Like vampires themselves, fans of “bloodsucker” stories have always had something to sip. Many vampire-related productions get made each year (especially in thehorrorgenre), and in 2025, we’ve already seen one of the best:Sinners. But even though something good comes to cinemas annually, television tends to have quantity and (arguably) quality. FromBuffy the Vampire SlayertoThe Vampire Slayer, there is never a shortage of amazing shows.
Unfortunately, some incredible shows from the past have also sunk into the realm of the forgotten. These small-screen projects are just as entertaining as the popular ones, but few people ever reminisce about them or talk about them as some of the greatest television offerings of all time. That’s all due to a variety of factors, but what’s important for them now is to be given another chance at glory. If you are eager to see more past shows about immortal creatures with fangs, here is what to watch.
10’Forever Knight' (1992 – 1996)
forever knight
Nick Knight (Geraint Wyn Davies) fromForever Knightisan 800-year-old vampire working as a homicide detective in Toronto. He is trying to make up for his violent past by helping the innocent, but does he deserve atonement? And will he really resist his nature, especially when fellow vampire Lucien LaCroix (Nigel Bennett) is working so hard to tempt him back to his old ways?
Trying To Do the Right Thing
Forever Knightis not just a great vampire show but one ofthe most interesting international procedurals. It has plenty of bittersweet subject matter, which is delicately handled throughunfussy direction and a darkly amusing script. The odd pairing of Geraint Wyn Davies and Nigel Bennett is lightning in a bottle. Davies makes his character both annoyingly carefree and oddly astute, resulting in a protagonist you can wholly root for. And as a good protagonist should,Nick has plenty of interesting peculiarities, notably the fact that he prefers to feed on animal blood, despite being disgusted by it.
9’Kindred: The Embraced' (1996)
Kindred: The Embraced
Kindred: The Embracedfinds Julian Luna (Mark Frankel) and his secret society of vampires known as the Kindred enjoying a streak of impunity in San Francisco’s dark streets. Soon, they are forced to wake up and smell the coffee whena persistent human reporter threatens to expose their secret dealings.
Vampires in the Underworld
Looselybased on the role-playing game,Vampire: The Masquerade, Kindred: The Embracedisa layered, suspenseful examination of panic after the free rein that one has been used to is interfered with. The script parses investigations and weird cult-like moments while using several scenes as allegories to everyday problems. Be prepared to root for the villain, since Julian is a magnificently written character.
8’Vampire High' (2001 – 2002)
Vampire High
There is a major plan unfolding inVampire High.The vampire clanfigures that by enrolling the young unruly members of the species into a special school, they’ll soon become cultured members of society whose seemingly highborn elocution will fool humans into trusting them. In this special school, the usualteen dramaissues play out, namely bullying, forbidden romances, and mischief.
A Lot for Viewers to Learn in This ‘School’
Can vampires become civilized? That’s the main question inVampire High,and there are some interesting answers. Frommad-cap adventures to silly one-liners, the show delivers on numerous fronts. In each episode,the performances of the young actors hit complex notesas their characters find themselves in difficult situations. Watch out for an episode where two characters find the blood supply is locked up after being left at school by themselves during spring break. As time passes, the urge to feed on each other mounts.
8 Great Vampire Shows Based on Movies
Some of the greatest shows on TV revolve around vampires, and quite a few of them are based on movies.
7’I Heart Vampires' (2009 – 2010)
I Heart Vampiresrevolves around Corbin (Cherilyn Wilson) and Luci (Erin Way),two best friends who run a fansite for their favorite vampire book seriescalledConfessions of a High School Vampire. Soon, the girls make a shocking discovery:the books may be based on actual vampires. What now?
Flying Too Close to the Sun?
In I Heart Vampires,the writers juggle the bizarre and the wittywith delightful results, making this an absolute gem of a show. You’ll love howthe two protagonists cruise credibly from wisecracking cynicism to absolute panic and recklessness. Most importantly,the show feels relevant,tapping into the dangers of fansite culture and the risks of digging too deep into something you do not understand.
6’Ultraviolet' (1998)
Ultraviolet
Detective Sergeant Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) fromUltravioletis worried becausehis best friend Jack (Stephen Moyer) has gone missing the day before his wedding. His investigations guide him into the path of a paramilitary vampire-hunting organization funded by the British government and the Vatican. Bombshell?Jack has become a vampire.
Jack the Biter
Ultravioletis anything but subtle. It’ssensitive, moving, and profound. The centerpiece of the show, both visually and thematically, is the scene where the vampires reveal their plan for global domination and show how they intend to reward their austere benefactors. And despite this being a vampire show,efforts are made to address serious topics such as terminal cancer and PTSD. Even better, Idris Elba is among the cast members.
5’Orange Marmalade' (2015)
Orange Marmalade
Orange Marmaladeis set ina world where humans and vampires coexist, and the latter no longer rely on human blood for nutrition. Still, they discriminated against. So what happens whenBaek Ma-ri (Kim Seol-hyun), a socially awkward teen trying to hide her vampire identity, falls for the most popular boy in her high school, Jung Jae-min (Yeo Jin-goo)?
Is a Kiss on the Neck Too Dangerous?
Released in the same decade as American hits likeThe OriginalsandBeing Humanand presenting many parallels, it’s kind of mystifying that those shows were either hits or fiascos, and this one is seen as just another little addition to the genre. There isa psychological immediacytoOrange Marmaladethat many vampire shows lack. Despite featuring fictional concepts, ithas a realistic feel, which may have touched too close to home. Hopefully, we will see it vindicated soon. Definitely, amindblowing K-dramathat deserves to be widely seen.
4’Dark Shadows' (1966 – 1971)
Dark Shadows
Set in the mysterious Collinswood estate in Collinsport, Maine,Dark Shadowscenters aroundthe troubled Collins family, whose lives are often disrupted by weird supernatural forces. Things get even more interesting when Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid),a 175-year-old vampire, shows up.
Vampires and Other Scary Creatures
Series creator Dan Curtis came close to Gothic perfection withDark Shadows, serving audiencesa cocktail of horror and soap opera perfection. Additionally, the series follows the example of other innovative small-screen projects of the ‘60s (notably TheMunsters) byconstantly teasing physical violence without outwardly delivering it,and breaking with the sedate melodrama-centric shows of the era. Here, you’ll also find witches, ghosts, werewolves, zombies, time travel, and a parallel universe.
3’The Lair' (2007 – 2009)
The Lairtakes us to a small coastal town, wherea secret nightclub (named after the show’s title) provides gay men with a space to mingle. Unknown to new revelers,the place is run by vampires, who only want prey to feed on. Thankfully, investigative journalist Thom Etherton (David Moretti) realizes what’s happening and makes it his mission to end it.
Too Hot To Handle?
You’ll love howThe Lairushers you in slowly. At first, series creator Fred Olen Ray (who famously loaned a 16mm camera to Quentin Tarantino so he could makeMy Best Friend’s Birthday)constructs a detailed prismatic portrait of a perfect party island scene in mosaic fashion, compiling brief flirtation scenes and melding them with marvelous beach views. Then the horror begins. This coven of vampires is crazier than theBaywatchgang. You have to see it to believe it.
10 Best Vampire Movies on Netflix to Sink Your Teeth Into
Eager for more vampire treats that aren’t named ‘Sinners’ and ‘Nosferatu’? Check out the following flicks on Netflix.
2’Blood' (2015)
Bloodfollows Park Ji-sang (Ahn Jae-hyun),a skilled and compassionate surgeon who is secretly a vampire. As he tries hard to suppress his thirst for blood, hekeeps clashing with Yoo Ri-ta (Koo Hye-sun), a talented young doctorwho finds many personality faults in him. Things heat up even more when Ri-ta discovers Ji-sang is a blood sucker.
Ji-sang’s Anatomy
Ever seen a medical drama where the main doc is a vampire? Probably not, yet everyone went on with their lives likeBlooddidn’t exist. It’s amazing howa beautiful friendship buds with each new episode, thoughprogress is often hampered by ill will, pettiness, and ugly confrontations. But worry not. It works out well in the end, especially because a major villain (within the hospital circles) comes into the picture.
1’Moonlight' (2007)
From the outside,Moonlight’s Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) seems like just another P.I. On the inside,he is a vampire, having been turned by his bride on their wedding night 55 years earlier. He now fights crime while trying to hide his true nature. But how long can he keep the secret, especially now that he is falling for a human reporter he once saved as a child?
Cooler Than Magnum
Moonlightmainly rides on Jason Dohring’s incredible performance(he plays a 410-year-old vampire who is Mick’s mentor). It’s alsoguaranteed to impress subgenre fans with the unique ways in which it handles mythology. For example, in the show, the sire must educate humans about how to live as vampires after turning them. Otherwise, like an unwatered flower, they will wither and die. The human must also drink some of the vampire’s blood to ‘turn’ properly. Weird? There’s more. Tune into this incredible show.
