The mythical creatures of Vampires and Werewolves are an essential part of the history of cinema. Interestingly, in modern pop culture, they are often shown as rivals. This Halloween, we bring you a curated list of iconic and engaging vampire vs werewolf movies, check them out.
Though ghouls and ghost films like The Conjuring and The Exorcist are considered the scariest films of all time, the old classics of werewolves and vampires will remain essential in Horror fiction. These classic creatures present a unique rawness symbolised by the vices of human thought. The werewolf and vampire movies in this list offer dynamic characteristics to the monsters. The debate on Werewolves vs. Vampires has been a part of a discussion of classic horror fans for years because of the unique and compelling circumstances each monster associates with. These movies are packed with action, and twists are sure to make you jump off your seat.
List of Vampire vs Werewolf Movies
- The Werewolf vs The Vampire Women
- The Wolf Man
- Underworld
- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
- An American Werewolf in London
- Van Helsing
- Nosferatu
- The Hunger
- Only Lovers Left Alive
- I Am Legend
1. The Werewolf vs The Vampire Women (1971)
IMDB ratings: 5.2/10
Cast: Paul Naschy, Barbara Capell, Patty Shepard
Director: León Klimovsky, Carlos Aured
The Werewolf vs. The Vampire Women is a Spanish/German horror film and part of a film series about the werewolf Waldemar Daninsky. Paul Naschy is the writer and main character of this movie. This project was a significant success and is regarded to have kickstarted the Spanish horror film boom of the 1970s.
The story follows the deceased lycanthrope/werewolf Waldemar Daninsky who is revived to life by doctors when they remove silver bullets from his heart. Two students, Elvira and Genevieve, land in Daninsky’s castle when in search of the tomb of a dangerous countess Wandessa Dracula de Nadasdy (a vampire). Not knowing he is a werewolf, the girls accept Daninsky’s offers to help. If you are in search of vampire vs werewolf movies, then among the first of its kind, The Werewolf vs. The Vampire Women should be perfect for you.
2. The Wolf Man (1941)
IMDB ratings: 7.2/10
Cast: Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi and Curt Siodmak
Director: George Waggner
The Wolf Man is an American horror film with a great deal of influence on Hollywood’s depictions of the legend of the Werewolf. This film was the second project by Universal Pictures on this subject and a part of the Universal Monsters movies. The Wolf Man received great cinematic acclaim for their pioneering production.
The story of The Wolf Man follows a man called Larry Talbot as he returns to his father’s castle in Wales. Here, he meets a beautiful woman with whom he goes to a local carnival and encounters a mysterious gipsy fortune teller. This horror classic introduces one of the most infamous monsters in a dreamlike atmosphere with an elaborative and chilling setting. I highly recommend watching The Wolf Man if you are interested in vampire vs werewolf movies.
3. Underworld (2003)
IMDB ratings: 7/10
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Micheal Sheen, Bill Nighy
Director: Len Wiseman
Underworld is a successful dark fantasy movie series. The story is based on Marvel comics of the same name. It follows the protagonist, Selene, a Death Dealer (Vampire), out to seek revenge on Lycans (Werewolves) that may have killed her family. Selene discovers that the werewolves are pursuing a human for experimentation called Michael Corvin and goes after him.
In Underworld, Vampires and Werewolves are not supernatural creatures but rather the product of a plague mutation. The films of this series are fast-paced with engaging narratives. Regardless of mixed reviews, Underworld is easily the best of its kind. If you want to see vampire vs werewolf movies, then it can’t get better than Underworld, be sure to check it out.
Also Read: Movies like Prometheus
4. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
IMDB ratings: 7.3/10
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lon Chaney Jr., Béla Lugosi
Director: Charles Barton
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is an American horror comedy featuring Count Dracula (the original imagining inspiring vampires) and Dr Sandra Mornay to reactivate Frankenstein’s monster. Dracula finds that the ideal brain belongs to a man called Wilbur Grey.
The character Larry Talbot turns into a Werewolf before he can warn Wilbur Grey of the trap set by Dracula. It is hard not to enjoy a well-written film that morphs 3 iconic horror characters into a classic story. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein should be great if you want to see movies about vampires and werewolves.
5. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
IMDB ratings: 7.5/10
Cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne
Director: John Landis
An American Werewolf in London is an international co-production written and directed by John Landis. This horror comedy film follows 2 American backpackers, David and Jack trek across the moors in Yorkshire and is attacked by a werewolf.
The practical effects of An American Werewolf in London may be dated. Still, they are incredibly charming and do the job of unsettling the audience. The side characters are all full of wit, and the general plot is compelling and unique. Consider An American Werewolf in London if you wish to see movies about vampires vs werewolves.
6. Van Helsing (2004)
IMDB ratings: 6/10
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh
Director: Stephen Sommers
Van Helsing is a gothic action horror that gives homage to Universal Horror monster films from the 1930s and 1940s. Van Helsing follows the story of a famed monster slayer Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman), who is dispatched to Transylvania to assist the last member of the bloodline of the Valerious family, Anna Valerious, in defeating Count Dracula.
Dracula forms an unholy alliance with Frankenstein’s monster. However, when Van and Anna team up to defeat the common enemy, they discover very unsettling news. Being a modern film, Van Helsing’s costume design, set production, and use of CGI create a far more realistic and impressive visual experience. Try watching Van Helsing if you are interested in vampire vs werewolf movies.
7. Nosferatu (1922)
IMDB ratings: 7.2/10
Cast: Max Schreck and Greta Schröder
Director: F. W. Murnau
Nosferatu is the earliest adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This German silent film changes the main character’s name to Count Orlok to dodge the accusations of an unlicensed adaptation of Bram’s work. Unfortunately, due to legal challenges, most of the copies of the film were ordered destroyed, except the one that made its way to America, where it was free of copyright issues.
The story is set in the fictional German town of Wisborg. Thomas Hutter is sent to Transylvania to visit a client named Count Orlock, who plans to buy a house next to Hutter. Most people around the town are frightened by merely the name of Orlock. The film was released a decade ago and yet manages to send chills down my spine whenever I watch it. Watch Nosferatu if you want to see werewolf vs vampire movies.
Also Read: Movies like Super8
8. The Hunger (1983)
IMDB ratings: 6.6/10
Cast: David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve
Director: Tony Scott
The Hunger is an erotic horror film where a love triangle develops between a beautiful yet dangerous vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist. The Hunger is another international co-production of the U.K. and the USA. Though the film received mixed critical responses, The Hunger has gained a cult following within the goth subculture.
The story follows a beautiful vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) and John (David Bowie). He has been led to believe that he’ll live forever, too. Unfortunately, he soon deteriorates into an odd living death, and Miriam seeks another companion. Sarah (Susan Sarandon) is a sweet young scientist who falls under Miriam’s charm. However, Sarah does not accept the concept of vampirism easily, leading to friction between the two. There isn’t much else to the story but if you are bored and looking for vampire vs werewolf movies then try this stylish film The Hunger.
9. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
IMDB ratings: 7.2/10
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Only Lovers Left Alive is a 2013 fantasy comedy-drama film and an international co-production between the United Kingdom and Germany. The film focuses on a romance between 2 vampires who live half a world apart. The protagonists are called (very biblically) Adam and Eve. Neither of them feeds directly on humans, but they depend on local suppliers for what they consider the good stuff.
Adam (Tom Hiddleston) is an underground musician. He reunites with his lover for centuries (Tilda Swinton) after he becomes depressed and tired of the direction human society has taken. However, their love is interrupted and tested by Eve’s wild and uncontrollable sister. Only Lovers Left Alive’s talented cast delivers a superb performance. There are not a lot of new great movies about vampires vs werewolves made, but this one is worth a watch.
10. I Am Legend (2007)
IMDB ratings: 7.2/10
Cast: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Willow Smith
Director: Francis Lawrence
I Am Legend is a post-apocalyptic thriller movie loosely adapted from a novel by Richard Matheson of the same name. This movie has the highest budget compared to any film on this list, with 150 million. A scene that takes place in Brooklyn, New York, alone took 5 million to make. The movie was well-received by viewers and a big commercial success.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic time where an experimental cure for a measles virus creates a plague that kills most of humanity. The rest turn into Vampire-like monsters, leaving only a few humans to find the cure to save the affected ones. Neville (Will Smith) is the sole survivor in NY, and his only companion is his dog. In my opinion, this is Will Smith’sSmith’s greatest performance. Suppose you haven’t seen I Am Legend and enjoy movies about werewolves and vampires. In that case, I highly recommend you check it out.
Honourable Mentions
A few popular vampire vs werewolf movies were not included in this list, but you can check them out nonetheless:
- Wolf (1994)
- The Twilight Saga
- Left the Right One In
- Interview with the Vampire
- World War