fred Dekker
- Cast
- Stephen Macht , Tom Noonan , Jonathan Gries , Robby Kiger , Brent Chalem , Andre Gower , Duncan Regehr , Mary Ellen Trainor
- Runtime
- 79 minutes
- Director
- Fred Dekker
Co-written by Fred Dekker and Shane Black, The Monster Squad is a delightfully fun horror comedy that pits horror super fans against legendary classic Universal monsters led by Dracula. The movie can fluctuate from light fun to surprisingly dark at the flick of the switch, but always manages to remain an entertaining romp. Some of the material is certainly dated and remains uncomfortable, but the film is likable enough to overcome those lesser moments.
Wolf-man, the creature from the black lagoon, Frankenstein’s monster, the mummy, and, of course, Dracula all make appearances. The film features a litany of iconic moments, like a teen wielding a bow and arrow against vampires and a young boy kicking wolf-man in the crotch. The movie is generally a blast and was sure to make any child who watched it a fan of horror for years to come.
4 Near Dark (1987)
Directed By Kathryn Bigelow
Near Dark is a 1987 film directed by Kathryn Bigelow that blends elements of horror and the Western genre. The story follows a young man who becomes entangled with a group of nomadic vampires. As he grapples with his newfound condition, the film explores themes of loyalty, survival, and identity. Starring Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, and Lance Henriksen, Near Dark is noted for its atmospheric cinematography and intense performances.
- Release Date
- October 2, 1987
- Writers
- Kathryn Bigelow , Eric Red
- Cast
- Jenette Goldstein , Jenny Wright , Bill Paxton , Lance Henriksen , Adrian Pasdar
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Director
- Kathryn Bigelow
Possibly one of the most important vampire movies of the 1980s, Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark created a vampire nobody had seen before. Bloody, dirty, and full of angst, it created a blend of western and vampire imagery that is wholly unique to this day. The plot follows a young farmer who becomes involved with a makeshift family of nomadic vampires. It features a stellar cast of James Cameron regulars such as Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, and Bill Paxton.
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Special credit has to be given to Paxton’s performance, which defines the film’s wild and violent tone with ease. The score from the always reliable Tangerine Dream provides a synth base to the southern imagery, giving the film an out of time feeling perfect for vampires. Kathryn Bigelow is a once in a generation talent and pushes Near Dark into places that many vampire films didn’t dare to go.
3 The Lair Of The White Worm (1988)
Directed By Ken Russell
The Lair of the White Worm is a 1988 British horror film directed by Ken Russell. Based on Bram Stoker’s 1911 novel, it follows archaeologist Angus Flint (Peter Capaldi) who discovers the skull of a large snake, leading to a series of bizarre and deadly events. Starring Amanda Donohoe and Hugh Grant, the film combines elements of folklore, mythology, and gothic horror.
- Release Date
- October 21, 1988
- Writers
- Ken Russell , Bram Stoker
- Cast
- Amanda Donohoe , Hugh Grant , Catherine Oxenberg , Peter Capaldi , Sammi Davis , Stratford Johns , Paul Brooke , Imogen Claire
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
- Director
- Ken Russell
Ken Russell has always proved himself as an original when it comes to horror movie directors. His work on films such as The Devils, Altered States and Crimes of Passion proved he had a flair for psychosexual horror. This would all prove highly useful for his vampire opus, The Lair of the White Worm. The film follows a small English village after an archaeologist uncovers a mysterious skull which awakens an old evil called the D’Ampton worm.
This year’s
Heretic
marks Hugh Grant’s first return to horror since
The Lair of the White Worm.
The film is a camp classic and manages to blend its eerie vampire story with an especially humorous performance from Hugh Grant. It also boasts great performances from Peter Capaldi and Peter Donohoe, who help deliver the perfect tone. It is certainly a unique experience and a perfect entrance into the wild world of Ken Russell and his particular affinity for campy horror.
2 Vamp (1986)
Directed By Richard Wenk
Vamp is a 1986 horror-comedy film directed by Richard Wenk. The story centers on two college students, Keith and AJ, who enter a seedy nightclub seeking a stripper for a fraternity event, only to discover that the club is run by vampires. Featuring Grace Jones as the enigmatic vampire queen, the film blends elements of horror and dark humor as the protagonists fight to survive the night.
- Release Date
- July 18, 1986
- Writers
- Donald P. Borchers , Richard Wenk , C.W. Cressler
- Cast
- Chris Makepeace , Sandy Baron , Robert Rusler , Dedee Pfeiffer , Gedde Watanabe , Grace Jones , Billy Drago , Brad Logan
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
- Director
- Richard Wenk
Starting off as a college comedy and quickly veering into a horror nightmare, Vamp is a unique take on what vampires can be. It tells the story of two fraternity pledges as they attempt to find a stripper for a friend, but accidentally wind up in a club populated by vampires. It boasts an exceptional appearance from Grace Jones, adorned in incredible costumes designed by Keith Haring. She is able to convey so much through just her movements and looks that the movie becomes worth it just for her.
Elliot Davis’ neon drenched cinematography and Jonathan Elias’ excellent synth score set the atmosphere perfectly and provide for the perfect ’80s vibes. The vampire prosthetics are especially fun and turn beautiful women into terrifying creatures of the night ready to menace the college boy leads. It’s an exceptionally fun horror comedy that manages to create a unique atmosphere that would be impossible to replicate.
1 Sundown: The Vampire In Retreat (1989)
Directed By Anthony Hickox
Set in the small town of Purgatory, Sundown tells the story of a peaceful town populated by vampires as they attempt to repair the town’s artificial blood factory. It is a vampire movie, unlike any other, taking a more humorous approach to the ways in which vampires attempt to live. The cast is packed to the gills with legends like Bruce Campbell, David Carradine, Deborah Foreman and the late great M. Emmet Walsh.
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The film is consistently ridiculous, poking fun at all the tropes of vampire movies that have come before. It exemplifies the ways in which vampire films of the 1980s succeeded by subverting what came before. Seeing vampires slathered in sun cream and attempting to enjoy retirement delivers a good deal of laughs, while the bubbling tension in the town provides the much-needed horror. It is a shame that Sundown was largely ignored upon release, but every year it receives more of the attention it deserves.