On 14 February 1931, the world was introduced to a cinematic nightmare that would forever redefine horror—Dracula, starring the enigmatic Bela Lugosi, sank its fangs into popular culture with an eerie blend of aristocratic menace and hypnotic terror.
Directed by Tod Browning, this chilling adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel mesmerised audiences with its gothic atmosphere, haunting silence, and Lugosi’s unforgettable performance, his piercing gaze and measured intonation crafting an image of the undead count that would linger in the public imagination for decades.
As the first great horror icon of the talkie era, Dracula paved the way for Universal’s golden age of monster films, ensuring that the count’s shadow would loom large over horror cinema for generations to come.
