EVERYONE'S favourite monster hunter returns to the big screen this week.

And this time Van Helsing, played by Hugh Jackman, has a film of his own.

The character, created by Bram Stoker, first appeared on screen in the 1931 Universal classic Dracula and has since appeared in hundreds of film and theatre adaptation of Stoker's novel.

Now Van Helsing is the subject in the Universal Pictures modern-day blockbuster which opens tomorrow, Friday, with special showings tonight, Thursday.

Jackman, who starred in X-Men and on London's West End in smash-hit Les Miserables, appears alongside Kate Beckinsale, who made her name in war firm Pearl Harbour and also starred as a vampire in the under rated Underworld.

The film is set in the late 19th century when Van is summoned to a distant Eastern European land on a quest to vanquish evil.

Cue much fantasy action, explosions, blood, guts and gore ... can't wait.