7 Best 1980s Vampire Movies, Ranked

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As a longtime moviegoer, I’ve seen vampires on screen for over a century – they really started popping up in the 1910s and just never left! Keeping a creature of the night interesting for that long takes constant reinvention. Some eras definitely delivered more than others. For a good stretch, things were pretty classic – the Universal Monsters dominated the ’30s and ’40s, then the Hammer films with Christopher Lee took over in the late ’50s through the ’70s. But the ’80s? That’s when filmmakers really started to have fun with the formula, and we ended up with some truly iconic vampire movies that we still love today.

These vampire films—ranging from innovative mixes of genres to intensely dramatic stories—were the highlights of the decade. But which one stands out as the very best?

7) The Hunger

Despite a studio-imposed ending that weakens its otherwise strong finish, Tony Scott’s The Hunger remains a sleek and sensual vampire horror film. The story centers on Miriam Blaylock, a vampire who offers her lovers the promise of immortality – but only if they join her as companions.

She conveniently leaves out the fact that these beings don’t stay young forever. Her current partner, John (David Bowie), discovers this painfully as he begins to age rapidly, just like those who came before him. Desperate to reverse the process, he seeks out two doctors researching accelerated aging in monkeys. Dr. Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) is convinced by his story, but when she goes looking for him, she finds Miriam instead, who sees her as a potential new companion. However, Dr. Roberts might be Miriam’s last companion – assuming she even accepts the offer.

Stream The Hunger for free with ads on Tubi.

6) The Lair of the White Worm

While technically not about a vampire, The Lair of the White Worm (based on a story by Bram Stoker, author of Dracula) centers around a serpentine creature whose bite enslaves its victims. However, for all intents and purposes, she functions much like a vampire.

Ken Russell’s films are rarely mainstream, and The Lair of the White Worm is no exception. However, it remains a fascinating and captivating movie to watch. Plus, it stars a young Hugh Grant and Peter Capaldi, which adds to its appeal for fans of those actors.

Stream The Lair of the White Worm for free with ads on Tubi.

5) Lifeforce

Many of Cannon Group’s films weren’t known for their quality, often appearing cheap and cheesy, much like early Chuck Norris movies. However, Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce stood out. While still a bit silly, it benefited from strong visuals and a bold, ambitious scope.

While the movie sometimes tries to do too much, it generally succeeds as a story about a captivating, vampire-like creature in space. It’s definitely a unique take on the vampire genre, unlike anything you’ve probably seen before.

Stream Lifeforce for free with ads on Tubi.

4) The Monster Squad

The Monster Squad isn’t unique in featuring kids who are horror fans and actually encounter a monster. It seems that formula was a winning one for 1980s horror comedies.

Unlike many monster movies, The Monster Squad features a whole team of classic Universal Monsters – not just Dracula, but also the Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Gill-man. The film strikes a great balance with humor that kids and adults can both enjoy, making it a fun watch for everyone.

Stream The Monster Squad on Prime Video.

3) The Lost Boys

Joel Schumacher had a knack for making fun, blockbuster movies you could watch again and again, and The Lost Boys is arguably his best. It’s visually striking, features a great cast, and has a surprising twist at the end that keeps you guessing.

Schumacher and the writers clearly enjoyed both celebrating and playfully subverting typical horror tropes. The film appeals to horror fans, but it’s also a coming-of-age story enhanced by a great classic rock soundtrack.

Stream The Lost Boys for free with ads on Tubi.

2) Near Dark

Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark is a remarkably strong first film as a director. It’s a beautiful and touching vampire Western, featuring a talented cast and a memorable score by Tangerine Dream. While it didn’t get much attention when it came out, it has since gained a dedicated following.

Beyond being a fantastic vampire film, this movie is the perfect match for Aliens – when you’re not watching a film with a Xenomorph, that is. It reunites three actors from the Aliens cast: Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton (who clearly enjoys playing the bad guy), and Jenette Goldstein.

Stream Near Dark on Shudder.

1) Fright Night

As a huge fan of 80s horror, Fright Night is one of my all-time favorites! It’s a lot like The Lost Boys – it just gets what it’s like to grow up loving scary movies. The story is simple but brilliant: it’s about a teenager who’s obsessed with horror and discovers his new neighbor is actually a vampire! It’s a classic for a reason.

With its blend of humor and genuine scares, Fright Night is a perfect example of how to do horror comedy well. Just as Near Dark showcased Kathryn Bigelow’s talent as a new director, this film was an incredibly strong debut for Tom Holland, who later directed Child’s Play.

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2025-11-20 03:42