The Vampire Timeline 1970-2000
1970
In 1970, Sean Manchester founded The Vampire Research Society, an organization dedicated to studying and investigating the phenomenon of vampires. Manchester, a self-proclaimed vampire expert, had been studying vampires for several years and saw the need for a dedicated organization to bring together like-minded individuals. The Vampire Research Society quickly grew in popularity and became a hub for vampire enthusiasts and researchers alike. The organization continues to operate to this day.
In 1972, Raymond T. McNally and Radu Florescu published In Search of Dracula, a book that traced the origins of the Dracula legend and explored the historical basis for Bram Stoker's novel. McNally and Florescu spent years conducting research and traveling to Transylvania to investigate the real-life inspiration for the Dracula character. In Search of Dracula was the first book to comprehensively examine the Dracula legend and is still considered a classic of vampire literature.
In 1976, Stephan Kaplan founded The Vampire Research Centre, an organization dedicated to studying and investigating the phenomenon of vampires. Kaplan, who had been interested in vampires since childhood, saw a need for a dedicated organization to bring together researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. The Vampire Research Centre quickly grew in popularity and became a hub for those interested in the study of vampires. The organization continues to operate to this day.
In the early 1970s, reports emerged of a "vampire" stalking the Highgate Cemetery in London. The reports sparked a frenzy of interest and activity, with many people visiting the cemetery to try and catch a glimpse of the supposed vampire. Some even claimed to have seen a shadowy figure moving among the graves at night. The incident became known as the "Highgate Vampire" and sparked a mass vampire hunt, with many people joining in the search for the elusive creature. The "Highgate Vampire" incident remains one of the most famous vampire-related events in recent history.
In 1970, the film Count Yorga – Vampire was released, starring Robert Quarry as the titular character. The film tells the story of a vampire named Count Yorga who moves to California and begins to terrorize a small community. Count Yorga – Vampire was a commercial and critical success and spawned several sequels. Quarry's performance as Count Yorga was praised, and he is remembered as one of the most iconic vampires in film history.
In the late 1970s, the Dracula Society was founded in London, England. The society is a group of dedicated enthusiasts who are passionate about the works of Bram Stoker and the Dracula legend. The society hosts events, publishes newsletters, and maintains an extensive collection of Dracula-related materials. The Dracula Society is open to anyone with an interest in vampires and offers a community for like-minded individuals to connect and share their passion.
- Fred Saberhagen's The Dracula Tape is a novel that was published in 1975. It is a retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula, but from the perspective of the titular vampire. In this version of the story, Dracula is presented as a misunderstood and tragic figure, rather than a one-dimensional villain. The novel explores the motivations behind Dracula's actions and offers a different perspective on the events of Stoker's novel.
1976
In 1976, Anne Rice's novel Interview With the Vampire was published, marking the beginning of her hugely popular Vampire Chronicles series. The novel tells the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, a young man who is turned into a vampire by the mysterious Lestat. Interview With the Vampire was a critical and commercial success and has since been adapted into a film. The novel's unique blend of horror, romance, and philosophy has made it a beloved classic of the vampire genre.
In 1976, Stephen King's novel Salem's Lot was published, quickly gaining recognition as a modern classic of the vampire genre. The novel tells the story of a small Maine town that is overrun by vampires, and the efforts of a group of brave individuals to stop them. Salem's Lot was praised for its creepy atmosphere and its exploration of the psychological effects of the vampire invasion on the town's inhabitants. The novel has been adapted into several television and film productions, and it remains a beloved entry in the world of vampire fiction.
1978
- Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is an author who is known for her series of Count Saint-Germain books. The first book in the series, Hotel Transylvania, was published in 1978. The series follows the character of Count Saint-Germain, a vampire who is characterized by his moral code and his belief in the sanctity of human life. Unlike many other vampires, the Count does not kill his victims, and instead uses his bite as an erotic experience that is meant to bring pleasure.
1979
- In 1979, the film Dracula was released, starring Frank Langella as the titular character. This film was a remake of the 1931 classic and featured Langella in the role of Dracula, a role that he had previously played on Broadway. Langella's performance was highly praised, and the film was a commercial success. The film's blend of horror and romance made it a hit with audiences, and it remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre.
1980
- In 1980, Richard Chase, a serial killer from Sacramento, California, committed suicide in prison. Chase, who was known as the "Dracula Killer" due to his gruesome methods and cannibalistic tendencies, had been convicted of six counts of murder and sentenced to death. His crimes and the subsequent investigation and trial attracted widespread media attention and shocked the public. Chase's fascination with vampires and his use of the Dracula alias only added to the gruesome nature of his crimes.
1983
- In 1983, the film The Hunger was released, directed by Tony Scott and starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon. The film tells the story of a vampire couple, Miriam and John, who must find a new source of blood after John begins to rapidly age. The Hunger was a critical and commercial success and was praised for its stylish visuals and strong performances. The film remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre and is considered a classic of the horror genre.
1985
In 1985, Anne Rice's novel The Vampire Lestat was published, continuing the story of the Vampire Chronicles series. The novel tells the story of Lestat de Lioncourt, a vampire who becomes a rock star in order to spread the gospel of vampires to the world. The Vampire Lestat was a commercial and critical success, reaching the top of the best seller lists and solidifying Rice's status as a master of the vampire genre. The novel has since been adapted into a film and remains a beloved classic of vampire literature.
In 1985, the horror comedy film Fright Night was released, gaining a dedicated cult following for its unique take on the vampire genre. The film tells the story of a teenage boy named Charley who discovers that his next door neighbor is a vampire. Fright Night was praised for its blend of humor and horror and for its original interpretation of the vampire mythos. The film spawned several sequels and has since been remade. It continues to be a beloved entry in the world of vampire fiction and horror cinema.
1987
In 1987, the vampire film Near Dark was released, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The film tells the story of a young man named Caleb who falls in love with a vampire named Mae. Near Dark was praised for its unique take on the vampire genre and for its blend of horror, romance, and western elements. The film has since gained a dedicated cult following and is considered a classic of the vampire genre. Bigelow's direction was praised, and the film remains one of her most well-known works.
In 1987, The Lost Boys was released, directed by Joel Schumacher. The film tells the story of two brothers who move to a small California town and become embroiled in a battle with a gang of vampires. The Lost Boys was a commercial and critical success, spawning a franchise with several sequels and spin-offs. The film's unique blend of horror and humor, as well as its memorable performances, have made it a beloved classic in the vampire genre. Despite its age, the film continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike.
In 1988, My Best Friend is a Vampire hit theaters, directed by Jimmy Huston. The film follows high school student Jeremy as he discovers that his new friend Darren is a vampire. My Best Friend is a Vampire was a commercial success, with many praising its blend of humor and horror. The film has since gained a dedicated cult following and remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre. Its unique blend of comedy and terror has helped it stand the test of time and continue to entertain fans of the genre.
1988
- In 1988, Anne Rice's novel The Queen of the Damned was published, continuing the story of the Vampire Chronicles series. The novel tells the story of Akasha, the queen of the vampires, who awakens after centuries of slumber and sets out to reshape the world in her image. The Queen of the Damned was a commercial and critical success, further solidifying Rice's status as a master of the vampire genre. The novel has since been adapted into a film and remains a beloved classic of vampire literature.
1991
- In 1991, the vampire role-playing game Vampire: The Masquerade was released by White Wolf. The game is set in a fictional universe where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures exist and struggle for power and control. Vampire: The Masquerade was a commercial success and spawned several sequels and spin-offs. The game's complex and nuanced take on the vampire mythos has made it a beloved classic of the role-playing genre, and it remains popular to this day.
1992
In 1992, the film Bram Stoker's Dracula was released, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film was a loose adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel of the same name and starred Gary Oldman as the titular character. Bram Stoker's Dracula was a commercial and critical success, with Oldman's performance and the film's lavish production design being particularly praised. The film remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre and is considered one of the definitive adaptations of Stoker's novel.
In 1992, Andrei Chikatilo, a serial killer from Russia, was sentenced to death after being convicted of the murder and vampirization of 55 people. Chikatilo, who was known as the "Rostov Ripper" and the "Butcher of Rostov", targeted young women and children and mutilated their bodies in gruesome ways. His crimes shocked and horrified the public, and his trial was one of the most high-profile in Russian history. Chikatilo was executed in 1994.
In 1992, Anne Rice's novel The Tale of the Body Thief was published, continuing the story of the Vampire Chronicles series. The novel tells the story of the vampire Lestat, who is approached by a body thief who offers to switch bodies with him. The Tale of the Body Thief was a commercial and critical success and further solidified Rice's reputation as a master of the vampire genre. The novel has since been adapted into a film and remains a beloved entry in the Vampire Chronicles series.
In 1992, the film Buffy the Vampire Slayer was released, written by Joss Whedon. The film tells the story of a teenage girl named Buffy who discovers that she is a vampire slayer and must fight to protect her town from vampires. Despite being a commercial failure upon its initial release, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has since gained a dedicated cult following and is considered a classic of the vampire genre. The film's blend of horror, humor, and coming-of-age elements has made it a beloved entry in the vampire canon.
1993
- The first book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series is titled Guilty Pleasures. It was published in 1993, and introduces the character of Anita Blake, a supernatural investigator who is tasked with solving a series of murders that have been committed at a vampire-themed nightclub. As she investigates, Anita must confront her own complex relationship with the supernatural world, and navigate a dangerous underworld of vampires and other creatures of the night.
1994
- In 1994, the film version of Anne Rice's novel Interview with the Vampire was released, starring Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat and Brad Pitt as the vampire Louis. The film was a commercial and critical success, with Cruise and Pitt's performances being praised. The film's blend of horror, romance, and drama made it a hit with audiences, and it remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre. Interview with the Vampire was the first of several films to be adapted from Rice's Vampire Chronicles series.
1995
In 1995, the film From Dusk Till Dawn was released, directed by Robert Rodriguez. The movie follows the story of two criminals who kidnap a family and take them to a bar full of vampires. From Dusk Till Dawn was a major success, with Rodriguez's direction and the film's blend of horror and humor being particularly praised. It has since gained a dedicated cult following and is considered a classic of horror cinema.
Also in 1995, the film Blood & Donuts was released, directed by Holly Dale. The movie tells the tale of Bo, a vampire who has been asleep in a car for 25 years and wakes up to find himself in a changed world. Blood & Donuts was well-received by critics and audiences alike, with its unique take on the vampire genre and its quirky sense of humor being particularly praised. The film remains a cult classic and is widely considered to be a standout in the independent film world.
In 1995, the film The Addiction was released, directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Lili Taylor as a philosophy student who is turned into a vampire. The film, which is set in New York City, explores the nature of addiction and the dangers of power and knowledge. The Addiction was a critical and commercial success and was praised for its unique take on the vampire genre and its thought-provoking themes. The film remains a beloved entry in the vampire genre and is considered a standout work from Ferrara's filmography.
1996
- The Kindred: the Embraced television series was a groundbreaking show that introduced a new generation of viewers to the world of vampires. Based on the popular White Wolf role-playing game, the series explored the complex relationships and politics among the different vampire clans that inhabited the fictional city of San Francisco. Despite its short run of only eight episodes, the show gained a dedicated cult following and continues to be celebrated by fans of vampire fiction. The show featured dark and moody cinematography, a haunting soundtrack, and a talented cast that brought the characters to life.
1997
- In 1997, the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer made its debut on the WB network. The show, which was adapted from the 1992 film of the same name, follows the adventures of Buffy Summers, a teenage girl who is destined to battle vampires. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a major hit, both with critics and audiences, and ran for seven seasons, gaining a devoted fan base. The show's unique blend of horror, humor, and coming-of-age themes made it a standout in the vampire genre, and it continues to be celebrated by fans today.
1998
- In 1998, the action film Blade was released, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie stars Wesley Snipes as Blade, a half-human, half-vampire who makes a living by hunting vampires. Blade was a major success, both commercially and critically, and spawned a franchise with two sequels and a television series. The film's unique combination of action, horror, and superhero elements made it a hit with audiences, and it continues to be a fan favorite in the world of vampire fiction and horror cinema.