The Twilight series. True Blood. The Vampire Diaries. It seems that every new show, book or movie that comes out is either about vampires or has a vampire in it. We all know Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997-2003, but back then there was not the same frenzy that we are currently experiencing. Ever since Stephenie Meyer’s book, Twilight, debuted in 2005 to enormous success with the movie adaptation following in 2008, the entertainment industry seems to have developed a vampire obsession.

What used to be a Halloween character has now become Hollywood’s new leading icon. These mysterious, blood sucking creatures have taken over teen fiction and late night television. It is as if all of a sudden we have discovered our secret love for vampires, and now Hollywood is feeding and exploiting our addiction. Though aimed towards young people, the Twilight series has also sucked adults into its alluring plot line of Bella and Edward’s convoluted, forbidden love. Following suit, producers and writers have created vampire movies and television shows, with more violent and sexually appealing adaptations to attract adults. Strangely, we just cannot seem to get enough of vampires.

So what it is that makes vampires so fascinating to us? A bloodthirsty, evil person with bad teeth does not sound very enticing...yet pop culture has transformed vampires into an alluring, beautiful, and seductive image.

To feed your addiction or perhaps to start it, here are a few names that have played a part in this pop culture revolution:

Dracula

The original novel by Bram Stoker, written as a series of diary entries, was published in 1897. Lawyer Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to settle a real-estate deal with his client Count Dracula. As soon as he arrives, he realizes the horrifying truth about his client. Back in England, disturbing incidents begin to unfold: an unmanned ship is wrecked and women are turned into vampires. With its epistolary format, horror, and sensual appeal, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic work of Gothic literature.

True Blood

Based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, the new hit television series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana. One day, Sookie meets vampire Bill Compton. She cannot hear his thoughts and enjoys being in his company. Throughout the course of the first season, they become romantically involved. True Blood debuted on HBO in 2008. Season three is said to begin shooting this December.

The Twilight Saga

Bella Swan reluctantly moves in with her dad in Forks, a small rainy town in Washington where she meets the mysteriously interesting Edward Cullen.

As Bella discovers more about Edward’s vampire identity and family, she is cast into a dangerous adventure that put their relationship and lives in jeopardy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Summers moves to Sunnydale trying to escape her slayer duties. Matters become complicated; her Watcher, Rupert Giles, reminds her of her duty to eradicate evil forces. Built on top of a Hellmouth, an area of massive supernatural activity, Sunnydale High faces threat of being opened by the Master, an evil vampire. With the help of her school friends, Xander Harris and Willow Rosenberg, Buffy must fight the Master and prevent him from taking over Sunnydale.

The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries, set in Mystic Falls, Virginia, is based on the series of books by L.J. Smith. Elena and Jeremy Gilbert are adjusting to their new life living with their Aunt Jenna, after their parents are killed in a car accident. When school year begins, Elena and her friends become interested in a handsome new student, Stefan Salvatore, not knowing his secret identity as a vampire. Stefan’s brother, Damon, returns after 15 years to create conflicts between Elena and Stefan. The two vampires fight for Elena’s soul as well as those of the residents of Mystic Falls.