6 scary vampire movies worth watching (and 2 you can skip)

Vampire movies are a compelling and versatile genre that has an enduring appeal. But while there are so many to choose from, that doesn't mean they're all great. Also, it doesn't mean that they're all scary. Here at 1428 Elm, we watched our fair share of vampire films, so we were able to create a list of some of the scariest vampire movies ever made. These movies we believe are worth watching.

We even shared two vampire flicks that aren't necessarily bad but aren't scary, either. We wouldn't watch these films if you're looking to be spooked. Now, are you curious to know what movies made our list? If so, all you need to do is continue reading!

30 Days of Night (2007)

Directed by: David Slade

Written by: Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie, Brian Nelson

Watch! Based on the comic book miniseries of the same name, 30 Days of Night is set in a remote Alaskan town that experiences a polar night every winter where the sun does not rise for an entire month. While most residents temporarily leave the town for sunnier locations during this time, a small group of people decide to stay. However, these townspeople soon regret their decision to stay in the town when a bunch of hungry, bloodthirsty vampires arrive to feed. Trap's Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, and others star in the film.

Nosferatu (1922)

Directed by: F. W. Murnau

Written by: Henrik Galeen

Watch! Nosferatu is a silent vampire film based on Bram Stoker's Dracula novel. It centers around the mysterious and sinister vampire Count Orlok, who after becoming interested in his real estate agent's innocent wife, travels to their town, bringing death and plague with him. The cast is made up of Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Ruth Landshoff, and Wolfgang Heinz.

Let the Right One In (2008)

Directed by: Tomas Alfredson

Written by: John Ajvide Lindqvist

Watch! Let the Right One In is a Swedish horror film based on the vampire novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. It tells the haunting story of a bullied 12-year-old boy who befriends and finds love and revenge through a peculiar young girl who turns out to be a centuries-old vampire. Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Ika Nord, and Peter Carlberg star.

Twilight (2008)

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Written by: Melissa Rosenberg

Skip! Hear me out. I'm a Twilight fan but this vampire movie is in no way scary. That's why we recommend skipping over it. When high school student and misfit Bella Swan moves to the small town of Forks, she meets the mysterious and handsome student Edward Cullen, who she later finds out is a 108-year-old vampire. As they grow closer, they eventually enter a forbidden relationship that comes with many dangers. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, and many others star.

Salem's Lot (1979)

Directed by: Tobe Hooper

Written by: Paul Monash

Watch! Based on Stephen King's 1975 horror novel of the same name, Salem's Lot centers around a writer who returns to his small hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the haunted Marsten House only to discover that blood-sucking creatures have taken over the town. The cast consists of David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, and many others.

Near Dark (1987)

Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow

Written by: Bigelow and Eric Red

Watch! Near Dark serves as a gritty take on vampires in the American Midwest. Cowboy Caleb Colton meets an attractive woman and drifter named Mae and they have an immediate attraction. However, things take a turn when Mae reveals herself to be a vampire when she bites Caleb in the neck. Struggling with his new vampire identity, Caleb reluctantly joins Mae and her gang of vampires. But he soon finds himself having to choose between his beloved human family or his new love for Mae. Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, and Tim Thomerson all star in this vampire film.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Written by: Quentin Tarantino

Watch! Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney and well-known filmmaker Quentin Tarantino star as criminal brothers who decide to take a family of hostages in order to cross the Mexican border only to soon find themselves fighting for their lives when the Mexican bar they enter turns out to be populated with bloodthirsty vampires. Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, Fred Williamson, Salma Hayek, and others join Clooney and Tarantino in the cast.

Renfield (2023)

Directed by: Chris McKay

Written by: Ryan Ridley

Skip! Renfield stars Nicholas Hoult as the titular character, Renfield, the loyal servant and tortured aide of Dracula (Nicolas Cage). Tired of being Dracula's henchman and forced to do his every bidding, Renfield sets out to explore and do his own thing. But there's just no way that Dracula would be okay with this, right? Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Brandon Scott Jones, and Adrian Martinez join Hoult and Cage in the cast.

Will you be watching any of these vampire movies?

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