Discover the 8 Must-Watch Vampire Shows Inspired by Iconic Movies!

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Vampires are among the most well-known supernatural beings in the realm of horror fiction. There’s a certain charm to these nocturnal, blood-drinking creatures, despite their chilling nature. Although they’ve been part of folklore for thousands of years, they have haunted our nightmares, yet it was 19th-century literature that truly brought them into the limelight, with works like Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula” playing a significant role. Over time, vampires have transformed from terrifying monsters into complex anti-heroes, as portrayed in modern narratives such as “True Blood” and the “Twilight Saga”.

Several popular television series center around the intriguing world of vampires, and you might be surprised to learn that many of these series originated from movies. Some of these films achieved immense success and spawned franchises, ultimately leading to the development of a TV show. Alternatively, certain shows build upon the storyline where the movie ended. In any event, here is a list of 8 vampire TV shows inspired by a movie.

8
‘Hotel Transylvania: The Series’ (2017 – 2020)

In 2012’s “Hotel Transylvania,” the renowned Count Dracula (portrayed by Adam Sandler) operates a hotel that offers refuge to monstrous beings such as mummies, werewolves, and Frankenstein’s monster. This computer-animated film aimed at families became an unexpected blockbuster success. Its massive popularity gave birth to a series, consisting of four sequels and a television show.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to say that diving into the world of Hotel Transylvania before the original movie was quite an adventure with “Hotel Transylvania: The Series”. This prequel revolves around Mavis Dracula, the 114-year-old daughter of Count Dracula, one of the central figures in the films. Compared to the 2012 film, this series is more geared towards younger viewers, from its lighthearted storylines to its 2D animation. Unfortunately, none of the original voice cast members returned for this spin-off. Despite being adorable and lasting for three seasons, it falls short when stacked against other vampire TV shows on my list.

7
‘Blade: The Series’ (2006)

Prior to the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), before we saw Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man or Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, there was Wesley Snipes portraying Blade, Marvel’s most recognized vampire slayer, starting in 1998. In this role, Snipes depicted a character who gains extraordinary abilities due to his mother being bitten by a vampire at the time of his birth. The initial ‘Blade’ movie was successful, earning acclaim for its dark, adult themes and for featuring a black superhero as the protagonist. This success paved the way for future superhero adaptations and led to two sequels, along with a rather average TV series.

The TV series titled “Blade: The Series” carries on from where the movie “Blade: Trinity,” released in 2004, ended, with Blade’s ongoing battle against vampires. Regrettably, “Blade: The Series” was only able to complete one season before it was canceled. Contrary to popular belief, Wesley Snipes did not resume his role for the television adaptation; instead, rapper Sticky Fingaz took on the character, which became a major point of contention among fans. However, Snipes later reprised his role in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Initially, Blade was slated to appear in a reboot within the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Mahershala Ali portraying him; however, this project has been put on hold indefinitely.

6
‘From Dusk ‘Til Dawn: The Series’ (2014 – 2016)

1996’s “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn” introduces the Gecko brothers, portrayed by George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino, who abduct a family while traveling through Mexico. The movie takes an unforeseen twist as they encounter a horde of vampires and must fight for survival. Known for its outrageousness and graphic violence, it’s no surprise given the creative minds behind it: Quentin Tarantino (writer) and Robert Rodriguez (director). Over time, it has developed a dedicated fanbase and led to spin-offs such as sequels, comics, video games, and a TV series.

Robert Rodriguez personally created “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn: The Series,” serving as an updated take on the 1996 film. Like the movie, it follows the storyline with the Gecko brothers played by D.J. Cotrona and Zane Holtz. The series expands upon details that Rodriguez couldn’t include in the film, offering backstory for main characters as well as the snake-like vampires fought by the Geckos. “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn: The Series” received generally positive reviews, but unfortunately, it ran for only 3 seasons before being quietly terminated.

5
‘Vampire Academy’ (2022)

The Vampire Academy series, penned by Richelle Mead, is a collection of young adult novels blending elements of paranormal romance and drama. These books follow the journey of a teenage vampire as she learns to be a guardian at St. Vladimir’s Academy, much like Harry Potter meets Bella Swan in Twilight. Given such an enticing premise, it was inevitable that Vampire Academy would attract an adaptation.

Initially, the series was transformed into a movie of the same name in 2014, based on the first book. However, Vampire Academy failed to impress at the box office, effectively putting a halt to any plans for sequels. The film’s producer, Preger Entertainment, announced their intention to launch a crowdfunding campaign to produce more movies, but the campaign fell short of its target.

After being definitively ended, the movie series was transformed into the TV show, “Vampire Academy”. Unlike the films, this television adaptation didn’t follow a specific book from the series. Instead, it drew upon elements from all six novels, using them to weave a new narrative and reinterpret certain characters. Regrettably, this method didn’t fare well, resulting in mixed reviews and low viewership. Consequently, it was canceled after just one season.

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4
‘Shadowhunters’ (2016 – 2019)

The “Mortal Instruments” is a set of young adult fantasy books penned by Cassandra Clare. They revolve around powerful, supernatural beings known as Shadowhunters, who guard humans from evil forces like vampires and other supernaturals. A movie adaptation titled “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” was released in 2013, based on the first book. Initially intended to kickstart a new film series, subsequent sequels were abandoned because the initial film received negative reviews and didn’t do well financially.

Three years after being axed from the big screen, the movie franchise was resurrected into the TV show “Shadowhunters.” Despite garnering mixed opinions, “Shadowhunters” outperformed its cinematic counterpart. The series ran for three seasons before dwindling viewership triggered its termination. In an effort to provide a satisfying ending for fans, Freeform commissioned two additional episodes, offering viewers a sense of finality.

3
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019 – 2024)

The movie “What We Do in the Shadows” boasts an engaging background. Originating as a 2005 short film titled “What We Do in the Shadows: Interviews with Some Vampires, ” it was born from the minds of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement during their early careers. Nearly a decade later, they revisited this concept to expand it into a full-length feature film. The 2014 release, “What We Do in the Shadows, ” is a New Zealand mockumentary blending comedy and horror. It narrates the lives of several vampires sharing a residence in a New Zealand city, among them Viago (Waititi) and Clement (Vladislav the Poker). “What We Do in the Shadows ” garnered acclaim for its sharp wit and its fresh take on a genre that was then overwhelmed with vampire productions.

In a progression beyond the original work, Clement pushed the franchise forward by creating an American TV series inspired by his 2014 film. It maintains the same fundamental concept, but instead of being set in New Zealand, it unfolds on Staten Island. Despite this location shift, the television show remains consistent with the 2014 movie’s canonical universe. Characters from the film, including Clement’s and Waititi’s, also make appearances as cameos. Similar to the film, What We Do in the Shadows garnered critical praise and amassed multiple Emmy Award nominations throughout its five-season run, proving successful.

2
‘Angel’ (1999 – 2004)

Despite being its own separate show, Angel couldn’t have been created without the 1992 movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character-driven series revolves around Angel (David Boreanaz), a vampire from the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who was given his soul back. Tormented by regret for his past deeds, he strives to make amends by taking up private detective work and fighting against evil supernatural entities while helping those who have fallen astray find their way again.

Unlike many spin-offs that fail to match their originals, “Angel” proved an exception. Akin to “Buffy,” it earned critical acclaim for its grim atmosphere, innovative plot, compelling characters, and stellar acting performances. Over time, it has been recognized as one of the finest spin-off television series ever produced.

1
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997 – 2003)

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this show was in the cards for you. The television series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” follows its namesake as she battles vampires and other sinister supernatural entities. Sarah Michelle Gellar, a teenage idol in Hollywood during the ’90s, portrayed Buffy. However, what most people might not be aware of is that this timeless TV show was inspired by a movie with the same title.

Originally released in 1992, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” shares a similar concept as the subsequent television series, except it stars Kristy Swanson instead of Sarah Gellar. The film was penned by Joss Whedon, but he left the project due to his discontentment with its humorous and less serious tone. As a result, Whedon conceived a TV series that would reflect his original vision more accurately. And it’s safe to say that Whedon knew what he was doing! “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” left an indelible mark not just on the horror genre but also on television as a whole. The show received critical acclaim for its powerful female protagonist, intricate storylines, and innovative blend of genres, inspiring numerous other shows to follow suit. By the late ’90s and early 2000s, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” had become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular TV series, with many people being unaware that it originated from a movie.

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2025-06-01 05:06