10 Essential Werewolf Movies, Ranked

10. Teen Wolf (1985)

A charming, pop culture-laden comedy film starring Michael J. Fox at his prime as an awkward teen who finds out that his family has some very unusual history. Rather than becoming a feared pariah, the main character's newfound ability of lycanthropy turns him into the basketball player he has always dreamed of being and makes him the coolest guy in his school. 'Teen Wolf' completely subverts the tragic and cursed nature of werewolves and makes it a fun metaphor for male puberty. This nostalgic, feel-good classic is proof that every full moon doesn't always end in murder.

9. The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

'The Curse of the Werewolf' is an outstanding Hammer Horror contribution to the werewolf sub-genre, starring the immensely talented Oliver Reed. Shot in a magnificent Gothic style against the backdrop of 18th-century Spain, the film tells the story of Leon. He's a young man with a cruel destiny, as he inherits the tragic fate of transforming into a werewolf from his family. With its superb makeup design and the actor's excellent portrayal of a man suffering from the internal conflict between his human soul and beastly urges, this beautiful film deserves its place among cinematic classics.

8. The Company of Wolves (1984)

'The Company of Wolves' is a surreal, artistic fantasy film shot in Neil Jordan's signature visual style. The story told in this film is a sophisticated Freudian interpretation of 'Little Red Riding Hood.' A series of gothic tales presented within the framework of one story uses the werewolf myth to show how scary and dangerous women's awakening sexuality can be. With its bizarre transformation scene of the wolf's snout sprouting out of a man's mouth, it is definitely a fascinating piece of art.

7. Wolfen (1981)

One of the unique films ever made, 'Wolfen' presents werewolves as an extremely intelligent race of wolf deities preying upon citizens of the city. In a rather gritty atmosphere of post-gentrification New York, Albert Finney is tracking a series of brutal murders committed by werewolves ordered to cover everything up by rich businesspeople. Using a brand-new technique of thermographic "wolf vision" photography, the film provides an eco-aware critique of urban life and gives its creatures a lot of respect.

6. The Wolf Man (1941)

'The Wolf Man' is the ultimate, must-watch werewolf film that basically gave birth to the entire genre. Lon Chaney Jr. delivers an iconic and tragic portrayal of Larry Talbot, who gets cursed after he tries to save a girl from being attacked by wolves. It was writer Curt Siodmak who came up with all the rules of werewolf behavior and the elements of the myth, such as a silver weakness, the mark on the next victim, and poetic lore about lycanthropes. Plus, the unforgettable makeup and foggy forest setting make it absolutely timeless.

5. Silver Bullet (1985)

It's an entertaining, severely underrated film based on a novel by Stephen King, which tells the story of a teenage boy in a wheelchair investigating the killings of people by a lycanthrope in a small town. Filled with all the best ingredients that can be found in King's stories, this movie deals with themes of paranoia, fear of the unknown, and a great villain that turns out to be someone unexpected. Apart from that, the cool customized motorized wheelchair called "the Silver Bullet" deserves special praise.

4. The Howling (1981)

'The Howling' is a darkly comic masterpiece shot by Joe Dante that tells the story of a TV news anchorwoman who goes to a remote seaside resort for therapy. However, she discovers that everybody living there are sophisticated werewolf. Using a clever idea, the film combines two themes—psychotherapy and lycanthropy—giving us a rather satirical commentary on modern-day psychobabble and lifestyle corporations. With Rob Bottin's outstanding special effects used during the transformation process, the film can truly amaze its audience.

3. Dog Soldiers (2002)

A thrilling debut by British director Neil Marshall, this movie is the best example of how monster films can merge with tactical military thrillers. The plot revolves around a group of British soldiers whose training exercise in the Highlands ends up badly when they find themselves besieged in a farmhouse by aggressive werewolves. With large amounts of bullets and an incredible suit design, the film manages to make you feel the pressure of fighting a pack of beasts in a restricted area.

2. Ginger Snaps (2000)

This is a brilliant, innovative Canadian indie film that skillfully explores the relationship between two death-obsessed teenage sisters. The duo lose their sibling bonds after the older one is bitten by a werewolf. The plot of 'Ginger Snaps' is a masterful metaphorical interpretation of the horrors of the disease in question because the main character experiences exactly those changes during her first period. Thanks to the electric chemistry between Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins, the film is now considered a cult classic.

1. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

'An American Werewolf in London' is an absolute king of the genre that manages to combine horror and black humor without destroying the atmosphere. Directed by John Landis, this masterpiece depicts the story of an American student traveling in London and surviving an attack. Haunted by the ghost of his best friend, who warns him about the full moon, the main character undergoes the famous transformation process. It includes horrifying bone-breaking sounds and images.