The undead have been part of pop culture for centuries, withvampiresappearing in folk tales before transitioning to novels, TV, and film. Even the most underrated vampires have a special mythology that draws audiences in. Having eternity at their fingertips yet also relying on killing to maintain it poses so many fascinating dilemmas to explore. Vampires have been portrayed as evil bloodsucking monsters and conflicted romantic heroes, and the most powerful movie and TV vampires can manipulate and enthrall.
There’s also so much lore that gets changed depending on what fits a particular story, allowingthe vampire characters to develop all kinds of personality traitsdependent on their limitations. In some stories, they can’t go out in the daylight, making their lives entirely nocturnal and limited. In others, they can’t enter someone’s premises without being invited, meaning they need to be skilled manipulators or hunters. Through it all, the actors portraying vampires have a broad canvas to make them unique in thebest vampire movies and TV shows.
When most people think of vampires, it is more along the lines of either a suave, deadly Dracula or a hideous monster that wants to eat everyone. However, in 2024, the movieAbigailpresented a very different vampire. In this movie, a group of criminals kidnap a young girl and take her to a secluded manor for a night. Their leader tells them they will split $50 million when the ransom comes in. However,Abigail reveals that her father won’t pay the ransomand that bad things will happen to the criminals.
That is because Abigail is a vampire child. Alicia Weir was only 14 when she madeAbigail, making her performance more impressive because she was brilliant as the young ballet-dancing vampire who was part sweet child and part monstrous killing machine. Even when her father, the crime lord Kristof Lazaar, arrived and proved to be Dracula himself, Abigail was still the scariest vampire in the movie and someone who just carried the film on her small shoulders.
In 1987, three big vampire movies hit theaters, two of which stood the test of time. One wasThe Lost Boys, a colorful vampire movie made mainly from a young adult template. However, the second was a dark and bloody movie that never used the word vampire but was more of a monster movie thanTheLost Boysever dreamed of being. InNear Dark, a small vampire family travels the Southwest and takes in a new member, but they make his life a living hell.
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The vampires here were all great, with Lance Henricksen impressive as the leader Jesse Hooker and Joshua John Miller creepy as the child vampire Homer. However,the standout here was Bill Paxton as the dangerous and vindictive Severen. He was the stone-cold killer of the group, and he was part of some of the best horror scenes in the film. Paxton was on a roll in his career at the time, also a standout inAliens, and he brought his high-energy performance and created a vampire that remains a vampire icon to this day.
In 2025, a horror movie arrived that was never even advertised as a vampire flick in the trailers before its release. Directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed),Sinnersstars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who want to return home to leave their troubled lives behind but find that their hometown has a new evil that is worse than anything they left behind. While the film hinted at 1930s racism in the South, it was vampires who were waiting for the brothers.
Jack O’Connell stars as the main vampire Remmick, and Coogler was able to parallel the idea of gentrification and racism with the idea of vampires turning an entire society into its own coven. This was done in comedies likeVampires vs. the Bronx, but inSinners,Coogler keepsSinnersas a full-on horror film, with terrifying moments and Remmick wanting to gentrify society by adding in plenty of racists, makes this a battle the brothers have to win in a story that parallels today’s struggles in striking ways.
It is impossible to discuss actors playing vampires without mentioning the man that most actors emulated over the next century. WhileNosferatuwas the first real vampire movie (which was based on Bram Stoker’sDraculabut changed the name and locations when Stoker’s estate refused to license it at the time), it was Dracula himself who made vampires famous.Bela Lugosi played Count Dracula in the 1931 movieand set the template for what the modern-day vampire should look like.
Everyone from Christopher Lee with Hammer Films to Gary Oldman with the Francis Ford Coppola movie based part of their performance on what Lugosi brought to the role. Three names symbolized Universal Horror Monsters in the classical era: Lugosi as Dracula, Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s Monster, and Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf-Man. There is a reason those three men are horror legends to this day. Without them, the backbone of Universal Horror wouldn’t exist like it does today.
There might not be anything creepier than a child vampire. There have been many options over the years, from Claudia inInterview with the Vampireand Homer inNear Darkto Abigail inAbigailand Ralphie Glick inSalem’s Lot. However, one of the best child vampires in movie history is Eli from the Swedish horror movieLet the Right One In. This film seesEli as a very old vampire who was turned as a childand needs people to help care for her and bring her what she needs to survive.
The movie is mostly a coming-of-age story for the young boy next door who meets her and becomes her closest friend. Lina Leandersson stars as Eli, someone who becomes a protector for Oskar from his bullies and then relies on him in the end to be her new caretaker. It is easily one of the best modern-day vampire movies and is more than a horror tale, although it has its gruesome moments. There was a good American remake, but the Swedish version is a true masterpiece.
The moment Spike crashed into Sunnydale, with his Billy Idol style and untraceable British accent, he was a smash hit with viewers. He added so much to the show, and what was meant to be a guest spot as a mid-level villain turned into a regular role onBuffy the Vampire SlayerandAngel. His character is compelling because of the mix of rebellious, anarchic tendencies and the need to be loved and accepted. Even in his fully villainous form,Spike is driven by his love for Drusillaand jealousy of Angelus.
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He’s the sort of charismatic anti-hero that audiences root for, and Marsters brought so much relatable imperfection to the role. When Spike gets the chip implanted and is no longer able to kill people, he develops into an unwilling ally to the Scoobies and gets closer to the Slayer. As his relationship with Buffy develops, he starts feeling more humanity, conflict, and a need for redemption. Spike ends the series as a hero and will be remembered for his epic fight scenes, savage humor, and great singing skills.
An ancient and enigmatic vampire with a calm, ethereal presence,Eve has a deep love for art, literature, and life itself. In the film directed by Jim Jarmusch, Tilda Swinton offers a unique take on how vampires adapt to immortality. Eve serves as a contrast to the melancholic Adam (Tom Hiddleston), with her more grounded and optimistic outlook.
Eve’s relationship with Adam is central to her character. Despite their differences, they have an enduring and passionate bond that spans centuries. Eve is a refreshing take on the vampire archetype, that mixes sophistication, wisdom, and empathy. Tilda Swinton’s nuanced portrayal adds depth to this complex character. The focus on the love of human culture and curiosity of her ever-changing surroundings provides a different take on what being a vampire is like.
Among the many vampires of Bon Temps, Louisiana, Pamela Swynford De Beaufort stands out for her wit, class, and loyalty. Pam is a vampire with a sharp tongue and a cynical yet dedicated personality. Her relationship with Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) is where most of her softer side can be seen, whileher position as his number two in command showcases how strong and authoritativeshe can be. She begins her journey as a human-hating protege to an enigmatic leader, and as time progresses, she develops a deeper understanding of humankind and becomes a mentor herself.
Kristin Bauer’s performance gives audiences a glimpse into the souls of a seemingly soulless creature, and her line delivery is a cutting as it is hilarious.
As Pam’s outlook represents the darker side of immortality, she uses sarcasm and biting remarks to cope with everything, and expresses her strong personality in her killer fashion sense. Kristin Bauer’s performance gives audiences a glimpse into the soul of a seemingly soulless creature, and her line delivery is as cutting as it is hilarious. Pam will have an immortal spot in the hearts of many dedicated viewers.
Rocking a bleach-blonde mullet and plenty of attitudes, David owns every scene he’s in and delivers several ofThe Lost Boys' best quotes. His character embodies danger, rebellion, and magnetism, making him one of the more iconic figures in vampire cinema. As the leader of the chaotic group of vampires, David is full of confidence and charm, commanding the loyalty of his gang.Kiefer Sutherland’s strong presence and rebellious attitude make him both captivatingand menacing.
Reckless and wild, David embraces the anarchism of the vampire lifestyle with enthusiasm, indulging in thrills and plenty of dangerous activities. He lives by the mantra of eternal youth and freedom, embodying a hedonistic and carefree existence that makes for thrilling viewing. This trope makes some of the vampire antagonists so much more interesting than their conflicted hero counterparts. They allow audiences to indulge in a world with no set rules and focus solely on pleasure. David’s punk rock style and sinister charisma stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
Caroline Forbes starts the show as a shallow teenager with little on her mind besides boys and clothes. However, her journey as a vampire helps her grow throughout the series, making her one of the most beloved characters from Mystic Falls.Her transformation from a human to a vampire reveals her resilience, strength, and heroism, making her one of the show’s most compelling vampires. As her emotions become amplified after the change, so does her compassion. Her devotion to those closest to her also makes viewers connect with this resilient young vampire.
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Caroline is also witty and hilarious. Her one-liners are some of the best on the show, and Accola delivers them with charm and a vicious sweetness that perfectly matches this character. Her love life is also fascinating to follow. The chemistry with Klaus (Joseph Morgan) is off the charts, and her longing for Stefan (Paul Wesley) shows a vulnerability that’s very emotional to watch. Caroline Forbes is a great example of a modern-day vampire, trying to navigate this new promise of forever and all the pitfalls of being a young adult.
