From Dusk Till Dawn: Top 10 Vampire Series You Need to Watch
From absolute classics to something you probably haven't checked out yet.
1. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer " (1997-2003):
Well, we just had to start with the "granddaddy" of 'em all, right?
Don't let the cheesy title fool you, this Joss Whedon classic is a seminal piece of television that transcends its monster-of-the-week format to deal with complex themes. The show follows Buffy Summers, a typical high school girl with not-so-typical responsibilities – see, she's the Chosen One, destined to fight the forces of darkness.
With vampires, demons, and everything in between, "Buffy" is often surprisingly deep, tackling everything from first love to grief. Interestingly enough, Sarah Michelle Gellar almost missed out on the titular role. The character was initially offered to Katie Holmes, who turned it down to finish high school!
2. "True Blood" (2008-2014):
Welcome to Bon Temps, Louisiana, where vampires and humans coexist thanks to synthetic blood that sates vampires' thirst. This HBO series is a sultry, Southern Gothic romp through the supernatural world, centering on Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a 173-year-old vampire.
"True Blood" combines romance, horror, and drama with a hefty dose of social commentary. The show is based on "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" novels by Charlaine Harris.
3. "The Strain" (2014-2017):
When a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient strain of vampirism ravages New York City, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team must navigate the crisis to save humanity.
"The Strain," co-created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, merges the procedural drama with a chilling horror narrative. Its vampire mythos, which leans heavily into grotesque body horror, is a far cry from the suave, charming bloodsuckers usually portrayed in media.
It's got a rocking 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the audiences loved it – just, maybe, brace yourself for some graphic details before giving it a try, alright?
4. "Penny Dreadful" (2014-2016):
Think of it as a Victorian-era "Avengers," but with literary characters. "Penny Dreadful" assembles a quite colorful team that includes explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, and medium Vanessa Ives to combat supernatural threats in London, including – you guessed it – vampires.
The show blends psychological thriller and horror elements, offering a darker, grittier take on the vampire genre. Plus, it features a mesmerizing performance from Eva Green that is worth the price of admission alone. I mean, you just don't want to miss that.
5. "Angel" (1999-2004):
Spinning off from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel" follows the titular vampire-with-a-soul as he fights evil in Los Angeles.
While the show delves into darker, more mature themes than its predecessor, it never loses its sense of humor. David Boreanaz's nuanced portrayal of a vampire seeking redemption makes this series a must-watch.
Trivia alert: During the series, Angel's offices are in the historic Los Angeles Herald-Examiner building.
6. "The Vampire Diaries " (2009-2017):
On the surface, Mystic Falls appears to be a quaint, small town. That is, until you get to know its inhabitants a little better.
"The Vampire Diaries" follows the story of Elena Gilbert, a young woman caught in a sizzling love triangle between two vampire brothers – the brooding, enigmatic Stefan Salvatore and his rebellious, charismatic older brother, Damon.
With a constant onslaught of supernatural threats, from ancient vampire-werewolf hybrids to witches and even doppelgängers, the narrative skillfully combines romance, adventure, and a hint of horror.
7. "Being Human" (2008-2013):
A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost decide to share a flat in Bristol. Sounds like the setup for a joke, amirite? But this is the actual premise of "Being Human", a BBC Three series that leans heavily into its characters' attempts to retain their humanity despite their monstrous conditions.
Mitchell, the vampire, tries to abstain from blood; George, the werewolf, struggles to manage his transformations; and Annie, the ghost, strives to interact with the world she left behind.
As much a drama about friendship and identity as it is about the supernatural, "Being Human" offers a fresh, emotionally resonant take on the vampire genre.
8. "Moonlight" (2007-2008):
"Moonlight" takes the traditional vampire narrative and plops it into a noir-ish detective setting. Our protagonist, Mick St. John, a private investigator, was turned into a vampire on his wedding night 60 years ago. Rather than succumbing to his vampire instincts, he uses his immortality and supernatural abilities to save humans.
Despite a tragically short run (it was cancelled after just one season, which is an actual crime, if you ask me!), "Moonlight" managed to build a cult following. It may have been overlooked during its initial airing, but this show is so worth sinking your teeth into.
9. "The Originals" (2013-2018):
A spin-off from "The Vampire Diaries," "The Originals" centers on the Mikaelson siblings, who are, quite literally, the original vampires.
Set in New Orleans, the series explores the complex dynamics between the siblings and their quest to take back control of the city they once ruled. Expect power struggles, betrayal, and a dash of romance.
10. "Van Helsing" (2016-2021):
Switching the traditional gender roles, "Van Helsing" brought us Vanessa Helsing, the daughter of famed vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing. After awakening from a three-year coma to find the world overrun by vampires, Vanessa discovers she has unique blood that can turn vampires human again.
Balancing post-apocalyptic survival with vampire hunting, the show does a commendable job of reinvigorating the vampire genre with a strong, compelling female lead. As an added bonus, the series holds a solid audience score of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.