Dracula

Released Feb 12, 1931

1h 15m

Horror

List

94%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count's never-ending bloodlust.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Bela Lugosi's timeless portrayal of Dracula in this creepy and atmospheric 1931 film has set the standard for major vampiric roles since.

Read Critics Reviews

TIME Magazine

An exciting melodrama, not as good as it ought to be but a cut above the ordinary trapdoor-and-winding-sheet type of mystery film.

Oct 15, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

A sublimated ghost story related with all surface seriousness and above all with a remarkably effective background of creepy atmosphere.

Oct 7, 2008

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The opening scenes, set in Dracula's castle, are magnificent -- grave, stately, and severe. But the film becomes unbearably static once the action moves to England.

Sep 25, 2007

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

Bela Lugosi is Dracula! What a strong start for the Universal Monsters!

Oct 31, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It may not be the definitive version, but it’s easily the most famous, a veritable cultural touchstone, and it was a smash...

Oct 15, 2022

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

As a whole, Dracula balances out as a brilliant classic of an early introduction to sound films and early horror inductions.

Apr 17, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert

Very cool to see a classic film on the big screen, hopefully they do this all the time with movies I never got to see in theaters

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Too strange for me to completely enjoy

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

Daniel S

I like Dracula. Best Halloween movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

NiB Y

Bela's performance alone makes this movie perfect, it simply can't be described into words the impact this movie had.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Renato E

Bela Lugosi nailed it. still no though.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

Full Review

Andrew L

The film that kicked off the first cinematic universe, secured Lugosi as the staple for Dracula, set the bar for all vampire films to follow, and made generations of monster moviegoers is an absolute must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tod Browning

Director

Bela Lugosi

Count Dracula

Edward Van Sloan

Prof. Abraham Van Helsing

Dwight Frye

Renfield

David Manners

John Harker

Herbert Bunston

Dr. Jack Seward

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Dracula: Official Clip - Dracula Kills Renfield