From romantic portrayals to deep betrayals, you’ll find a perfect recommendation.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to sink your teeth into Halloween, vampire media never disappoints. Whether you are in the mood for a gothic tragedy or something campy, there is always a new vampire story to consume.
Throughout the years, vampires have been used as metaphors for everything from capitalist greed to repressed sexuality, and each generation seems to revive them in a form that speaks to our modern-day fears and desires. Here is a guide to vampire stories new and old, perfect for a study break binge!
A fresh twist on Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles, AMC’s Interview with the Vampire (IWTV) is the perfect series to binge this October.
Wealthy businessman, Louis de Pointe du Lac, navigates the early 20th century in New Orleans as a Black man facing the constraints of race and sexuality. Louis is pursued by the vampire, Lestat de Lioncourt, and the two fall in love. Lestat turns Louis into a vampire, and the two save the life of a young girl named Claudia by bestowing her with “the dark gift” (vampirism).
The relationship between Louis and Lestat is complicated and nuanced. The show is unflinching in its portrayal of queer love while reveling in gothic aesthetics. You can stream the first two seasons on Crave. Season three is expected to premiere in 2026.
If you’re looking for something more lighthearted, What We Do in the Shadows is a unique spin on the vampire genre. The series is a mockumentary based on the lives of four vampire roommates living in Staten Island.
The brilliance of the show lies in how it mixes the gothic mystique of vampires with deadpan humour. It is a story that leans more into humour than horror, and in doing so, makes the vampire genre feel more approachable to all audiences. Based on the 2014 film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the series spans a total of six seasons and is available to stream on Crave.
Joel Schumacher’s cult classic, The Lost Boys (1987), is a comedy that follows two brothers, Michael and Sam, as they move to Santa Carla with their mother. There, they meet brothers Edgar and Alan, who claim that the town is infested with vampires.
After Michael is partially turned into a vampire against his will, the four boys attempt to take down the vampire clan who did this to Michael — it is the only way to stop Michael’s vampiric transformation. Filled with teen angst and a great soundtrack, The Lost Boys is worth a watch (or rewatch)! You can stream it on Crave.
Long before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, there was Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Set in the 19th century in Austria, Carmilla is a story about an isolated young woman, Laura, who is preyed upon by Carmilla, a beautiful and mysterious woman. Carmilla comes under the care of Laura and her father after a carriage accident near their house. Laura and Carmilla grow close, and the two women have romantic chemistry. But there is something about Carmilla that gives Laura pause — Carmilla refuses to answer questions about herself, sleeps much of the day and refuses to join in prayer. While the original text reflects 19th century anxieties about female sexuality and queerness, Carmen Maria Machado’s edited edition reframes the story as a radical queer love story. It is the perfect read for fans of gothic lit who want both historical context and a modern twist.
Dracula: A Love Tale (2025) is a loosely based adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In 15th century, Romania, Prince Vladimir and his wife, Elisabeta are madly in love. After an injury during a battle against the Ottomans, Elisabeta dies in Vladimir’s arms. Vladimir demands her return from God, but to no avail. He then renounces his faith and becomes a vampire. After four hundred years of aimless grief, Vladimir meets Mina, who he recognizes as the reincarnated Elisabeta. Less of a horror film, and more a tragic romance, this film is a perfect watch for any hopeless romantic. Other characters from the book such as Jonathon Harker and Van Helsing also make appearances in the film.
It should be noted that director Luc Besson has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault. Unrelatedly, this film can be pirated online — this statement is an observation not a suggestion.
This would not be a complete guide to vampire media without mentioning the Twilight series. Since 2008, films have been a cultural staple, recently inspiring a resurgence of vampire fiction and now enjoying an ironic renaissance amongst Gen Z.
Other notable works include Robert Egger’s Nosferatu (2024), with Lily-Rose Depp delivering an incredible performance, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (2025), a Jim Crow era starring Michael B. Jordan. Both films demonstrate how flexible the vampire story still is today.
Vampire stories aren’t really about monsters — they are about us. They center around our obsessions, fears, and desires. This is why they keep coming back and getting renewed from generation to generation. Whether you’re into gothic melodrama, Staten Island chaos, or Robert Pattinson, there is definitely a vampire story for you to sink your fangs into this Halloween.
Contributed Graphic/Vlad Latis/Creative Director
