Summary
Although the concept has crossed over into other genres, like romance, over the years, the werewolf genre always returns to horror. The idea of being transformed, possibly against one’s will, into a terrifying beast with no telling what one will do under the influence, has a lot of different parallels to real life. It has been a mainstay of major creature features for many decades now.
Although plenty of older werewolf horror movies have sillier aspects looking back, plenty of these retro fright fests remain wondrous and fear-inducing today. Add to that the recent resurgence of some classic creature feature monsters, and the werewolf genre has plenty of fears and a bright past, present and future.
8The Wolf Man
The Original Gothic Horror Masterpiece
This classic might not be the first werewolf film, but it is possibly the best-remembered and most fondly rewatched of cinema’s golden age.The Wolf Manhas been remade with more modern sensibilities regarding the frightening aspects in particular, but nothing is quite as impressive or fearsome as the original watch. This movietwisted the werewolf mythos once and for all.
A man named Larry returns to Wales from America after his brother’s death and is bitten by a werewolf while trying to help a young girl. Not only did Lou Chaney so perfectly encapsulate this character that he returned for four sequels, he also ensured that his version of the werewolf would remain a terrifying cinematic masterpiece for all time.
7Wer
What If A Werewolf Needed A Lawyer?
A hidden gem within the werewolf genre,Werasks some interesting questions, has a fascinating premise, and is downright terrifying at times. An American lawyer, Kate Moore, comes to the aid of a man imprisoned in France who has been accused of a series of grisly murders. It is only after questioning him, and after seeing him bite someone else, that Kate begins to think her client could be a werewolf.
While the premise could make for an amusing film, Brian Scott O’Connor’s chilling performance and the dark, unsettling atmosphere makeWersomething else entirely. With a conspiracy over land and surprising depth to the story, and some moments of outright terror that few werewolf films can match,Weris a hidden gem for horror and werewolf fans.
6Silver Bullet
Stephen King’s Terrifying Take On Werewolves
There are certain hallmarks of the Stephen King style in horror, and most are present inSilver Bullet. Based on King’s novellaCycle of the Werewolf,Silver Bulletis a classic 80s story about a werewolf in a small town being chased down by Marty, a young boy using a wheelchair.
A string of gruesome unsolved murders in the town of Tarker’s Mills comes to a head when the townsfolk form a vigilante group, many of whom are also brutally killed. Marty, after surviving an attack by the creature and therefore understanding its nature, sets out to kill it with the help of his sister and alcoholic uncle. Although campy at times, this 80s adventure is filled with frights and feels like the more horror-focused cousin thatThe Gooniesnever had. Fans argue aboutwhich Stephen King adaptions are the best, butSilver Bulletis one of the most fun.
5The Company Of Wolves
Red Riding Hood Gone Wrong
A great director of iconic takes on creatures, Neil Jordan went on to directInterview With A Vampire, butThe Company Of Wolveswas his first foray into the horror genre, and his take on the Red Riding Hood fairytale. It featured a young girl dreaming about living in a forest in the 18th Century, where she must go live with her grandmother after her sister is killed by a werewolf.
The Company Of Wolvesis true gothic horror, and the style remains chilling to the bone even today. The story unfolds in what seems like a bizarre way, until viewers pick up on the hidden meanings behind the head-scratching events. Though it doesn’t have as many jumpscares as some horror films today, this is still a deeply unsettling film to rewatch now.
4Wolf
Jack Nicholson’s Unsettling, Memorable Wolfish Grin
With a simple title but a complex story,Wolfis about a struggling executive who finds out he is being replaced at his job while being transformed by a werewolf after an attack. Finding himself feeling young and powerful, but struggling with the urges he feels towards the daughter of his boss, Jack Nicholson portrays Will Randall as a man filled with hope and later despair at what his transformation might mean.
Wolfis a great example of many traditional elementsof a werewolf story. It’s filled with moments of terror, particularly since Jack Nicholson is a master of playing unsettling leads, and a dark sense of humor as well.Wolfis a great film with many hallmarks of the 90s, and it is ripe for werewolf fans to revisit today.
3Dog Soldiers
The Closest Thing To British Predator
Director Neil Marshall has made some of the best British horror movies of the 21st century.Dog Soldiersis an early work of his, and also one of his best.A group of British SAS soldiersgo into the mountains of Scotland for a training exercise and find themselves up against a deadly pack of werewolves.
Though it is campy at times,Dog Soldiersexcels both in real horror and memorable action scenes. The no-nonsense soldiers are the perfect sort of group to give a werewolf film the vibe ofPredator, making for even more terror as the most capable humans are nevertheless torn apart by the terrifying creatures. The remote location, excellent British cast, and constant fear will leave viewers entertained and coiled tight as a spring, ready to jump at any moment.
2An American Werewolf In London
The Utmost Classic Of The Werewolf Genre
Although it has comedic elements, there is no werewolf film that is more iconic, better known, or more terrifying thanAn American Werewolf In London. David and Jack are American backpackers who are attacked by a strange creature on the Yorkshire Moors, causing David to transform into a werewolf on the next full moon in what many would call the most iconic scene in the history of cinematic werewolves.
David must contemplate his new existence while being haunted by the decaying spirit of his friend.An American Werewolf In Londonis amusing and terrifying in equal measures. Most of all, it has managed to age amazingly well. The fantastic cast and tense atmosphere throughout make for many iconichallmarks of the modern werewolf genre, which was arguably defined by this classic film.
1The Howling
The Ultimate Fear-Filled Werewolf Adventure
Although it isn’t the single most famous film in the werewolf genre, there is an enduring genius and a huge fear factor to every moment ofThe Howling. After being stalked by a serial killer, a news anchor goes with her husband on a retreat to “The Colony.” This place turns out to be inhabited by werewolves, including the stalking serial killer she thought had already been killed.
The Howlingfeatures all the hallmarks of true terror, and the unique dark comedy ofJoe Dante, who later co-createdGremlins. It’s filled with isolation and the realization that everyone is out to get you, and the terrifying transformation of even her own husband into a werewolf. There are few horror films that leave the lead and viewers feeling such mortal despair at the situation, butThe Howlingis filled with all sorts of terror and remains rewatchable today. It is also due for a remake shortly with director Andy Muschietti, making it an exciting time to watch the original.
