# Van Helsing

> 2004 film directed by Stephen Sommers

**Wikidata**: [Q211009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Helsing_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/van-helsing

## Summary

Van Helsing is an action film, horror film, swashbuckler film, crossover fiction, vampire film, and fantasy film.

## Summary
Van Helsing is a 2004 action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers that reimagines the classic monster-hunting character in a modern blockbuster format. It blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and horror, featuring Hugh Jackman in the titular role as a supernatural investigator. The film is notable for its gothic visual style, large-scale action sequences, and its fusion of classic Universal Monsters with contemporary filmmaking.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** May 3, 2004 (premiere), with general release dates including May 6 and May 7, 2004
- **Directed by:** Stephen Sommers
- **Starring:** Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Shuler Hensley, Elena Anaya
- **Genres:** Action film, horror film, fantasy film, adventure film, swashbuckler film, vampire film, mystery film, thriller film
- **Country of Origin:** United States, Czech Republic
- **Production Company:** Universal Pictures
- **Runtime:** 126 minutes
- **Budget:** $160,000,000
- **Box Office Gross:** $300,157,638
- **Distributor:** Universal Pictures
- **Website:** [http://www.vanhelsing.net/](http://www.vanhelsing.net/)
- **Part of Series:** Dracula 2000 series (sequel universe)
- **Awards:** Recipient of the TV Krant Filmposter Award (2004)
- **Languages:** English, Czech
- **Filming Locations:** Includes locations in the Czech Republic
- **Technical Identifier Codes:**
  - IMDb ID: tt0338526
  - Freebase ID: /m/02nx2k
  - TMDb ID: 89f980b9-ad35-352f-841b-972b41dd973b
  - AllMovie ID: 35/100 (rating)
  - Rotten Tomatoes Score: 24%
  - Metacritic Score: 4.3/10
- **Social Media Handles:** ru.vanhelsing (VKontakte), van_helsing (various platforms)
- **Sitewide Identifiers:**
  - Wikidata: Q11424 (instance of film)
  - Library of Congress ID: v286519
  - BFI ID: 39590
  - BabelNet ID: 1195596
  - Box Office Mojo ID: 491093
  - Commons Category: vanhelsing
  - Open Library ID: film/van-helsing
  - MusicBrainz ID: 58186
  - TV Guide ID: 34911
  - AllMovie Title ID: mv33934
  - MovieMeter ID: 2682
  - Filmweb.pl ID: 71699
  - Kinopoisk ID: 3491
  - CineMagia ID: 3491
  - Allocine ID: 110411
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## FAQs
**What is the plot of Van Helsing?**  
Van Helsing follows Gabriel Van Helsing, a legendary monster hunter, who is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula and his brides. The film also involves the resurrection of Frankenstein's monster and the werewolf curse, blending gothic horror with high-octane action.

**Who directed and starred in Van Helsing?**  
The film was directed by Stephen Sommers and stars Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing, alongside Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, and David Wenham.

**What genres does Van Helsing belong to?**  
It is classified as an action film, horror film, fantasy film, adventure film, swashbuckler film, vampire film, mystery film, and thriller film, reflecting its hybrid genre approach.

**Where was Van Helsing filmed?**  
Principal photography occurred in locations including the Czech Republic, contributing to the film's gothic and atmospheric visuals.

**What is the budget and box office performance of Van Helsing?**  
The film had a production budget of $160 million and grossed $300,157,638 worldwide, making it a commercial success despite mixed critical reception.

**What awards did Van Helsing receive?**  
It won the TV Krant Filmposter Award in 2004, recognizing its promotional poster design.

**What series is Van Helsing part of?**  
It is part of the Dracula 2000 series, serving as a sequel universe that reinterprets classic Universal Monsters.

**What are some of the film's key identifiers and metadata?**  
Van Helsing is cataloged under numerous databases and platforms, including IMDb (tt0338526), TMDb, Freebase, and various international film archives, with a wide range of identifiers for cross-platform recognition.

## Why It Matters
Van Helsing represents a significant moment in early 2000s Hollywood filmmaking, where classic horror characters were reimagined for a blockbuster audience. It reflects the industry's trend of combining legacy characters with modern action-adventure storytelling. The film's visual design, creature effects, and large-scale set pieces influenced how monster films were produced and marketed. Its commercial success, despite critical panning, underscores its appeal to global audiences and its role in shaping the modern gothic action genre.

## Notable For
- **Genre Fusion:** Combines horror, fantasy, action, and adventure into a single blockbuster narrative.
- **Visual Spectacle:** Known for its elaborate gothic sets, costume design, and creature effects.
- **Box Office Success:** Grossed nearly double its budget, making it a financial success.
- **Reinterpretation of Classic Characters:** Reimagines Van Helsing, Dracula, and Frankenstein's monster for a new generation.
- **International Filming:** Utilized locations in the Czech Republic to enhance its atmospheric visuals.
- **Franchise Potential:** Spawned discussions and potential sequels within the Dracula 2000 universe.
- **Award Recognition:** Won the TV Krant Filmposter Award for its promotional poster.
- **Star Power:** Featured A-list actors like Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale.
- **Cultural Impact:** Became a cult classic among fans of action-horror hybrids.

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
Van Helsing was directed by Stephen Sommers, known for his work on *The Mummy* series, which shares stylistic and tonal similarities with this film. The screenplay was also written by Sommers, ensuring a consistent creative vision. The film was produced by Universal Pictures, a major Hollywood studio with a long history of monster movies dating back to the original Universal Horror cycle of the 1930s and 1940s.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Hugh Jackman as Gabriel Van Helsing, a supernatural investigator with a mysterious past. Kate Beckinsale plays Anna Valerious, a descendant of the cursed Valerious family. Richard Roxburgh portrays the villainous Dr. Frankenstein and Count Vladislaus Dracula, while David Wenham plays Carl, a loyal friar and Van Helsing's ally. The ensemble cast also includes Shuler Hensley as the Creature and Elena Anaya as Aleera, one of Dracula’s brides.

### Genre and Themes
Van Helsing is a hybrid of multiple genres:
- **Action Film:** Features large-scale stunts, fight sequences, and high-energy pacing.
- **Horror Film:** Incorporates classic horror elements such as monsters, dark settings, and suspense.
- **Fantasy Film:** Utilizes supernatural beings and mythological lore.
- **Adventure Film:** Follows a quest-based narrative structure.
- **Swashbuckler Film:** Includes swordplay and heroic adventure tropes.
- **Vampire Film:** Centralizes Dracula and his brides as key antagonists.
- **Mystery Film:** Involves uncovering secrets and solving supernatural puzzles.
- **Thriller Film:** Maintains suspense and tension throughout key sequences.

### Plot Overview
The story follows Van Helsing as he is summoned by the Vatican to Transylvania to aid the last of the Valerious family in defeating Dracula and his supernatural allies. The film blends the Dracula mythos with Frankenstein’s monster and werewolf lore, creating a narrative that pits Van Helsing against multiple iconic monsters in a single adventure.

### Production Details
- **Production Company:** Universal Pictures
- **Filming Locations:** The Czech Republic, particularly Prague and surrounding areas, provided gothic backdrops.
- **Budget:** $160,000,000
- **Box Office Gross:** $300,157,638
- **Release Dates:** Premiered on May 3, 2004, with general releases on May 6 and May 7, 2004.

### Awards and Recognition
Van Helsing received the **TV Krant Filmposter Award** in 2004, an accolade recognizing excellence in film poster design. This award highlights the film’s strong marketing and visual identity.

### Technical and Digital Identifiers
The film is cataloged under numerous international databases:
- **IMDb ID:** tt0338526
- **Freebase ID:** /m/02nx2k
- **TMDb ID:** 89f980b9-ad35-352f-841b-972b41dd973b
- **Box Office Mojo ID:** 491093
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score:** 24%
- **Metacritic Score:** 4.3/10
- **AllMovie Rating:** 35/100
- **Wikidata Instance:** Q11424 (film)

### Marketing and Distribution
Universal Pictures handled global distribution, with promotional efforts including theatrical trailers, tie-in merchandise, and a dedicated website: [vanhelsing.net](http://www.vanhelsing.net/). The film’s marketing emphasized its action-horror blend and star-studded cast.

### Cultural and Franchise Context
Van Helsing exists within the broader **Dracula 2000 series**, a universe that reinterprets classic Universal Monsters for modern audiences. While not a direct sequel, it shares thematic DNA with *Dracula 2000* (2000) and was intended to launch a larger franchise.

### Legacy and Reception
Despite mixed reviews from critics, Van Helsing found a strong audience, particularly among fans of action-horror hybrids. Its visual style and ambitious scope have made it a cult favorite, often cited in discussions of 2000s monster movie trends. The film’s legacy lies in its attempt to modernize classic horror for blockbuster appeal, influencing later entries in the genre.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. MusicBrainz
4. Van Helsing. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338526/releaseinfo)
7. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338526/releaseinfo/)
8. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338526/parentalguide/#certificates)
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338526/technical/)
10. Box Office Mojo
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/van-helsing/)
13. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/110411)
16. Bechdel Test Movie List
17. mymovies.it
18. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5BCA-4A52-4FCB-6014-48EA-I)
19. Danish Film Database
20. TheTVDB
21. Trakt.tv
22. FilmVandaag.nl