Top 10 Vampires in Movies and TV (REDUX)

Top 10 Vampires in Movies and TV (REDUX)

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These pop culture vamps put the “fang” in “fangtastic.” Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 vampires from movies and TV. For this list, we’re focusing on movie and TV characters that are 100% vampires – no half-human hybrids on this list, and no vamps based on video games.

While we could’ve given this spot to another hunter of evil beings like Blade, we gave it to a character that’s all vampire and all woman. As the only female vamp on our list, Selene proves ladies can be as tough as the boys. She’s the stuff of fantasies and nightmares as a Death Dealer and soldier in the underworld war between vampires and Lycans. Driven by vengeance after her family is killed, Selene must unravel an elaborate conspiracy before she can satisfy her thirst for retribution – and along the way she kicks plenty of ass.

Also called “The Brat Prince,” Lestat is the vainest vamp on our list. It’s only the finest for him, as he loves fashion, theatre, literature and all things beautiful. Sometimes a father figure to his friends, sometimes a dictatorial leader; this anti-hero lives more for carnal desires and less by his conscience than his companions Claudia and Louis de Pointe du Lac. But if he’s learned anything in his eternal life, it’s how to come back from a loss.

Not an original cast member of the show, this vampire came to town to boost the ratings of this gothic soap. And boost them he did: His story and charm worked for audiences and he soon became the star of the show. Beginning his run as a lovelorn 175-year-old vamp who’s mourning the loss of his love Josette, Barnabas eventually transforms from a self-centered rake to a selfless hero.

#7: David “The Lost Boys” (1987)

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As the leader of a punk-influenced gang, David is the perfect candidate to be the leader of a coven of vamps. When brothers Sam and Michael come to town, they meet the charismatic vampire, who soon tricks Michael into becoming a member of his undead clan. Crafty and ruthless when it comes to changing his new recruit, David is the bad guy; but he’s also kinda cool too, with his leather jacket, sunglasses and white-blond hair.

At over a century old, he’s one of the most powerful vamps on our list. With his Viking good looks, unmatched strength and cocksure attitude, Eric oozes sex appeal – which is why he can compete in the romance department against another vamp like Bill Compton. At the beginning of the series, Eric’s the sheriff of Area 5 in Louisiana with his headquarters located in the local fetish club, Fangtasia. But eventually, we get to see a softer side of Eric as he falls for Sookie and loses his memory.

#5: Spike “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003), “Angel” (1999-2004)

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A blast-from-the-past of fellow vampire and Buffy love-interest Angel, this blond baddie was purely evil and hated by the slayer and the rest of the Scooby Gang when he came to Sunnydale. But after getting a chip implanted in his mind that stops him from killing, Spike enters a dysfunctional relationship with Buffy and we get to see him play a range of emotions. But we still think he’s the only vamp who’s just as good as when he’s bad.

#4: Count Orlok “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” (1922)

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We’re used to seeing vampires with other-worldly beauty; but that’s not the case with this character. While he’s based on Dracula, Orlok looks more like a monster: tall and thin with bony fingers and ghoulish eyes, he appears almost alien-like with a bald head and pointy ears. Though he lives apart from the townspeople because of his bloodlust, we get to see his creepiness in action once skeptic Thomas Hutter knocks at his door.

Though he’s rarely a sympathetic figure, you can’t help but feel for this version of the Count. Gary Oldman’s interpretation somehow makes it seem like Dracula still has some semblance of humanity: he’s more of a tortured soul than a creature out for blood, as he mourns the death of his wife. This Dracula makes you think about the beauty of life and how its beauty may be in its fragility. But there’s also the bloodsucking.

Christopher Lee’s version of the famous Count Dracula is one of the most horrifying to date. Definitely one of the most bloodthirsty incarnations of the famous vampire on our list, viewers watch in horror as he seduces and drain victim after victim. Obviously way past any feelings of humanity he may have once felt, Lee’s Dracula has no apologies for his behavior. His ferocious portrayal was so mesmerizing, however; it produced a slew of sequels. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - Marceline the Vampire Queen: “Adventure Time” (2010-) - Count von Count: “Sesame Street” (1969-) - Marlow: “30 Days of Night” (2007) - Jerry Dandrige: “Fright Night” (1985) - Carmilla: Le Fanu’s “Carmilla” franchise (1932-) And we have one dishonorable mention as well: - Edward Cullen: The “Twilight” Saga (2008-12)

We had to give this spot to the original Transylvanian count! Bela Lugosi’s performance set the gold standard for vampire behavior, and every vamp since has been a pale imitation. Mysterious and seductive, he draws victims in with his cultured manner and polite behavior. But he wins them over with his over exaggerated accent, murderous eyes and powers of hypnosis. His victims don’t even know what hit them. Do you agree with our list? Which famous fangs do you find the most terrifying? For more bloodthirsty top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.