
Dracula
Seen it?1931 | 74 min | Horror
Why it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for horror fans. If you loved Dracula, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1931: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A British estate agent travels to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a London castle. After Dracula enslaves and drives the agent to insanity, the pair return to London together, where Dracula, a secret bloodsucker, begins preying on socialites.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$700K worldwide on a $355K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 251K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Dracula's DaughterWeeknight WatchFrom the same Dracula (Universal) series, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
DraculaSaturday SpecialAnother vampire horror film, and a Saturday Special.
Van HelsingMonday Morning MaybeAnother vampire horror film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
The Black CatSunday Safe BetAlso stars Bela Lugosi, in another horror film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Something Wicked This Way ComesSunday Safe BetAnother horror film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Tod Browning
- Bela LugosiCount Dracula
- Helen ChandlerMina
- David MannersJohn Harker
- Dwight FryeRenfield
- Edward Van SloanVan Helsing
- Herbert BunstonDoctor Seward
- Frances DadeLucy
- Joan StandingMaid
- Charles K. GerrardMartin
- Anna BakacsInnkeeper's Daughter (uncredited)