Why are vampire movies still popular in the 2020s? Many factors have contributed to the never-ending appeal of “blood suckers,” but the main one is that there are so many ways the story could go. You could have a vampire who is just a caring mother eager to get treatment for her son, as is the case in Blood Red Sky, or a vampire who happens to be a former member of Al Capone’s Chicago Outfit, as in Sinners. There are also the traditional kinds of vampires who want nothing but chaos.
Each vampire film has something unique about it, and, for us humans, it’s always great to find a streaming service that has several items on the menu (not just blood). Thankfully, Prime has such variety. The Amazon-owned platform has several great films about immortal creatures who aren’t fond of sunlight, and if you are looking for only the best ones, here are the 13 best vampire movies you can stream right now on Prime.
‘Nadja’ (1994)
It’s easy to tell that Nadja (Elina Lowensohn) is different as soon as you see her seductively sashaying on the screen. She is Dracula’s vengeful daughter, looking to kill Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Fonda) for slaying her father. Her major plan involves seducing the vampire hunter’s daughter, Lucy (Galaxy Craze), but things are about to take an interesting twist in Nadja.
Revenge for Daddy
Michael Almereyda’s chilling, expressionistically photographed vampire thriller has a lot to make you recommend it, including exquisite sets, crisp dialogue, fluid, inventive camerawork, and an arthouse effervescence — not to mention a fun lesbian plot. But the film’s heart and soul truly belong to the undersung Elina Lowensohn, a talented beauty whose form, voice, and radiant face will leave you awed. You’ll be glad to know that David Lynch financed the entire movie and even has a cameo as a morgue attendant. Undoubtedly a must-see ‘90s vampire flick.
‘Black Sunday’ (1960)
Black Sunday begins with the vampiric witch, Asa Vajda (Barbara Steele), getting executed in 17th-century Moldavia. She vows revenge, and, as promised, she resurrects two centuries later. Vajda then starts causing chaos, resulting in panic and frantic attempts to stop her.
A Woman on a Mission
Steele’s performance hits complex notes as Asa moves from shame victim to villain. Her character is dangerously fierce in a film that pays homage to the erotic dramas and violent thrillers of the time while maintaining a stylish aesthetic. Consequently, Black Sunday was banned for several years in Britain. But in Italy, it’s widely regarded as a pioneering work whose elements inspired many other genres, notably the giallo.
‘Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat’ (1989)
Film and TV icon David Carradine stars as the ancient and powerful Count Jozek Mardulak in the little-known ’80s gem Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat, which focuses on Jozek as he and his fellow vampires attempt to live in peace in the remote desert town of Purgatory away from humans. When the artificial blood factory that sustains them is damaged, Jozek brings in the designer of the plant to fix the problem, but the arrival of a descendant of the Van Helsing family complicates things.
Carradine & Campbell Face Off in ‘Sundown’
A wonderfully wacky blending of the Western and comedy horror genres, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat features Evil Dead legend Bruce Campbell’s Robert Van Helsing as a determined hunter who wants to eradicate Carradine’s Jozek and all the vampires in the isolated town. The campy and endlessly entertaining B-movie is as equally funny as it is ridiculous, and fans of the two leading men will enjoy seeing them hilariously collide on screen.
‘Nosferatu’ (2024)
Attempting to remake a cinematic masterpiece like Nosferatu is no easy feat, yet director Robert Eggers was more than up for the task when he helmed his spine-tingling reimagining of the groundbreaking horror classic. When newlywed real estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicolas Hulot) travels to the decrepit castle of the ghastly nobleman and vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), the terrifying visit sets off a chain of bloody events that affects his troubled bride Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp).
An Ambitious & Immersive Horror Reimagining
Thanks to tour de force performances by rising star Depp and phenomenal acting chameleon Skarsgård, Nosferatu became both a critical and commercial knockout that earned four Oscar nominations and raked in over $181 million. With its ominous atmosphere, breathtaking cinematography, and Eggers’ exceptional direction, the chilling remake was deemed “exciting, repulsive, and beautiful” by The Hollywood Reporter and is a must-see for horror aficionados.
‘Bit’ (2019)
Bit is about Laurel (Nicole Maines), a trans teen who moves to Los Angeles after high school. She soon mingles with radical feminist vampires who persuade her to join their clan, claiming they only feed on predatory men. Lauren agrees, but such a choice comes with serious consequences.
For a Good Cause
Charismatic, eager, and self-possessed, Nicole Maines — better known for playing the superheroine, Dreamer, in the Arrowverse — is at her mesmerizing and inspiring best in Bit. It helps that she is a trans activist in real life. But she isn’t the only strong pillar. The film impresses as a whole. Packaging lesbian, transgender, and feminist topics in the same container is a bold movie, but there is never a feeling that the plot is being weighed down.
‘The Monster Squad’ (1987)
Early in The Monster Squad, a few pre-teen friends (all horror fans) discover that Dracula (Duncan Regehr) has assembled an Avengers-type team-up consisting of the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Mummy, and the Gill-man to dominate the world. Understanding the implications of such a move, the youngsters use their monster knowledge to prevent it all from happening.
A Formidable Alliance
The Monster Squad is TriStar Pictures at its best. There are no jump scares. Just mischief. Leisurely and gracefully, director Fred Dekker’s sheer artistry emerges, especially in the gorgeously composed scenes in which Dracula lays out his mega plan. Duncan Regehr reportedly beat a then-C-list Liam Neeson for the role of Dracula, but in as much as fans would have loved that alternate casting, the man who got the part did his job well.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1992)
Before Sarah Michelle Gellar became synonymous with the butt-kicking blonde slayer, Kristy Swanson tried her hand at the now iconic role when she headlined the show’s 1992 predecessor, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The comedy follows the titular high school cheerleader as she is approached by the mysterious Merrick (Donald Sutherland) and discovers that her destiny is to defend the world from bloodthirsty vampires and the ancient and powerful Lothos (Rutger Hauer).
An Amusing Precursor to the Iconic TV Series
With her misfit trustee sidekick Oliver Pike (Beverly Hills, 90210 heartthrob Luke Perry) to help her and under the guidance of Merrick, Buffy sets out to prove she can do more than wave a pom pom and makes it her mission to take out Lothos and his loyal follower Amilyn (Paul Reubens). Though the film adaptation can’t hold a candle to the TV juggernaut series, the horror comedy is nonetheless a playful and nostalgic take on the Joss Whedon staple that is an amusing trip from beginning to end.
‘Vampire’s Kiss’ (1989)
The hilarious and downright bizarre black comedy Vampire’s Kiss features an absolutely unhinged performance by Nicolas Cage and tells the story of the straight-laced New Yorker Peter Loew as he comes to believe he is transforming into a vampire after he takes home the sexy and mysterious Rachel (Jennifer Beals), who bites him on the neck while being intimate. Chaos ensues as Peter starts to become delusional and exhibit highly erratic behavior as he becomes a “vampire.”
Cage Lets Loose in the Batty Black Comedy
Vampire’s Kiss is brimming with legendary Cage shenanigans like the quirky actor screaming the alphabet, eating actual cockroaches, and donning fake teeth and running around the city proclaiming “I’m a vampire!”, all of which made for an exceptionally batty performance that left moviegoers stunned. A box office dud when it was first released, Vampire’s Kiss has subsequently attracted a cult following and has inspired endless memes, while also becoming a quintessential Cage classic thanks to his surrealistic approach to acting.
‘Abigail’ (2024)
Abigail sees a motley crew of hired criminals making a big mistake. They kidnap Abigail (Alisha Weir), a young ballet dancer, unaware that she is a vampire. Their boss promises to pay them each a tidy sum from the $50 million he is hoping to receive as ransom. But it’s easy to tell that, under these circumstances, there will be no financial reward. Just painful bites.
Justice by Fangs
This horror comedy is a layered, suspenseful condemnation of crime. Here, we see one of the most powerful movie vampires, unharmed by folkloric items like crucifixes, garlic, and stakes. You’ll love how Abigail obliterates the criminals that have been tasked with watching over her. Even better, a mind-blowing twist is tucked into the film. Watch out for it.
‘Vampire Clan’ (2002)
Obsessed with vampire lore, members of a tightly-knit group of Florida teenagers convince themselves that they are actually ‘blood suckers’ and go as far as to drink each other’s blood. They fail to give up even when a few people try to reason with them, justifying their habits with a jumble of bizarre philosophical ideas. Soon, two parents end up dead. Have they resorted to murder? Vampire Clan has interesting answers.
In Too Deep
Loosely based on the horrific true crime tale of the 1996 “Vampire Killings” in Murray, Kentucky, this over-the-top yet understated character study by director John Webb boasts a unique filmmaking style, with excess dialogue, precise editing, and unrestrained performances from its cast, largely consisting of non-pros. The more these characters go deeper into their delusions, the more the lines between reality and fiction get blurred.
