The subject of vampirism lends itself to all manner of juicy metaphors.

You might be hard-pressed to locate a film about vampires thatisn’ttaking on themes larger than simple blood siphoning.

Inevitably, Donner would only serve as producer here, as he was presumably busy with 1987’sLethal Weapon.

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Moviestore/Shutterstock (1589820a) Lat Den Ratte Komma In (Let The Right One In), Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leanderson Film and Television

Moviestore/Shutterstock

(Even Gene Siskel, a notorious opponent of violent horror pictures,loved the film.)

The gore effects are practical and plentiful, and Gary B. Kibbe’s cinematography will make you swoon.

It’s both hypnotic and erotic, not to mention a bloody good time.

THE LOST BOYS, Billy Wirth, Kiefer Sutherland, Brooke McCarter, Alex Winter, 1987. ©Warner Bros./cou

Everett Collection

Despite its tonal inconsistencies,The Vampire and the Ballerinais one of the most influential additions to the canon.

There is a direct line between this film and the Hammer Dracula films of the ’60s.

The Vampire and the Ballerinais not available to watch or rent.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 2 (2012) ROBERT PATTINSON and KRISTEN STEWART

Doane Gregory/Lion’s Gate

Much bloodletting, and a whole lotta rockin', ensues.

Freddie Francis, the veteran schlockmeister who also lensedMartin Scorsese’sCape Fear, directs the beautiful absurdity.

Son ofDraculais not available to watch or rent.

VAMPIRES, (aka JOHN CARPENTER’S VAMPIRES), Thomas Ian Griffith, Sheryl Lee, 1998, ceiling

Columbia Pictures/Everett

Horror of Draculastands alongside Tod Browning’s 1931 masterwork,Dracula,as a seminal entry in the genre.

It’s unfailingly propulsive, a candy-colored odyssey through groovy ’70s London, set to a swinging soundtrack.

What begins as a standard crime thriller turns into a full-on vampire bloodfest midway through.

LIFEFORCE, Jerome Willis (left), 1985, © TriStar/courtesy Everett Collection

TriStar/Everett

Bigelow’s film is highly original without insisting upon itself, or its clever premise.

Near Darkis not available to watch or rent.

Nosferatu (1922)

F.W.

DA SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS, Zaraah Abrahams, 2014. ©Gravitas Ventures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Gravitas Ventures/Everett

Nothing in post-production; do them all in the camera.

It was everyone running around and chasing each other with fangs.")

Shadow of the Vampireis not available to watch or rent.

THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA, (aka L’AMANTE DEL VAMPIRO, aka THE VAMPIRE’S LOVER), US lobbycard, from left: Walter Brandi, Helene Remy, 1960.

Everett

Bava begins the proceedings with a tale of a telephone creep harassing a woman and closes with ghostly revenge.

Kolchak: The NightStalkeris not available to watch or rent.

The film is funny, sad, and scary in equal measure.

Son Of Dracula, US lobbycard, bottom from left: Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, top from left: Freddie Jones, Harry Nilsson, ringo Starr, 1974. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images)

LMPC via Getty

Les Vampiresis not available to watch or rent.

Where to watchThe Addiction: Shudder

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