Sink Your Fangs into These 10 Must-Watch Vampire Diaries Alternatives

Ah, The Vampire Diaries. A series that came, conquered, and left behind a trail of teenage angst and unfulfilled romantic promises that linger. Airing from 2009 to 2017 like a bottle of fine wine that only gets better (or perhaps sour) with age, this show had everything—love triangles, brooding vampires, and a heroine whose life choices were as mystifying as a plot twist in a daytime soap. And let's not forget the Salvatore brothers, Stefan and Damon—one earnest, the other a cheeky rogue, both with abs that could probably be classified as weapons of mass distraction. Truly, it was a phenomenon that had every teen glued to their screens, eagerly anticipating what existential crisis Elena would ensue next.

Now that the curtain has fallen, fans are frantically searching for a new fix. Enter the spin-offs: The Originals and Legacies. These shows were like the off-brand versions of our beloved Vampire Diaries cereal—still enjoyable, but perhaps lacking that sugary crunch we crave. Notably, The Originals gets a solid gold star for being so well-received that some viewers have proclaimed it superior to the original show. Following the original vampire family (yes, the drama truly doesn’t stop), it’s like watching a Shakespearean play, but with more fangs and fewer tights.

Then there’s Legacies, which gives us a glimpse into the next generation of vampires honing their skills at The Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. If you ever dreamed of youthful vampires living through a Shakespearean soap opera while juggling homework and supernatural abilities, this might just be your cup of blood. And speaking of blood, there’s also the Underworld films, a decidedly action-packed twist on the vampire genre. Imagine Blade, but with a tragically romantic twist. If you’re seeking a love story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, look no further than the turbulent romance between Selene and Michael. It’s perhaps the only time you’ll see a vampire wielding a gun while contemplating the intricacies of love—who knew bloodsuckers had such emotional depth?

And now, let’s take a slight turn towards the classic with Bram Stoker's Dracula from 1992. Directed by the iconic Francis Ford Coppola and packed with heartthrobs like Winona Ryder and Gary Oldman, this film glorifies our beloved creature of the night in a way that’ll make your heart flutter. Dracula—our tragic romantic hero—lost his wife and now finds himself falling for Mina, who is essentially a reincarnation of his lost love. Talk about cosmic love triangles! Gary Oldman himself must have swooned when he read some of the most romantic lines ever committed to film.

We mustn’t forget AMC's Interview with a Vampire; a series that takes the essence of the original novel and taps into a more modern sensibility, complete with a dash of representation that enriches the vampire narrative. Amidst the backdrop of 1910s Louisiana, the show dives into the struggles of Louis and Lestat's tumultuous romance while confronting society's prejudices. If you thought The Vampire Diaries had drama, just wait until you meet these two!

Perhaps you’ll find solace in The Invitation as well—a modern Gothic tale that has a protagonist getting more than she bargained for when visiting her mysterious family in England. Think of it as a dinner party that goes sour, with just enough charm to keep you on the edge of your seat. And fans of chemistry—oh sweet chemistry—will be thrilled by the dynamic between Jesus, I mean, the vampire in the room.

Then there’s Netflix’s First Kill, a series that only got one season before it was cruelly axed. It brilliantly marries the vampire trope with impending romance across enemy lines, showing two girls from opposite ends for the sake of love. What could be more relatable, am I right? If anyone ever doubted the significance of legacy in vampire lore, look no further than our dashing Juliette. Silver lining: she could fit right in at the Salvatore School with her legacy status!

And finally, let’s not skip the utterly charming yet clumsy disaster that is Vampire Academy. While it scraped by at the box office, its attempt to wrap vampires in a comedic, teenage cloak doesn’t fall flat entirely. It’s the kind of movie you’d binge with your friends, popcorn in hand, giggling at the absurdities of vampire