[recs] Vampire Fiction
A couple of weeks ago, tuut_harold asked me for recommendations of vampire films. It was quite fun (vampires are kinda one of my things). So because of that, I decided to share some recommendations with you guys. Obviously, I've not seen everything, so I welcome recommendations myself.
Only now, I'm expanding to include TV shows and books too:
Nosferatu
Pretty much my favourite bit of all vampire fiction, but then, I am big into German Expressionism. Also, Count Orlock is the only vampire that still terrifies me, no matter how many times I watch.
Near Dark
After Nosferatu, this is my favourite. It blends vampires with the Western genre, and is directed by Kathryn Bigelow, one of my all-time favourites.
Let The Right One In
Brilliant. I haven't watched the American remake, Let Me In, so I can't really recommend it. If you are going to watch Let Me In, though, I'd say watch Let The Right One In first.
Fright Night
Again, I'm talking about the original, not the remake. I've not seen the remake. I know it has David Tennant in it as Peter Vincent, but that pissed me off because the whole POINT of Peter Vincent is he's supposed to be older, named as he is after Hammer stars Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. But it might still be good, I won't judge until I've seen it. But the 80s Fright Night, starring Chris Sarandon, is brilliant, funny, and was reworked into this hilarious musical.
Night Watch and Day Watch
Two Russian films, which is about the war between The Others (basically, vampires) who either ally themselves with Light or Dark. To quote Wikipedia: "Geser, the lord of Light, realizes that the two forces are evenly matched and will annihilate each other. In parley with Zavulon, the general of Dark, the two agree to a truce in which the Light will form a Night Watch and the Dark a Day Watch to maintain the balance before the coming of the Great One who will choose either Light or Dark, and thereby bring one to prominence." That's not spoilers, that's the set up in the prologue. So Night Watch is about the Light Others who form the Night Watch, and Day Watch vice versa. There's a third, Twilight Watch, which hasn't entered production. Unfortunately, I haven't read Sergei Lukyanenko's trilogy of books on which the films are based.
John Carpenter's Vampires
It's very good, very gory, but I'm mostly recommending this so I can recommend the sequel...
John Carpenter's Vampires: Los Muertos
Vampires: Los Muertos is RIDICULOUS. It stars Jon Bon Jovi as a vampire hunter called Derek Bliss (DEREK BLISS) and there's a scene where a guy gets turned into a vampire by getting bit on the dick during a blow job. Amazing.
Vampire Kiss
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Martin
From George A Romero, of Night of the Living Dead fame (which, while a zombie film, was inspired by vampire novel I Am Legend, which I'll get on to. But then, the original definition of a vampire is what we now think of as a zombie, so technically NOTLD counts too.) It's about a dude (called Martin) who may or may not be a vampire, but I'm not saying anymore because spoilers. Notably, it's Romero's favourite film that he ever made.
Dracula
The definitive Dracula, aka the one with Bela Lugosi. This film is responsible for ALL of the Dracula cliches. The Dracula in the book is closer to Count Orlock in Nosferatu (which is, of course, an adaptation of Dracula using different names.)
Horror of Dracula
Basically, Dracula, but the Hammer one starring Christopher Lee. (It's known as Horror of Dracula to distinguish between them.) Also, all of the Christopher Lee sequels.
Dracula's Daughter
SUBTEXTUAL LESBIAN VAMPIRES
The Vampire Lovers
TEXTUAL LESBIAN VAMPIRES
Daughters of Darkness
MORE LESBIAN VAMPIRES
The Hunger
A film in which bisexual vampire Catherine Deneuve's two lovers are the human Susan Sarandon and the vampire DAVID BOWIE!
The Lost Boys
Homoerotic 80s teen vampires, led by Kiefer Sutherland. Though not as homoerotic as...
Interview With the Vampire
OH MY GOD. (I cannot recommend Queen of the Damned. That was shit.)
From Dusk Till Dawn
Vampires, Tarantino-style. Amazing.
Blacula
A blaxploitation film about a black Dracula. That's pretty much all you need to know.
Blade and Blade 2
I'd avoid Blade Trinity though, if I were you.
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Basically, because Gary Oldman's in it. And also, because Keanu Reeves is hilarious as Jonathan.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Honestly, one of the funniest spoof films I have ever seen.
30 Days of Night
If you like your vampires gory, this is for you.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Because LOL.
Byzantium
Okay, I've not seen this yet, because it's new, but it looks interesting.
I Am Legend
This is a weird one. It's a decent enough film if you've not read the book, but the ending (and thus the whole point of the story) is completely changed. It is available with "the controversial alternate ending", which is the ending of the book, and is much better. But as it stands, it's an awful adaptation of an incredible book. So why recommend it? Well, partly because of the "alternate ending", and partly because, despite the many flaws, Will Smith's performance is fantastic. I'll get onto the book later.
The Last Man on Earth and The Omega Man
These are also adaptations of I Am Legend, with varying success. The Last Man on Earth stars Vincent Price, and while it wasn't a success upon release, and Richard Matheson (I Am Legend's author) was not satisfied with it, it is now considered a classic. The Omega Man came about a decade later, starring Charlton Heston. It was less successful, but is notable for featuring one of the first ever interracial kisses on film. Interestingly, The Last Man on Earth is the only one of the three adaptions that sticks to the term vampire (as in the book). As Matheson's vampires are not your "typical" vampire, the other adaptations give them different names, or change their nature in some way.
Nadja
Again, lesbian vampires. But only watch if you're really into arthouse cinema.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I recommend that everyone watch the film of Buffy, so you too can get angry about how much they fucked up Joss Whedon's script, and enjoy how much better the TV show is. Though to be honest, it is pretty funny, but for the wrong reasons.
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Again, I've not seen this one, but there was no way I wasn't recommending it.
The Underworld Films
Hardly perfect, but an okay bit of escapism.
The Twilight Saga
It is HILARIOUS. I'd recommend watching it with the cast commentaries. They just mock the whole thing.
Lesbian Vampire Killers
This is AWFUL, but I have a bit of a crush on Paul McGann.
Cronos
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, which should tell you something. It's a very strange film.
Thirst
This is a South Korean film based on a French book from the 1800s, whose name sadly escapes me. It has one of the most exquisite endings I have ever seen.
Daybreakers
To quote an article on the BFI: "This Australian-American ‘post-Ozploitation’ vampire film imagines a near future when vampires are plentiful and humans are scarce and there is barely enough blood to go around. It’s a slick, sometimes clunky film, but totally engaging."
The Vampire
The first ever vampire film, from 1913.
Being Human (UK)
One of my all-time favourite TV shows, for writing, acting, characters, direction, all sorts. The basic premise is thus: a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost share a house. And yet, it's so much more than that. While I eventually grew to love the second trio most of all, watching from the beginning is a must, because the first trio were wonderful and set the tone for the whole series. The vampires do dominate most of the action, but, as the title suggests, it's really a story about humanity. This show is the reason I want Damien Molony as the next Doctor, and Toby Whithouse to take over as Who showrunner. (I've not watched the US remake, but I don't really want to.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Duh.
Angel
Again, duh.
True Blood
I'll be honest, I've not actually watched much True Blood, but I feel it should be in here.
Supernatural
Well, for the few vampire episodes, which I very much like.
Dark Shadows
As in the 60s supernatural soap opera, not the godawful Johnny Depp film which you SHOULD NOT WATCH.
Dracula
The miniseries, starring Marc Warren. It wasn't by any means perfect, but an interesting take nonetheless.
The Vampire Diaries
Again, I don't watch this, but feel it should be in here for some reason.
Hemlock Grove
This is a Netflix original, with a variety of supernatural elements.
Dante's Cove and The Lair
Because it's essentially terribly acted gay vampire porn, but ridiculously entertaining because of it.
Ultraviolet
Only 6 episodes long, but it is a philosophical vampire cop show and IDRIS ELBA IS IN IT.
Moonlight
Follows the Angel model of Vampire Detective Agency. It gets good when the focus is less on the mystery of the week and more on the characters. Sadly cancelled.
Forever Knight
Another vampire detective, this time in Canada! Production values are low, but it had some pretty good writing.
The Gates
The only thing you really need to know about The Gates is that Colton Haynes of Teen Wolf and Arrow was in it.
Sesame Street
COUNT VON COUNT BITCHES.
Kindred: The Embraced
Sadly cancelled just as it was starting to get good.
Dracula, Bram Stoker
DUH.
I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
Back to this again. It is not only one of the greatest vampire stories I have ever read, but one of the best books I've ever read, period. Matheson's influence on sci-fi and horror is indisputible, and this is his masterpiece. Beautifully written, heartbreaking, and every word is enthralling. You'll see, after reading this, why every film adaptation is problematic. I'm not sure, even in the most faithful adaptation, that film could ever completely successfully recreate this story. If you only read one book on this list, let it be I Am Legend.
Let The Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist
One of those occasions where the film is better than the book, which speaks VERY highly of the film because the book is great! It has the added bonus of the creepy but enthralling Håkan sub-plot, which was mostly cut from the film. I don't really want to spoil anything about it though, book or film.
Lost Souls, Poppy Z Brite
Poppy Z Brite's debut novel, and my favourite of her three works. It interconnects the lives of a lonely teen boy called Nothing, a travelling group of vampires, and the band Lost Souls (comprising of an angry drunk and the possibly supernatural Ghost) all in New Orleans. And it's HELLA GAY. Although her second novel, Drawing Blood isn't a vampire novel, nor is it anywhere near as good, it is set in the same universe.
The Vampyre, John William Polidori
Strongly considered to be the first ever piece of vampire literature (although by no means the first vampire story. The myths date back centuries.)
Alex Reads Twilight
Of course I'm not going to encourage you to read Twilight. But I will encourage you to watch Alex Day read Twilight.
Midwinterblood, Marcus Sedgwick
Only released this year, and in strong contention for my favourite book of the year. Only one section of the book concerns vampires, but it is an incredible story of the connection between two people across seven lifetimes.
The Zillionaire Vampire Cowboy's Secret Werewolf Babies, by the Nine Naught Novelists
Written by my chum Kate Davies, amongst others, a spot-on parody of cheesy supernatural romance novels.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, JR Ward
I gave up on these, but if "dark fantasy romance" is your thing, this is probably right for you.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
In a very roundabout way, this could be considered a sort of vampire story.
Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice
I have not read any of the other Vampire Chronicles, only this one, and I recommend it for being just as ridiculous as the film (though sadly without Tom Cruise's brilliantly unhinged performance) and for being even more overt with the homoeroticism.
Fevre Dream, George RR Martin
Basically, if A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones is your thing, you're going to love a vampire novel by it's author, aren't you?
Salem's Lot, Stephen King
I have not seen the film adaptation, nor am I the biggest fan of Stephen King's writing (for every book I love, there's probably two I don't), but Salem's Lot is up there with Misery and The Shining as a favourite.
Anno Dracula, Kim Newman
Kim Newman is the guy who reviews all the bargain basement, trashy horror films for Empire magazine. Of COURSE this is brilliant. It's part of a series, but I've not read later novels. This particular book is set in a world where Dracula wasn't defeated, he marries Queen Victoria, and Jack the Ripper is a vampire hunter. INCREDIBLE.
Celluloid Vampires, Dr Stacey Abbott
I'm plugging my old university lecturer here. She was my favourite, with a doctorate in cult studies, and taught my Cinematic Vampire module. This is just one of many books of essays. Others include Reading Angel: The TV Spinoff With A Soul, The Cult TV Book, and TV Goes To Hell.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith
There's not much to this beyond the novelty, but that may be enough for you.
The Last Vampire Series, Christopher Pike
I DEVOURED these books when I was 13. Now, they're cheesy 80s/90s teen lit and a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I loved them so much.
I've missed out some pretty big titles in the books, like The Vampire Diaries or the Sookie Stackhouse novels, but since I don't care much for the TV shows, I haven't even thought to try the books.
Only now, I'm expanding to include TV shows and books too:
Nosferatu
Pretty much my favourite bit of all vampire fiction, but then, I am big into German Expressionism. Also, Count Orlock is the only vampire that still terrifies me, no matter how many times I watch.
Near Dark
After Nosferatu, this is my favourite. It blends vampires with the Western genre, and is directed by Kathryn Bigelow, one of my all-time favourites.
Let The Right One In
Brilliant. I haven't watched the American remake, Let Me In, so I can't really recommend it. If you are going to watch Let Me In, though, I'd say watch Let The Right One In first.
Fright Night
Again, I'm talking about the original, not the remake. I've not seen the remake. I know it has David Tennant in it as Peter Vincent, but that pissed me off because the whole POINT of Peter Vincent is he's supposed to be older, named as he is after Hammer stars Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. But it might still be good, I won't judge until I've seen it. But the 80s Fright Night, starring Chris Sarandon, is brilliant, funny, and was reworked into this hilarious musical.
Night Watch and Day Watch
Two Russian films, which is about the war between The Others (basically, vampires) who either ally themselves with Light or Dark. To quote Wikipedia: "Geser, the lord of Light, realizes that the two forces are evenly matched and will annihilate each other. In parley with Zavulon, the general of Dark, the two agree to a truce in which the Light will form a Night Watch and the Dark a Day Watch to maintain the balance before the coming of the Great One who will choose either Light or Dark, and thereby bring one to prominence." That's not spoilers, that's the set up in the prologue. So Night Watch is about the Light Others who form the Night Watch, and Day Watch vice versa. There's a third, Twilight Watch, which hasn't entered production. Unfortunately, I haven't read Sergei Lukyanenko's trilogy of books on which the films are based.
John Carpenter's Vampires
It's very good, very gory, but I'm mostly recommending this so I can recommend the sequel...
John Carpenter's Vampires: Los Muertos
Vampires: Los Muertos is RIDICULOUS. It stars Jon Bon Jovi as a vampire hunter called Derek Bliss (DEREK BLISS) and there's a scene where a guy gets turned into a vampire by getting bit on the dick during a blow job. Amazing.
Vampire Kiss
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Martin
From George A Romero, of Night of the Living Dead fame (which, while a zombie film, was inspired by vampire novel I Am Legend, which I'll get on to. But then, the original definition of a vampire is what we now think of as a zombie, so technically NOTLD counts too.) It's about a dude (called Martin) who may or may not be a vampire, but I'm not saying anymore because spoilers. Notably, it's Romero's favourite film that he ever made.
Dracula
The definitive Dracula, aka the one with Bela Lugosi. This film is responsible for ALL of the Dracula cliches. The Dracula in the book is closer to Count Orlock in Nosferatu (which is, of course, an adaptation of Dracula using different names.)
Horror of Dracula
Basically, Dracula, but the Hammer one starring Christopher Lee. (It's known as Horror of Dracula to distinguish between them.) Also, all of the Christopher Lee sequels.
Dracula's Daughter
SUBTEXTUAL LESBIAN VAMPIRES
The Vampire Lovers
TEXTUAL LESBIAN VAMPIRES
Daughters of Darkness
MORE LESBIAN VAMPIRES
The Hunger
A film in which bisexual vampire Catherine Deneuve's two lovers are the human Susan Sarandon and the vampire DAVID BOWIE!
The Lost Boys
Homoerotic 80s teen vampires, led by Kiefer Sutherland. Though not as homoerotic as...
Interview With the Vampire
OH MY GOD. (I cannot recommend Queen of the Damned. That was shit.)
From Dusk Till Dawn
Vampires, Tarantino-style. Amazing.
Blacula
A blaxploitation film about a black Dracula. That's pretty much all you need to know.
Blade and Blade 2
I'd avoid Blade Trinity though, if I were you.
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Basically, because Gary Oldman's in it. And also, because Keanu Reeves is hilarious as Jonathan.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Honestly, one of the funniest spoof films I have ever seen.
30 Days of Night
If you like your vampires gory, this is for you.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Because LOL.
Byzantium
Okay, I've not seen this yet, because it's new, but it looks interesting.
I Am Legend
This is a weird one. It's a decent enough film if you've not read the book, but the ending (and thus the whole point of the story) is completely changed. It is available with "the controversial alternate ending", which is the ending of the book, and is much better. But as it stands, it's an awful adaptation of an incredible book. So why recommend it? Well, partly because of the "alternate ending", and partly because, despite the many flaws, Will Smith's performance is fantastic. I'll get onto the book later.
The Last Man on Earth and The Omega Man
These are also adaptations of I Am Legend, with varying success. The Last Man on Earth stars Vincent Price, and while it wasn't a success upon release, and Richard Matheson (I Am Legend's author) was not satisfied with it, it is now considered a classic. The Omega Man came about a decade later, starring Charlton Heston. It was less successful, but is notable for featuring one of the first ever interracial kisses on film. Interestingly, The Last Man on Earth is the only one of the three adaptions that sticks to the term vampire (as in the book). As Matheson's vampires are not your "typical" vampire, the other adaptations give them different names, or change their nature in some way.
Nadja
Again, lesbian vampires. But only watch if you're really into arthouse cinema.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I recommend that everyone watch the film of Buffy, so you too can get angry about how much they fucked up Joss Whedon's script, and enjoy how much better the TV show is. Though to be honest, it is pretty funny, but for the wrong reasons.
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Again, I've not seen this one, but there was no way I wasn't recommending it.
The Underworld Films
Hardly perfect, but an okay bit of escapism.
The Twilight Saga
It is HILARIOUS. I'd recommend watching it with the cast commentaries. They just mock the whole thing.
Lesbian Vampire Killers
This is AWFUL, but I have a bit of a crush on Paul McGann.
Cronos
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, which should tell you something. It's a very strange film.
Thirst
This is a South Korean film based on a French book from the 1800s, whose name sadly escapes me. It has one of the most exquisite endings I have ever seen.
Daybreakers
To quote an article on the BFI: "This Australian-American ‘post-Ozploitation’ vampire film imagines a near future when vampires are plentiful and humans are scarce and there is barely enough blood to go around. It’s a slick, sometimes clunky film, but totally engaging."
The Vampire
The first ever vampire film, from 1913.
Being Human (UK)
One of my all-time favourite TV shows, for writing, acting, characters, direction, all sorts. The basic premise is thus: a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost share a house. And yet, it's so much more than that. While I eventually grew to love the second trio most of all, watching from the beginning is a must, because the first trio were wonderful and set the tone for the whole series. The vampires do dominate most of the action, but, as the title suggests, it's really a story about humanity. This show is the reason I want Damien Molony as the next Doctor, and Toby Whithouse to take over as Who showrunner. (I've not watched the US remake, but I don't really want to.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Duh.
Angel
Again, duh.
True Blood
I'll be honest, I've not actually watched much True Blood, but I feel it should be in here.
Supernatural
Well, for the few vampire episodes, which I very much like.
Dark Shadows
As in the 60s supernatural soap opera, not the godawful Johnny Depp film which you SHOULD NOT WATCH.
Dracula
The miniseries, starring Marc Warren. It wasn't by any means perfect, but an interesting take nonetheless.
The Vampire Diaries
Again, I don't watch this, but feel it should be in here for some reason.
Hemlock Grove
This is a Netflix original, with a variety of supernatural elements.
Dante's Cove and The Lair
Because it's essentially terribly acted gay vampire porn, but ridiculously entertaining because of it.
Ultraviolet
Only 6 episodes long, but it is a philosophical vampire cop show and IDRIS ELBA IS IN IT.
Moonlight
Follows the Angel model of Vampire Detective Agency. It gets good when the focus is less on the mystery of the week and more on the characters. Sadly cancelled.
Forever Knight
Another vampire detective, this time in Canada! Production values are low, but it had some pretty good writing.
The Gates
The only thing you really need to know about The Gates is that Colton Haynes of Teen Wolf and Arrow was in it.
Sesame Street
COUNT VON COUNT BITCHES.
Kindred: The Embraced
Sadly cancelled just as it was starting to get good.
Dracula, Bram Stoker
DUH.
I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
Back to this again. It is not only one of the greatest vampire stories I have ever read, but one of the best books I've ever read, period. Matheson's influence on sci-fi and horror is indisputible, and this is his masterpiece. Beautifully written, heartbreaking, and every word is enthralling. You'll see, after reading this, why every film adaptation is problematic. I'm not sure, even in the most faithful adaptation, that film could ever completely successfully recreate this story. If you only read one book on this list, let it be I Am Legend.
Let The Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist
One of those occasions where the film is better than the book, which speaks VERY highly of the film because the book is great! It has the added bonus of the creepy but enthralling Håkan sub-plot, which was mostly cut from the film. I don't really want to spoil anything about it though, book or film.
Lost Souls, Poppy Z Brite
Poppy Z Brite's debut novel, and my favourite of her three works. It interconnects the lives of a lonely teen boy called Nothing, a travelling group of vampires, and the band Lost Souls (comprising of an angry drunk and the possibly supernatural Ghost) all in New Orleans. And it's HELLA GAY. Although her second novel, Drawing Blood isn't a vampire novel, nor is it anywhere near as good, it is set in the same universe.
The Vampyre, John William Polidori
Strongly considered to be the first ever piece of vampire literature (although by no means the first vampire story. The myths date back centuries.)
Alex Reads Twilight
Of course I'm not going to encourage you to read Twilight. But I will encourage you to watch Alex Day read Twilight.
Midwinterblood, Marcus Sedgwick
Only released this year, and in strong contention for my favourite book of the year. Only one section of the book concerns vampires, but it is an incredible story of the connection between two people across seven lifetimes.
The Zillionaire Vampire Cowboy's Secret Werewolf Babies, by the Nine Naught Novelists
Written by my chum Kate Davies, amongst others, a spot-on parody of cheesy supernatural romance novels.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, JR Ward
I gave up on these, but if "dark fantasy romance" is your thing, this is probably right for you.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
In a very roundabout way, this could be considered a sort of vampire story.
Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice
I have not read any of the other Vampire Chronicles, only this one, and I recommend it for being just as ridiculous as the film (though sadly without Tom Cruise's brilliantly unhinged performance) and for being even more overt with the homoeroticism.
Fevre Dream, George RR Martin
Basically, if A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones is your thing, you're going to love a vampire novel by it's author, aren't you?
Salem's Lot, Stephen King
I have not seen the film adaptation, nor am I the biggest fan of Stephen King's writing (for every book I love, there's probably two I don't), but Salem's Lot is up there with Misery and The Shining as a favourite.
Anno Dracula, Kim Newman
Kim Newman is the guy who reviews all the bargain basement, trashy horror films for Empire magazine. Of COURSE this is brilliant. It's part of a series, but I've not read later novels. This particular book is set in a world where Dracula wasn't defeated, he marries Queen Victoria, and Jack the Ripper is a vampire hunter. INCREDIBLE.
Celluloid Vampires, Dr Stacey Abbott
I'm plugging my old university lecturer here. She was my favourite, with a doctorate in cult studies, and taught my Cinematic Vampire module. This is just one of many books of essays. Others include Reading Angel: The TV Spinoff With A Soul, The Cult TV Book, and TV Goes To Hell.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith
There's not much to this beyond the novelty, but that may be enough for you.
The Last Vampire Series, Christopher Pike
I DEVOURED these books when I was 13. Now, they're cheesy 80s/90s teen lit and a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I loved them so much.
I've missed out some pretty big titles in the books, like The Vampire Diaries or the Sookie Stackhouse novels, but since I don't care much for the TV shows, I haven't even thought to try the books.