The Best Werewolf Movies Ever Made
Here is a list of the best Werewolf movies, ranked by fans. This list includes movies about all sorts of movie monsters and creatures, which fall under the umbrella definition of "werewolf." Most follow standard werewolf mythology - human beings attacked by a wolf who then turn into one themselves on full moons, and violently attack their neighbors. Some, however, deviate from the traditional folklore in interesting ways. In American Werewolf in London you find a humorous combination of werewolves with Jacob Marley-esque spirit guides. Many of the werewolf movies on this list could easily be considered among the greatest horror movies ever made.
A number of contemporary werewolf films - the Twilight series, most notably - feature fantasy universes in which the monsters co-exist with other mythological beasts, particularly vampires (See also: the Underworld series.) In these stories, werewolves and vampires are locked in an epic struggle for domination of the night. Ironic, considering that Bram Stoker's vampires - and other early examples of the monsters in literature - were themselves capable of taking on a wolf-like form.
What are the best werewolf movies? Some of the excellent werewolf movies on this list are without a doubt some of the best teen movies of all time, too, including Teen Wolf and the Ginger Snaps series.
This list of the best werewolf films is open, so if your favorite werewolf movie doesn't appear, go to the bottom of the page and add it yourself to the list. Oh, and if you want to see a more thorough list of movies featuring werewolves, we also have our Ranker Guide to all werewolf movies.
- 1David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne
- Released: 1981
- Directed by: John Landis
Two young Americans on a backpacking trip across Europe find themselves attacked by a mysterious creature, resulting in one of them being gruesomely killed and the other surviving with a gnarly bite wound. The survivor soon discovers that he was bitten by a werewolf and is now doomed to transform into the beast himself during full moons. Director John Landis masterfully combines horror and humor while delivering groundbreaking special effects that make this film a cult classic.
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- 2Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby
- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Neil Marshall
A group of British soldiers is sent on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, only to find themselves under attack by a pack of ruthless werewolves. As darkness falls and the lunar cycle advances, the soldiers must band together and use their wits to survive the night while battling the flesh-hungry beasts. Neil Marshall's 2002 directorial debut became an instant favorite among genre enthusiasts for its intense action, practical effects, and dark humor.
- 3Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan
- Released: 1981
- Directed by: Joe Dante
When a television reporter survives an encounter with a serial killer who is revealed to be a werewolf, her traumatized psyche leads her to a remote retreat for therapy. However, she soon discovers that the secluded colony harbors even more lupine horrors lurking in the shadows. Joe Dante's 1981 film expertly blends social satire and chilling horror, boasting groundbreaking effects by Rob Bottin and a haunting score by Pino Donaggio.
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- 4Gary Busey, Corey Haim, Megan Follows
- Released: 1985
- Directed by: Dan Attias
Based on Stephen King's novella Cycle of the Werewolf, this film follows a small town in Maine terrorized by a series of brutal murders which coincide with full moons. Paralyzed teenager Marty, played by Corey Haim, and his offbeat sister, join forces to unmask the lycanthrope responsible for these atrocities. Director Daniel Attias delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful ride through a quintessential King story filled with eclectic characters and dark humor.
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- 5Lon Chaney, Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy
- Released: 1941
- Directed by: George Waggner
This 1941 Universal Studios classic stars Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, an ordinary man who is attacked by a werewolf while trying to protect a young woman. Now cursed with the mark of the werewolf, Talbot struggles to come to terms with his newfound deadly affliction while trying to find a cure. George Waggner's film remains one of the most iconic and influential entries in horror cinema history, with its innovative makeup effects by Jack Pierce and memorable performance by Chaney.
- 6Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: John Fawcett
A dark and witty coming-of-age story, this Canadian gem revolves around two socially outcast sisters who share an obsession with death. When the elder sister Ginger is bitten by a werewolf, her transformation from an awkward teenager into a fearsome killer mirrors her gruesome physical metamorphosis. Director John Fawcett expertly uses the werewolf as a metaphor for puberty, resulting in a unique and subversive take on the genre.
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