90s Vampire Movies Worth Watching Again: Slayers, Hunters, and Dracula, Oh My!

Vampires, apparently, are the current trend. Go to the theater, the bookstore, the t-shirt shop, or the movie rental house, and you'll see blood suckers in every direction. However, a large majority of young fang fans didn't begin their obsession with undead heartthrobs (there's an oxymoron for you), until after Twilight's hardback release in 2005. A tragedy, I tell you. There are plenty of films they missed between 1990 and 2000. Here's a short list of vampire movies worth re-watching or watching for the first time:

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

It seems as if this movie has to make any list of modern vampire films. Its strength lies in that the story follows very closely to the book, more so than most of its predecessors. It's weakness, in my opinion, is found in the over-tragic Count Dracula (and perhaps in a few of the casting choices). Nevertheless, this movie is a must see for vampire fans. You never know, perhaps the over sympathetic Dracula will be even more appreciated in the age of Twilight. If you haven't seen it, borrow it from a friend; as popular as it was, someone in your life is bound to own it.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

So it's a total cheese-fest, sure. This article's not called Best Vampire Movies Ever Made, it's pointing out those worth re-watching, and, as campy as parts of this movie can be, it's worth the re-watch. Funny and spunky, Buffy the Vampire Slayer seeds the canon to follow in the popular TV series, comic series, and the still-in-the-talks future film that's going to be re-tackling the canon. If you haven't given it a go since its release, watch a used copy and laugh along with this valley girl and Pee Wee Herman vampire plagued movie.

Interview with the Vampire

With Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and a young Kirsten Dunst playing the lead vampires, this film is a must see. It's not an action movie, and it's not a popcorn film about killing the forces of darkness--this movie, based on the popular Anne Rice novel of the same name, is a different direction for vampire movies. Though it was nominated for two Oscars, its style has never been recreated. Follow these vampires through the ages as they kill, love, and face the horrors of their own kind. This is definitely a movie worth owning, so that you can watch it any time you're in the mood for timeless tragedy.

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

A Mel Brook's directed spoof of Dracula staring Leslie Nielsen (The Naked Gun) as Count Dracula. If you don't laugh at least once, something's wrong with you. Mel Brooks takes the role of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and Steven Weber (Wings) plays Jonathan Harker. Full of lots of amusing gore and witty sequences, it's not as classic as some of Brook's other films, but it is seriously underrated. If you haven't seen it already, find a copy. If you have, watch it again.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Take a couple criminals, a handful of hostages, and a building full of vampires and what do you get? A fun movie with shoot-em-up action and gory thrills that last through one long night. Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, and Salma Hayek are part of a well-chosen cast in this gritty vampire movie that never takes itself too seriously. Give it a try.

Stephen King's The Night Flier (1997)

There's always a different take on the vampire mythos, and Stephen King proves this with The Night Flier. It's not the best movie made, but it's gore-tastic and an original look into horror. When a tabloid reporter begins to believe that a string of serial killings are the work of a real vampire, well, you know what they said about curiosity and the cat. See if reporter Richard Dees fares any better and watch The Night Flier.

Blade (1998)

Wesley Snipes stars as Blade in this vampire action flick, the first of a trilogy. Seriously, where have you been if you've never heard of this series? Blade's a daywalker, which means he has the strengths of a vampire and none of their weaknesses. . .Well, besides a pesky hunger problem that leaves him needing a special serum. The highlight of this film? The bad guy is called Deacon Frost and boy is he bad news for Blade. The villain plays against the hero very well in this film. With great visuals and fun action, Blade might not be a family-friendly movie, but it's definitely worth a watch for those who like their vampires bursting into flame and fought off with fancy weapons.

Dracula 2000 (2000)

Gerard Bulter plays Dracula in this film. Enough said.

While the film wasn't a favorite amongst critics and faded from the audience's heart due to delay after delay of its premiere, the movie is still worth a watch for vampire fans. Van Helsing has been taking an imprisoned Dracula's blood in small doses in order to gain an extended lifespan. When modern day thieves steal Dracula's coffin believing it's something valuable and accidentally release the vampire, it's not only the world that's in trouble, but Van Helsing's only daughter, Mary. With a great twist origin story for the Lord of Vampires, this movie finds itself by the conclusion and is definitely worth the rental fee.

You'll find that there's a sequel to this movie, one of the straight to DVD release nature. It's not quite like the original, so you might want to save yourself the heartache and pass.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

Ok, so if you read my article on 1980s vampire films, you ran across Vampire Hunter D. Its sequel, Bloodlust, is the far superior of the two films. With beautiful animation, an excellent score, and very well chosen English-speaking voice actors, Bloodlust stands out as one of the great Japanese animated movies you can watch over and over again. For vampire fans, it's a must see. It's based on horror master Hideyuki Kikuchi's third Vampire Hunter D book, but you don't have to read the books or watch the original D movie to love Bloodlust. Give it a try if you want to see some great fight scenes, gore, beautiful immortals, and forbidden love.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116367/ From Dusk Till Dawn

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110148/ Interview With the Vampire

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119784/ The Night Flier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_Hunter_D#2000_animated_film

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219653/ Dracula 2000

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112896/ Dracula Dead and Loving It