Oh, for the love of vampires! I just can’t resist a good undead romance. There’s something about the blend of immortality, brooding heroes, and intense love that always draws me in. It might have started for me when Buffy met the enigmatic Angel, or even earlier with L.J. Smith’s The Vampire Diaries and the sweet, yet fiery, love triangle between Stefan, Elena, and Damon.
Vampire romances have always held a special place in my heart, and I know many of you feel the same. Years later, I still find the epic tales of passion and redemption captivating. Thanks to the resurgence of vampire stories post-Twilight, there’s now a plethora of shows to indulge in. Here are 30 of the best romantic vampire TV shows to dive into, but beware of spoilers!
Ranking Factor: As this list focuses on romantic vampire TV shows, certain series didn’t make the cut. Plus, I didn’t rank shows I couldn’t get past the first episode of. The level of romance plays a significant role, and terrible endings may affect the overall ranking.
Editorial Note: For 2023, I’ve added a bonus list of even more romantic vampire series at the end.
30: THE DRESDEN FILES (2007)
Based on a fun book series, The Dresden Files offers a mix of urban fantasy and campiness. The show, starring Paul Blackthorne as a wizard private investigator, was canceled after one season. While vampires aren’t the primary focus, fans of noir, fantasy, and secret worlds will enjoy it. You can watch it for free on Tubi, Amazon’s Freevee, Plex, and Vudu, or buy it on DVD and digital platforms.
29: THE X-FILES (1993-2018)
Though not a vampire-centric show, The X-Files had its share of supernatural investigations, including a few involving vampires. The chemistry between Scully and Mulder is unmatched. Stream it on Hulu and Freevee, or buy it on Blu-ray and digital platforms.
28: DEMONS (2009)
A dramatic British series with inventive mythology. It follows a teenage boy who discovers he’s a descendant of Van Helsing. The show only lasted one season but is worth watching on Hulu, especially for its exaggerated villains and unrequited love.
27: BLADE: THE SERIES (2006)
A TV adaptation of the Blade films that features a dark, romantic subplot between the villain Marcus and the human-turned-vampire Krista. The show ends on a cliffhanger and can be bought digitally on Apple or on DVD.
26: YOUNG DRACULA (2006-2014)
This BBC show is about Count Dracula moving with his children to Britain. Filled with humor and evolving maturity, the show offers romance for various characters and a proper ending. Stream it on the Roku Channel, Tubi, Crackle, and Freevee, or buy it on Amazon and DVD.
25: DARK SHADOWS: THE REVIVAL (1991)
A gothic romance set in Maine, this 12-episode show offers an atmospheric setting and a romantic tale between Victoria and Barnabas Collins. It’s available on Fubo or DVD.
24: THE GATES (2010)
A cop moves his family to a gated community filled with supernatural beings. The standout is Rhona Mitra as a vampire dealing with her bloodlust while seeking redemption. Stream it on Amazon Video, Vudu, or Apple TV.
23: THE PASSAGE (2019)
This series follows a young girl named Amy and an agent trying to protect her from government experiments involving a vampire virus. It features fascinating mythology and romantic subplots, though it ends on a cliffhanger. Buy it digitally.
22: BLOOD (2015)
A Korean medical drama with a vampire twist. The series explores themes of immortality versus mortality alongside an epic love story. Stream it on Viki and Kocowa.
21: MIDNIGHT, TEXAS (2017-2018)
A campy, fun show set in the same world as the Sookie Stackhouse books. It follows a psychic in a town of quirky supernaturals. Romance between characters like Olivia and Lem, a human-vampire couple, is a highlight. Stream it on Peacock or buy it on Digital and DVD.
20: TRUE BLOOD (2008-2014)
Known for its graphic content, this series features a notable romance between Eric and Sookie but deviates from the books. The ending is widely disliked. Stream it on Max, Hulu, or buy it digitally and on DVD.
19: ULTRAVIOLET (1998)
A six-episode British miniseries about a secret group hunting vampires without calling them vampires. Featuring a stellar cast and romantic tension between characters. Stream it on various platforms or buy it on DVD.
18: KINDRED: THE EMBRACED (1996)
A short-lived series with compelling world-building and star-crossed romances about a vampire prince and a human journalist. You can find it on DVD or possibly on YouTube.
17: SANCTUARY (2008-2011)
A sci-fi/fantasy series about an immortal scientist providing sanctuaries for beings with extraordinary abilities. It includes a vampire character, Nikola Tesla, with a love interest in the protagonist. Stream it on multiple platforms or buy it on Digital and DVD.
16: DARK SHADOWS (1966-1971)
A genre-defining gothic romance about the vampire Barnabas Collins. The show is atmospheric and full of dark romanticism. Stream it on various platforms or buy it digitally.
15: LEGACIES (2018-)
A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, featuring Alaric and his daughters in a supernatural school. The show effectively incorporates folklore and mythology alongside teen romance. Stream it on Netflix or buy it on Digital and DVD.
14: SHADOWHUNTERS: THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS (2016-2019)
An urban fantasy series about a young woman discovering she’s a Shadowhunter. Romantic relationships, particularly between Alec and Magnus, are prominent. Stream on Freeform, Hulu, or buy it on Digital and DVD.
13: SCHOLAR WHO WALKS THE NIGHT (2015)
A Korean historical fantasy series set in the Joseon era, featuring a love story between a bookseller and a vampire. The series is beautiful but has some choppy editing. Stream it on Kocowa or Viki, or buy it on DVD.
12: BLOOD TIES (2007)
An urban fantasy noir series about a private investigator and a vampire solving supernatural crimes. The love triangle is engaging, though the show ends on a cliffhanger. Stream it on various platforms or buy it on DVD.
11: ANGEL (1999-2004)
A darker, more adult spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer focusing on redemption. While it has compelling love stories, none end happily. Stream it on Hulu or buy it digitally and on DVD.
10: BEING HUMAN US (2011-2014)
An American remake about three supernatural roommates. The show ends with a satisfying romantic conclusion. Stream it on multiple platforms or buy it digitally and on DVD.
9: DRACULA (2013-2014)
A Steampunk adaptation with a strong romantic subplot featuring Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Despite its slow start, the show is worth a watch. Buy it digitally and on DVD.
8: FOREVER KNIGHT (1992-1996)
An 800-year-old vampire detective seeking redemption. The romance between Nick and Natalie is both dangerous and tender. Stream it on Roku or buy it digitally and on DVD.
7: PENNY DREADFUL (2014-2016)
A literary and gothic romance that features characters like Dracula and Frankenstein. The show is beautifully written but explicit and violent. Stream it on Paramount+ with Showtime, Showtime, or buy it on DVD.
6: THE ORIGINALS (2013-2018)
A Shakespearean spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, focused on the original vampire family. The complex sibling relationships and romantic subplots are outstanding but falter in the final season. Stream it on Netflix or buy it on Digital and DVD.
5: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (2009-2017)
Adapts the book series into a dramatic tale of a teen girl caught between two vampire brothers. Though not all plotlines worked, the series had satisfying romantic conclusions. Stream it on Peacock or Max, or buy it digitally and on DVD.
4: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997-2003)
A beloved series with strong satirical elements and memorable romantic subplots, particularly between Buffy and Angel. Despite its flaws, the show’s final episode is strong. Stream it on Hulu or buy it digitally and on DVD.
3: BEING HUMAN UK (2008-2013)
The original British series set in England stars Aidan Turner as the vampire Mitchell. The intelligent writing and tragic romance between Mitchell and Annie make it worth watching. Buy it on Google Play or on DVD.
2: A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES (2018-)
An adaptation of Deborah Harkness’s book series about a witch and a vampire who fall in love. The show’s historical and contemporary blend, along with its well-written romance, make it a standout. Stream it on AMC+, Sundance Now, Shudder, or buy it digitally or on DVD.
1: MOONLIGHT (2007-2008)
Despite poor reviews, Moonlight won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama. The love story between the vampire Mick and the human Beth is deeply compelling and remains unmatched in its emotional resonance. Buy it digitally or on DVD.
BONUS – EVEN MORE ROMANTIC VAMPIRE SERIES (NOT RANKED)
Numerous new vampire shows have aired since I first published the article. Here are some more recommendations:
– NOS4A2 (2019-2020)
– What We Do in The Shadows (2019-)
– Interview with the Vampire (2022-)
– Midnight Mass (2021)
– The Munsters (1964-1966)
– Vampire in the Garden (2022)
– Vampire Academy (2022)
– The Strain (2014-2017)
– Dracula (2020)
– First Kill (2022)
– V Wars (2019)
– Van Helsing (2016-2021)
– Blue Veins (2016)
– Chapelwaite (2021)
– Dracula: The Series (1990-1991)
– Freeze (2006)
– Heirs of the Night (2019)
– Orange Marmalade (2015)
– Port Charles (1997-2003)
– Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani (2010)
– Split (2009-2012)
– Still Have Time to Love You (2015)
– The Vampire Detective (2016)
– Vampire High (2001-2002)
– Vampire Prosecutor (2011-2012)
Do you agree with my ranking of romantic vampire TV shows? What shows are your favorites? Let us know!
