10 Vampire Movies From The 1980s You Probably Haven’t Seen

The best vampire movies have long been a staple of The horror genre Since Georges Méliès’ The House of the Devil. For years, they played a huge role in this genre. Classics like Dracula (1931), Ganja & Hess (1973), and Nosferatu the vampire (1979) all proved the importance and versatility of the genre. It’s easy now to look at the vampire film as an oversaturated sub-genre, but with the boom of slasher movies in the 1980s, there was something of a drought.

Heat like Scary night (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987) proved few and far between, Leading to a decade filled with more obscure cult classics. Vampire movies ended up taking on all sorts of different forms; Anthologies, comedies and even children’s films. Many of them have become well known in the horror community, but have yet to receive the appreciation they deserve.

10

The Monster Club (1981)

Directed by Roy Ward Baker

The Monster Club Proves a good example of the types of vampire films that would populate the horror genre for decades. An anthology film that mixes real scares with a delightful sense of humor. Inspired by the horror stories of Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes, the film is broken apart into three separate stories as told by a vampire. The film takes place in the titular monster club and is introduced to us by Vincent Price’s delightful vampire narrator.

Fun musical numbers are spotted throughout the film And provide a lot of fun, especially when the goals party on the dance floor. Vincent Price is excellent in the role and delivers his lines with sincerity and humor, making for a fun if not overly terrifying film. The Monster Club is a good example of what the decade would offer, if not the highest point.

9

My Best Friend is a Vampire (1987)

Directed by Jimmy Huston

Part horror, part teen movie, My best friend is a vampire is a fun exploration into trying to navigate teen life as the undead. The movie would follow a teen (Robert Sean Leonard) after being turned into a vampire and attempting to survive without feeding on humans. The movie features strong themes of prejudice and identity, as he is guided through his transformation by an older mentor who tells him about the discrimination that vampires have faced.

The movie doesn’t attempt many scares, but manages to elevate the vampire story by making it one focused on identity. Whether it’s his parents who believe he might be gay or the vampire hunters intent on his death, there’s plenty of subtext to explore in this horror comedy. The always fantastic René Auberjonios is a particular highlight and demonstrates why this movie is worth discovering.

8

Lifeforce (1985)

Directed by Tobe Hooper

Vampires rarely mix with science fiction, but if there was any director to attempt such a feat, it would be the great Tobe Hooper. His hypnotic style, as demonstrated in The Texas chain saw massacre And poltergeist, Is perfectly suited to vampires and their powers. The movie is ambitious and was the biggest budget Hooper would ever getDisappointed at the box office but quickly growing a cult following.

It follows the crew of a space mission when they inadvertently unleash an alien race of vampires on London. The movie gives a different take on vampires, who possess more threatening and alien powers. They can shape-shift, possess and manipulate energy as a weapon, proving to be different and even more unpredictable threats. Mathilda May’s performance as one of the alien vampires is particularly iconic, expressing so much with her facial expressions.

7

The Hunger (1983)

Directed by Tony Scott

The hunger Has possibly one of the most interesting casts That a vampire movie ever had. With performances from Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon, this horror film is sensual and unique. Tony Scott’s debut is beautiful in its cinematography, blending age-old vampire aesthetics with unique 80s imagery. The cinematography is possibly the biggest highlight, as cinematographer Steven Goldblatt fills the frame with haze and shadow.

It tells the story of a vampire named Mary and her companion John, who suddenly began to age rapidly, which led them to seek the help of an expert in aging. The plot is apparently the weakest element of the movie, but the atmosphere that Scott is able to create is such a unique take. Sarandon and Deneuve’s performances make it a worthy entry in the genre.

6

Dance of the Damned (1989)

Directed by Katt Shea

Built around preexisting sets that Roger Corman had from previous projects, Katt Shea has created a unique and small scale of a vampire story. It deals more difficultly with the themes of life and death, which are contained for the monster, without losing the sensation. It deals with the story of a suicidal exotic dancer when she agrees to become the next meal for a vampire. It’s a small and grounded story, but one that holds true to the imagery and aesthetics that vampire films can’t go without.

With a solid performance from Starr Andreeff, it manages to convey much more emotion than many approaches to the monster on a larger scale. While the film doesn’t always succeed in balancing its more exploitative features with its weightier subjects, it’s an interesting development in the genre. It is an ambitious movie and one more deserving of the attention it has failed to receive, upon release and to this day.

5

The Monster Squad (1987)

Directed by Fred Dekker

Co-written by Fred Dekker and Shane Black, Play the monster squad is a delightfully fun horror comedy that pits horror super fans against legendary classic Universal monsters led by Dracula. The movie can fluctuate from light fun to surprisingly dark at the flick of a switch, but always manages to remain an entertaining romp. Some of the material is certainly dated and remains uncomfortable, but the film is good enough to overcome the lesser moments.

Wolfman, the creature from the black lagoon, Frankenstein’s monster, the mummy, and, of course, Dracula, all make appearances. The film features a litany of iconic moments, like a teen wielding a bow and arrow against vampires and a young boy kicking Werewolf in the crotch. The movie is generally a blast and was sure to make any child who watched it a fan of horror for years to come.

4

live dark (1987)

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Possibly one of the most important vampire movies of the 1980s, Kathryn Bigelow’s Life is dark Created a vampire no one had seen before. Bloody, dirty, and full of angst, It created a blend of western and vampire imagery that is completely unique to this day. The plot follows a young farmer who becomes involved with a makeshift family of nomadic vampires. It features a stellar cast of James Cameron regulars such as Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein and Bill Paxton.

Special credit must be given to Paxton’s performance, which defines the film’s wild and violent tone with ease. The ever-reliable Tangerine Dream score provides a synth base to the Southern imagery, giving the film a sense of time that’s perfect for vampires. Kathryn Bigelow is a once-in-a-generation talent and pushes Live dark In places that many vampire films have not dared to go.

3

The Lair of the White Worm (1988)

Directed by Ken Russell

Ken Russell has always proven himself to be an original When it comes to horror movie directors. His work on films such as The Devils, Changed states And Crimes of passion Proved that he has a flair for psychosexual horror. This would all be very useful for his vampire opus, The Lair of the White Worm. The film follows a small English village after an archaeologist uncovers a mysterious skull, which awakens an ancient evil called the D’Hampton Worm.

The film is a camp classic and manages to blend its eerie vampire story with a particularly humorous performance by Hugh Grant. It also boasts great performances from Peter Capaldi and Peter Donohoe, who help set the perfect tone. It is certainly a unique experience and a perfect entry into the wild world of Ken Russell and his particular affinity for campy horror.

2

Vamp (1986)

Directed by Richard Wenk

Starting off as a college comedy and quickly turning into a horror nightmare, Vamp is a unique take on what vampires can be. It tells the story of two fraternity pledges as they attempt to find a stripper for a friend, but accidentally wind up in a club populated by vampires. It boasts an exceptional appearance by Grace Jones, adorned in incredible costumes designed by Keith Haring. She is able to convey so much through just her movements and look that the movie is worth it just for her.

Elliot Davis’ neon drenched cinematography and Jonathan Elias’ excellent synth score Set the atmosphere perfectly and deliver the perfect 80s vibes. The vampire prosthetics are especially fun and turn beautiful women into terrifying creatures of the night ready to menace the college boy leads. It is an exceptionally fun horror comedy that manages to create a unique atmosphere that would be impossible to replicate.

1

Sundown: The Vampire In Retreat (1989)

Directed by Anthony Hickox

Set in the small town of Purgatory, Sundown Tells the story of a peaceful town populated by vampires as they attempt to repair the town’s artificial blood factory. It’s a vampire movie unlike any other, taking a more humorous approach to the ways vampires attempt to live. The cast is packed to the gills with legends like Bruce Campbell, David Carradine, Deborah Forman and the late great M. Emmett Walsh.

The film is consistently ridiculousPoking fun at all the trappings of vampire movies that have come before. It exemplifies the ways in which vampire films of the 1980s succeeded by subverting what came before. Seeing vampires slathered in sun cream and attempting to enjoy retirement delivers plenty of laughs, while the bubbling tension in the city provides the much-needed horror. It’s a shame that Sundown Was largely ignored upon release, but every year it receives more of the attention it deserves.