The Blaxploitation era covered drug dealers, pimps and hit men. It was only a matter of time before more treacherous characters were tackled in the popular genre’s flicks. Enter Blacula , a 1972 horror film starring William Marshall as an 18th century African prince that turns into a vampire following a trip to Transylvania. Two centuries later, the vampire rises and attacks various residents in the Watts district of Los Angeles. In the meantime, Blacula meets Tina, a woman he believes is the reincarnation of his wife.

Despite the film netting mixed reviews, Blacula was a top performer at the box office in 1972 and went on to receive the Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards. The movie also spawned the sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream, featuring Pam Grier the following year.