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Beware of these vampire slayers!

Last updated on: July 29, 2010 15:22 IST

Image: A poster of Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Raja Sen in Mumbai

In the latest film based on Stephanie Meyer's super-successful Twilight series, vampires have a new foe in werewolves.

So while Eclipse hits theatres this Friday, here's a look at some of cinema's other, much more fascinating vampire slayers.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

This 1992 comedy featured Kristy Swanson as a blonde cheerleader called Buffy who learns that her calling is to fight vampires.

The film's writer Joss Whedon later took the same character and turned her into the very different heroine of the TV series of the same name, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Also watch: The sexiest vampires!

Van Helsing

Image: A scene from Van Helsing

Stephen Sommers' one-dimensional homage to horror films of the 30s and 40s didn't quite manage to stun.

Hugh Jackman starred as Gabriel Van Helsing, an amnesiac chosen by the Knights Of The Holy Order to slay Count Dracula, even as assorted monster movie legends Frankenstein and Faust make random appearances.

Also watch: Top 10 vampire movies

Blade

Image: A scene from Blade

In what may well be the only vampire-killing franchise with a hero more frightening than the fanged freaks he kills, Wesley Snipes plays Blade, and while the Marvel Comics character was a normal guy who killed using steak knives, Snipes turned it into a scowling Shaft-a-like, minus the coolness.

John Carpenter's Vampires

Image: A scene from John Carpenter's Vampires

Trust Carpenter to mix genres with elan.

This Vampire movie also happens to be a good ol' fashioned Western, with James Woods playing Jack Crow, leading a team of Church-endorsed vampire killers.

And while the film is definitely a Western, it's set in the modern day, which means Crow wears jeans and sunglasses to go with his bad-assed scowl.

Lost Boys

Image: A scene from Lost Boys

In Joel Schumacher's most entertaining film -- named after the Lost Boys of Peter Pan, the boys who've fallen out of their prams -- Jason Patric and Corey Haim star as two boys who just happen to end up fighting a fierce gang of teenaged vampires.

With a cast that includes Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Dianne Wiest and Jason Patric, this one's a very fun ride.

From Dusk Till Dawn

Image: A scene from From Dusk Till Dawn

Robert Rodriguez' rollicking actioner stars George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino as the brothers Gecko, a pair of bank robbers on the run.

Once Tarantino's killed by Salma Hayek's Satanico Pandemonium, a stripper/vampire, Clooney sets about fighting the undead.

Now what part of that description doesn't scream must-see?

Lesbian Vampire Killers

Image: A scene from Lesbian Vampire Killers

The best thing about this 2009 Brit-com is its title, and while the comic proceedings don't quite live up to the name, the film is nevertheless good for a few laughs.

James Corden and Mathew Horne play a pair of losers who go to a village only to find that every woman there becomes a lesbian vampire as soon as she turns 18. Bless.

Billy The Kid Vs Dracula

Image: A scene from Billy The Kid Vs Dracula

Part of a 1966-set which also included Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter, this William Beaudine spoof has the famed outlaw having to fight the master of evil.

Highlights include David Carradine as Dracula, at his funniest when trying to impersonate Billy's fiancee's uncle.

Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter

Image: A poster of Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter

Now that's a title!

I haven't watched this film singled out for mention at the Slamdance festival in 2001, but boy is the plot summary a doozy, featuring JC and Mexican wrestler El Santo protecting Canadian lesbians from vampires.

Glory be.

The Batman Vs Dracula

Image: A poster of The Batman Vs Dracula

This 2005 animated flick pits Bruce Wayne against Dracula, the legendary vampire resurrected by some fresh blood dripping from The Penguin's hand.

The plot is loony but Batman takes it seriously enough, leaving us with an encounter as funny as it is compelling.

And hey, a man who dresses as a Bat against the Count who turns into one?

Worth a wager, this fight.