Skip Twilight! These 7 vampire romance films are perfect for Valentine’s Week 2025

New Delhi: Vampires used to be terrifying creatures of the night—lurking in the shadows, seducing mortals and rocking capes like it was a red carpet event. Then Twilight happened and suddenly our fanged fiends were brooding teenagers with glitter problems. Sure, Edward and Bella’s romance had its moments (mostly staring contests and dramatic sighs), but let’s be real—vampire love stories can be so much more than longing glances and questionable life choices.

If you prefer your immortal lovers with a bit more depth (and, you know, personality), you’re in luck. Well, these vampire love stories have everything Twilight lacked—passion, danger, and in some cases, actual plot.

Romantic vampire movies

If you’re craving love stories with more bite, here are seven vampire romances that outshine Twilight in originality, depth and sheer gothic charm. Scroll down to read about them in detail!

1. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as centuries-old lovers? Say no more. Only Lovers Left Alive is a hauntingly beautiful take on love that endures across time. Adam (Hiddleston), a reclusive musician, is drowning in existential despair until his equally immortal wife, Eve (Swinton), comes to his rescue. Their reunion is cut short when Eve’s reckless sister (Mia Wasikowska) disrupts their blood-soaked harmony. This film isn’t about love at first bite—it’s about love that survives lifetimes, setbacks and unfortunately a little family drama.

https://www

2. Dracula (1979)

Before Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen, there was Frank Langella’s Dracula—a vampire so charismatic he could make a coffin look like a five-star honeymoon suite. This adaptation leans into the gothic romance of Bram Stoker’s classic, making Dracula less of a monster and more of a tortured lover. It’s the ultimate romance novel brought to life with enough dramatic stares and flowing capes to make Twilight look like a high school play.

https://www

3. Let the Right One In (2008) / Let Me In (2010)

Think My Girl but with vampires and a lot more blood. This Swedish horror romance (and its American remake) tells the story of a bullied boy who befriends a mysterious girl next door—who just happens to be a vampire. Their relationship is equal parts innocent and chilling, proving that love can be sweet even when it involves fangs and a high body count.

https://www

4. Dracula Untold (2014)

Dracula as a tragic hero? Count us in. Dracula Untold reimagines the bloodsucker’s origin story with a heavy dose of romance, heartbreak and betrayal. The film follows Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans) as he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his family—at the cost of his humanity. If Twilight gave us love that sparkles, Dracula Untold gives us love that bleeds.

5. Blood and Roses (1960)

Adapted from the novella Carmilla, this stylish 1960 film explores jealousy, obsession, and vampiric possession. When Carmilla (Annette Vadim) becomes envious of her cousin’s engagement, she finds herself drawn to the legend of her vampire ancestor. What follows is a gothic fever dream filled with eerie romance and surreal beauty. If you’ve ever wished Twilight leaned harder into its sapphic undertones, Blood and Roses is your answer.

https://www

6. The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice (2008)

Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s over the top. But that’s exactly what makes The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice so much fun. This adventure rom-com throws a vampire twist into the mix, blending humour, action and romance in a way that feels like Indiana Jones met Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sometimes, you don’t need a brooding romance—you just need a good time.

https://www

7. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

No list is complete without Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this visually stunning film embraces gothic romance like no other. Gary Oldman’s Dracula is less of a monster and more of a tragic lover, desperately seeking his lost soulmate. The film delivers passion, horror and drama in equal measure—something Twilight could never quite master.

https://www

So, if you’re ready to move beyond Forks, Washington, sink your teeth into one of these underrated gems. What are you going to watch?