15 of the best werewolf movies to watch, no full moon necessary
Whether it’s a full moon, new moon or any other time in the lunar cycle cueing up a werewolf movie is always a good idea.
According to Samuel Jamie, president and executive director of the New York Asian Film Festival/Foundation, “werewolves leapt onto the silver screen in 1935 with ‘Werewolf of London,’ but it was 1941’s ‘The Wolf Man’ starring Lon Chaney Jr. that clawed into popular culture. This film cemented many ‘rules’ of werewolf lore: the full moon transformation, silver bullets, and the curse passed through bites,” explain Jamie. “Since then, werewolves have morphed from pure monsters to complex characters, often symbolizing our struggle with inner beasts, societal pressures, and primal instincts.”
Our obsession with werewolves is showing no signs of slowing down and the movies continue to be, well, fang-tastic.
“From the angsty teens of ‘Teen Wolf’ to the pack politics of ‘The Howling,’ werewolves tap into our fascination with transformation, identity and the thin line between human and animal,” says Jamie. “In our increasingly urban world, they remind us of the wild that still lurks in our DNA — and possibly in that dark forest just outside of town.”
Keep reading for 15 werewolf movies that we promise are moonlit masterpieces.
‘Teen Wolf: The Movie’ (2023)
“Teen Wolf” began with a 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox of the same name and has since become a teen TV show and another movie, which is a sequel. Start anywhere you please: The themes will be the same throughout.
‘Twilight’ (2008)
“Twilight” is, technically, a vampire movie, but it’s a werewolf movie, too. Taylor Lautner plays one of Bella Swan’s two leading men. Unlike Edward Cullen, he is warm-blooded and belongs in a pack.
‘Werewolves Within’ (2021)
If you’re looking to laugh, “Werewolf Within” is your best bet. A snowstorm traps residents in a hotel. One of them is a werewolf, and he is on the hunt.
‘Silver Bullet’ (1985)
In this Stephen King adaptation, Marty, who uses a wheel chair, becomes a hero after identifying the person likely responsible for a string of killings in his town. He then teams up with his sister to take the beast down.
‘Wer’ (2013)
Even werewolves deserve legal defense and their day in court, right? In “Wer,” a defense attorney learns her client might be a werewolf and a town wants to hold him responsible
‘Ginger Snaps’ (2000)
“Ginger Snaps” is about werewolves, yes, but it’s about so much more — the changes of life, growing up and what happens when your sister transforms before your very eyes. In the 2000 movie, one sister is attacked by a werewolf; the other one is left to watch her change.
‘The Wolfman’ (2010)
“The Wolfman” starts with a mysterious murder, and then focuses on an even more mysterious injury. An actor returns home to his estate in 1891 England after his brother’s death, only to be attacked by the same creature. The movie stars Benicio del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins.
‘The Howling’ (1981)
For some truly vivid and gory ’80s movie transformations, watch “The Howling.” With a modern adaptation on the way, “The Howling” is about a woman stalked by a killer, who also happens to be supernatural.
‘Wolves’ (2014)
“I think I’m losing my mind,” Lucas Till’s character says in this movie, amid all the changes he is experiencing. He’s right: It’s not the usual pains of growing up. He’s becoming a werewolf. After destroying his human family, he searches for her werewolf parents to get some answers. Jason Momoa also stars.
‘Bad Moon’ (1996)
Be careful who you let in through the front door. “Bad Moon” is high on cheesiness and goriness, but it’s part of the appeal. Ted survives a werewolf attack that killed his girlfriend. He moves into his sister’s house as if everything was fine — but he’s becoming the monster that ruined his own life.
‘Cursed’ (2005)
Christina Ricci was Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family”. In “Cursed,” she’s a werewolf. Legendary horror director Wes Craven gives his take on the horror of becoming a monster. Jesse Eisenberg and Joshua Jackson also star in this underrated horror gem.
‘Blood and Chocolate’ (2007)
It’s not easy being a young werewolf. Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) is looking down at a future determined by her genetic heritage. She is going to be a werewolf, and that’s that. When she falls in love with a human (Hugh Dancy), she’s tempted to break free. But will he wants her once she finds out who, and what, she is? This 2007 movie is based on a novel of the same name.
‘When Animals Dream’ (2014)
Jamie dubs this Danish werewolf film “a slow-burn coming-of-age horror story.” The plot chronicles a young woman named Marie, living in a small, insular fishing village, who starts to experience strange changes in her body and learns that her family’s dark secret may explain it all, he summarizes of this quiet moody film. “It’s beautifully shot, haunting, and more about mood than jump scares, making it a standout in the werewolf canon,” adds Jamie.
‘Late Phases’ (2014)
“Imagine if Clint Eastwood’s grumpy character from ‘Gran Torino’ had to fight werewolves, and you’ve got ‘Late Phases,’” offers Jamie, noting that this unique twist on the genre follows a blind Vietnam veteran who moves into a retirement community with a furry little problem. “As our hero prepares for the next full moon, the film explores themes of aging, disability, and facing one’s mortality — all while delivering some killer werewolf action.” Plus, per Jamie, the flick is a surprisingly poignant take on the werewolf myth that proves you’re never too old to battle your demons, even if they have big sharp teeth.
‘Dog Soldiers’ (2002)
Jamie calls this British horror-action flick where the heroes are trapped in a remote cabin, surrounded by some very hungry lycanthropes, “the ultimate werewolf survival story.” According to Jamie, the movie, directed by Neil Marshall, reveals what happens when you drop a squad of tough-as-nails soldiers into werewolf territory. “It’s ‘Predator’ meets ‘An American Werewolf in London,’ with a dash of military humor thrown in for good measure,” as Jamie colorfully puts it. “The film’s practical effects and witty banter make for a howling good time,” adds Jamie.
