Nosferatu (1922) | Original & Best

“Nosferatu is the mother of all vampire films. Its shadow falls over everything that followed.” - Werner Herzog
F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922) isn’t just the first vampire film-it’s the blueprint for cinematic horror. An unauthorized adaptation of Dracula, this silent German Expressionist masterpiece was nearly lost forever when Bram Stoker’s estate ordered all copies destroyed. Thankfully, some survived, allowing Max Schreck’s bone-chilling portrayal of Count Orlok to haunt audiences for over a century.
With its haunting shadows, eerie atmosphere, and innovative cinematography, Nosferatu defined the visual language of horror long before modern effects. The film’s distorted sets, stark contrasts of light and shadow, and Schreck’s unforgettable performance shaped the gothic horror genre as we know it.