AceShowbiz - The resurgence of vampire cinema is undeniable, with Ryan Coogler's Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, poised to be a major critical and box office hit in 2025. This renewed interest coincides with the 20th anniversary re-release of the first Twilight saga book, a franchise that undeniably shaped the genre's 21st-century appeal. Stephenie Meyer's blend of blood-sucking thrills and angsty teen romance captivated a global audience starting in 2005. However, just a year prior, one of Hollywood's most popular actors attempted to deliver a similar sensation, albeit with a different approach, in a project that, sadly, fell short of its ambitious goals.

That film was Stephen Sommers' Van Helsing, starring Hugh Jackman, best known as Wolverine. Originally released in 2004, this action-horror spectacle, which saw Jackman team up with Kate Beckinsale, is now finding a new audience. For those who missed its initial theatrical run, or wish to revisit its chaotic charm, Van Helsing has joined the streaming library of Starz this November.

Despite its initial struggles, Van Helsing has garnered a reputation as somewhat of a cult classic over the years. This status is partly due to its audacious scope, tackling not just vampires but an array of classic movie monsters in an over-two-hour adventure. Upon its original release, however, the film was met with significant critical backlash. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reflects this, with a mere 24% approval rating from critics, though its 54% audience score offers a more respectable, if still divided, reception. The critics' consensus on the site succinctly described it as, "A hollow creature feature that suffers from CGI overload."

For those yet to experience the unique world of Van Helsing, the movie's synopsis sets the stage for its gothic action: "Famed monster slayer Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is dispatched to Transylvania to assist the last of the Valerious bloodline in defeating Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) reveals that Dracula has formed an unholy alliance with Dr. Frankenstein's monster (Shuler Hensley) and is hell-bent on exacting a centuries-old curse on her family. Together Anna and Van Helsing set out to destroy their common enemy, but uncover some unsettling secrets along the way."

Van Helsing isn't the only notable title making its way to Starz this November. The platform is also adding a diverse selection, including the Zoe Saldaña-led revenge thriller Colombiana, Dwayne Johnson's fantasy spin-off The Scorpion King, Denzel Washington's The Bone Collector, the critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller Looper, the comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West, both Now You See Me and its sequel, and the comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, among many others. Be sure to check out Van Helsing now streaming on Starz and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.