Sink your teeth into these top 7 Dracula films you can stream today
Sink your teeth into these top 7 Dracula films you can stream today
These legendary Dracula movies prove the vampire legend never gets old.
I saw Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” over the weekend. Now, as you may know, this isn’t usually my kind of movie. I’m not a hardcore horror fan and I was a little nervous about seeing the film after watching the trailer. But I read Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” about ten years ago and remember loving it. And I had heard good things about this remake, so I rolled the dice and saw the movie. My honest opinion? It’s freaking awesome. The cinematography is brilliant, the character work is impressive, and Bill Skarsgård does an incredible job as Count Orlok (renamed from Count Dracula) – specifically his voice work. I have never heard anything quite like it. So, high off that intense but highly satisfying film, here are my top 7 favorite Dracula movies you can stream right now.
Top 7 Dracula movies you can stream right now
No. 7: ‘Dracula Untold’ (2014) | Netflix
Coming in at No. 7 on the list of top Dracula movies is the 2014 origin story film, “Dracula Untold.” The movie mixes historical fiction with supernatural elements, telling the story of Vlad the Impaler, a Transylvanian prince played by Luke Evans. To defend his kingdom from an invading Ottoman army, Vlad turns to dark magic, striking a deal with an ancient vampire that grants him superhuman strength and immortality - though it comes at the cost of his soul.
The character is loosely inspired by the real-life Vlad III and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but the film takes a lot of creative liberties. Instead of portraying Dracula as a straight-up villain, it reimagines him as a tragic hero, driven by love and the need to protect his people. This shift turns the story into more of a dark fantasy epic than a traditional gothic horror. I give the movie credit, though, for trying something different, even if it doesn’t always land its bite.
Dracula Untold
Vlad Tepes is a great hero, but when he learns the Sultan is preparing for battle and needs to form an army of 1,000 boys, he vows to find a way to protect his family. Vlad turns to dark forces in order to get the power to destroy his enemies and agrees to go from hero to monster as he’s turned into the mythological vampire, Dracula.
No. 6: ‘The Horror of Dracula’ (1958) | Rent with Prime Video
Coming in at No. 6 is “Horror of Dracula,” (aka “Dracula”) a film that brought new life to the vampire genre with Christopher Lee’s intense, commanding take on Count Dracula. His version was more aggressive and terrifying than earlier imaginings, swapping quiet menace for bloodshot eyes, sharp fangs, and a powerful physical presence. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film takes creative liberties with Bram Stoker’s novel, skipping Dracula’s journey to England and focusing on Van Helsing, played by Peter Cushing, as he races to stop the Count’s deadly spread. With rich, colorful visuals, dramatic gothic sets, and shocking violence for its time, the movie modernized vampire horror, making it faster-paced and more thrilling. Lee’s unforgettable performance paired with Cushing’s determined hero turned “Horror of Dracula” into a genre-defining classic that continues to draw blood from horror fans today.
Dracula
After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle, the vampire travels to a nearby city, where he preys on the family of Harker’s fiancée. The only one who may be able to protect them is Dr. van Helsing, Harker’s friend and fellow-student of vampires, who is determined to destroy Dracula, whatever the cost.
No. 5: ‘Dracula: Dead and Loving It’ (1995) | Prime Video
This is one movie I watched a lot as a kid, and it still holds up today (slapstick humor and physical gags usually do). “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” is a comedy take on the Dracula legend, directed by renowned comedy director Mel Brooks, who also plays Dr. Van Helsing. Leslie Nielsen stars as Count Dracula, putting a hilarious twist on the classic vampire with his signature deadpan humor.
The plot loosely follows Bram Stoker’s original story, with Dracula arriving in England to charm his way through high society while secretly turning his victims into vampires. But the focus here is all about slapstick comedy, visual gags, and poking fun at the vampire genre. Brooks exaggerates the gothic tropes while keeping the scares completely lighthearted. It may not drive a stake through its jokes every time, but it’s a fun parody with plenty of laughs for fans of classic monster movies and Mel Brooks’ over-the-top style.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
When a lawyer shows up at the vampire’s doorstep, he falls prey to his charms and joins him in his search for fresh blood. Enter Professor Van Helsing, who may be the only one able to vanquish the Count.
No. 4: ‘Dracula’ (1931) | Rent with Prime Video
Coming in at No. 4 is arguably the most influential portrayal of Dracula, setting the standard for how the character would be depicted in pop culture for decades: “Dracula.” In this 1931 black and white film, Bela Lugosi plays Count Dracula with a hypnotic, mysterious charm, making his version of the vampire both elegant and unsettling. The story, based on Bram Stoker’s novel, follows Dracula as he moves from Transylvania to England, preying on victims while being followed by Professor Van Helsing. The film sticks fairly close to the gothic horror roots of the novel, with eerie sets, shadowy lighting, and a slow, atmospheric build to the suspense. While it feels a bit dated by today’s standards, Lugosi’s performance and the film’s moody visuals make it a must-see for classic horror fans. It’s the film that sank its fangs into the Dracula legend and never let go.
Dracula
British estate agent Renfield travels to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a castle in London. After Dracula enslaves Renfield and drives him to insanity, the pair sail to London together and Dracula, a secret vampire, begins preying on London socialites.
No. 3: ‘Nosferatu’ (1922) | Prime Video
Coming in at No. 3 is the 1922 silent horror classic that introduced one of the most unsettling versions of Dracula ever put on screen: “Nosferatu.” Max Schreck plays Count Orlok, a gaunt, rat-like vampire who spreads death and disease wherever he goes. The film, directed by F.W. Murnau, was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel, leading to a few key changes in the story. Count Dracula was renamed Count Orlok, Jonathan Harker became Thomas Hutter, and the setting shifted from London to Germany. The film also added the concept of the vampire being destroyed by sunlight - an idea that didn’t exist in Stoker’s novel but became a lasting part of vampire lore.
Despite the changes, “Nosferatu” stays true to the eerie feel of the novel, using haunting visuals and stark shadows to create an atmosphere of dread. Its Expressionist style, with twisted architecture and exaggerated lighting, helped define the look of early horror cinema. Schreck’s disturbing performance, with his claw-like hands, bald head, and animalistic movements, makes Orlok feel less like a man and more like a walking nightmare. Even without sound, the film’s chilling imagery and minimalistic storytelling make it a landmark in both horror and silent film history. It’s the movie that cast a long shadow over the vampire genre for generations.
Nosferatu
The mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock, prepares for his master to arrive at his new home.
No. 2: ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ (1992) | Rent on Prime Video
At No. 2 is director Francis Ford Coppola’s take on Bram Stoker’s novel. “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is a visually striking and gothic retelling of the classic vampire story with Gary Oldman playing The Prince of Darkness. This version adds a sweeping, tragic love story to the horror elements, giving the Count emotional depth rather than portraying him solely as a monster.
Coppola’s direction leans into the dramatic, with lavish costumes, bold colors, and practical effects inspired by early cinema techniques, giving the movie a dreamlike quality. The visuals, combined with Oldman’s haunting performance and a cast that includes Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Keanu Reeves, create a gothic horror epic that feels lavish in scope. While it expands on the romantic themes not present in Stoker’s novel, it still captures the novel’s eerie atmosphere and Victorian dread. It’s a bold take on the Dracula legend that bleeds style while staying rooted in classic horror tradition.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
In 19th century England, Count Dracula travels to London and meets Mina Harker, a young woman who appears as the reincarnation of his lost love.
No. 1: ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre’ (1979) |Peacock
At the top of the list is “Nosferatu the Vampyre” - Werner Herzog’s haunting reimagining of the silent classic, blending horror with poetic beauty. Klaus Kinski stars as Count Dracula (renamed from Orlok in the original “Nosferatu”), playing the vampire as a tragic, decaying figure rather than a purely evil monster. His pale, gaunt appearance - bald head, claw-like hands, and hollow eyes - feels both terrifying and pitiful, emphasizing Dracula’s loneliness and curse rather than just his hunger for blood.
This version keeps much of the visual influence from F.W. Murnau’s 1922 “Nosferatu” but adds dialogue and a bit more emotional depth. Herzog uses slow pacing, haunting music, and natural lighting to create a sense of creeping doom rather than relying on jump scares or gore. The result is a gothic masterpiece that explores Dracula’s emotional torment just as much as his monstrous nature. For its ambition, atmosphere, and Kinski’s unforgettable performance, “Nosferatu the Vampyre” stands as the most powerful and unforgettable Dracula adaptation ever made - sinking its fangs deeper than any other.
Nosferatu the Vampyre
A real estate agent leaves behind his beautiful wife to go to Transylvania to visit the mysterious Count Dracula and formalize the purchase of a property in Wismar.