Vampire horror is a genre full of expectations and conventions, but several amazing vampire films and TV shows from the 2020s have started to turn the genre on its head. This is in part due to several incredible vampire acting performances, but also groundbreaking writing and design. These stories have begun to chart new paths for the vampire genre, taking a monster well-known by many and putting vampire characters into fresh situations.
The 2020s aren’t the only years full of great vampire media, making great changes to a long-beloved genre. The 2000s were full of underrated vampire classics, but the biggest changes seem to have come in more recent years. These changes are most evident in the stories being told, as most vampire media in the past have either portrayed them as static monsters or romantic leads.
You are watching: 10 Best Vampire Movies & TV Shows Of The 2020s That Have Reinvigorated The Genre
10
Boys From County Hell (2020)
This Movie Turns Dracula Into A Local Legend
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Boys from County Hell
NR
HorrorComedy
Boys from County Hell follows a team of road workers in rural Ireland who, led by a contentious father-son duo, accidentally disturb the grave of a legendary vampire. They must confront the ancient horror they unleash and survive the ensuing chaos throughout the night.
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Release Date
August 6, 2021
Runtime
89 minutes
Cast
Jack Rowan
, Nigel O’Neill
, Louisa Harland
, Michael Hough
, John Lynch
, Fra Fee
, Morgan C. Jones
, Andrea Irvine
, Robert Strange
, Marty Maguire
, Kathy Monahan
, Emma Paetz
, Jordan Renzo
, David Pearse
, Stella McCusker
, Conor Grimes
, Lalor Roddy
Director
Chris Baugh
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Set in the fictional town of Six Mile Hill, Boys from County Hell poses the intriguing idea that Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula was not an original creation, but was rather based on a local legend. This legend, detailing the terrifying Abhartach and its quest for blood, states that the only thing holding this monster back is a local cairn, or rather, a stone burial mound. When a construction company destroys this cairn, it inevitably unleashes the Abhartach.
Not only does this film take the original Dracula legend and turn it into something deeply Irish, but it does so while employing a fair bit of comedy in the process. Boys from County Hell is funny, something that few horror movies and even fewer vampire films delve into. It offers a fresh look at the vampire legend, bringing it to a new culture.
9
Renfield (2023)
Cage’s Dracula Performance Is Iconic
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5/10
Renfield
R
HorrorComedy
In this horror comedy, Renfield, the lackey of Count Dracula, aids the famous vampire on his journey to the new world. Unfortunately, the long-suffering servant is committed to an insane asylum after being framed for the murder of several ship crew members on arrival. When given a second chance at life, he falls for a quirky and aggressive traffic cop named Rebecca Quincy.
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Release Date
April 14, 2023
Runtime
93 minutes
Cast
Nicholas Cage
, Nicholas Hoult
, Awkwafina
, Ben Schwartz
, Adrian Martinez
, James Moses Black
, Caroline Williams
, Brandon Scott Jones
Director
Chris McKay
Writers
Ryan Ridley
Once again taking inspiration from Bram Stoker’s original Dracula, Renfield takes the unique approach of focusing on Dracula’s servant, the titular Renfield, as opposed to the vampire himself. The movie takes place in the modern day and shows Renfield’s life, bringing victims to Dracula for him to eat. However, as the movie progresses, Renfield slowly becomes more self-reliant before pulling away from Dracula entirely.
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Here, Dracula is portrayed as the perfect villain, played to perfection by the iconic Nicolas Cage. There is a fair bit of comedy in this film as well, and it is effective in its portrayal of Dracula and Renfield (played by Nosferatu star Nicholas Hoult) in an abusive back-and-forth relationship. This showcases a side of the characters that isn’t often explored, offering more personal testimonials between the action and adventure of the film.
8
Abigail (2024)
This Horror Comedy Stars A Child Vampire
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8/10
9.2/10
Abigail
R
HorrorThriller
Abigail is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The plot follows a group of people who kidnap the daughter of a dangerous crime lord only to discover that the little girl is actually a vicious vampire out for blood. Alisha Weir stars as the titular character alongside Kathryn Newton, Melissa Barrera, and Dan Stevens.
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Release Date
April 19, 2024
Runtime
109 Minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Kathryn Newton
, Dan Stevens
, Giancarlo Esposito
, Kevin Durand
, Melissa Barrera
, Alisha Weir
, Angus Cloud
, William Catlett
Director
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
, Tyler Gillett
Writers
Stephen Shields
, Guy Busick
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With the 2020s also being the years of the promising subgenre of vampire horror-comedy, Abigail is another noteworthy addition to the reinvigoration of vampire storytelling. This film follows a group of bounty hunters who end up kidnapping someone who they think is the daughter of a very rich man. However, they soon realize that they have been tricked, as the little girl is not a little girl at all, but rather a hungry vampire.
Abigail was originally meant to be an adaptation of the 1936 film Dracula’s Daughter.
Child vampires are something that has been explored before in projects such as Let the Right One In and Interview with the Vampire. However, these depictions of physically young vampires often do so through a philosophical lens. As opposed to this, Abigail revels in the violence of the film, opting to have fun with its premise instead of waxing poetic about life and death.
7
Day Shift (2022)
Another Action-Packed Vampire Film
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Day Shift
R
ComedyActionHorrorFantasy
To provide for his family, Jamie Foxx works for a pool cleaning service, which happens to be a front for a vampire hunting union in San Fernando, California. Jamie Foxx, alongside Snoop Dogg and Dave Franco, will work together as they slowly chip away at the vampire hierarchy led by a real estate magnate portrayed by Karla Souza in the overridden valley.
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Release Date
August 12, 2022
Runtime
114minutes
Cast
Scott Adkins
, Snoop Dogg
, Karla Souza
, Dave Franco
, Steve Howey
, Jamie Foxx
, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
, Meagan Good
Director
J.J. Perry
Writers
Shay Hatten
, Tyler Tice
Story By
Tyler Tice
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Featuring an all-star cast including Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, and Snoop Dogg, Day Shift is an action film revolving around the act of hunting vampires. The film is about Bud Jablonski, a man who makes a living by hunting vampires by pretending to be an average pool cleaner. He does this for the relatable reasons of paying tuition for his daughter’s schooling as well as taking care of his debts, something that leads him to bigger and bigger jobs.
Action is a version of vampire fiction that was popular in the past decades, but is only seeing another resurgence now, made even more interesting by the fact this film is a vampire movie taking place mostly during the day. Day Shift is filled to the brim with glorious action, and the film’s creative ties to John Wick are clear to see. For anyone looking for an action-packed adventure, Day Shift is the perfect choice.
6
Dracula (2020)
Netflix’s Miniseries Reimagined Bram Stoker’s Dracula
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Dracula
TV-MA
HorrorDrama
Dracula (2020) is a reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Starring Claes Bang as the titular Count Dracula, the series explores the legendary vampire’s battles with the descendants of Van Helsing and his dark journey from Transylvania to London. The three-episode series examines both the historical and contemporary influences of Dracula’s enduring legacy.
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Release Date
January 1, 2020
Network
BBC One
Cast
Claes Bang
, John Heffernan
, Dolly Wells
, Joanna Scanlan
, Morfydd Clark
, Lujza Richter
, Jonathan Aris
, Sacha Dhawan
, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
, Catherine Schell
, Youssef Kerkour
, Clive Russell
Creator(s)
Mark Gatiss
, Steven Moffat
Seasons
1
Directors
Jonny Campbell
, Damon Thomas
, Paul McGuigan
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Ironically considered one of the best Dracula movies of all time, Netflix’s Dracula miniseries breathes new life into the legendary character. Beginning with a retelling of Bram Stoker’s original story, the short three-episode series eventually progresses to the modern day, showing a new side of the character in an entirely new setting. This version of Dracula is confident, flamboyant, and revels in his powers even more than other depictions of the character.
The unashamed nature of this version of Dracula is one that adds something completely new to the character, making him a vampire unwilling to simply hide in the shadows. This is clear throughout every episode in the series, which puts the explicit focus on Dracula rather than the surrounding characters. Dracula is a fresh interpretation of the character, one that really shines a spotlight on his personal villainy.
5
Castlevania (2017-2020)
The Animated Series That Brought The Beloved Vampire Video Game To Life
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9/10
Castlevania
TV-MA
ActionAnimationAdventure
Based on the video game franchise, Castlevania is a Netflix original animated action series that follows the never-ending battle of the monster-slaying Belmont clan as they continue to face off against the hordes of the night. When Count Dracula’s human wife is murdered, his grief leads him to doom the world to eternal darkness. To stop him, it’ll take a team of three unlikely heroes banding together: the last remaining Belmont, Trevor, a magic-wielding seeker named Sypha Belnades, and the tortured half-human, half-vampire son of the count himself, Alucard.
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Release Date
July 7, 2017
Franchise(s)
Castlevania
Cast
Lance Reddick
, Jaime Murray
, Emily Swallow
, Adetokumboh M’Cormack
, Bill Nighy
, Graham McTavish
, Tony Amendola
, Jason Isaacs
, Jessica Brown Findlay
, Matt Frewer
, Toru Uchikado
, Richard Armitage
, Rila Fukushima
, Alejandra Reynoso
, Theo James
, Ivana Miličević
, Peter Stormare
, James Callis
Seasons
4
Story By
Konami (Castlevania franchise)
Writers
Warren Ellis
Showrunner
Warren Ellis
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Castlevania is an anime-style Netflix series made for adults depicting the fight between Dracula and iconic hero Trevor Belmont. The story begins when Dracula’s wife is accused of being a witch and is burned at the stake, leading Dracula to condemn all of humanity, who he deems responsible for her death. It is up to Trevor to stop him, fighting demons and all manner of monsters alongside Dracula’s son, Alucard, as well as the witch Sypha.
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The fact that this series is animated adds another level of innovation to the vampire genre, arguably being one of the shows to herald the current boom in acclaimed adult animated TV. Most earlier animated vampire media is made for children, with Hotel Transylvania being one of the most notable. However, Castlevania and its subsequent series, Castlevania: Nocturne, prove that animated vampire media isn’t always something that should just be made for kids.
4
What We Do In The Shadows (2019-2024)
This Parody Ushered In A New Era Of Vampire Comedy
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7/10
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8.9/10
What We Do in the Shadows
TV-MA
HorrorFantasyComedy
What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary-styled comedy series that follows the exploits of four vampires and a familiar living in Staten Island in the twenty-first century. Unrelated to the film of the same name, the show’s vampires attempt to acclimate to the modern world but tend to find themselves lost often, leaving familiar-hoping-to-become-a-vampire Guillermo de la Cruz to pick up the pieces in the wake of their accidental destruction.
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Release Date
March 27, 2019
Network
FX
Cast
Doug Jones
, Natasia Demetriou
, Matt Berry
, Mark Proksch
, Kayvan Novak
, Harvey Guillen
, Kristen Schaal
Seasons
6
Writers
Jemaine Clement
, Taika Waititi
Directors
Jemaine Clement
, Kyle Newacheck
, Yana Gorskaya
Showrunner
Paul Simms
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Filmed as though it is a documentary, What We Do in the Shadows is a long-running series based on the original Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement film of the same name. It follows a group of vampires living in modern-day Long Island, showing the crazy antics they get up to in their day-to-day lives. Although it did not begin in the 2020s, What We Do in the Shadows has continued on as a staple of 2020s television.
The series is horror-comedy at its finest, taking a silly approach to depicting the world of vampires. Over the years, What We Do in the Shadows has created its own unique lore that parodies the worlds depicted in famous vampire media, including Dracula and Interview with the Vampire, among others. Now that What We Do in the Shadows has ended, it is perfect to binge-watch from beginning to end.
3
Midnight Mass (2021)
Another Netflix Miniseries Brings Horror To The Forefront
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23
9.2/10
Midnight Mass
HorrorMysteryDrama
Created and directed by Mike Flanagan, Midnight Mass follows the residents of an isolated fishing community whose lives are changed by the sudden appearance of a charismatic new priest, Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater). The residents of Crockett Island struggle to eke out a meager living, just barely surviving off the mainland, but the appearance of Hill changes everything. Attendance at the local church is at an all-time high, but cynical ex-con Riley Flynn doesn’t trust the priest, and sets out to uncover his dark secret.
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Release Date
September 24, 2021
Cast
Kristin Lehman
, Matt Biedel
, Hamish Linklater
, Kate Siegel
, Crystal Balint
, Annabeth Gish
, Alex Essoe
, Samantha Sloyan
, Henry Thomas
, Rahul Abburi
, Rahul Kohli
, Robert Longstreet
, Annarah Cymone
, Zach Gilford
, Michael Trucco
, Igby Rigney
Seasons
1
Writers
Mike Flanagan
Directors
Mike Flanagan
Showrunner
Mike Flanagan
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Taking place on an isolated island, Midnight Mass is a slow burn that, once it gets started, quickly devolves into gore-riddled madness. As a charismatic preacher revives faith in this small island town, things slowly begin to go wrong in what often feels like the most gruesome way possible. It is eventually revealed that this is because of the existence of vampires on the island.
One of the greatest things that Midnight Mass does is merge the advertised vampire premise with the concept of faith and religion. For decades, the vampire and religion have been diametrically opposed. However, Midnight Mass unites the two under one roof, breaking ground for the idea of the religious vampire. It’s efforts in storytelling paid off, as Midnight Mass currently has an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and won a Critics’ Choice Super Award for Hamish Linklater’s performance.
2
Nosferatu (2024)
This Vampire Remake Only Recently Released In Theaters
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8/10
91
7.8/10
Nosferatu
R
HorrorFantasyMystery
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
Release Date
December 25, 2024
Runtime
132 Minutes
Cast
Bill Skarsgard
, Lily-Rose Depp
, Nicholas Hoult
, Ralph Ineson
, Willem Dafoe
, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
, Emma Corrin
, Simon McBurney
, Paul Maynard
, Stacy Thunes
Director
Robert Eggers
Writers
Robert Eggers
A brand-new film by horror expert Roger Eggers that was released on Christmas Day 2024, Nosferatu is a remake of the original 1922 silent film. It is another sort of adaptation of Bram Stoker’s original story, but like the original, it takes its own liberties with the narrative to tell something completely new. 2024’s Nosferatu does so while holding onto the horror of older vampire films, tying the genre to the gothic films of the past.
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Nosferatu pays tribute to the films that came before, really diving into what might be the most horrific depiction of vampires in a long time. Without spoiling anything, it is beautiful, dark, and everything in between. It is worth seeing in theaters to immerse oneself in the scares and incredible aesthetic of the film on the big screen.
1
Interview With The Vampire (2022-)
A Vampire Adaptation Brings Subtext To The Foreground
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Interview with the Vampire
TV-MA
DramaFantasyHorrorRomance
Based on Anne Rice’s novel series that began in 1976, Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror fantasy series that explores the life of Louis de Pointe du Lac through an interview with a journalist. Told through flashbacks of Louis’ life during the interview, the series examines Louis’ relationship with the vampire that turned him, Lestat de Lioncourt, and a teenage girl named Claudia, whom he turns. The series is the first of Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe media franchise.
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Release Date
October 2, 2022
Franchise(s)
Immortal Universe
Cast
Jacob Anderson
, Sam Reid
, Eric Bogosian
, Bailey Bass
Seasons
2
Story By
Anne Rice
Writers
Rolin Jones
Showrunner
Mark Johnson
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Partially an adaptation of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels and partially a remake of the original Interview with the Vampire film, the Interview with the Vampire TV series follows narrator Louis de Pointe du Lac as he tells the story of how he became a vampire and what turns his life took after. Despite being primarily focused on the romance between main characters Louis and Lestat de Lioncourt, Interview with the Vampire is a show full of horrific moments. It is gothic horror and gothic romance at its finest and has a third season on its way.
One of the best things that Interview with the Vampire does for the vampire genre as a whole is it makes the queer subtext present in so many different examples of vampire media a blatant storyline. The relationship between Louis and Lestat is the focus, and nothing is left up to interpretation as it has been for many decades before. This makes Interview with the Vampire an important moment in the history of vampire horror, paving the way for the shows and films that will come after.
Source: https://www.phonggdkrongpac.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment