The recent release of the vampire horror movieSinnershas brought the ever-present genre back into the sunlight (well, popularity-wise anyway). The horror movie follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, as they decide to return to their Mississippi town to open a juke joint.Sinners' cast is led by Michael B. Jordanin dual roles, along with a great supporting cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, and more. The cast’s performances and the film’s intense plot and great pacing haveearnedSinnerspositive reviewsso far.
Along with being incredibly well-received by audiences and critics alike,Sinnershas become a massive box office success. It opened at #1 at the box office, endingA Minecraft Movie’s winning streak. It is already clear thatSinnersis a force to be reckoned with, and that everyone involved is at the top of their game. While there is no shortage ofgreat vampire moviesfor fans of the category to check out, many of the recent additions to the subgenre have not fared as well as older installations, soSinners’success has come at precisely the right time.
Vampire Movies Finally Have Consecutive Box Office Hits With Sinners & Nosferatu
The Vampire Horror Movies Have Been Hits With Audiences And Critics
With its recent success,Sinnershas joinedNosferatuatop the ranks of the most successful recent vampire movies. The movies are the two newest major studio vampire movies, and their success is a major win for the subgenre. After being in theaters for one week,Sinnershas currently grossed $87 million, meaning that it has nearly recovered its reported budget of $90 million (viaThe Numbers). While this means it still has a way to go before breaking even,Sinnersis already a massive success and even had the best opening weekend of any original film this decade.
WhileNosferatuwas not an original concept,the 2024 vampire movie was also massively successful, bringing back characters from the beloved 1922 German silent horror filmNosferatu. Marketing for the film promised audiences a return to Robert Eggers signature haunting directorial style, and the movie delivered that in fine form.Nosferatuopened on Christmas Day 2024 with some stiff competition, ultimately placing third behind the reigning leadersSonic the Hedgehog 3andMufasa: The Lion King.
Though the two new vampire movies do have very different styles, both benefit from the stunning performances and the movies' abilities to create fear.
The movie far exceeded expectations, ultimately grossing $181.3 million on a budget of $50 million (viaThe Numbers). Though the two new vampire movies have very different styles, both benefit from the stunning performances and the movies' abilities to create fear.SinnersandNosferatuare well-made horror films that take themselves seriously, and audiences are taking them seriously too, proving that vampire movies can still be very successful despite recent let-downs.
Sinners & Nosferatu’s Box Office Performance Came At The Perfect Time For Vampires
Recent Vampire Movies Have Been Let-Downs
Though some older installations in the vampire genre are perennially popular with their fans, including everything from teen dramas likeTwilightto comedies likeThe Lost Boysto true classics likeDracula, the vampire subgenre has faltered somewhat in recent years. The category as a whole is incredibly broad and incorporates both abject horror and family-friendly options, so it is unsurprising that there is something for everyone.Though the success of any given vampire movie can vary greatlybased on whether it finds its intended audience.
SinnersandNosferatuarguably both had pretty strong chances of being successful going in thanks to well-liked directors and actors attached to the projects, but positive critical and audience responses have certainly helped as well. Their success could not have come at a more crucial time, because, despite the general ongoing popularity of some vampire media,recent vampire films had flopped at the box office. 2023’sRenfield(which featuredNosferatu’s Nicholas Hoult) made just $26.9 million on a budget of $65 million.
$48 Million
$87 Million (1 week)
Likewise,The Last Voyage of the DemeterandAbigailboth failed to impress audiences. While none of the previous three vampire movies were very poorly reviewed, they failed to find their audience.Renfield’s comedic approach did not quite work, andThe Last Voyage of the Demeter’s pacing was a bit too slow to keep audiences' attention. In contrast,Abigailwas more positively reviewed, but its lackluster marketing meant that it did not reach many of those who might have enjoyed it. In short,NosferatuandSinnerswere sorely needed.
What Vampire Movies Are Coming Out Next After Sinners - Will They Find Box Office Success?
There Are A Few Promising Vampire Films In The Works
Sinnersis still early in its time in theaters, so it should continue to enjoy several more weekends of success. However, once its reign has ended, there are a few upcoming vampire movies to be on the lookout for. Dracula-centered vampire movies are some of the subgenre’s most popular, and this summer yet another will be added to the mix. Director Luc Besson’s new take on the character,Dracula: A Love Tale, is scheduled to be released on June 04, 2025. The movie will feature Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz.
Flesh of the Gods,starring Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac, was announced last May.
In addition to Besson’s upcoming film, which could see critical success thanks to the talented individuals involved, there are several other vampire movies that have been announced though not yet given a release date.Flesh of the Gods,starring Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac, was announced last May.Given Stewart’s previous ties to an iconic vampire series,Flesh of the Godscould be an audience draw. Likewise,Brides(starring Maika Monroe), which will begin filming soon, could benefit from the actor’s history as a popular scream queen to create another successful entry to the genre.
Hollywood Is Surely Going To Push For More Vampire Movies After Sinners & Nosferatu
Vampire Movies Done Right Can Still Draw Audiences
IfSinnersandNosferatuhad been box office bombs, studios might have taken the multi-year trend as a sign that vampire movies were simply no longer profitable. Luckily, their success may prompt Hollywood to come to the opposite conclusion. While the vampire aspects of the films were not the only reason that they ended up being successful, the commonality is something that studios cannot ignore.Vampires are a great storytelling device to confront many issues and ideas, so it seems plausible that studios will attempt to find even more vampire stories.
Whether through new adaptations of classic vampire stories likeDraculaorCarmillaor through original works likeSinners, vampire movies will hopefully stick around.
Interestingly, the recent additions are seemingly trending more towards adult horror movies, rather than teen soapy dramas, which have been the more popular version of vampire media for a long time. While it’s unclear if this will remain the case or if broader vampire stories will become popular again, I am glad the category could see more new additions. Whether through new adaptations of classic vampire stories likeDraculaorCarmillaor through original works likeSinners, vampire movies will hopefully stick around.
Sinners
Cast
Sinners follows twin brothers who, in an attempt to escape their past hardships, return to their hometown seeking a fresh start. However, they find themselves confronted by a formidable and sinister presence awaiting their comeback. The 2025 film explores themes of redemption and malevolence.
