Throughout the history of entertainment, vampires have been a staple of horror and fantasy genres. The allure of the immortal bloodsuckers has led to memorable performances that etched their mark in cinematic and television lore. Here we honor the 12 best movie and TV show vampire performances of all time:

1.Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula in “Dracula” (1931):Lugosi’s portrayal of the Transylvanian count is iconic, setting the standard for all vampire roles that followed.

2.Christopher Lee as Count Dracula in “Horror of Dracula” (1958):Lee’s interpretation of Dracula was menacing and sophisticated, making him one of the most memorable vampires in cinema.

3.Gary Oldman as Dracula in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992):With a performance that was both seductive and fearsome, Oldman brought depth to the character of Dracula, showcasing emotional complexity rarely seen in vampire portrayals.

4.Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt in “Interview with the Vampire” (1994):Cruise brought charisma and elegance to his role as the aristocratic vampire Lestat, captivating audiences with his charm.

5.Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac in “Interview with the Vampire” (1994):Pitt provided a melancholic and introspective take on his tormented character, delivering a compelling performance.

6.Klaus Kinski as Count Dracula in “Nosferatu the Vampyre” (1979):Kinski’s interpretation borrowed heavily from Max Schreck’s earlier portrayal but added layers of despair and longing that set it apart.

7.Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman in “True Blood” (2008-2014):Skarsgård brought intensity and depth to the Viking vampire sheriff, making him a fan favorite for his nuanced performance.

8.Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003):Although not a vampire, Gellar’s Buffy remains iconic for her battles against them, defining a generation’s view on vampires.

9.David Boreanaz as Angel/Angelus in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) and “Angel” (1999-2004): Boreanaz’s portrayal showed range from tortured soul to ruthless killer when he played Angelus.

10.Wesley Snipes as Blade in “Blade” Trilogy (1998-2004): Snipes combined martial arts prowess with a no-nonsense attitude to bring a comic book hero and Dhampir to life with memorable effect.

11.Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam Swynford De Beaufort in “True Blood” (2008-2014):Bauer was both fierce and stylish; her acerbic wit made Pam an outstanding character among television vampires.

12.Willem Dafoe as Max Schreck/Count Orlok in “Shadow of the Vampire” (2000): Dafoe provided a chilling performance which blurred lines between actor and vampire legend, earning an Academy Award nomination for his role.

These portrayals epitomize vampire characters’ mystique, charisma, horror, and complexity, leaving indelible marks on those who dare to immerse themselves into their dark yet fascinating world.