4. Bram Stokers Dracula (1992)
Francis Ford Coppollas take on the most famous vampire tale of them all has quite a lot to answer for. For one, it refashioned the arch vampire as a tortured, conflicted, lovelorn creature, inspiring waves of moody romantic vamps in the years ahead including Brad Pitts Louis in Interview with the Vampire, Angel and Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course Edward in Twlight. On top of this, Bram Stokers Dracula (a curious title, given how much of its plot does not come from Stokers 1897 novel) was among the first high-profile revisionist takes on a classic tale, presenting events which did not occur in the earlier renditions in this case a tragic back story for Gary Oldmans Count, and an illicit love affair with Winona Ryders Mina under the pretence of telling the audience the true story. We need only look at the likes of Ridley Scotts Robin Hood and last years Pan to know that such embellishments are not always welcome. But putting such complaints to one side, we cant talk about romantic horror without mentioning this one. Lush, lavish and picturesque in a manner we rarely see from Hollywood horror (we arguably didnt see another quite like until 2015s Crimson Peak), its hard not to fall under the spell of Coppollas audio-visual tapestry. Yes, it does boast a notorious career-worst performance from Keanu Reeves, but Oldman is hugely entertaining, and Ryder is hard not to fall in love with. Plus, unlike more recent romantic vampire movies, this one definitely doesnt shy away from full-on gore and sex.