You can’t call yourself a serious fantasy enthusiast until vampires are at the top of your list. Let’s face it, vampires have always been a source of curiosity, particularly in popular culture. Vampires have gone a long way, with an engaging plot for every taste, from novels written about them to later being adapted into thrilling movies and compelling television programs.
They have, however, developed in their own ways – for example, garlic is a myth, but stake them through the heart isn’t. They are fast, and when we say fast, we mean superfast, with the emphasis on the word’super,’ which also applies to them being strong, energetic, and really stunning to look at.
While some people are unable to go out throughout the day, others appear to be unconcerned. Okay, not really; the latter are normally protected by daylight rings. However, their nutrition appears to remain the same as it has been for as long as anybody can remember – human blood to be precise.
So get ready for today’s video, in which we’ll walk you through five fang-tastic vampire television programmes to dig your fangs into! Are you all set?
Castlevania (2017 – 2021)
Warren Ellis’ Castlevania is based on the third Castlevania video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, which won the BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award, the Golden Trailer Award, and an IGN Award.
Boasting a current IMDb rating of 8.3, this first anime Netflix original series has been a critical as well as a wide commercial success and a sheer delight for every fan out there who is both into fantasy and animation.
Dracula wages war on mankind when his beloved human wife, Count Vlad Draculaepeș, is unjustly convicted of witchcraft and burned at the stake. Holding every single human responsible for the tragic death of his wife Lisa, Dracula driven byromantic rage unleashes a horde of demonic creatures from Hell to wipe out the sole existence of the people of Wallachia.
Now, it is up tothe last surviving member of the Belmont clan, an excommunicated family of monster hunters Trevor Belmont to take matters in his hand and engage in a battle against the lord of vampires and his army of Hell.He is joined by Dracula’s dhampir son Alucard and magician SyphaBelnades in the process.
Castlevania, created by Adi Shankar, has four seasons and 32 incredibly intriguing episodes, and it’s safe to say that the anime series has become better and better with each season.
While originally, it did start off as a loose adaptation of the video game series, it soon leaped into a world of its own – one filled with the darkest of villains, an unforgettable cast of heroes, a marvelous workof animation, and a promising storyline along with a gracious amount of blood and gore.
It is a pity they only had four seasons, something that was clearly not enough for the fans of this vampire series here. Those who are planning to watch Castlevania can head straight to Netflix and trust us when we tell you that you just cannot go wrong with this one.
The Strain (2014 – 2017)
This American horror drama television series is based on the famed partnership Guillermo del Toro Gómez and Chuck Hogan’s vampire horror novel trilogy, also titled The Strain.
The series spanned across four seasons, generating 46 captivating episodes over the course of time. Still boasting a current IMDb rating of 7.3, The Strain has been a recipient of 3 very exciting awards and 27 nominations.
The plot revolves around Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the CDC Canary Team in New York City, who is summoned to investigate a Boeing 767 landing in which everyone onboard has mysteriously died. What his response team discovers is a strange viral outbreak that has some kind of a connection with an ancient evil strain of vampirism.
Very soon, the virus starts spreading and Dr. Goodweather is joined by Abraham Setrakian, a survivor of the Holocaust along with a miscellaneous group of fighters to save what is left of humanity.
Please notice that the monsters on show here aren’t your average vampires now that we have your complete attention. They are known as the Strigoi.
Well, some of you who have seen Guillermo del Toro’s 2002 superhero horror flick, Blade II, might say that the creatures in the series bear a striking resemblance to the Reapers in the movie. Yes, that is true and they are to an extent similar but the Strigoi happens to be Guillermo del Toro’s original concept.
When the acclaimed Mexican director had first taken an interest in writing at a very young age of course, he had shaped vampires as horrendous, parasitic creatures having on display leech-like appendages. But he conceptualized this version many years ago, in fact way before Blade II or The Strain for that matter.
But he made sure that his original concept of vampires was featured in the television series. And, for those of you who are wondering if the term ‘Strigoi’ holds any meaning in real life or not, well it does.
It is a real Roman word that refers to disturbed spirits who rise from their graves and has thisdesire to drain the blood of their victims. Spooky, right?Come on, it’s Guillermo del Toro that we are talking about!
We highly recommend that you give this series a definite shot and if you are wondering where, just head straight to Hulu and you are welcome.
Penny Dreadful (2014 – 2016)
What do we have here, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, good A horror drama television series that has received 16 notable wins and 91 nominations, including 13 Primetime Emmy nominations.
Yes, we are talking about Penny Dreadful which still holds a current IMDb rating of 8.2 and boasts ariveting list of 27 episodes spanning across 3 seasons. To those that are wondering what’s the big deal about Penny Dreadful, here, let us help you out a little.
How about we engross you to watch a tv series that isn’t just about regular vampires but also has on display intertwining tales of Frankenstein, the Devil, Count Dracula and the artistic Dorian Gray. That’s not all; you see the setting is very important too so now imagine all of that against a backdrop of Victorian London. You get the picture, right?
With a wealth of compelling characters, John Logan’s series effectively elevated the macabre to new heights. When you have Eva Green, Timothy Dalton(pronounce:-Tee-Mothy Dal-Ton), Reeve Carney, Billie Piper, Harry Treadaway, and Josh Harnett in the starring parts, you know you’re in for a wild journey.
It just goes without saying that the cast is simply outstanding and the series does a brilliant job in unfolding its characters, especially on their relationships and how it affects every individual.
There are no second thoughts about Penny Dreadful being wildly entertaining and anyone who is on the lookout for some good drama is bound not to be disappointed. It delivers what it promises and it has our vote. Haven’t seen it yet? Just stream it on Netflix!
The Originals (2013 – 2018)
If you like Julie Plec’s supernatural adolescent drama TV series The Vampire Diaries, there’s no reason why you won’t enjoy its immediate spin-off. The Mikaelsons are well-known among TVD fans.
In case, you are new to it, the Mikaelsons are the very first line of vampires – the Originals to be more precise and it is from them that every vampire that’s currently breathing or technically not has been nothing but a direct descendant from them. Doesn’t this solely make the whole premise interesting?
As far as the plotline is concerned, it principally revolves around three of the Mikaelson siblings, Klaus, Elijah(pronounce;-E-Lie-Jaah) and Rebekah returning back to New Orleans to re-establish themselves as the ruling family once again.
Would you believe us if we told you that Klaus Mikaelson’s character was supposed to die in The Vampire Diaries, the show where he originally appeared? But then we all know how popular his character became and the swelling admiration for his character eventually earned him a green signal along with a mind-blowing spin-off show.
Also created by Julie Plec, the series went ahead with 5incredible seasons generating 92 episodes. A recipient of 1 Primetime Emmy nomination amongst others, The Originals maintains an IMDb rating of 8.2 till this very day.
We at Marvelous Videos, would definitely urge you to watch the parent series before giving this a shot but then again, that’s totally up to you. Both are available on Netflix; the choice is yours.
Dracula (2020)
If only every Count on display looked this hot – are we deviating? Yes, we are because Claes Bang, a Danish actor, does a fantastic job portraying the titular character, leaving every lady with drool on the side.
Based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 celebrated novel, Dracula, this television mini series here comprises three episodes and believe us, that is what did the trick and worked in favor of the series.
This rendition of Dracula may not appeal to everyone, particularly those with differing tastes. You have a good sense of what the tale is going to be like, at least at first, but it quickly diverges from the original material.
You are bound to ask yourself questions because what’s in front of you isn’t a conventional Dracula story anymore.And then you have the king of horrorStephen King in favor of the series,so you know that you are in for a real treat. Full credits to creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for being so brilliant at breaking down the norms of a classic story and whipping up a completely refreshing, new story for a new generation.
The 2020 drama horror tv series brags a pacing that is surprisingly well given that the show only has three episodes to make the impression. The ending will leave you wanting for more and in a good way.
Finally, one of the best Dracula adaptations – this is deserving of your time and attention. By the conclusion of this video, make sure you add this series to your Netflix watch queue.
V Wars (2019)
Based on the eponymous anthology series and comic book by New York Times best-selling novelist Jonathan Maberry, the series is sure to take readers on a nonstop thrill journey of action, terror, and suspense – all set against the backdrop of a very fascinating tale.
Before your thoughts go wild, let’s be clear on one thing straightaway. As much as it is about vampires, this series here is certainly not about biting and repopulating.V Wars is a lot more than that, having on display a rather unique perspective.
A doctor is at odds with his closest buddy after a virus turns the latter into a lethal predator, or in other words, a vampire, in the 2019 series. No wonder the disease starts spreading like wildfire aiming at those who have this certain gene mutation in their DNA.
Well, of course this leads to a visible division in the society; the doctor literally races against time to not only find a cure but also comprehend what and why is it happening and his best friend eventually emerges as the supreme leader of the vampire sect.
In case you didn’t know, Ian Somerhalder plays Dr. Luther Swann, and would you believe us if we told you that Ian had passed on the project numerous times? Well, back then he had just completed The Vampire Diaries and eight years is a long time to process even for Ian Somerhalder!
No wonder he chose to read the books that the show is based on to decide whether to give it a shot or not. The fact that he was blown away by the story shows when he finally took on the role.
Well, if you didn’t get enough of him in The Vampire Diaries, here’s your chance again. You can catch this talented hotbod right away on Netflix!
The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)
So, what could be better than two vampire brothers who look like a complete snack out there, displaying their young gorgeous bodies and getting sucked into a steamy love triangle just way history would have intended them to?
Well, that is exactly what the storyline of Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson’s supernatural teen drama tv series is all about. A recipient of four People’s Choice Awards amongst 37 deserving wins and 67 nominations, The Vampire Diaries still brags a current IMDb rating of 7.7.
The Vampire Diaries, based on L. J. Smith’s young adult book series of the same name, lasted eight seasons and produced 171 riveting episodes. Starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder in the leading roles, the series was a huge hit. Speaking of Somerhalder, you will be surprised to know that even he had to audition twice to get the part of Damon Salvatore.
The character of Damon Salvatore did have a long queue of names that had initially auditioned before landing their respective parts. For starters, we have Paul Wesley, Zach Roerig as well as Michael Trevino all auditioning for the role before settling down with characters ‘Stefan Salvatore’, ‘Matt Donovan’ and ‘Tyler Lockwood’.
To all those, who are still yet to watch The Vampire Diaries, your next television binge iswaiting for you on Netflix.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Joss Whedon’s supernatural drama TV series is based on Fran RubelKuzui’s 1992 American dark comedy horror film also titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which won two Primetime Emmys among 52 wins and 134 nominations.
The narrative shows Sarah Michelle Gellar essaying the role of Buffy Summers, a vampire slayer chosen by destiny to fight against vampires, demons and other forces of darkness.
No matter how much she tries to live a normal high school teenager life, she eventually learns to embrace her fate as a Slayer or the ‘Chosen One’, guided and trained by a Watcher. As a slayer, she has supernatural abilities to fight evil creatures along with her dedicated circle of friends known as the Scooby Gang.
The series not only has an IMDb rating of 8.2, but it also includes seven seasons and 144 episodes on display for you to enjoy the antics of Buffy and her crew. The series was a big hit eventually leading to a multitude of novels, spin-offs, comics as well as video games.Still haven’t been able to be a part of the Buffyverse? Well, no problem at all. Just head to Hulu and you will thank us later.
True Blood (2008 – 2014)
So, we’re talking about Alan Ball’s fantasy horror drama television series, which is based on Charlaine Harris’s bestselling Southern Vampire Mysteries series of books. A recipient of 1 Primetime Emmy amongst 38 wins and a total of 158 nominations, you know you just cannot take True Blood lightly.
Meet Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress residing in the fictional rural town of Bon Temps in Louisiana, who is the central character in the series. As fate would have had it, Sookie’s life takes a 180 degree turn when she tastes the forbidden fruit or in other words, falls in love with the 174-year-old vampire Bill Compton. It is through Bill that she learns about the existence of many terrifying supernatural creatures and you know that you are in for a rollercoaster ride.
True Blood, which has a current IMDb rating of 7.8, is HBO’s most viewed series since David Chase’s criminal drama series, The Sopranos, which includes seven seasons and 80 thrilling episodes. It is absolutely addictive with the first five seasons being absolutely flawless.
The fact that the storyline is original makes it all the more enticing and sexier. The series also features characters that are not only believable but also likeable. We are particularly stressing on Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Rutina Wesley they are incredible.
Jace Everett deserves a round of commendation for his work on the musical score, especially the opening theme. If that doesn’t have you hooked, we don’t know what else would. If you got plans of binging on this one tonight, just head over to Prime Video.
Preacher (2016 – 2019)
This supernatural action adventure television series, produced by Sam Catlin, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, is based on the Preacher comic book series, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon.
The storyline is pretty simple; we have a preacher called Jesse Custer, who is in all probability unlike any other preacher that you have come across in life. Custer besides being a heavy drinker and a chain smoker also has this extraordinary power of making anyone for that matter do whatever he says.
So, he embarks on a journey to comprehend his super abilities and find God, literally. In this journey, he is joined by his volatile, hell-raising girlfriend Tulip O’Hare and Proinsias Cassidy, a vice-loving vampire from Ireland.
Preacher features four fascinating seasons with a total of 43 episodes on display. The series is really pleasant, with an IMDb rating of 8 as of today. The viewers get to see a mix of everything taking place; well, there’s divine intervention, fallen angels, there’s a guy who has an ass for a face and no we are not kidding about it.
The whole idea of God being on some kind of a vacation works in favor of the series here and it goes without saying that Preacherhas every element to keep you thoroughly entertained. True, it does not live up to the comics but hey, it’s worth the watch. We highly recommend that you take out some time and stream it on Prime Video. You won’t regret!
From Dusk till Dawn: The Series (2014 – 2016)
If you’re asking, sure, this horror television series is based on Robert Rodriguez’s 1996 action horror film From Dusk to Dawn. The sitcom, created by Rodriguez, focuses on the Gecko brothers Seth and Richie, as well as the Fuller family and Santanico Pandemonium.
Spanning across 3 seasons with a list of 30 episodes, From Dusk till Dawn adds to the tone of the movie introducing new characters as well as their origin stories and also going detailed with the snake creatures’ Mesoamerican mythology.
As far as the narrative of the series is concerned, the infamous Gecko brothers are wanted both by the FBI as well as Freddie Gonzalez, a Texas Ranger post a bank robbery went awry leaving behind plenty of people dead.
The brothers chance upon the former minister Jacob Fuller and his family and they end up taking them as hostages by taking control of the Fullers’ recreational vehicle. Things take a wild turn when all of them end up confined in a desert bar, one that’s run by vampires.
While many people like the original film, some think that the series was ultimately more enjoyable. If you’ve seen the movie but still wants to give this series a chance, listen to us out.
You might need a couple of episodes to get used to but then that’s about it. Post a few episodes, the series tends to grow on you. Zane Holtz as Richie Gecko was absolutely brilliant.
He brought life to his character giving it so much more depth and dimension. It is also a treat to watch Robert Patrick and Don Johnson – they were superb. Having said all of that, there’s no denying that this series here is still an OTT horror fantasy, one that certainly deserves to be seen. Guessing where to watch? Netflix, to the rescue.
Blade: The Series (2006)
The events of Blade: The Series, based on the Marvel Comics character and the film series, take place after the events of Blade: Trinity, which was released in 2004. This live-action superhero television series, created by David S. Goyer, has 13 thrilling episodes.
As per the storyline, Krista Starr is seen returning home after having served in Iraq. But then she learns about the mysterious death of her twin brother. After probing a little further into things, she soon discovers that her brother used to work as some kind of an obligated servant tothe vampires, taking care of their dictates – all in the hopes that his master in due course would pay him back with immortality.
Krista’s investigation leads her to Blade and then eventually to Marcus van Sciver, the latter being her brother’s killer. No points for guessing Marcus gets absolutely hooked to Krista; so much so that he even wishes to transform her into a vampire just like him.
Blade manages to inoculate Krista with the same serum that he uses to keep his vampire instincts in check. Blade also offers her a chance to help him avenge her brother’s death and bring down Marcus along with the House of Chthon. He even discloses that all this while, her brother was simply trying to carry out a sting operation with Blade. The duo ends up teaming up with each other.
Those who have watched the show often question why there was just one season. The trailer not only looked great, but the premise was intriguing enough to keep one’s attention. It had the potential to succeed. Shame, it did not get a second season!
Legacies (2018 – Present)
Meet Hope Mikaelson, a direct descendent of a strong witch, vampire, and werewolf family, as if being a vampire wasn’t difficult enough. This fantasy drama tv series here is a direct spin-off of The Originals and in some way also The Vampire Diaries because of the solitary reason that it has on display characters from both the series.
The events of Legacies occur two years post the events in The Originals and revolves around the daughter of Klaus and Hayley, now a high-school student attending the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. This school is more like a safe haven, one where every supernatural being can learn to control their instincts and abilities.
This gripping new drama, created by Julie Plec, chronicles the narrative of the next generation of these extraordinary creatures over the course of four seasons, with 54 enthralling episodes. Yes, you might find a few episodes dodgy and even come to think when would the connecting story start?
Trust us, you do not have to wait for that. The twists and turns are bound to keep you glued to the series and suddenly everything will start to make a lot more sense to you. You get to meet interesting characters, also villains to be more precise and the whole teen drama tone moves ahead in a direction towards The Originals.
Of course, it is advised not to compare it with its predecessors. But, just in case you felt absolutely gutted when both the previous series ended, we highly recommend that you give Legacies a definite shot. It is right there on Prime Video!
Van Helsing (2016 – 2021)
If you’re talking about vampires, you’ve got to have a certain Helsing. After all, they run parallel, and with that in mind, Neil LaBute created the fantasy horror drama television series Van Helsing, which ran for five seasons and provided us 65 episodes to enjoy.
Based on Zenescope Entertainment’s graphic novel series also called Helsing, the series has Vanessa Van Helsing, a direct descendant of renowned vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, waking up from coma and discovering that she now happens to be in a post-apocalyptic world.
It has been three years since the eruption of the volcanic Yellowstone Caldera has resulted in the world being clouded in a dense layer of ash. This means it is always dark, there’s no sunlight, which further indicates that vampires who have taken over the world are now capable of roaming around freely.
Not a great idea for humans! Anyway, Vanessa soon discovers that she has this very rare blood composition, something that gives her the ability to be able to transform vampires back into humans.
In short, Vanessa Van Helsing is humanity’s last hope!So, this also makes her a primary target for the vampires but hey, that does not stop her from trying to save the world and putting mankind back to its rightful place.
The series, which has received 22 awards and 53 nominations, is well-paced and features a strong cast. Agreed thatthe whole idea of a super powered female vampire slayer isn’t something ingenious nor is a post-apocalyptic earth overrun by vampires but in spite of all that, Van Helsing has its own story to tell. We urge you not to miss out on this reimagining of the classic Dracula story. It’s right there on Netflix!
Immortals (2018)
This Turkish online series depicts Istanbul in a never-before-seen light. The plot revolves around Mia, a human-turned-vampire who seeks to assassinate the vampire that caused her metamorphosis.
But the vampire responsible, Dmitry, has plans of his own and is on the lookout for a relic, one that will grant him the power of immortality. Time’s clicking and Mia has to stop Dmitry before he is able to find what he is searching for.
Well, complete credit must go to the representation of the city, which contributes to the plot’s spiteful tone. Immortals has 8 intriguing episodes on show, with KeremBürsin and ElçinSangu in the key parts, and fans are often heard inquiring why there is just a single season. Guess, that explains that they certainly didn’t get enough of the series. Wondering where to watch, head right away to Netflix!