Dracula(1931 ) was the motion picture that spawned Universal ’s classic teras movie productions for a 25 year period . While it also start a franchise of its own , theDraculafollow - ups were not as consistent or cohesive as some of its monster stable companion . Here is every original UniversalDraculamovie ranked from spoiled to best .

Tod Browning’sDraculawas a Brobdingnagian achiever upon its original release in 1931 . base on the long - running Broadway looseness , which was , in twist , based on the famous Bram Stoker novel , it was Universal ’s most profitable film of the yr . After a long search for a tether , Bela Lugosi — the star of the Broadway edition — was in the end chosen to recapitulate his role . Co - manufacturer Carl Laemmie Jr. was initially hesitant to cast Lugosi , who had no film credits to his name . After a long , sleeveless lookup for a name actor , Lugosi successfully lobbied for the role . The picture would make him a star , and subsequently create along - running monstrosity world for the studio .

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WhileDraculaproved to be a strike for Universal , they had a difficult time following it up with a sequel . James Whale’sFrankenstein — which was also released in 1931 — had a much more successful billet of subsequence , beginning withBride of Frankensteinin 1935 . Rights issues with the Stoker estate held up a square protraction , which ultimately informed the charge ofDracula ’s Daughterfive years later . In total , there were five cinema that include Dracula or his descendants in addition to a Spanish version that was shoot on the same set and the same meter as Browning ’s production .

7. House of Dracula (1945)

This follow - up to the popularHouse of Frankensteinwas one of the lastclassic Universal monsterteam - ups , and also one of the more convoluted entries . Dracula is play for the 2d time by John Carradine - who also act the vampire menace inHouse . The game revolves around Dr. Edelmann ( Onslow Stevens ) who trust that vampirism can be cure by blood transfusions . He is gossip by Dracula , using the pseudonym Baron Latos , who wants to be set barren of his curse . Ironically , Edlemann is also jaw by Larry Talbot ( Lon Chaney Jr. ) on the same Nox , front for a curative to his lycanthropy . Directed in a workingman - like manner by Erle C. Kenton , it does Dracula a vast ill service by using him as a convenient secondary scoundrel .

6. Son of Dracula (1943)

This late follow - up to the 1931 hit is an uninventive reworking of the original with Lon Chaney Jr. diddle Count Alucard ( Dracula ) . The orphic vampire gets involved with the rich daughter of a plantation owner . Though his motives are shadowy , it seems the Count has set his plenty on a new Brigid and her estate . A morbid dearest triangle of sort is played out with the girl ( Louise Allbritton ) , her boyfriend ( Robert Paige ) , and the Count . The fertile Robert Siodmak mastermind the photographic film from a tale create by his pal Curt . Whether Chaney ’s character is the real Dracula , his son , or even a close relation is never made clear . The genuinely creepyDracula ’s Daughterfrom 1936 is disregarded entirely .

5. House of Frankenstein (1944)

Building on the success ofFrankenstein Meets the Wolf Man(1943 ) , this fun entry gets a quite a little of gas mileage out of its excellent casting . Boris Karloff , Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine give solid carrying out in this second attempt at a behemoth match - up . Dr. Niemann ( Karloff ) head for the hills from prison and sets out on a commission to locate Dracula , The Wolf Man , and Frankenstein ’s Monster for nefarious means . While Dracula ( Carradine ) is closely senseless , much of the photographic film form as a slight follow - up toFrankenstein suffer the Wolf Man . This was stunt man Glenn Strange ’s first time playing Frankenstein ’s Monster — a theatrical role he would double in the next two oecumenical behemoth outings .

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4. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

This was the first of drollery teamAbbott and Costello ’s Universal goliath film . It was also the last metre that “ the enceinte three ” colossus — Dracula , Frankenstein ’s Monster , and The Wolf Man — would look in the same film . Of eminence would be Lugosi ’s takings to his iconic role — the only time he would seem again as Dracula . Completely abandoning any continuity with the previous unveiling , Charles Barton ’s comedy is essentially a serial of slapstick scene that allow for the comedians to trifle off the menace of the fiend . Chick ( Bud Abbott ) and Wilbur ( Costello ) are two Florida baggage shop assistant who get involved with the local wax museum , which is a front for the monstrosity ’s Christ’s Resurrection . The film was staggeringly pop and inspired several more films where the duo met celebrated creatures .

3. Dracula’s Daughter (1936)

The only film with any true continuity to the original Dracula , this 1936 sequel pick up at the very end of the 1931 original . Just after Van Helsing — a returning Edward Van Sloan — has spike Dracula with a stake , he is arrested and sent to Scotland Yard . At the same time , Countess Marya Zaleska , Dracula ’s girl ( Gloria Holden ) , appears with the intention of burning her father ’s soundbox so as to free herself from vampirism . Holden ’s character reference is much more appealing than the original Dracula , which adds a haunting , dramatic element to the history . Director Lambert Hillyer ’s film is a more challenging and adult follow - up than audience were expect , and did not perform to expectation . It has take in regard in recent twelvemonth for its somber tone and , perhaps unplanned , sapphic subtext .

2. Dracula (1931)

ho-hum and poetic , the originalDraculais still an entertaining ride . Though not as visually impressive asNosferatu , F.W. Murnau ’s unauthorized version from 1922 , it maintains a creepy black bile throughout . Bela Lugosi ’s iconic portrayal of the form of address character still has the power to unnerve . His interpretation of the Count returning soon in a new graphic novel . evenly unsettling is Dwight Frye ’s Renfield , a carrying into action that set the template for the demented assistant for years to total . While the stage - bound aesthetic may not have aged as well as some of its contemporaries , it remains an engaging example of pre - code movie house . Browning would be it up a yr later with his horror chef-d’oeuvre , Freaks .

1. Dracula – Spanish Language (1931)

Director George Melford ’s Spanish language version ofDraculais a more engaging cinematic experience than Browning ’s film . Shot in tandem with the English rendering , it uses the photographic camera more boldly , telling more of the narration through the lens . Carlos Villarias plays Dracula and deliver a more enforce performance than Lugosi . Shot in the evening after the Browning crew get out the set for the day , the creative squad had the benefit of seeing dailies from their English counterpart . This allowed them to make changes for the effective , include adapt lighting and other technical aspects they felt were miss in the American footage . This translation is a beautiful , overlooked option to the EnglishDracula ,   and one of the best , if obscure , Universal freak films .

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Dracula Universal

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Lon Chaney Jr with a billowing cape in Son of Dracula

Boris Karloff removes the stake from Dracula’s heart in House of Frankenstein

Dracula hypnotizes Costello from Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Gloria Holden lurks in Dracula’s Daughter.

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