Dracula's Daughter

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Dracula's Daughter

Released Jan 1, 1936

1h 12m

Horror

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64%

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25 Reviews

44%

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2,500+ Ratings

Although Count Dracula was destroyed by Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan), who is now being tried for his murder, Dracula's daughter, the Countess Marya Zaleska (Gloria Holden), is still alive -- and her father's death has brought her no closer to eradicating her vampiric thirst for blood. When attempts to free herself of the disease fail, she turns to psychiatrist Dr. Garth (Otto Kruger) for assistance, but soon finds herself struggling with the desire to make him one of the undead as well.

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Critics Consensus

Dracula's Daughter extends the Universal horror myth in an interesting direction, but the talky script and mild atmosphere undermine its ambition.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This 1936 release suffers from the absence of Bela Lugosi and the graceless hand of silent-western director Lambert Hillyer.

Dec 28, 2018

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David Thompson

Time Out

Apart from its haunting, low-key mood, the film is also notable for its subtle suggestion (hardly expected from a former director of B Westerns) of the lesbian nature of the female vampire.

Jun 24, 2006

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Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

A cute little horror picture. Be sure and bring the kiddies.

Mar 25, 2006

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Sara Clements

them.

One of the more fascinating entries. While many of the lesbian vampire films of old used the predatory lesbian and “bury your gays” tropes, this 1936 horror film is an introspective piece that leans into the experience of internalized homophobia.

Oct 26, 2022

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Universal’s cut rate sequel to Dracula sans Bela Lugosi turns out to be an unexpectedly sleek and stylish movie.

Oct 15, 2022

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

More fascinating than effective, Dracula's Daughter nevertheless gave us a queer icon for the ages.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 5, 2021

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Dallas H

It's a decent sequel to the original Universal Studios' Dracula movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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Blu B

I appreciate they tried something completely original here. It's hit or miss here honestly. It captures some mood but besides the final 10 minutes or so it really never feels like a horror film. It feels like a moody drama more than anything. Holden as Dracula's Daughter isn't bad but doesn't have the same presnce as Legosi and never feels menacing. More moody than anything but not over the top. Everyone else isn't bad either but no one is as interesting as the Countess. There not wooden but just not that interesting. The biggest problem here is even though it's half decently made all around, it's not scary, creepy, or suspensful in the slightest. We already seen this plot done before in the first one, we already know she's a vampire so watching them investigate it has no suspense because we already know, and it's not shot in a creepy way. Outside the final ten minutes and opening it really doesn't feel like horror at all. Instead of trying to mimic the first plot with his daughter, they should've tried expanding her character and exploring the twisted relationship. As is, there really isn't any reason to watch this unless your a hardcore Universal Classic Horror fan or big fan of any actors in this. Most could skip this and not miss much.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Kim D

Very nice mood. Not some huge budget movie but great atmosphere

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Andrew L

The role Gloria Holden is most famous for is the role she didn't want and the most forgotten of Universal Studio's Classic Movie Monsters. This film is more famous for it's "lesbian scene" than anything else but there is so much more to this film than just that one part.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

NiB Y

A terrible movie regardless of what critics say with their whole "mUh LeSbIaN VaMpIrE".

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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Valerii Ege D

Opening and process offers some interesting final but you never get what you think. It should have been much much better. At least the movie introduced me to Marguerite Churchill and Nan Grey. Short-day profit.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

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Lambert Hillyer

Director

Otto Kruger

Dr. Jeffrey Garth

Gloria Holden

Countess Marya Zaleska

Marguerite Churchill

Janet Blake

Irving Pichel

Sandor

Edward Van Sloan

Professor Van Helsing

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Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Stealing Dracula's Body

2:10

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - The Music of Darkness

2:14

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Can Vampires Go to Therapy?

2:43

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - She Was Beautiful When She Died... A Hundred Years Ago

3:16

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Death by Vampire Bites

3:00

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Van Helsing's Warning

2:06

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Attacking Dracula's Castle

2:35

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Marya Seduces Lili

3:11

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - Burning Dracula's Body

1:55

Dracula's Daughter: Official Clip - I Never Drink... Wine

2:13

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Synopsis

Although Count Dracula was destroyed by Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan), who is now being tried for his murder, Dracula's daughter, the Countess Marya Zaleska (Gloria Holden), is still alive -- and her father's death has brought her no closer to eradicating her vampiric thirst for blood. When attempts to free herself of the disease fail, she turns to psychiatrist Dr. Garth (Otto Kruger) for assistance, but soon finds herself struggling with the desire to make him one of the undead as well.

Director: Lambert Hillyer
Producer: E.M. Asher
Screenwriter: John L. Balderston, Garrett Fort, David O. Selznick, Bram Stoker
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1936, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2017
Runtime: 1h 12m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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