A classic horror film that revolutionized the genre is returning to cinemas with newly discovered footage that has been missing for over 60 years. Based on Bram Stoker's gothic novel of the same name, Hammer Films' Dracula transformed vampire movies, introducing vivid red blood, a more menacing monster, and suggestive themes that startled audiences. Also known as Horror of Dracula, the film features Christopher Lee as the iconic Count Dracula, including the memorable scene of his towering figure on a dark staircase. For the 21st century, Hammer Films previously revived the classic with Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 2023, and now it's giving Dracula a 4K restoration. The film will be shown in UK cinemas starting October 16. As part of the restoration, new material previously unseen in the UK and US will be included in both cinema screenings and physical media releases. This footage was considered too intense for audiences in the 1950s and was only shown during the film's original release in Japan in 1958. The lost footage was discovered when Hammer Films gathered original archival materials from around the world, materials that were believed to be lost for decades. John Gore, executive chairman of Hammer Films and John Gore Studios, said ahead of the film's cinema run and the release of a 4K limited edition collector's boxset: "Dracula changed horror forever. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing created iconic performances that still define the genre, and this restoration brings audiences closer than ever to the film as it was originally intended to be seen. Seeing the long lost director's cut finally return to cinemas feels like the right way to celebrate one of Britain's greatest ever horror films." In Dracula, Christopher Lee stars alongside Peter Cushing as Abraham Van Helsing, a determined vampire hunter, and Michael Gough as Arthur Holmwood, whose sister and wife fall victim to the Count. It was the first vampire movie ever shot in color and helped popularize the image of the fanged vampire. The film also introduced horror fans to blood-splatter effects and brought the use of pre-cut wooden stakes into mainstream cinema. Dracula is widely considered a "masterpiece" and received critical acclaim both at the time of its release and in the decades that followed. It has been included on several lists of the best horror films and British films of all time. Empire magazine ranked Lee's portrayal of Count Dracula as the 7th greatest horror movie character of all time. The film holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its grandeur over gore and Lee's performance as the titular vampire. After the success of Dracula, Hammer Films went on to produce eight sequels, with six featuring Lee and four featuring Cushing. Dracula will be in UK cinemas from October 16. Find a screening online now. The 4K Limited Collector's Edition Boxset is available to pre-order now and will be released on October 26.