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Van Helsing

Van Helsing is a 2004 American action horror film written and directed by Stephen Sommers.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Van Helsing is a 2004 American action horror film written and directed by Stephen Sommers. Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, it follows monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing as he travels to Transylvania to fight Count Dracula and other creatures from classic horror fiction. The film is inspired by the character Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula.

Premise

The film follows Gabriel Van Helsing, a monster hunter working for the Vatican, as he is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula. The plot incorporates characters and creatures from classic horror literature, including Frankenstein's monster and werewolves.

Production

Van Helsing was created by Stephen Sommers as an homage to Universal's horror films from the 1930s and 1940s. The title character is based on Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Cast and characters

Hugh Jackman stars as Gabriel Van Helsing, with Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious and Richard Roxburgh as Count Dracula. The cast also includes David Wenham, Will Kemp, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Shuler Hensley.

The film had an animated prequel, Van Helsing: The London Assignment, released in the same year. The character and setting later became part of broader discussion of Universal's monster properties.

Key facts

  • The film was written and directed by Stephen Sommers.
  • Hugh Jackman plays the title character, Gabriel Van Helsing.
  • The story is set largely in Transylvania and centres on a battle against Count Dracula.
  • The film draws on Universal monster films and other classic horror figures.
  • A short animated prequel, Van Helsing: The London Assignment, was released in 2004.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada as part of the global release of a major Hollywood studio production and is likely familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical, home-video, and television distribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is Van Helsing about?
It follows monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing as he travels to Transylvania to defeat Count Dracula and confront other creatures from classic horror fiction.
Who directed Van Helsing?
Stephen Sommers wrote and directed the film.
Who plays Van Helsing?
Hugh Jackman plays Gabriel Van Helsing.
Is the film based on a book?
It is inspired by Abraham Van Helsing, a character from Bram Stoker's Dracula, rather than being a direct adaptation of a single book.
Did Van Helsing have a prequel?
Yes. An animated short titled Van Helsing: The London Assignment was released in 2004.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Helsing_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, and inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338526/
    Supports: Plot premise involving Transylvania, Dracula, and classic horror elements.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/van_helsing
    Supports: Synopsis, main cast, genre, and release information.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Helsing:_The_London_Assignment
    Supports: Animated prequel released in 2004.