Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale has secured North American distribution with Vertical, which plans a wide theatrical rollout in the first quarter of 2026 following the film’s summer opening in France. The English-language gothic romance stars Caleb Landry Jones, with Christoph Waltz and Zoë Bleu among the ensemble, and adapts Bram Stoker’s novel through a centuries-spanning love story.
The film follows a 15th-century prince who renounces God after the death of his wife and is cursed to wander through time as Dracula, sustaining hope that he can reunite with his lost love. In a statement announcing the North American deal, the director described the project as deeply personal and emphasized its romantic spine. French distribution launched July 30, 2025, with additional early releases across Latin America in August.
Besson’s production highlights include an original score by Danny Elfman, recorded with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and Choir, signaling a sweeping, orchestral approach to the material. Early music trade notes and social posts pointed to the composer’s long-standing interest in tackling the character, aligning with the film’s operatic tone suggested in trailers.
Behind the camera, the project brings together cinematographer Colin Wandersman, editor Lucas Fabiani, production designer Hugues Tissandier and costume designer Corinne Bruand. The film was produced by Besson, with executive producers Mark Canton, Dorothy Canton, Ryan Winterstern and Philippe Corrot; CAA Media Finance handled North American negotiations with Vertical.
Stateside plans arrive as the movie continues its international rollout and early critical response notes Jones’ intense central turn and the prominence of Elfman’s score. While U.S. dating is now targeted for early 2026, the distributor says it intends a wide theatrical play, positioning the title as a premium-format, event-driven entry in the first half of the year.
