Vampire Novelist David Wellington (13 Bullets) Names Top Ten Vampire Movies

There’s a distinct possibility that as you’re reading this you’re already thinking, “Oh, I hate vampire movies!” That’s probably because, after zombie movies, no sub-genre of horror movie has ever generated so many horrible, pointless films. And yet when handled correctly, the vampire remains the most effective and yes, scary monster out there. Here are ten movies that will make you believe a man can suck blood. I’ve intentionally stayed away from movies about Count Dracula (a sub-sub-genre all its own), and for you Twilight fans, well, sorry kids. Shouldn’t you be updating your Facebook page right now? For the rest of us, these are the ten greatest vampire movies:

10. The Lost Boys (1987)
There are some of movies that aren’t great, but because of some redeeming feature, they transcend notions of quality and taste. The Lost Boys has some good bits, like the Frog Brothers, or Kiefer Sutherland having too much fun with his role, or the bridge scene, or its amazing soundtrack, but nothing really stands out as superb. Yet people love the movie. They really do. Why? Because it has heart. Because always, always, it remains entertaining, which puts it above 99.999% of all movies ever made.

9. 30 Days of Night (2007)
It’s full of plot holes, wooden performances, and the ending is silly. It’s also seriously kickass. Some truly creepy vampires invade the town of Barrow, Alaska, above the Arctic circle where the sun won’t rise for another thirty days. They proceed to lay the town to waste in one long, achingly elegant and nasty overhead tracking shot. Then we spend the rest of the movie watching them get killed off in glorious, grisly ways. Pure cinematic gold.

8. Lifeforce (1985)
A cult classic from director Tobe Hooper and not just because the wardrobe department completely forgot about star Mathilda May. A space shuttle mission to Halley’s Comet finds an alien spacecraft co-designed by H. R. Giger and Charles Addams. Inside are three space vampires in suspended animation… suffice to say, they don’t remain suspended for long. Of course, they have to be naked the whole time — except when they’re possessing the body of Patrick Stewart. Totally incoherent, totally unforgettable. Read more …