If you believe that vampire movies should be beautiful and romantic, with great costumes, beautiful actors and actresses, and dark, foreboding atmosphere, then this is the list for you.
Vampires are both repellent and alluring, at once frightening and fascinating. They embody the spirit of the classical gothic by combining elements of the supernatural with the adventure of a love story – often gone wrong. Although, sometimes these affairs of the heart between the living and the dead have happy endings. Either way, these beautiful films are the embodiment of gothic romance.
Some of these are well-remembered and others nearly forgotten. But, all of them top the list of the Ten Best Gothic Vampire Movies ever made.
Love at First Bite (1979) This romantic comedy stars George Hamilton as the vampire and Susan Saint James as his love interest. It is a twist on the classic Bram Stoker story wherein Dracula falls in love with a beautiful model and comes to New York City to win her love. Arte Johnson is memorable as Renfield. George Hamilton is as handsome as he is talented. He makes a wonderful sympathetic vampire.
Embrace of the Vampire (1994) Alyssa Milano stars in this modern tale of a love triangle between a good Catholic girl, her boyfriend and an ancient vampire who has fallen in love with her from afar. It is a darkly beautiful film.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Keanu Reeves and Winona Rider, this film was designed to be a hit from the start. It succeeds in re-telling of the original Stoker novel with wonderfully dark atmosphere. But, the pinnacle of its beauty is the vampire, himself, portrayed by Gary Oldman who embodies passion on screen. Oldman consistently turns out superhuman acting performances and his portrayal of Dracula is no exception.
The Vampire (1979) This extraordinary television movie aired once, but it made a strong impression on viewers and created a legion of fans for its star, Richard Lynch, who to this day maintains loyal cult following. Lynch is captivating as the “golden vampire,” known, of course, for his beautiful blond hair. The film has an atmosphere of quiet sophistication; blood drinking, murder and mayhem aside.
Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) A sophisticated Bulgarian count feasts on American women. The film has a nice atmosphere that is set by a seance near the beginning of the film.
Blacula (1972) This is a dark romance of the highest order that effectively employs much-welcomed comic relief. An African prince who was bitten by Count Dracula in a past century, rises from the grave to seek out and renew the love of his wife who has reincarnated in modern-day Los Angeles.
The Lost Boys (1987) Starring a very good-looking, young Jason Patrick and an equally beautiful cast of vampires, this movie is one of the most unique and stylish. A love triangle develops between teenaged vampires, two of whom are members of a dangerous motorcycle gang. Diane Wiest’s sympathetic performance as the sweet, naive single mother of teen sons is unforgettably endearing and at times comical.
Queen of the Damned (2001) Based on the novel by Anne Rice and starring delicately handsome Stuart Townsend, this film was destined to greatness from the start. See the film just for Townsend. He is the most beautiful vampire yet. The film’s atmosphere is superior to its plot, but that is not necessarily a flaw.
Dracula 2000 (2000) Wes Craven presents this stylish, strangely Christianized version of the Dracula tale. Thieves unwittingly unleash the terror of Dracula on the people of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The plot is a little silly, but Gerard Butler as Dracula more than makes up for that fact with his beautifully alluring, yet unsettling rendition of the vampire.
Son of Dracula (1943) Count Alucard comes to a plantation in the Deep South where he creates a love triangle between a woman and her fiance with tragic results. Stars Lon Cheney, Jr.
For more great gothic horror movies, please, see my article: 10 Great Old Movies about Witchcraft from the 1960s and 1970s
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