Before Twilight: The Little Vampire — the 2000 Kids’ Film That Made Old-School Vampires Adorable
Before Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight changed how many people saw vampires, a family film called The Little Vampire introduced younger audiences to a very traditional take on the creatures of the night. The movie arrived in 2000 and is based on Angela Sommer-Bodenburg’s children’s book series.
- Film basics
- Plot summary
- Cast and crew
- Vampire portrayal and rules
- Comparison with Twilight
- Where to watch / trailer
Film basics
The Little Vampire is a 2000 family fantasy film adapted from the children’s books by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg. It presents a classic, aristocratic vision of vampires: they sleep in coffins, avoid sunlight, transform into bats, and keep many old-world customs. The film targets a young audience and mixes comedy with mild spooky elements.
Plot summary
The story follows a nine-year-old boy named Tony Thompson, who moves from California to Scotland. Tony experiences strange dreams about a vampiric aristocratic family searching for a magical amulet that could make them human again. Eventually, he meets a young vampire named Rudolph and becomes involved with the family’s quest.
Cast and crew
Lead actors: Jonathan Lipnicki plays Tony Thompson and Rollo Weeks plays Rudolph. Other cast members include the actors portraying the vampire family and supporting characters (credited on the film).
Key crew: The film was directed by Uli Edel. The screenplay credits include Karey Kirkpatrick and Larry Wilson. The source material is credited to Angela Sommer-Bodenburg’s book series.
Vampire portrayal and rules
In the film, the vampire family follows a strict set of behaviors: they do not feed on humans and instead take blood from animals. Specifically, the family in the Scottish Highlands is shown preferring cows. They also seek a way to become human again, which drives much of the plot.
Comparison with Twilight
Twilight’s first novel was published in 2005, and the 2008 movie helped raise mainstream interest in vampire stories; for box office context see this Box Office Mojo franchise page.
Both The Little Vampire and the Twilight series feature vampires that avoid human blood and show a desire to retain or regain humanity. However, they differ in visual style and behavior: Twilight’s vampires are depicted as modern and able to blend into human society, while The Little Vampire presents a more traditional, aristocratic portrayal that keeps many classic vampire traits.
Where to watch / trailer
The YouTube link above points to trailer or clip material related to the film. In addition, the film has been distributed on various home video formats and can appear on streaming or rental services depending on region and licensing. Check your preferred platform for current availability.
