14 of the Best Werewolf Horror Movies of All Time
With the recent release of Werewolves (2024) and with Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man remake coming to theaters January 17th, I’ve been inspired to watch some of the best werewolf horror movies for inspiration. Just like vampires, werewolves have been a big part of film for decades. I think the way they blend cool special effects with campy action and humor is so much fun, and these recent releases prove that the subgenre isn’t going away any time soon.
I’ve made a list of some of the top werewolf horror movies of all time, including some of my campy favorites. Did I miss any that you’d recommend?
1. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Two American tourists backpacking through England encounter a werewolf that kills one and curses the other. The survivor must deal with his gradual transformation while being haunted by his dead friend’s decomposing ghost.
2. The Howling (1981)
A TV newswoman seeking therapy at a secluded retreat discovers the residents are part of a werewolf colony. She must fight to survive as she uncovers the truth about the mysterious commune.
3. Dog Soldiers (2002)
A group of British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands finds themselves fighting for survival against a pack of werewolves.
4. Ginger Snaps (2000)
Two teenage sisters’ lives are forever changed when one is attacked by a werewolf. As she begins to transform, their bond is tested while they desperately search for a cure.
5. The Wolf Man (1941)
After being bitten by a werewolf, a man struggles with his newfound curse and the ancient legend that only silver can kill a werewolf.
6. Silver Bullet (1985)
Based on Stephen King’s novella, a young, wheelchair-bound boy discovers his small town is being terrorized by a werewolf and teams up with his uncle to stop it.
7. Late Phases (2014)
A blind Vietnam veteran moves to a retirement community where he discovers a werewolf is killing the residents. He must use his military training to prepare for the next full moon.
8. The Company of Wolves (1984)
A Gothic reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood, telling dark fairy tales about wolves and werewolves through surreal and haunting imagery.
9. Wolfen (1981)
A detective investigating a series of brutal murders discovers an ancient tribe of shape-shifting creatures hunting in New York City.
10. Bad Moon (1996)
A man cursed with lycanthropy tries to protect his sister and nephew from his transformations, but their German Shepherd knows the truth about his condition.
11. Howl (2015)
Passengers on a late-night train become trapped and must fight for survival against a pack of werewolves after their train breaks down in the wilderness.
12. Werewolves Within (2021)
A small-town forest ranger and postal worker must help a group of residents survive when a snowstorm traps them inside the local inn with a mysterious creature.
13. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
This prequel to the Underworld series tells the story of Lucian, the first werewolf who leads a rebellion against the vampire aristocracy that enslaved his kind.
14. An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)
This campy, yet fun remake of the 1981 original is one of my personal favorites, so I had to add it to this list. It’s hilarious and has some pretty decent practical effects. Sorry, not sorry!
