Bram Stokers literary legend Dracula is the most frequently adapted fictional character of all time. His 1897 novel, which has now been translated into 29 languages, inspired a staggering 272 iterations of the Prince of Darkness in film and television. Some are faithful adaptations of the story, about solicitor Jonathan Harker and his dealings with the Count between Transylvania and London, while others choose to take a different approach by putting Dracula in a modern setting.

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The character has been used as a prestigious guest star, or as a powerful adversary to elevate episodes of everything from The Brady BunchtoBuffy the Vampire Slayer. When given his own series, both the tragedy and the allure of his immortality has been explored, as well as the origins of his curse. Hes been portrayed as either the ultimate villain or a sympathetic victim of circumstance, a charismatic and cultured aristocrat or an animistic and aggressive hedonist. To prepare for BBC's three-part adaption of Draculadue on Netflix Dec. 20th, 2019 here arethe 10 best TV versions of Dracula, ranked.

Despite being the most powerful vampire of literary legend, Dracula isnt all that impressive in Buffy the Vampire Slayer when he suddenly arrives in Sunnydale. He can transform into a bat or turn into mist, but these are abilities discredited as nothing more than parlor tricks by Spike and the rest of the Scoobies. He attempts to hypnotize Buffy several times but routinely fails, making us wonder if Dracula has been de-fanged.

Hes portrayed as every bit the mysterious and seductive Prince of Darkness by Rudolf Martin, complete with pale arched cheekbones, long nails, and dark hair, but the series makes Dracula out to be just another uber vamp, not even as powerful as a Vengeance Demon. At the end of his stay in Sunnydale he has two choices; get staked or scram, and he chooses the latter.

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The classic British actor Denholm Elliot, who you might remember fondly as Marcus, the trusty traveling companion of Indiana Jones in Spielbergs classic adventure trilogy, donned the cape and fangs to portray Dracula in a television serial called Mystery and Imagination in 1968. His version was very operatic and melodramatic, calling to mind Bela Lugosis original film version in the 30s.

Denholm Elliot is an accomplished thespian, but perhaps hes simply too likable and too congenial to accurately pull off the Count. While we could believe that anyone would accept an invitation from his Dracula to have a nice dinner, we couldnt believe that he would make anyone into a nice dinner. He was all bat and no bite.

In 2006, because there hadnt been a Dracula film in a few years, the BBC decided it was about time to have a go at Bram Stokers famous vampire story. The master of producing period films, BBC was always going to create a sumptuous story around the Count, but where would it differ from the version directed by Francis Ford Coppola in the 90s with Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder?

Marc Warrens Dracula is young, brash, and arrogant. Hes a caged beast waiting to break free, which has more in common with the Wolfman than Dracula (who has in the past weaponized the Wolfmans uncontrollable impulses for his own uses). This Dracula isnt terrifying nor is he charismatic - he simply exists for the purpose of pouting for the post-Twilight crowd.

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The atmospheric fantasy series Penny Dreadful,about a group ofuniquely skilled individuals hunting supernatural creatures in Victorian London, featured several famous horror legends of literature. Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster, Dorian Grey, the Wolfman, and of course, Dracula himself.

Posing as Dr. Sweet, he befriended Ms. Vanessa Ives, a clairvoyant in Sir Malcolms employ. They bonded over their mutual love of ancient artifacts, literature, and poetry. With such an intellectual fascination, it was only a matter of time before a physical one manifested, but his identity was discovered before he could make her into a meal.

While this version of Bram Stokers Dracula doesnt tread any new ground, it does include a scenery-chewing performance by Jack Palance, whom most will know from his various roles in Westerns as a tough-as-nails outlaw heavy. Its easy to believe he can overpower Jonathan Harker in this film and seduce his fiance Mina once he travels to London.

Palances Dracula is a brooding and aggressive hunter, and his bold physicality makes it feel like hed just as soon brawl you as he would bite you. It was directed by Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis, and is atmospheric, violent, and bloody, as any good Dracula film should be.

Shortly after he appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rudolf Martingot another chance to playDracula in a made-for-tv movie about Vlad the Impaler, the historic figure that inspired Bram Stokers novel. It traces his origins at the start of the Turkish conflict against the Ottoman Empire, and what the Count sacrificed to protect his people.

This sympathetic portrayal of the Count, which has more in common with the origins film Dracula: Untold starring Luke Evans, is a gripping story that is well-acted for its medium and offers a unique insight into the ethnic culture that Dracula came from. Its easy to see how the myths of vampires were born in the folklore of the region from this brutal and engaging tale.

Though billed as a comedic series, the fun of Dracula in Young Dracula comes from the Prince of Darkness taking himself entirely too seriously. Hes fled Transylvania with his family and moved to a small English town, where his children must enroll in the local school and try their best to blend in, despite living in a spooky castle and having a dad that looks something between a vampire and a rock star.

His son Vlad tries to juggle homework and dating with his studies of the dark arts. As Draculas son and heir, its his duty to unite all the vampire clans. Unfortunately, Vlad hates blood, killing, and anything to do with his heritage. The Count spends the series wreaking havoc on the townspeople, spouting hilarious catchphrases, and trying to thwart his sons every effort to be more like pathetic breathers.

It was like a stake to the heart of viewers when NBC canceled Dracula after only one season. The period series took a different path from Bram Stokers novel, and instead of Dracula arriving in London in 1897, he arrived in New York City at the dawn of the new century. He lets a grand house and poses as American entrepreneur Alexander Grayson, studying advancements in technology by day and hunting for victims by night.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers Dracula has more in common with Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, presenting intriguing questions about modern science in Victorian society. He also has his own personal bodyguard Renfield, who is much more like Batmans manservant Alfred than he is like the cockroach-eating minion of past incarnations.

Considered one of the most faithful adaptations of Bram Stokers novel, Count Dracula was a three-part mini-series that aired on the BBC in 1977 and starred Louis Jourdan as the titular antagonist. The Count once again leaves his castle in Transylvania after meeting with English solicitor Jonathan Harker to wreak havoc on London, and take Harkers fiance Mina as his new bride.

Jourdan is credited with creating one of the most enigmatic embodiments of the legendary horror icon, combining Continental etiquette with an icy coldness that is the best amalgamation of cinematic Dracula performances by Bela Legosi and Sir Christopher Lee.

In the hit anime series Castlevania, based on the popular manga and video game series of the same name, Vlad Tepes is a tragic figure tortured by his immortality and imprisoned by his powers. He watched as the woman he loved was murdered for witchcraft, and sold his soul to the Devil in order to command the powers needed to take his revenge upon her killers.

Not only do we see Draculas origins, but we also see what became of his family lineage, as a dynasty of immortals ends up shaping the landscape of medieval Europe. The series shows Dracula at his most insanely powerful, as well as at his most vulnerable. Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Netflix.

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