17 Werewolf Movies to Watch

Let’s be real. Vampires are suave and ghosts are spooky, but werewolves? They’re pure, unrestrained rage. They tap into that primal fear of being torn apart by something you can’t control—or worse, becoming it.

There’s a reason these supernatural movies stick around. The transformation sequences are body horror at its finest, and the monster is always a tragic figure. So get ready, because we’re counting down the best of the beasts.

 

 

The Cornerstones of the Canon

You have to know the classics. These aren’t just great werewolf movies; they’re some of the best horror films ever made, period. Start here.

 

 

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

This is the absolute peak. John Landis delivered a film that’s terrifying, hilarious, and genuinely sad all at once. It also features the single greatest transformation scene ever put to film, all thanks to the legendary Rick Baker. No CGI, just pure, bone-snapping practical effects.

If you’ve only seen one film on this list, it better be this one. “Beware the moon.”

 

 

The Howling (1981)

Released the same year as its London-based cousin, The Howling is the grittier, pulpier alternative. Directed by Joe Dante, it’s a sharp satire of self-help culture that also happens to be packed with incredible creature designs. The vibe is sleazy, scary, and a whole lot of fun.

 

 

The Wolf Man (1941)

This is the blueprint. Lon Chaney Jr.’s tragic performance as Larry Talbot set the standard for the reluctant monster, cursed by a bite and doomed by the moon. It established all the mythology we now take for granted: the silver, the pentagram, the transformation. It’s a gothic masterpiece.

 

 

When You Need More than Just a Bite

Sometimes you don’t want to hide under the bed. Sometimes you want to see the werewolf fight back, or get into a gunfight. These are for the action junkies.

 

 

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Think Predator, but with a squad of British soldiers trapped in a remote Scottish farmhouse, besieged by a family of werewolves. It’s a lean, mean, action-horror machine with fantastic practical effects and a dark sense of humor. You absolutely need to watch this.

 

 

Underworld (2003)

Forget subtlety. This is a slick, blue-tinted action flick about an ancient war between vampires (the Death Dealers) and werewolves (the Lycans). Kate Beckinsale in head-to-toe leather with two guns is the main event. It’s more style than substance, and we’re totally fine with that.

 

 

Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

A French period epic with martial arts, political conspiracy, and a monster terrorizing the countryside. Is it a werewolf? Something else? This movie is completely unhinged in the best possible way. It defies genre and you just have to hang on for the ride.

 

 

Laughing in the Face of the Moon

Who says turning into a giant dog-monster can’t be funny? These films prove that a little comedy makes the carnage go down easier.

 

 

Teen Wolf (1985)

Before he was Marty McFly, Michael J. Fox was Scott Howard, a completely average high school kid who discovers he can turn into a werewolf. Instead of murdering people, he uses his powers to become an unbeatable basketball star. It’s pure 80s cheese, and it’s perfect.

 

 

Werewolves Within (2021)

Based on a video game, this film is way better than it has any right to be. It’s a hilarious whodunnit set in a small town where a snowstorm has trapped a group of quirky residents in an inn with a killer beast. Sam Richardson is a joy to watch.

 

 

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

A small-town cop struggling with sobriety and a messy divorce has to solve a series of grisly murders. This movie is a brilliant balancing act of dark comedy, police procedural, and creature feature. It’s a weird, wonderful, and surprisingly heartfelt film.

 

 

The Feminist Fury

The werewolf transformation has always been a potent metaphor. These films use it to explore female puberty, rage, and power with incredible results.

 

 

Ginger Snaps (2000)

Puberty is a beast. This Canadian cult classic brilliantly uses lycanthropy as a metaphor for the horrors of female adolescence. It’s smart, gory, and features two of the best sister characters in horror history. A must-see.

 

 

When Animals Dream (2014)

If you want a quieter, more atmospheric take, this Danish film is for you. It’s a slow-burn story about a young woman in an isolated fishing village who discovers a dark, animalistic secret that runs in her family. It’s more about quiet empowerment than jump scares.

 

 

The Company of Wolves (1984)

This is not your grandmother’s Little Red Riding Hood. It’s a surreal, gothic, and Freudian dreamscape from director Neil Jordan. The whole film is a collection of dark fairytales wrapped in one gorgeous, unsettling package. A true work of art.

 

 

Dig These Out of the Crate

Everyone knows the big dogs. But the subgenre is full of fantastic, under-the-radar films you might have missed. Don’t sleep on these.

 

 

Silver Bullet (1985)

Peak Stephen King adaptation. A young boy in a wheelchair (a fantastic Corey Haim) is convinced a werewolf is killing people in his small town, and he enlists his reckless Uncle Red (Gary Busey) to help him stop it. It’s got so much heart.

 

 

Late Phases (2014)

A blind, bitter Vietnam veteran moves into a retirement community that, you guessed it, has a werewolf problem. This movie is an absolute gem, anchored by an incredible lead performance. It’s a story about an old warrior gearing up for one last fight.

 

 

Bad Moon (1996)

The plot is simple: a man gets bitten, and his sister’s German Shepherd is the only one who knows he’s a monster. The main reason to watch is the werewolf itself—a stunning, fully practical suit that looks absolutely vicious. It’s a lean, mean 90s creature feature.

 

 

Cursed (2005)

This movie had a famously troubled production, but the result is a messy but extremely fun horror flick from the late, great Wes Craven. It’s got that self-aware Scream vibe and a cast filled with faces you’ll recognize, like Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg. It’s a good time.

 

 

Howl (2015)

A solid, contained thriller. A late-night train breaks down in the middle of a forest, and the passengers soon realize something is stalking them from the darkness. It’s a simple premise executed with skill and some seriously nasty werewolves.

 

 

So, You Still Want More?

There you have it. Seventeen reasons to stay inside during the next full moon. Whether you want comedy, action, or pure terror, the beast is waiting for you.

Just don’t forget the silver.