"The Vampire Lovers" has received mixed reception from critics. "Variety"'s review of the film was mixed, claiming the story was not great and it had "fairly flat dialog," but the script had "all the needed ingredients." A. H. Weiler of "The New York Times" called it "a departure from the hackneyed bloody norm... professionally directed, opulently staged and sexy to boot." "The Monthly Film Bulletin" declared, "Rather below par, even by recent Hammer standards, this involves the customary heavy breathing, lusty fangs and tolerably luxurious sets, with the innovation of an exposed nipple or two to support the lesbian angle."