When the full moon shines, ferocious fangs flash and the werewolf stalks the night.
The terrifying idea of a human-wolf creature dates back centuries, moving and morphing from myth to mental illness to modern cinema. Werewolves are an integral part of film history, playing a rabid role in the Universal monster movie lineup alongside Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein ('s monster), and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
While there haven't been as many werewolf movies as there are vampire movies (or at least as many good werewolf movies), there are still some awesome wolf gems out there for those of you looking to binge some lycanthropy horror. There are even a couple hilarious were-comedies to throw in, to mix things up. Due to their dangerous, animalistic nature werewolves are far less romanticized creatures than vampires. Most often their tales are those of tragedy and misfortune than that of an immortal, desirable seducer. As you'll see below, most of these stories involve a curse, one that steers the lead characters down dark, regrettable paths.
We've assembled the best of the best so with that in mind here are the greatest werewolf movies of all time. You can also check out our picks for the best monster movies for more.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Where to Watch: Rentable on Prime and most platforms
Horror classic The Wolf Man kicks off this feral list as it terrified audiences in the early '40s with its (for the time) groundbreaking scares, effects, and makeup. The story, which would get remade some 70 years later with Benicio del Toro and Sir Anthony Hopkins, follows prodigal son Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr) returning to his family home in Wales following the death of his brother...and falling prey to an ancient curse of werewolf-dom. Lon Chaney Jr would reprise the role in multiple sequels, cementing the characters' legacy, and, in general, putting werewolves on the cinematic map.
The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)
Where to Watch: Rentable on Prime and most platforms
British horror house Hammer Films made a killing in the '60s and '70s with monster movies. Dracula movies, in particular, as enough time had passed from the Universal original to reboot the character. But they also dabbled in Frankenstein, The Mummy, and their respective sequels. The one and only werewolf movie they made, however, was classic The Curse of the Werewolf, with Oliver Reed in the lead role. Taking its cues from most werewolf stories before it, the film fully treats wolfing out as a sad, tragic condition ("curse" is right there in the title) while also suggesting that humanity's own corrupt ways can bring out the beast if it rests dormant inside you. Reed's Leon finds peace for a while, through the love of a woman, though ultimately he cannot contain his damnation.
Silver Bullet (1985)
Where to Watch: Hulu (w/ MAX), MAX (w/ Prime Video), DirecTV
Based on Stephen King's 1983 novella, Cycle of the Werewolf, Silver Bullet tracks a series of mysterious unexplained murders in a quaint, quiet town called Tarker's Mill. When the locals decide to hunt the killer down themselves many of the would-be vigilantes wind up dead. Ultimately it falls to a young wheelchair-bound boy (Corey Haim) his older sister (Megan Follows) and their alcoholic uncle (Gary Busey) to free their home from the clutches of a vicious werewolf.
See our list of the best Stephen King movies for more.
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Where to Watch: Hulu, The Roku Channel (w/ ads), Pluto TV (w/ ads), Tubi (w/ ads)
Director Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, The Descent) made one hell of a horror home invasion calling card with his debut movie, Dog Soldiers, about men on a military training exercise who have to survive the night at a country house in the Scottish Highlands when a squad of werewolves attack. It's a tight, brutal, unique take on the werewolf genre that stars Gotham's Sean Pertwee, Rome's Kevin McKidd, and GoT's Liam Cunningham. Like a bit of action and mystery thrown into your wolf tales? This one's a can't-miss.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Where to Watch: Peaco*ck, Shudder, Vudu (w/ ads), The Roku Channel (w/ ads), Fubo, Pluto TV (w/ ads), Tubi (w/ ads)
Another fun wolf-take from the early Aughts is Ginger Snaps, a Canadian sleeper about two death-obsessed outcast sisters who experience a ferocious falling out after one of them gets bit by a werewolf and transforms into a powerful, confident killer. Emily Perkins (Supernatural) and Katharine Isabelle (Hannibal) star in this sinister satire of suburban teen life. The duo would also star in the movie's two sequels.
The Company Of Wolves (1984)
Where to Watch: Shudder, Fubo, AMC+ (w/ The Roku Channel), AMC+ (w/ Prime Video)
Oscar-winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire) directed this dark, gothic take on Little Red Riding Hood, starring Angela Lansbury, David Warner, and Sarah Patterson. A collection of werewolf stories, adapted from one story within Angela Carter's adult folk tale collection The Bloody Chamber, The Company Of Wolves is an under-seen landmark werewolf flick offering a nightmarish and stylish twist on a famous fairytale. It's dreamlike atmosphere is only broken by gruesome transformation scenes.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow
Where to Watch: Rentable on Prime and most platforms
A small modern wonder, The Wolf of Snow Hollow is part macabre mystery/part quirky sitcom. Imagine a small town werewolf story where everyone is in a horror movie except the lead, writer/director Jim Cummings' Deputy John, is basically Dennis from It's Always Sunny. It's an awesome, offbeat film that both embraces and displaces werewolf conventions, portraying a rage-filled cop slowly unraveling due to a series of ghastly murders that shatter his remote snowbound town. The late, great Robert Forster also stars, in his final film role.
Werewolves Within (2021)
Where to Watch: Hulu
Based on a social VR game (which you in no way have to play before the movie), Werewolves Within stars Sam Richardson (Veep, I Think You Should Leave), Milana Vayntrub (This is Us, Other Space) and a hilarious ensemble in a comedy-horror mystery about a newly-transferred forest ranger who must determine if a rash of local deaths are being cause by feuding small town citizens or...something else. Is there a supernatural beast causing chaos or is it just the bitter, violent nature of man that's to blame?
Read IGN's review of Werewolves Within: The Movie.
Late Phases (2014)
Where to Watch: Peaco*ck, Tubi (w/ ads), Freevee (w/ ads)
As a close quarter lupine thriller movie, Late Phases delivers both terror, heart, and redemption. Set in a secluded retirement community, the movie tells the story of a blind war veteran who rallies the old residents to fight a nasty beast that's picking them off one by one. Underneath it all, too, is a heartfelt story between a father and son that helps elevate this monster movie above the pack.
Wolf (1994)
Where to Watch: Fubo, Paramount+ (w/ Showtime, w/ Prime Video, w/ The Roku Channel), Showtime
As one of the most bizarre entries into '90s "prestige horror" (A-list actors and directors doing spookies, like Interview with the Vampire, The Silence of the Lambs, Misery, etc), Wolf stars Jack Nicolson as an aging, pushover New York book publisher who gets bitten and finds himself with burgeoning werewolf powers. Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars, in a film directed by the legendary Mike Nichols, as Jack's Will starts to take control of his life. Too bad his business rival (James Spader) also gets wolf'd! It's a book publishing wolf off!
Teen Wolf (1985)
Where to Watch: MAX, MAX (w/ Prime Video)
Before it became an MTV Y/A drama series, Teen Wolf was a hit '80s comedy starring Michael J. Fox (and a sequel starring Jason Bateman). It's the story of a high school student, Scott, whose ordinary life is changed when he discovers that he's a werewolf. Though to Scott's credit, his wolf persona (complete with superior athletic skills) helps make him the most popular kid in school. No nasty wolf bite here though, in Teen Wolf the lycanthropy is hereditary, passed down through Scott's family.
It's a great comedy movie in it's own right, and it's only made better because it has werewolves.
Trick ’r Treat (2007)
Where to Watch: Rentable on Prime and most platforms
Michael Dougherty's "already a classic" Halloween movie, Trick 'r Treat, isn't a full werewolf movie but its wolf parts are phenomenal. An anthology movie that follows several stories on Halloween night in a small Ohio town, Trick 'r Treat has an integral werewolf section that's die for. True Blood Oscar-winner Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Succession's Brian Cox, and more star in this mighty, menacing ensemble movie about all the terrible things that can cut you and gut you on All Hallow's Eve.
Read IGN's review of Trick 'r Treat here.
Wolfen (1981)
Where to Watch: Rentable on Prime and most platforms
1981 represents a high watermark for werewolf movies, though Wolfen still doesn't quite get the love it deserves. Starring Albert Finney, Diane Venora, Gregory Hines and Edward James Olmos, and based on the novel by Whitley Strieber (The Hunger, The Day After Tomorrow), Wolfen follows a cop and he uncovers a secret, murderous sect of intelligent canine creatures. No, not werewolves per se, but a different form of wolf-y killing machine. Still, Wolfen is a class act and it nicely leads us to...
The Howling (1981)
Where to Watch: Shudder (w/ Prime Video), AMC+ (w/ Prime Video), DirecTV
Joe Dante's pivotal, excellent werewolf movie, The Howling, changed the game for all wolf flicks. Based on the 1977 book by Gary Brandner, The Howling follows a traumatized new reporter and her husband who head to a Northern California commune for some rest and relaxation only to discover that it's a secret community of sexually (and carnivorously) free werewolves. Horror icon Dee Wallace stars in this great, bloody romp that features a historically awesome werewolf transformation scene thanks to The Thing special effects champion Rob Bottin. It would be hailed as the best werewolf transformation scene...until our list's next werewolf movie was released four months later.
An American Werewolf in London
Where to Watch: AMC+, The Roku Channel (w/ ads), Vudu (w/ ads), Tubi (w/ ads) DirecTV
Considered by many horror fans to be the best werewolf movie ever made, John Landis' An American Werewolf in London is scary, silly, and unquestionably jaw-dropping. A mix of mirth and monster mayhem, the film follows young New York tourist David (David Naughton) in the wake of his best friend being killed by a wolf out in the English countryside. What David doesn't realize is that by surviving the "wolf"'s attack he's now become a werewolf. Which throws a serious wrench into his plans to fall in love with his nurse (Jenny Agutter). This film's monster transformation scene, from makeup maestro Rick Baker (Harry and the Hendersons, How the Grinch Stole Christmas), made special effects history. And garnered him his first Oscar.
Matt Fowler is a freelance entertainment writer/critic, covering TV news, reviews, interviews and features on IGN for 13+ years.
