By Rebecca Sargeant
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Abraham Van Helsing was a prominent literary figure from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, and several actors have played the character in movies over the years. Several Dracula adaptations were great, whereas others flopped, but the book was a difficult title to get right because it was so legendary. Dracula — A Love Tale was recently announced, and many were quick to voice their hopes that the project was an improvement on past attempts to bring Stoker’s story to life.
Van Helsing was notably the arch nemesis of Count Dracula, one of the most powerful vampires from movies and TV and the defining figure in literature. His role as a vampire slayer was often translated in many different ways, with each interpretation altering his appearance, personality, and even profession. Abraham Van Helsing was a variety of men in the cinematic world, and a huge selection of actors have slipped into his shoes.
18 Edward Van Sloan
Dracula (1931)
Edward Van Sloan portrayed Van Helsing in the first official adaptation of Dracula in 1931, not including the 1922 title Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror, which was only loosely based on the novel. Van Sloan starred opposite Béla Lugosi as Count Dracula, which was an interesting pairing, as the two previously played the same characters together on stage.
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Dracula (1931)
Van Sloan returned as Van Helsing in the Dracula sequel, Dracula’s Daughter, in 1936, but he was the only member of the cast to return. Sadly, Van Sloan’s compelling epilogue scene was cut, even though it was one of his best moments.
17 Peter Cushing
Dracula (1958)
Peter Cushing's character of Doctor Van Helsing in 1958’s Dracula was noticeably different from the original novel. He was much younger than Bram Stoker’s Abraham Van Helsing.
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Released in 2004, the Hugh Jackman-starring Van Helsing received negative reviews but was a box office success, and Universal is giving it a reboot.
Although this did not stop Cushing from providing a tense and serious performance as the literary figure. Cushing also returned to play Van Helsing in the 1960 sequel The Brides of Dracula and the 1974 title The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires.
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Dracula (1958)
Not Rated
Horror
- Director
- Terence Fisher
- Release Date
- May 8, 1958
- Writers
- Bram Stoker , Jimmy Sangster
- Cast
- Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Michael Gough , Melissa Stribling , Carol Marsh , Olga Dickie , John Van Eyssen , Valerie Gaunt , Janina Faye , Barbara Archer , Charles Lloyd Pack , George Merritt , George Woodbridge , George Benson , Miles Malleson
- Character(s)
- Doctor Van Helsing , Count Dracula , Arthur Holmwood , Mina Holmwood , Lucy Holmwood , Gerda , Jonathan Harker , Vampire Woman , Tania , Inga , Doctor Seward , Policeman , Landlord , Official , Marx - Undertaker
- Runtime
- 82 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
As well as the ancestors Lorrimer and Lawrence Van Helsing in Dracula A.D. 1972. Out of every actor who played Van Helsing, Peter Cushing portrayed the role the most.
16 Herbert Lom
Count Dracula (1970)
In the 1970 movie Count Dracula, Herbert Lom took on the role of Professor Van Helsing. Count Dracula wasn’t received particularly well after its release, but one thing that was relatively praised was Lom’s portrayal of the titular vampire’s arch-nemesis.
As Lom was best known as a comedic actor and had starred in the original Pink Panther film series as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, Inspector Jacques Clouseau's exhausted superior.
Unfortunately, Count Dracula was far from one of the best Dracula movies ever to be released, although Lom’s performance was notable enough to keep audiences engaged.
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Count Dracula (1970)
PG
Horror
- Director
- Jesús Franco
- Release Date
- April 3, 1970
- Studio(s)
- Corona Filmproduktion , Filmar Compagnia Cinematografica , Towers of London Productions , C. Fénix Films
- Writers
- Jesús Franco , Bram Stoker , Harry Alan Towers , Augusto Finocchi , Erich Kröhnke
- Cast
- Christopher Lee , Klaus Kinski , Herbert Lom , Maria Rohm , Soledad Miranda , Fred Williams , Paul Müller , Jack Taylor , Jesús Puente , José Martínez Blanco , Emma Cohen
- Character(s)
- Dracula , Renfield , Van Helsing , Mina Harker , Lucy Westenra , Jonathan Harker , Dr. John Seward , Quincey Morris , Minister of Interior , Traveller / Dr. Seward , Vampire Woman
- Runtime
- 98 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
However, this was rather impressive, as Lom was best known as a comedic actor and had starred in the original Pink Panther film series as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, Inspector Jacques Clouseau's exhausted superior.
15 Walter Ladengast
Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979)
1979’s Nosferatu the Vampyre was a remake of the 1922 title, but unlike the original, Van Helsing was a more prominent character. Austrian actor Walter Ladengast played Van Helsing, the last project he starred in before his death one year after Nosferatu the Vampyre’s release.
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Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979)
The biggest difference between this film and the original, however, was that Van Helsing and Dracula faced one another, and the doctor successfully stabbed the vampire with a stake to ensure that Lucy Harker’s sacrifice wasn’t for nothing. Unfortunately, Van Helsing was weirdly still arrested for brutally killing Dracula, even though he saved the day.
14 Laurence Olivier
Dracula (1979)
Laurence Olivier slipped into the role of Van Helsing in John Badham's 1979 version of Dracula. Unlike other interpretations of the character, Olivier portrayed an elderly Van Helsing.
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Dracula (1979)
Dracula, directed by John Badham, is a 1979 horror film adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel. Frank Langella stars as Count Dracula, who relocates from Transylvania to England and embarks on a sinister campaign to seduce and transform the inhabitants. Laurence Olivier plays the determined vampire hunter, Professor Van Helsing, in this atmospheric rendition of the iconic tale.
- Director
- John Badham
- Release Date
- July 20, 1979
- Cast
- Frank Langella , Laurence Olivier , Donald Pleasence , Kate Nelligan , Trevor Eve , Jan Francis , Janine Duvitski , Tony Haygarth , Teddy Turner , Sylvester McCoy , Kristine Howarth , Joe Belcher , Ted Carroll , Gabor Vernon , Frank Birch , Frank Henson , Peter Wallis
- Runtime
- 109 Minutes
Olivier was particularly astounding during the scene in which Van Helsing was forced to destroy the undead form of Mina, which highlighted the power of the father-daughter relationship. He was also especially great in Van Helsing’s death scene, which occurred at the dramatic and harrowing end of the film.
13 Anthony Hopkins
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
One of Anthony Hopkins’ best movies, yet an underrated one, was Bram Stoker's Dracula from 1992. Hopkins’ take on Van Helsing was quite erratic, very unpredictable, and often considered to be a bit sociopathic, especially because he was happy to discuss his killing methods so openly.
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Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bram Stoker's Dracula, set in 19th century England, follows Count Dracula as he journeys to London. There, he encounters Mina Harker, who bears a striking resemblance to his long-lost love.
- Director
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Release Date
- November 13, 1992
- Cast
- Gary Oldman , Winona Ryder , Anthony Hopkins , Keanu Reeves , Sadie Frost , Cary Elwes , Richard E. Grant , Billy Campbell , Tom Waits , Monica Bellucci , Florina Kendrick , Michaela Bercu , Jay Robinson , I.M. Hobson , Laurie Franks , Maud Winchester , Octavian Cadia , Robert Getz , Dagmar Stansova , Eniko Öss , Nancy Linehan Charles , Tatiana von Furstenberg , Jules Sylvester , Hubert Wells , Daniel Newman , Honey Lauren , Judi Diamond
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
The actor’s interpretation of Van Helsing was unhinged and vicious, but it added to the overall charm of the character. Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula was unique because Hopkins also starred alongside movie industry titans Gary Oldman as the titular Count and Vlad the Impaler, as well as a young Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker.
12 Mel Brooks
Dracula: Dead And Loving It (1995)
Professor Van Helsing, in the parody movie Dracula: Dead and Loving It, was easily one of Mel Brooks’ funniest movie characters. The director worked both behind and in front of the camera in this film, but the reason why Brook’s portrayal of the character was hilarious was because of how bad Dracula: Dead and Loving It was in general.
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Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Dracula: Dead and Loving It is a comedic take on Bram Stoker's classic novel, directed by Mel Brooks. The film stars Leslie Nielsen as Count Dracula, who arrives in England and begins his vampiric escapades. The cast includes Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck, and Peter MacNicol. This 1995 parody blends horror and humor, showcasing Brooks' signature style in a lighthearted retelling of the Dracula tale.
- Director
- Mel Brooks
- Release Date
- December 22, 1995
- Cast
- Leslie Nielsen , Mel Brooks , Amy Yasbeck , Peter MacNicol , Lysette Anthony , Harvey Korman , Steven Weber , Mark Blankfield , Megan Cavanagh , Gregg Binkley , Anne Bancroft , Clive Revill , Chuck McCann , Avery Schreiber , Cherie Franklin , Ezio Greggio , Leslie Sachs , Rudy De Luca , Darla Haun , Karen Roe , Charlie Callas
- Runtime
- 88 Minutes
Dracula: Dead and Loving It was generally considered to be a ridiculous horror movie because it lacked any real fear factor, despite being a spoof. One truly laughable moment, however, was when Van Helsing shouted in Moldovian into Count Dracula’s coffin.
11 David Moroni
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary (2002)
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary was a very distinctive adaptation of Stoker’s novel. The black-and-white reimagining of the title was by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company and featured prominent Canadian dancer David Moroni as Van Helsing.
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Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary (2002)
Horror
Music
- Director
- Guy Maddin
- Release Date
- May 14, 2003
- Writers
- Bram Stoker , Mark Godden
- Cast
- Wei-Qiang Zhang , Tara Birtwhistle , David Moroni , CindyMarie Small , Johnny A. Wright , Stephane Leonard , Matthew Johnson , Keir Knight , Brent Neale , Stephanie Ballard , Sarah Murphy-Dyson , Carrie Broda , Gail Stefanek , Janet Sartore , Jennifer Welsman
- Character(s)
- Dracula , Lucy Westernra , Dr. Van Helsing , Mina , Jonathon Harker , Arthur Holmwood , Jack Seward , Quincy Morris , Renfield , Mrs. Westernra , Vampiress / Nun / Maid , Maid / Nun , Maid / Vampiress , Gargoyle / Nun
- Runtime
- 75 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary was Moroni’s first and only film appearance during his long-spanning dance career. However, Moroni’s movement in this scene was absolutely stellar and gripped audiences.
The unusual take on the battle between Dracula and Van Helsing was beautifully haunting, with a layer of strange eroticism. For example, Van Helsing’s examination of Lucy had an underlying tension that can’t quite be explained. However, Moroni’s movement in this scene was absolutely stellar and gripped audiences.
10 Rutger Hauer
Dracula 3D (2012)
The 2012 movie Dracula 3D switched Van Helsing’s character up. Rutger Hauer’s version of the slayer had a different backstory, in which he first encountered vampires while he served as the director of the Carfax Asylum. Dario Argento’s Dracula 3D was considered an underrated vampire movie by many, but upon its initial release, it was an absolute flop.
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Dracula 3D (2012)
Not Rated
Horror
- Director
- Dario Argento
- Release Date
- November 22, 2012
- Writers
- Dario Argento , Bram Stoker , Stefano Piani , Antonio Tentori , Enrique Cerezo
- Cast
- Thomas Kretschmann , Asia Argento , Rutger Hauer , Marta Gastini , Unax Ugalde , Miriam Giovanelli , Maria Cristina Heller , Morgane Slemp , Augusto Zucchi , Giuseppe Lo Console , Christian Burruano , Giovanni Franzoni , Franco Ravera , Francesco Rossini , Riccardo Cicogna , Eugenio Allegri , Nicola Baldoni , Alma Noce , Luca Fonte , Marco Mancia , Toni Pandolfo , Simona Romagnoli
- Character(s)
- Dracula , Lucy , Abraham van Helsing , Mina Murray , Jonathan Harker , Tania , Jarmila , Inga , Andrej , Zoran , Milos , R. M. Renfield , Prete , Ten. Delbruck , Janek , Oste , Fabbro , Marika , Soldato 1 , Soldier 2 , Capo Stazione , Oste's wife
- Runtime
- 110 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
It was critiqued for poor special effects and tired characterizations, but the film’s one saving grace was Hauer’s performance as Van Helsing. However, the most disappointing thing about his appearance was that Van Helsing didn’t arrive on-screen until the film’s third act.
9 Keith Reay
Dracula Reborn (2012)
Dracula Reborn was a modern reinterpretation of Stoker’s story, set in present-day California. Keith Reay portrayed a younger version of vampire hunter Van Helsing, whose commitment to his profession often resulted in the unnecessary deaths of anyone who stood in his way.
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Dracula: Reborn (2012)
Despite the fact that he killed the two police detectives who tried to arrest Jonathan for his wife’s murder, Van Helsing was still unable to survive his last fight with the Count. Annoyingly, Van Helsing wasn’t very helpful or resourceful in Dracula Reborn. However, Dracula ripping out Van Helsing’s heart in the climax was rather dramatic and unexpected.
8 Christine Prouty
Dracula: The Original Living Vampire (2022)
Dracula: The Original Living Vampire changed up Stoker’s original format and saw Van Helsing as a woman, Amelia, played by Christine Prouty.
Amelia Van Helsing was a law enforcement detective instead of a medical professional or academic. She was also the girlfriend of Mina, who was Jonathan Harker’s wife in Stoker’s novel.
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Dracula: The Original Living Vampire (2022)
Not Rated
Horror
Fantasy
Thriller
- Director
- Maximilian Elfeldt
- Release Date
- January 28, 2022
- Writers
- Michael Varrati
- Cast
- Michael Ironside , Jake Herbert , Christine Prouty , India Davies , Ryan Woodcock
- Character(s)
- Dr. Jack Seward , Count Dracula , Amelia Van Helsing , Mina Murray , Jonathan Harker
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
Van Helsing’s attempts to track down Dracula had higher stakes in Dracula: The Original Living Vampire as the titular vampire developed a fixation on Mina and believed she was the reincarnation of his long-lost lover. Strangely, Van Helsing refused to believe in vampires for most of the film.
7 Jack Gwillim
The Monster Squad (1987)
The Monster Squad followed a group of pre-teens who were obsessed with the Universal classic monster movies and obtained the diary of the supposed hunter Dr. Van Helsing. English actor Jack Gwillim portrayed the character, but he mainly appeared through flashbacks, which was strange, considering Van Helsing’s journal was the driving force of the story.
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The Monster Squad
However, he briefly returned at the end of the film and pulled Dracula into Limbo with him.The Monster Squad was often compared to other kid-led movies like The Goonies, but the critic consensus proved it was nowhere as good as the iconic ‘80s film.
6 Peter Fonda
Nadja (1994)
Nadja was an intriguing reimagining of Stoker’s book, which focused on Dracula’s daughter in the fallout of her father’s death. Van Helsing was played by two-time Academy Award nominee Peter Fonda, the only son of legendary Broadway and Hollywood star Henry Fonda.
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Nadja (1994)
Horror
Thriller
- Director
- Michael Almereyda
- Release Date
- September 1, 1995
- Writers
- Michael Almereyda
- Cast
- Elina Löwensohn , Suzy Amis , Galaxy Craze , Martin Donovan , Peter Fonda , Karl Geary , Jared Harris , Nic Ratner , Jack Lotz , David Lynch , Isabel Gillies , José Zúñiga , Bernadette Jurkowski , Jeff Winner , Sean , Bob Gosse , Rome Neal , Giancarlo Roma , Anna Roma , Thomas Roma , Aleksander Rasic , Miranda Russell
- Character(s)
- Nadja , Cassandra , Lucy , Jim , Dracula / Dr. Van Helsing , Renfield , Edgar , Bar Victim , Boxing Coach , Morgue Receptionist , Waitress , Bartender , Dracula's Bride , Young Dracula , Bela , Garage Mechanic , Romanian Kid , Romanian Mother , Romanian Policeman , Lucy's Baby
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
The arthouse horror movie followed Van Helsing being bailed out of prison and his attempt to locate Dracula’s body so he could destroy it once and for all, in the hopes that it would stop the fearmongering vampire from returning from the dead. However, Nadja ensured that his final quest to stop Dracula was as complicated as possible.
5 Christopher Plummer
Dracula 2000 (2000)
Wes Craven’s Dracula 2000 was an underrated vampire movie, but it also divided critics, and many thought it was too convoluted. However, one of the film’s strongest factors was The Sound of Music’s Christopher Plummer as Abraham Van Helsing. Dracula 2000 was set in the present, and Van Helsing only survived by feeding on Dracula’s immortal blood.
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Dracula 2000
- Director
- Patrick Lussier
- Release Date
- December 22, 2000
- Cast
- Gerard Butler , Christopher Plummer , Jonny Lee Miller , Justine Waddell , Vitamin C
- Runtime
- 98 Minutes
After a group of thieves accidentally released Dracula from his coffin, Van Helsing was forced to chase the vampire across the continents. Plummer’s performance was compelling, showed off his classical training brilliantly, and provided a truly unique and interesting take on the character.
4 Hugh Jackman
Van Helsing (2004)
The 2004 title Van Helsing was one of Hugh Jackman’s worst movies. Jackman played Gabriel Van Helsing, a monster hunter loosely inspired by Stoker’s character. What was so interesting about Jackman’s version of Van Helsing was that he didn’t initially know Dracula.
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Van Helsing (2004)
However, it was later revealed that they had a past he’d forgotten. Another intriguing element about the character was that it was heavily implied that he was the Angel Gabriel from the Bible, although it was a rather strange connection. Jackman also reprised Gabriel Van Helsing in the movie’s animated spin-off entitled Van Helsing: The London Assignment, which viewers generally preferred.
3 David Carradine
The Last Sect (2006)
The star of the 1970s TV show Kung Fu and the Kill Bill movies, David Carradine, appeared as Van Helsing in the 2006 thriller The Last Sect. The film was a bizarre interpretation that saw Van Helsing hunt vampires like usual, but rather than looking for Dracula, he instead faced a group of women who used a dating site to draw in their prey.
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The Last Sect (2006)
Horror
Thriller
- Director
- Jonathan Dueck
- Release Date
- September 10, 2006
- Writers
- David Robbeson
- Cast
- David Carradine , Natalie Brown , Deborah Odell , Julian Richings , Sebastien Roberts , Jordan Van Dyck , Christine Tizzard , Megan Fahlenbock , Richard Blackburn
- Character(s)
- Van Helsing , Sydney St. James , Anna , Karpov , Sam , Tone , Receptionist , Jess , Luke
- Runtime
- 90 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
Carradine’s performance wasn’t very well received, however, and many critics noted that the actor didn’t seem very committed to his role. Despite this, his portrayal of Van Helsing was enough to keep the movie pushing forward.
2 Wallace Shawn
Vamps (2012)
Vamps attempted to replicate the appeal of cheesy ‘80s horror movies, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. The role of Dr. Van Helsing was given to the amazing TV comedy and movie voice-over actor Wallace Shawn, best known for his portrayals of Rex in the Toy Story movies and as Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon
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Vamps
- Director
- Amy Heckerling
- Release Date
- August 25, 2012
- Writers
- Amy Heckerling
- Cast
- Krysten Ritter , Sigourney Weaver , Alicia Silverstone , Asim Ahmad , Richard Lewis , Kristen Johnston
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
Van Helsing didn’t arrive on-screen until the latter half of the film, but despite this, he was still noticeable. His purpose in Vamps, however, was to help vampire Stacy Daimer become human again and keep her unborn child, who Van Helsing’s son fathered.
1 Mark Topping
Bram Stoker's Van Helsing (2021) & Wrath Of Dracula (2023)
Steve Lawson’s 2021 film Bram Stoker's Van Helsing scored awfully with reviewers, although the main issue was that it offered nothing new to the narrative compared to other adaptations. Mark Topping took on the role of the titular character, and he strangely also played Van Helsing in another of the director’s projects, Wrath of Dracula , although there seemed to be no connection between the two titles.
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Bram Stoker's Van Helsing (2021)
Horror
- Director
- Steven Lawson
- Release Date
- March 29, 2021
- Writers
- Steven Lawson , Bram Stoker
- Cast
- Mark Topping , Charlie Bond , Tom Hendryk , Joe Street , Helen Crevel , Demi Savva
- Character(s)
- Van Helsing , Lucy Westenra , Arthur Holmwood , John Seward , Mina Harker
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
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Wrath Of Dracula (2023)
Horror
Action
- Director
- Steven Lawson
- Release Date
- August 28, 2023
- Writers
- Steven Lawson , Bram Stoker
- Cast
- Hannaj Bang Bendz , Mark Topping , Ayvianna Snow , Marta Svetek , Jasmine Sumner , Chris Lines , Sean Cronin , Carl Wharton
- Character(s)
- Mina Harker , Van Helsing , Maria , Frida , Ilsa , Innkeeper , Count Dracula , Mr. Hawkins
- Runtime
- 84 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
In fact, a majority of Topping’s roles were in Lawson’s movies. What both of the films did nail, however, was Van Helsing’s determination to eradicate vampirism across the world, and Topping demonstrated this well.
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