A remake of 1922’s classic silent film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, horror virtuoso Robert Eggers looks to produce his latest critically acclaimed outing with 2024’s Nosferatu. Led by Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok and supported by an impressive ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, and frequent Eggers’ collaborator Willem Dafoe, Nosferatu is contentiously current cinema’s most eagerly anticipated horror movie. With the film’s release date fast approaching, there has never been a better time to revisit some of cinema’s finest gothic vampire films before watching Eggers’ Nosferatu.
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From the black-and-white classical offerings of early cinema all the way to modern adaptations of the storied genre, there are a host of standout movies that will suitably whet audiences’ appetites before the movie is released in the United States on 25th December. Time will tell whether Nosferatu is ultimately regarded as one of Robert Eggers’ best movies, but the signs are already promising. Acclaimed Alien: Romulus and Evil Dead director Fede Álvarez has already been effusive in his praise for Nosferatu, labeling it as his favorite horror movie of the year.
10 Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979)
Directed By Werner Herzog
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Nosferatu The Vampyre PGDramaHorror
Nosferatu The Vampyre is a horror film remake of the 1922 classic, adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. Directed by Werner Herzog, the film stars Klaus Kinski as Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from his castle in the Carpathian Mountains to a small German town, spreading terror and death in his wake.
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*Availability in US Director Werner Herzog Release Date January 17, 1979 Studio(s) Werner Herzog Filmproduktion , Gaumont , ZDF Cast Klaus Kinski , Isabelle Adjani , Bruno Ganz , Roland Topor , Walter Ladengast Distributor(s) Twentieth Century Fox Writers Werner Herzog Runtime 107 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
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A horror outing from one of cinema’s most celebrated and influential directors, Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre constitutes indispensable viewing for any connoisseur of the genre. Widely regarded as one of the best vampire movies ever made as well as a worthy successor to 1922’s original, the 1979 film provides a unique take on Stoker’s original narrative while showcasing the talents of one of the finest filmmakers of all time.
Related Nosferatu First Reactions Are In, And The Verdict On Robert Eggers’ Remake Is Unanimous
The first reactions are in for Robert Eggers’ gothic horror movie Nosferatu, and the general consensus is unanimous for the upcoming remake.
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A slow-burn atmospheric spectacle featuring some legitimately haunting visuals and an arresting bow from controversial German actor Klaus Kinski as Dracula, Nosferatu the Vampyre captures the essence of the Count’s miserable way of existence in a manner that few films have come close to replicating. A Nosferatu adaptation that sets the bar high for Eggers’ picture, Herzog’s picture is the perfect outing to sate any gothic vampire film cravings.
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9 Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Directed By Jim Jarmusch
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10/10 Only Lovers Left Alive rRomanceHorror
Only Lovers Left Alive is a romantic comedy and horror fantasy film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. The movie stars Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, focusing on two centuries-old vampires that live in the modern age thanks to their supply of blood from various sources.
Director Jim Jarmusch Release Date December 25, 2013 Studio(s) Sony Cast Tom Hiddleston , Tilda Swinton Distributor(s) Sony Writers Jim Jarmusch Runtime 123minutes Expand
A first-rate gothic vampire film featuring trappings of comedy, drama, and romance, Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive isn’t what most fans would envision when it comes to pre-Nosferatu viewing recommendations. The 2013 film stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as a pair of vampires pursuing a relationship in a modern world, with Hiddleston’s Adam sinking into depression in one of the actor’s best movie performances as a result of his contempt for modern mankind’s practices as a society.
Only Lovers Left Alive may seem like an odd recommendation to watch in the lead up to Eggers’ offering, given that the only conceivable parallels between Nosferatu and Jarmusch’s offering are the films’ vampire centric premises and shared emphasis on Gothic elements. However, Only Lovers Left Alive is such a first-rate gothic vampire offering across the board that failing to give it a mention would feel like an egregious oversight.
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8 Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Directed By Neil Jordan
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9.2/10 Interview with the Vampire RDramaHorror
Based on Anne Rice’s 1976 novel, Interview with the Vampire tells the story of two vampires, Lestat and Louis, and their complicated relationship after Lestat turns Louis in 1791. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt star as Lestat and Louis respectively, with a cast that includes Kirsten Dunst as Claudia, the two men’s young charge who Lestat also turns in an attempt to keep a disillusioned Louis from leaving. Christian Slayter rounds out the cast as Daniel Molloy, a reporter to who Louis tells his story in the mid-1990s.
Director Neil Jordan Release Date November 11, 1994 Cast Kirsten Dunst , Brad Pitt , Christian Slater , Antonio Banderas , Tom Cruise Runtime 123 minutes Studio(s) The Geffen Film Company Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Anne Rice Expand
Based on Anne Rice’s book of the same name from the author’s Vampire Chronicle series, Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire may not have received the critical acclaim to compete with the likes of Dracula, but still retains status as one of the most influential gothic vampire films ever made. Starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, the movie chronicles the existence of a pair of powerful vampires from the moment one infects the other, with this narrative framed by an interview of Pitt’s character Louis taking place in present day.
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Much like the original Nosferatu, Interview with the Vampire places a desolating emphasis on the loneliness and futility associated with such an existence to great effect. The film gets bogged down in segments through some shaky scriptwriting and an uncharacteristically poor performance from Pitt, but Neil Jordan’s assured atmospheric style of direction renders this a thoroughly enjoyable vampiric viewing experience.
7 Shadow Of The Vampire (2000)
Directed By Edmund Elias Merhige
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Shadow of the Vampire RDramaHorror
Shadow Of The Vampire is a horror comedy film that reimagines the making of the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu. The film stars John Malkovich as F.W. Murnau, the director of Nosferatu, and Willem Dafoe as Max Schreck, the actor playing the vampire Count Orlok. The story takes a fictionalized approach to the filming of Nosferatu, suggesting that Schreck was actually a real vampire.
Director E. Elias Merhige Release Date May 15, 2000 Studio(s) BBC Film , Saturn Films , Long Shot Pictures , Pilgrim Films Cast John Malkovich , Willem Dafoe , Udo Kier , Cary Elwes , Catherine McCormack Writers Steven Katz Runtime 92 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
A gothic vampire offering with trappings of dark comedy from Edmund Elias Merhige, 2000’s Shadow of the Vampire chronicles a fictionalized account of the making of 1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. In this case, Max Shreck, the actor playing Count Orlok, is duly unveiled as a legitimate vampire. The film even shares a cast member in common with Robert Eggers’ passion project. Willem Dafoe plays Shreck in Merhige’s picture, with the American also confirmed to be playing Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz in the upcoming Nosferatu.
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Willem Dafoe Appearances in Robert Eggers Films |
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Movie |
Character |
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The Lighthouse (2019) |
Thomas Wake |
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The Northman (2022) |
Heimir the Fool |
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Nosferatu (2024) |
Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz |
Dafoe’s superb lead performance is undoubtedly the highlight of Shadow of the Vampire, with the Platoon star receiving his second Academy Award nomination for his blood-curdling bow as Shreck. A compelling and frightening gothic vampire movie featuring an excellent story, Shadow of the Vampire is an underrated, hidden gem that constitutes worthy viewing in the lead up to Nosferatu.
6 Let Me In (2010)
Directed By Matt Reeves
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let me in rHorrorRomance
Let Me In is a romantic horror remake of the Swedish film Let the Right One In. Directed by Matt Reeves and released in 2010, Let Me In centers on a young boy who falls in love with a vampire in 1980s New Mexico. The film starred Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloë Grace Moretz and was praised upon release.
Director Matt Reeves Release Date September 23, 2010 Cast Chloe Grace Moretz , Dylan Minnette , Richard Jenkins Runtime 116 minutes Studio(s) Overture Films Distributor(s) Overture Films Writers Matt Reeves Expand
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A remake of the 2008 Swedish film Let the Right One In, 2010’s Let Me In doesn’t feature the characters of Dracula or Count Orlok in any capacity. However, it still constitutes a worthy watch for any viewers looking to expand their repertoire of gothic vampire films before watching Nosferatu. The film chronicles the romance that blossoms between a bullied twelve-year-old boy and a young vampire girl, set against the backdrop of New Mexico in the 1980s.
In addition to being one of the best movies from The Batman director Matt Reeves, this intimate vampiric offering is one of the finest horror films in recent memory. Carried by a pair of powerhouse performances from Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloë Grace Moretz that belies their young ages, Let Me In is a must-see horror experience for audiences looking for a more modern bloodsucking outing.
5 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Directed By Francis Ford Coppola
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1/10 Bram Stoker’s Dracula RHorrorRomance
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, set in 19th century England, follows Count Dracula as he journeys to London. There, he encounters Mina Harker, who bears a striking resemblance to his long-lost love.
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*Availability in US Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date November 13, 1992 Cast Gary Oldman , Winona Ryder , Anthony Hopkins , Keanu Reeves , Sadie Frost , Cary Elwes , Richard E. Grant , Billy Campbell , Tom Waits , Monica Bellucci , Florina Kendrick , Michaela Bercu , Jay Robinson , I.M. Hobson , Laurie Franks , Maud Winchester , Octavian Cadia , Robert Getz , Dagmar Stansova , Eniko Öss , Nancy Linehan Charles , Tatiana von Furstenberg , Jules Sylvester , Hubert Wells , Daniel Newman , Honey Lauren , Judi Diamond Runtime 127 Minutes Writers Bram Stoker , James V. Hart Main Genre Horror Expand
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Led by Gary Oldman in the role of the film’s eponymous villain, Francis Ford Coppola’s attempt to create a Gothic cinematic masterpiece with Bram Stoker’s Dracula received mixed reviews upon release. While the 1992 horror outing earned four Oscar nominations, the critical response to Coppola’s adaptation of Stoker’s novel was considerably more divided than that associated with the debut offerings featuring Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. With that being said, Coppola’s film is still undoubtedly one of the finest movies featuring Dracula ever made.
Injecting the character’s well-trodden story with a much-needed burst of energy, Bram Stoker’s Dracula features some legitimately terrifying sequences to complement the film’s array of spectacular horror effects. He’s no Lugosi, but Oldman shines in the lead role, drawing attention away from a disastrous Keanu Reeves bow as Jonathan Harker; the quintessential example of a bad acting performance in a near perfect movie.
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4 Dracula (1931)
Directed By Tod Browning
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Dracula NRHorror
Dracula is a 1931 horror film starring Bela Lugosi as the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, the film follows Count Dracula’s move from Transylvania to England, where he preys on humans, including Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra.
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*Availability in US Director Tod Browning , Karl Freund Release Date February 12, 1931 Cast Béla Lugosi , Helen Chandler , David Manners , Dwight Frye , Edward Van Sloan Runtime 74 Minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Louis Stevens , Garrett Fort , Tod Browning , Louis Bromfield , Frederick Stephani Main Genre Horror Expand
Horror icon Bela Lugosi’s best movie and the role that he is now virtually synonymous with, Tod Browning’s Dracula is regarded by many critics as cinema’s preeminent adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. Deftly balancing sophisticated charm with pure evil, Lugosi’s performance as the Prince of Darkness provided the archetype for modern cinema’s vampire in a glorious gothic horror outing that stands as one of the most influential horror films ever made.
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A thrilling mystery story set against the backdrop of a first-rate horror film, Browning’s picture is the rare pre-Code movie that holds up in terms of unabated enjoyment nearly a century after the film was first released. A timeless horror tale carried by Lugosi’s take on the iconic character, Dracula remains one of cinema’s finest gothic vampire offerings to this day.
3 Dracula (1958)
Directed By Terence Fisher
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Horror Of Dracula NRHorror
Horror of Dracula is a 1958 British horror film directed by Terence Fisher, starring Christopher Lee as Count Dracula and Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing. The film follows the iconic vampire’s move from Transylvania to England, where he preys on humans, and Van Helsing’s efforts to stop him.
Director Terence Fisher Release Date May 22, 1958 Cast Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Michael Gough , Melissa Stribling , Carol Marsh Runtime 82 Minutes Studio(s) Hammer Film Productions Writers Jimmy Sangster Main Genre Horror Expand
One of the best Dracula movies and the first outing to star the late, great Christopher Lee as Bram Stoker’s vampire, 1958’s Dracula is widely regarded as one of the finest gothic vampire films ever conceived. One of the most celebrated and influential movie adaptations to feature Dracula, the success of the 1958 film spawned eight Hammer Horror sequels, with Lee reprising the eponymous role in six of them. Fisher’s film was retitled Horror of Dracula in the United States to avoid confusion with Tod Browning’s 1931 adaptation.
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Hammer Horror Dracula Rotten Tomatoes scores |
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Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes Approval Rating |
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Dracula / Horror of Dracula (1958) |
90% |
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The Brides of Dracula (1960) |
86% |
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Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) |
80% |
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Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968) |
80% |
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Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) |
67% |
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Scars of Dracula (1970) |
43% |
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Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) |
22% |
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The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) |
20% |
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The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) |
40% |
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Featuring a haunting score, arresting visuals, and the most graphic depiction of Dracula’s story ever seen onscreen, Fisher’s bold decision to place an emphasis on shock value while introducing a more sexualized take on the Count paid off. Paying respectful homage to Stoker’s novel while introducing a compelling new story and take on the character, Dracula received rave reviews and remains a must-see horror film for any fan of the vampire genre.
2 Byzantium (2012)
Directed By Neil Jordan
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6/10 Byzantium RHorror
Byzantium is a 2013 gothic horror film directed by Neil Jordan. It stars Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton as a mother-daughter duo of vampires who seek refuge in a run-down coastal resort. As they establish their sanctuary, their dark past and centuries-old secrets threaten to unravel their precarious existence. The film combines elements of horror and drama, exploring themes of immortality and survival.
Director Neil Jordan Release Date June 28, 2013 Cast Gemma Arterton , Saoirse Ronan , Jonny Lee Miller Runtime 118 Minutes Writers Moira Buffini
A compelling new take on the vampire genre that features a heavy gothic influence, 2012’s Byzantium is one of the more underrated horror offerings out there. Spearheaded by Interview with a Vampire director Neil Jordan and starring Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan in the leading roles, the contemporary gothic horror is set during the present day and follows a vampiric mother and daughter duo.
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Making liberal use of Jordan’s trademark array of gothic bells and whistles against the backdrop of a compelling premise, Byzantium isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but remains a stylish and nuanced modern horror outing. The director’s attempts to blend vampiric folklore with relevant social commentary don’t always land with the emotional thud that he’s clearly looking for, but audiences searching for a high-quality contemporary vampire film could do far worse.
1 Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
Directed By F.W. Murnau
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9.5/10 Nosferatu NRHorror
Nosferatu is a 1922 German silent horror film directed by F.W. Murnau, loosely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The film tells the story of Count Orlok, a vampire who moves from his castle in the Carpathian Mountains to a German town to spread terror and death.
Director F. W. Murnau Release Date February 16, 1922 Cast Max Schreck , Gustav von Wangenheim , Greta Schröder , Georg H. Schnell , Ruth Landshoff Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Horror Studio(s) Prana-Film GmbH , Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal Writers Henrik Galeen Expand
No pre-Nosferatu viewing would be complete without the very movie that inspired it. An unauthorized and unofficial retelling of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, 1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror changes various character names and minor details from the seminal horror story but retains the bones of Stoker’s tale.
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Related Nosferatu Remake Director Robert Eggers Described His Vampire As A “Smelly Corpse” & Now He’s Releasing A Perfume Collab That Smells Like “An Encounter With An Apparition In The Cold, Damp Caves Of Count Orlok’s Castle”
After Robert Eggers shared some choice words regarding Count Orlok in Nosferatu, a perfume collab is set to bring the world of the movie to life.
Widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece and a blueprint for the modern horror film, the silent movie features some of the most iconic shots in horror history and an eerie performance for the ages by Max Shreck as Dracula’s counterpart, Count Orlok. The film holds up remarkably well considering that it is more than 100 years old, although contemporary viewers may find Nosferatu’s pacing a little problematic across eighty-nine black and white minutes. One of the best gothic horror movies of all time, Nosferatu is absolute must-see gothic vampire viewing before watching Eggers’ adaptation.
Nosferatu HorrorFantasyMystery
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
Director Robert Eggers Release Date December 25, 2024 Cast Bill Skarsgard , Lily-Rose Depp , Nicholas Hoult , Willem Dafoe , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Emma Corrin , Simon McBurney , Ralph Ineson , Paul Maynard , Stacy Thunes Runtime 132 Minutes Studio(s) Regency Enterprises , 1492 Pictures Distributor(s) Focus Features , Universal Pictures Writers Robert Eggers Main Genre Horror Expand
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