Joss Whedon

Vampire Films Move Out Of The Twilight

As the new Twilight film opens across the country, it looks likely the supernatural will be dominating cinemas for some time yet.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is the latest film to take a bite out of the vampire myth.

While it has received mixed reviews, in less than a week it has taken more than £155m worldwide.

Most of the money is coming from young, female fans who adore actor Robert Pattinson.

But as this is just one out of seven vampire films released this year, the question has to be asked: "Why are they so popular?"

"I think whenever there’s been a big vampire movie, they’ve always come in little clusters," Pattinson said.

At the end of the day they’re just a good old fashioned love story. They’re a bit like Romeo and Juliet for today’s teenagers.

Deborah Tilley, spokeswoman for Waterstone’s

"There’s something about the film industry where everyone just freaks out whenever there’s a niche to make some money.

"Everyone’s so scared of not making money with their movies they just kind of cash in."

The supernatural genre is a growing trend, and not just in movies.

More than 300 books about vampires came out this year and another 50 are due in 2010.

Deborah Tilley, a spokeswoman for Waterstone’s, says they have struck a chord with young adults.

"At the moment if you look at our best selling teen titles, eight out of the top 10 are vampire-related - which is incredible," she said.

"I think they’re vampire-related, but at the end of the day they’re just a good old fashioned love story.

"They’re a bit like Romeo and Juliet for today’s teenagers."

Romance may play a big part, but Joss Whedon - the man behind the cult hit Buffy The Vampire Slayer and sci-fi series Dollhouse - believes it is also about escapism.

"It is terribly romantic, it is a romanticised other. It’s the monster we all want to be or want to date. So it’s going to keep coming," he said.

In the coming months you will see more supernatural creatures at the cinema - namely werewolves.

Hollywood believes they are the next big thing.

They are featured in the latest Twilight film and there is a clutch of werewolf movies already in development for next year, including a remake of The Howling.

It would seem studio bosses are banking on this craze to continue.