Vampires are undoubtedly the ultimate horror icons.

Throughout cinematic history, several vampires have reigned supreme as the best and most recognizable in the game.

Sarandon’s Jerry Dandrige is an icon of vampiric entertainment and queer representation.

Count Orlok’s castle, with the vampire in the background against a red sky, with his long-nailed fingers creeping down on either side.

Image by Jefferson Chacon

Indeed,Fright Nightis an underappreciated queer gemthat packs quite the punch.

Deneuve’s Miriam wasone of the first truly prominent and iconic female vampires in cinema.

However, they soon find themselves in a nightmare upon discovery that the town is infested with vampires.

Salma Hayek as Santanico Pandemonium, a woman in a bikini with a python snake on her shoulders in ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’

Image via Miramax Films

It’s thanks to him thatThe Lost Boys' version of vampires became so popular with modern audiences.

The iconicWesley Snipesplays the character as he goes on a crusade to prevent an ancient evil god from returning.

Snipes’Blade is the very definition of “badass.

from-dusk-till-dawn-movie-poster.jpg

Eli is a fascinating and deceptive character.

Indeed, no vampire can compete with Dracula’s overall standing.

Thus far, Orlok has appeared in three movies played by three talented and wholly unique performers.

Taika Waititi standing in the middle of a circle of people in What We Do In The Shadows

Image via Unison/Paladin

NEXT:The 10 Scariest Movie Vampires, Ranked

what-we-do-in-the-shadows-2014-poster.jpg

Lestat de Lioncourt, a centuries old vampire, sits in a darkened room in adorned in fancy 18th century attire.

Image via Warner Bros.

interview-with-the-vampire-movie-poster.jpg

Chris Sarandon as Jerry standing in front of a stained glass window in Fright Night (1985)

Image via Columbia Pictures

fright-night-movie-poster.jpg

Miriam Blaylock looking pensive in the Hunger

Image via MGM

the-hunger-1983-poster.jpg

David smirking in The Lost Boys

Image via Warner Bros.

the-lost-boys-movie-poster.jpg

Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, smiles and holds up a double-sided throwing weapon

Images via New Line Cinema

0153789_poster_w780.jpg

Lina Leandersson as Eli covered in blood in front of a shadowy figure in Let the Right One In

Image via Sandrew Metronome

let-the-right-one-in-movie-poster.jpg

Horror

Let the Right One In