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The film was cut for its original cinema release by the BBFC in 1958 to remove shots of blood during Lucy's staking and to reduce the final disintegration of Dracula. For later UK video and DVD releases the U.S print (titled "Horror Of Dracula") was used as this restored the staking scene in full, although the climactic disintegration remained edited (and may no longer survive). In May 2007 a new BFI 'restored' print was premiered in Cannes which includes the staking and restores the original title of "Dracula" to the opening titles.

It has long been rumored among fans that the Japanese cut of the film contained a number of extended scenes, among them a shot of Dracula tearing his face off during the disintegration climax. Thanks to the efforts of a fan based in Japan, Hammer Films finally acquired the surviving footage from the extended cut in 2011 for inclusion in a forthcoming "definitive" restoration.

The UK censor took exception to the erotic quality of the film and the key scene when Mina is bitten by Dracula and seen to enjoy the experience was cut and alternative footage substituted. The staking of Lucy had the gore removed. The female vampire biting Harker had the actual bite removed making the scene look as if he pushed her away before being bitten. The final disintegration scene was trimmed with footage of Dracula pulling his face apart removed. This was the version released internationally. The staking cut was found in a US print and restored. The last three reels of a Japanese uncut print were found in shocking condition but with a lot of restoration allowed audiences again to see Mina in ecstasy and Dracula disintegrating in full: these additions are not seamless however and are of a lower quality than the rest of the film. This version was released in the UK in 2012 with a 12 certificate and several years later in the US unrated.