Sommerleigh Pollonais – Senior Writer

Vampires. They’re probably the most well-known monsters in horror movie history, first showing up on screen as far back as 1922 in the German film aptly titled Nosferatu. For most people, vampires are just that – the stuff of movie magic. But these monsters have been feared way before the silver screen existed, and in more parts of the world than you can imagine. They take many forms but all have specific traits in common. To different cultures, vampires are more than just guys who twinkle in sunlight (thank goodness) and if you think the ones you’ve seen on screen are scary, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

So grab your crucifixes and get that bottled water you’re drinking blessed (you just might need it) as we take a look at my TOP 5 SCARIEST VAMPIRES FROM AROUND THE WORLD:

#5 Ghoul (Arabic)

Only the most rabid of horror fans (like myself) probably know a ghoul is a type of vampire. Most people tend to think it’s just another name for zombie, but a Ghoul is actually more like a demon-vampire, originating in the pre-Islamic Arabian religion. They’re usually found hanging around cemeteries and ghouls are just as likely to drink your blood as they are to eat the dead.

Don’t worry too much about these guys though as, unlike other blood suckers on this list, they aren’t immortal. So a couple good whacks on the head or, if you have a shotgun handy, a blast to the face will take one down pretty easily.

#4 Dhampir (Balkans)

Sometimes spelt Dhampyr, this type of vampire has shown up a lot in pop culture, in animated series like Castlevania and anime films Vampire Hunter D, video games, and, of course, arguably the most famous dhampir of them all, Blade of Marvel comics and movie fame.

Creatures that are the result of some super sexy time between a vampire and a human, dhampirs are known to have super strength, practice magic as well as have the advantage of being able to go sunbathing if they wanted. There’s also no need to worry if you come across “those who drink through their teeth” (loose translation of what dhampir means), as legends state they tend to become vampire hunters. They’re the good guys y’all!

#3 Odokuro (Japan)

Leave it to Japan to come up with the weirdest vampire out there. Odokuro (literally translates to “giant skeleton”) are said to be people who died of starvation, that formed together like the most terrifying Voltron you’ve ever seen. These guys roam around after midnight, grabbing up lonesome travelers and biting off their heads to drink from their necks. Ewww.

They’re said to have powers of both invisibility and indestructibility, which totally sucks if you’re the lonesome traveler in the story. But fear not, you can tell one is nearby from the sound of loud ringing in your ears and Shinto charms are said to ward them off. So maybe stop by your nearest Japanese shrine or Buddhist temple before hitting those dusty trails, or bamboo forest. And maybe leave the headphones at home.

#2 Draugr (Norse)

And here I thought the Odokuro was the stuff of nightmares. The Draugr, a creature from Norse mythology, likes to hang out in their own graves, often guarding treasure buried with them. They can also dwell on both the land and the sea, making them more of a threat than most vampires as blood-suckers tend to have an issue with bodies of running water. #TheMoreYouKnow.

Super strong, super smelly and with the ability to increase their size at will, these undead monsters love to mix a little flesh eating with their blood drinking and even have the ability to drive animals mad. Throw in some magical abilities, the power to control the weather, and to see the future and Draugr seem like the Supermen of vampires. There doesn’t even seem to be a weapon that can defeat them. Stories say, if you’re strong enough, you can wrestle them back into their graves, trapping them there.