Netflix’s new teen drama series, First Kill has received a lot of buzz since its release on June 10th. The series follows Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook), a vampire, and Calliope (Imani Lewis), a vampire hunter, both from esteemed families. Its corny, Romeo and Juliet-style plotline has landed it in Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows.
The excitement around the series is a testament to the timelessness of the vampire genre. What sets the best of these dramas apart is their ability to capture the audiences’ attention with a gripping storyline full of high stakes, interesting lore, and the occasional soapy romance. Here’s a look back at some of the best vampire TV shows, according to the Ranker community.
Note: Ranker lists are fan-voted, live, and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Charmed (1998 – 2006)
This series follows the Halliwell sisters, Piper (Holly Marie Combs), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Prue (Shannen Doherty) who are descendants of a long line of witches.
Charmed started out as a campy, fun inside look at how the Halliwells balance their daily lives and fulfill their duty in the fight against evil. Later seasons, however, develop into a more intimate look at how the women navigate their 20s and 30s. The show was rebooted in 2018 by The CW and finished its final season early this month. The final season will be available on Netflix on June 18th.
Moonlight (2007 – 2008)
Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) is a vampire and private detective that uses his supernatural abilities to solve murder cases. When one of these cases leads to Beth (Sophia Myles), Mick must hide his feelings to conceal his identity.
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, Moonlight is a series with a refreshing urban twist. Despite being short-lived, the series gained a niche audience that stayed for the show’s dark humor, addicting storyline, and the strong chemistry between Mick and Beth. The series’ well-rounded characters, realistic edge, and noir atmosphere make it stand out.
Being Human (2008 – 2013)
This BBC series follows unlikely flatmates Annie (Lenora Crichlow), a ghost, George (Russell Tovey), a werewolf, and Mitchell (Aidan Turner), a vampire, as they navigate the human world.
Being Human breaks away from the tropes of its genre and there is great chemistry and a sense of warmth between Annie, George, and Mitchell. There is also a good balance between genuinely funny moments and outright gore. The plot and relatable characters will keep viewers intrigued. A US reboot of the series was launched by Syfy in 2011. The final episode of the reboot was aired in 2014.
Penny Dreadful (2014 – 2016)
Set in Victorian-era London, an American, Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), an explorer, Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), a medium, and Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), a scientist, join forces to fight supernatural evil.
Inspired by the works of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and more, Penny Dreadful has a rich storyline, incredible acting, and beautiful, Gothic-style production design. Mixing the psychological and the surreal, the show has a seriously terrifying edge. In 2020, there was a Showtime reboot of the series under the name: “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” that ended the same year.
Supernatural (2005 – 2020)
When their father goes missing, the Winchester brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) set off to find him. Along the way, they encounter powerful supernatural creatures that they must defeat.
With its record-setting 15-year run time, Supernatural has a lot to offer. For starters, it’s packed with road trip-style adventure, a killer soundtrack, and complex mythology that keeps the audience engaged. The story also dives into the dynamics of familial struggles and grief. The possibility of a prequel reboot, The Winchesters, has sparked new theories and renewed excitement from the series’ fan base.
Angel (1999 – 2004)
This spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, stars Angel (David Boreanaz), a vampire with a human soul, who relocates to Los Angeles and teams up with friends to fight supernatural beings that threaten the city.
Angel represents a much grittier supernatural world than its predecessor. The series, despite initial doubts, has proven itself as a strong stand-alone with its compelling script and proper character development. As some of the best characters from the Buffyverse, Angel and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) come together with Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof), and Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) to make a memorable team. There are also cameo appearances by Buffy and the Sunnydale crew that occur throughout the series.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who is destined to be a slayer, teams up with her friends Xander (Nicholas Brendon), Willow (Alyson Hannigan), and her mentor Rupert (Anthony Head) to fight evil to save the mortal world.
With its entertaining storyline, unforgettable quotes, and great characters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is an undeniable classic. It is also a trailblazer in the supernatural teen soap genre and offers everything from awkward high school drama to gory monster-slaying action. Buffy and the Scooby Gang are witty and fun-loving with a charm that doesn’t feel forced.
True Blood (2008 – 2014)
The series follows Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a waitress, as she falls in love with Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a vampire, in a world where humans and supernatural creatures can now coexist due to the discovery of true blood, a substitute for human blood.
The show is quirky, sexy, and over-the-top. With a plot that centers around a community that is either anti-vampire or pro-vampire, True Blood does not shy away from controversy. The speculated political metaphor makes for an interesting addition to the plot. The series is a great pick for those who enjoy intriguing characters and campy horror.
The Originals (2013 – 2018)
This spin-off of The Vampire Diaries centers around the original vampires: Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and Rebekah (Claire Holt) as they return to New Orleans. Klaus works to regain control and claim his place as king.
The Originals is moody and dark in all the ways a vampire drama should be. The Mikaelsons are irritable, charming, and brilliantly cast with Klaus and Elijah offering some of the best quotes of the show. The in-depth lore, which stems from the same world of “The Vampire Diaries” and the ambiance of the French Quarter makes this series unforgettable. Similar to “Supernatural”, the show explores family drama which adds another layer.
The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)
Vampire brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) return to their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Here, the Salvatore brothers meet teenager Elena (Nina Dobrev) and fight for her affection. They also face their enemies with the help of Elena and her friends.
The Vampire Diaries is a renowned series because of its excellent casting and nail-biting storyline. The stakes are high for all of the characters and the twists keep coming. The love triangle between Elena and the Salvatore brothers is also dynamic and unpredictable. It’s one of the few triangles where each match has different, equally believable chemistry.
