It’s such a shame werewolves don’t enjoy the same popularity as say, zombies, and vampires, in the fantasy and horror genres. With such a tragic affliction, werewolves make for interesting film subjects. In hopes of getting more people on the werewolf ‘fan-wagon’, here’s our pick of the 10 best Werewolf movies of all time.
10 Best Werewolf Movies of All Time
Curse of the Werewolf (1961)
Based on the novel The Wolf of Paris by Guy Endore, Curse of the Werewolf (1961) chronicles a man’s discovery of his curse and his first transformation as a werewolf.
Set in the 1700s in Spain, we see Leon Corledo, a man with a brutal past, discover that he is cursed to be a werewolf as he was born on Christmas day. Unable to control his urges, he begins terrorizing the people of the Spanish town.
A classic werewolf origin film, Curse of the Werewolf ends on a tragic note with Leon being killed by his adoptive father in order to stop him.
Wolf (1994)
Here we see another werewolf origin story.
Jack Nicholson stars as Will Randall, an aging book editor facing a midlife crisis in Mick Nichols’ often overlooked film Wolf (1994).
After being replaced by a younger and more aggressive editor at work, Randall discovers that his youthful vigor is back and decides to pursue his former boss’s daughter. However, he soon suspects that he may be turning into a werewolf due to the intensity of his developing animal urges.
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
Yep, you read that title right. And you’re not wrong, the title accurately describes what the film is about.
In Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), a man afflicted with lycanthropy seeks the help of famed Dr. Frankenstein to cure him of his illness which turns him into a werewolf at sundown. Unfortunately, the doctor is dead leaving the man with no choice but to try and get Frankenstein’s daughter’s help. Too bad though as he gets in trouble with Frankenstein’s monster instead.
The Company of Wolves (1984)
Before director Neil Jordan jumped shipped to make Interview with the Vampire, he made the werewolf movie The Company of Wolves (1984).
The film is a new and eerier take on the children’s story of Little Red Riding Hood. In the film, we see a grown version of Riding Hood Rosaleen, a young woman who has persisting dreams about wolves. One day she meets a hunter in the wood who turns out to be a werewolf.
Finding herself strangely attracted to him, he forgives him for killing her grandmother and allowing him to change her into a werewolf so they can run away and live together. All seems great, right? Better watch out for that surprise ending.
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Dog Soldiers (2002) is a horror action film about a group of British soldiers who are hunted by werewolves in the Scottish Highlands while on a training mission. The men are rescued by a zoologist who tells them that is werewolves who are after them. Trapped in a farmhouse cabin without any means of transportation or communication, they must wait out the full moon to get out alive.
A sequel to the film called Dog Soldiers: Fresh Meat was planned but, unfortunately, never materialized.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Ah, every angsty teenage girl’s favorite horror movie.
A Canadian production, Ginger Snaps (2000) tells the story of a pair of strange sisters who are also social outcasts, Ginger and Brigitte, who live in a quiet suburban town called Bailey Downs.
Things seem to go well until Ginger is attacked by a wild animal on the day she got her first period. After the attack, Ginger seems to be undergoing a strange mental and physical transformation which concerns her sister who would eventually try to save her.
Werewolf of London (1935)
Banking on the success of films like Dracula and Frankenstein in the early 1930s, Universal released Werewolf of London in 1935.
In the film we see a botanist, Wilfred Glendon, transform into a werewolf after being bitten by a strange animal while on a trip to Tibet researching a flower which allegedly takes power from the moon. It would later be revealed that the mysterious flower is the only known antidote to his affliction.
The Howling (1981)
If you’re looking for something for more fun and hip take on the werewolf legend, check out Joe Dante’s adaptation of Gary Brandner’s book, The Howling (1981).
In the film, we see television reporter Karen White is sent to an isolated psychological retreat center after her traumatizing experience with a serial killer she helped the police catch. Unknown to her, she is placed in much more grave danger as the town where her retreat center is located is populated by werewolves.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Although not the first Hollywood film to portray the werewolf myth on screen, The Wolf Man (1941) is considered to be the better film of the two.
We follow a man Larry, as he returns home to Wales after the death of his brother. While there, he kills a wolf with a silver cane he has recently bought at an antique shop. But when he looked at his kill, he discovers that it was a man he struck. He would, later on, learn from the man’s mother that the man was a werewolf and that Larry is now one too.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
We bet you expected this film to top our list from the get-go.
In An American Werewolf in London (1981) we are introduced to two American college boys who are backpacking in Britain. They are attacked by wolves one night resulting in one of them being killed. As the survivor, David is recuperating in a hospital, he sees his old friend in dreams warning him that he is slowly becoming a werewolf.
What’s your favorite werewolf movie? Tell us in the comments below!
