Hi-Dive and Shudder Bring 'Vampire Hunter D' Back To Cinemas This April

Vampires are a perennial pop-culture favourite. And it's no less the case in anime, where films and series featuring bloodsuckers as villains or protagonists (or sometimes both) have been consistently popular. One of the undisputed classics of the genre is Vampire Hunter D, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

AMC stablemates HiDive and Shudder are teaming up to bring the film to US and Canadian cinemas this April. The film will be screening for three nights only on April 9, 10 & 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights’ 2024/2025 Season. It will then make its streaming debut on both platforms, later this year.

Originally released in 1985, Vampire Hunter D is an OAV (Original Animation Video) directed by Toyoo Ashida, and based on the popular novel series penned by Hideyuki Kikuchi. It depicts a post-apocalyptic world ruled by vampires. When a young woman is chosen to be the bride of the vampire Count Magnus Lee, she hires the mysterious D, a half-human, half-vampire Vampire Hunter to help her escape her fate.

The character designs are partly done by the acclaimed artist Yoshitaka Amano, who was the illustrator of the original books. Although the film was made to be straight-to-video, it did screen in Japanese cinemas at the same time it was released on Laser-Disc.

“In 1985, Vampire Hunter D cemented its place in cinematic history as a truly genre-defining work of horror,” said John Ledford, President of HiDive. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vampire Hunter D and partner with both Shudder and Iconic Events Releasing to bring this seminal film to both horror and anime fans across the U.S. and Canada.”

“We’re thrilled to be part of a collaboration that will bring Vampire Hunter D, a cult classic genre film, to both theatrical and streaming audiences as part of Iconic’s popular AX Cinema Nights lineup,” said Scott Shooman, Head of AMC Networks’ Film Group. “It’s also a great example of the synergy and strength of our brands, as Shudder and HiDive partner on a streaming debut that will share this pivotal film with two of the most passionate fanbases in horror and anime.”

“When it was first released, Vampire Hunter D was a stunning landmark in Japanese anime, set in a world of post-apocalyptic horror and fantasy where vampires roam," said Steven Menkin, President & Co-founder of Iconic Events Releasing. "Now 40 years later, fans of all ages can experience one of the true all-time classic anime on the big screen. Iconic is proud to partner with HiDive and Shudder on these special screenings.” 

Shudder and HiDive are presenting the film in a digitally remastered version of the OAV that was produced by Sentai Filmworks in 2015. The film is the final announcement joining AX Cinema Nights’ previously announced line-up and will close-out the film series’ 2024/2025 Season. Iconic Films will screen the movie both in Japanese with subtitles and in an English dub version, at over 500 locations throughout the US and Canada. The April 9 screening will be subtitled, and the April 10 and 13 screening will be with the dub.

Tickets are available now from Iconic Events or participating box-offices.