My second favorite subgenre of horror has to be the werewolf movie. There’s something about the mythos of a person being transformed into a beast that honestly, I find a little compelling. Who among us has not wanted to give up control on occasion and let our inner beast run amok? There is an old Arabian proverb that says, “within each of us, ofttimes, there dwells a mighty and raging fury”. This line was made popular by The Incredible Hulk television series back in the 1970s. While it certainly applies to the Hulk, I think it also applies to the curse of lycanthropy.

The Wolfman from 1941 was probably the first werewolf movie I ever saw—and I still love that movie to this day—but the one that really hooked me was the Hammer Horror film Curse of the Werewolf from 1961. Oliver Reed did an amazing job of portraying a young man cursed by the mark of the beast (although his efforts at portraying the actual werewolf were a little clunky—not that my 10 year old self even noticed). The savagery and tragedy of that role got to me and the furry monster with blood dripping from his fanged maw in vivid technicolor didn’t hurt either.

Unfortunately, good werewolf movies have been few and far between (although there have been some pretty good ones produced in recent years). A lot of werewolf movies seem to have been filmed under tight budgetary restrictions and suffer from a lack of believable practical effects. That said, there are still quite a few film makers who managed to pull it off and they deserve every accolade for their efforts.

Top 10 werewolf movies of all time, in no particular order:

  1. An American Werewolf in London (1981) – A horror classic that stands the test of time with its groundbreaking special effects, iconic transformation sequences, and perfect blend of horror and humor, as it follows two American tourists who encounter a werewolf while backpacking through England. 
  2. Dog Soldiers (2002) – This dark, action-packed thriller pits a group of British soldiers against a pack of werewolves living in the Scottish Highlands. Directed by Neil Marshall in his feature directorial debut and starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby and Liam Cunningham.
  3. The Wolfman (2010) – A remake of the classic 1941 Universal horror film with Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, and Benicio Del Toro taking a turn as the tragically haunted Larry Talbot who becomes afflicted with the curse of the werewolf on his way to discovering the truth behind a horrifying family legacy.
  4. The Howling (1981) – Directed by Joe Dante and based on the novel by Gary Brandner, this film follows a news anchor who, following a traumatic encounter with a serial killer, visits a remote resort recommended by her therapist. The movie is celebrated for its transformation sequences and the darkly humorous portrayal of a werewolf colony.
  5. Howl (2015) – A British horror film about a late-night commuter train that becomes stranded in the English countryside. As the full moon rises, the travelers find themselves in a harrowing life and death struggle against a pack of werewolves.
  6. Ginger Snaps (2000) – Directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton, from a story they jointly developed, this Canadian horror film offers a fresh take on the genre and explores lycanthropy as a metaphor for puberty. 
  7. Silver Bullet (1985) – Based on a Stephen King novella, this film follows a paraplegic boy who discovers a werewolf is terrorizing his town. A suspenseful, character-driven story with Gary Busey and Corey Haim providing solid performances as a dynamic uncle-nephew duo.
  8. Wer (2013) – A found footage-style horror film that follows a defense attorney as she investigates a gruesome murder case and uncovers a horrifying secret involving a man who may or may not be a werewolf.
  9. Werewolves Within (2021) – A smart and witty horror-comedy that cleverly blends humor and suspense while showcasing the quirky inhabitants of a small town facing a mysterious threat. Directed by Josh Ruben from a screenplay by Mishna Wolff (not kidding) and based on the video game of the same name.
  10. Wolf (1994) – A unique blend of drama and horror starring Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer. Nicholson’s charismatic performance as a man who undergoes a life-altering transformation and the film’s exploration of primal desires and corporate politics make it a refreshing take on the traditional werewolf tale.

Honorable mentions:

  1. The Wolf Man (1941) – The seminal Universal Pictures horror film that laid the foundation for the werewolf genre, featuring Lon Chaney Jr.’s sympathetic portrayal of Larry Talbot, whose transformation into a werewolf becomes a tragic and iconic tale of the curse of lycanthropy.
  2. Curse of the Werewolf (1961) – A Hammer Horror classic starring Oliver Reed in a compelling performance as a tormented young man afflicted by the curse of the werewolf. This film offers a solid blend of gothic atmosphere and horror.
  3. The Company of Wolves (1984) – A surreal and darkly poetic take on the Little Red Riding Hood story, blending werewolf mythology with fairy tales.
  4. Late Phases (2014) – A lesser-known gem, this film focuses on a blind war veteran who must defend his retirement community from a werewolf.
  5. Bad Moon (1996) – A straightforward horror film that offers a satisfying dose of suspense and gore. The film’s portrayal of a family’s struggle against a menacing werewolf, along with some effective practical effects, provides solid entertainment for werewolf fans.
  6. Blood Moon (2021) – This film was part of Hulu’s exceptional Into the Dark series and, while filmed on a limited budget, is still a very effective werewolf story. When Esme and her 10-year-old son, Luna, move to a small desert town hoping to make a new start things quickly go awry as the locals begin to suspect there is something unnatural about the young boy.
  7. Werewolf by Night (2022) – Following the death of their leader, a secret cabal of monster hunters gather at the to compete in a deadly competition for a powerful relic. Based on the Marvel comic book series from the 1970s this is more of a TV special for Disney+ than an actual movie, but it was brilliantly done and definitely worth watching. The film was first aired in black and white, but a full color version premiered on the streaming channel October 20, 2023.

Halloween is almost here, but I think I have time for one more. Next time we’ll look at zombie movies!