Best to Worst Werewolf Movies That I've Seen (So Far)
A countdown of the best-to-worst werewolf movies that will leave you howling with glee (or frothing with rage as it may be). I'm working on seeing more so bear with me if you don't see one of your favourite classics (and leave a comment so I can see more werewolf films!).
Note that for a movie to make it onto this list, werewolves have to be central to the plot (or enough-so for me to justify calling it a "werewolf movie"). Therefore stuff like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or Cirque du Freak: The Vampires Assistant didn't make the cut.
Also, to those to object to having any Twilight movies on here - while they are poor examples of the werewolf genre, they are nevertheless a (begrudging) part of it and its evolution.
Note that for a movie to make it onto this list, werewolves have to be central to the plot (or enough-so for me to justify calling it a "werewolf movie"). Therefore stuff like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or Cirque du Freak: The Vampires Assistant didn't make the cut.
Also, to those to object to having any Twilight movies on here - while they are poor examples of the werewolf genre, they are nevertheless a (begrudging) part of it and its evolution.
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- DirectorNeil MarshallStarsSean PertweeKevin McKiddEmma CleasbyA routine military exercise turns into a nightmare in the Scottish wilderness.Simply the best all round - great action, characters and one of the best werewolf designs out there.
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsDavid NaughtonJenny AgutterJoe BelcherTwo American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.A deserving classic with plenty of laughs and scares. Plus, it's highly regarded for its werewolf design and transformation scene, which are amongst the best in the genre.
- DirectorJohn FawcettStarsEmily PerkinsKatharine IsabelleKris LemcheTwo death-obsessed sisters, outcasts in their suburban neighborhood, must deal with the tragic consequences when one of them is bitten by a deadly werewolf.I would argue that Ginger Snaps contains the best plot of all the werewolf films on this list. The werewolf design isn't that great, but considering that it's a really low budget film it's impressive what they achieved. The wolves look much better in the sequels though.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsBenicio Del ToroAnthony HopkinsEmily BluntUpon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten and subsequently cursed by a werewolf.Yes, I enjoyed The Wolfman, and I realize that a lot of people didn't... oh well. It's very enjoyable, and the wolfman is a nigh-unstoppable force of nature - just what a werewolf aficionado wants to see!
- DirectorGeorge WaggnerStarsClaude RainsWarren WilliamLon Chaney Jr.Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.Yeah... I ranked this lower than the remake because it has some blatant flaws that people usually just ignore for nostalgia's sake. However, it is still a very enjoyable movie 60 years later, and well worth seeing.
- DirectorEric RedStarsMariel HemingwayMichael ParéMason GambleAfter being bitten by a werewolf in the jungle, Ted looks for a cure. His lawyer sister, with a son and dog, invites him to park his camper by her house in the woods and live out of her fridge.This one got big points from me for its amazing werewolf design (probably my favourite werewolf design too), although the movie itself is rather mediocre. Enjoyable, but not amazing.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsKate BeckinsaleScott SpeedmanShane BrollySelene, a vampire warrior, is entrenched in a conflict between vampires and werewolves, while falling in love with Michael, a human who is sought by werewolves for unknown reasons.A clear example of style over (and I mean WAAAAAAY over) substance, but it works. The action is great and the style is enjoyable. The werewolves... er, lycans I mean, look ok too.
- DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsGary BuseyEverett McGillCorey HaimIn a small town, brutal killings start to plague the close knit community. Marty Coslaw, a paraplegic boy, is convinced the murders are the doings of a werewolf.I've heard a lot of people say this is one of the best werewolf movies out there, and I would have to say it's somewhat overrated. It's not bad, but it's not amazing either. Oh, and the werewolf looks like a Halloween costume. Worth seeing if you're a fan of Stephen King or werewolves though.
- DirectorJoe DanteStarsDee WallacePatrick MacneeDennis DuganAfter a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.Another highly regarded werewolf flick that I think is overrated... the story isn't bad and the direction is good. The wolves look... interesting. They have huge bat-ears which makes them look rather goofy, and the transformation scene honestly takes more than 2 minutes (all while the heroine stands and watches instead of running away).
- DirectorBrett SullivanStarsEmily PerkinsBrendan FletcherKatharine IsabelleGinger's sister Brigitte, now a werewolf herself, must try to find a cure for her blood lust before the next full moon while hiding out in a rehab clinic from a relentless werewolf.An interesting and very different follow-up to the original Ginger Snaps. The first half of the film is more of a psychological thriller before moving into more traditional horror towards the end. It doesn't always work, but it is definitely interesting and worth seeing if you enjoyed the first.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsJack NicholsonMichelle PfeifferJames SpaderPublisher Will Randall becomes a demon wolf and has to fight to keep his job.A decent horror-drama, although Rick Baker's talents were totally wasted on it. There's also WAAAAY too much time devoted to slow motion werewolf jumping scenes.
- DirectorChristophe GansStarsSamuel Le BihanMark DacascosJérémie RenierIn 18th-century France, the Chevalier de Fronsac and his Native American friend Mani are sent to the Gevaudan province at the king's behest to investigate the killings of hundreds by a mysterious beast.Brotherhood of the Wolf is not a werewolf movie per se, but since it is based on the historical "werewolf", the Beast of Gevaudan, it has been included on this list. It is an interesting and stylish film, but some might be turned off by the slow pace, the lack of English (it's a French film) or the heavy-handed conspiracy theorizing.
- DirectorMichael WadleighStarsAlbert FinneyDiane VenoraEdward James OlmosA New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.This isn't *really* a werewolf movie (I didn't include it in my initial version of this list as a result), however I have added this to the list because it is often grouped with werewolf movies (likely due to it coming out the same year as An American Werewolf in London and The Howling). The movie is half decent, but it takes a fair amount of suspension of disbelief. However, the glowing eyes in the darkness will freak you out long after the movie is over.
- DirectorPatrick TatopoulosStarsRhona MitraMichael SheenBill NighyA prequel centered on the origins of the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their former slaves, the Lycans.Aaaaaaand now we reach the point in this list where the movies start getting bad. It's nice to see that they flesh out some of the minor characters from the other Underworld films (although it makes it hurt more that they all die like bitches), but it is a REALLY unnecessary prequel considering they already told us everything that happened here in the first movie.
- DirectorNeal SundstromStarsPhil DavisVictoria CatlinElizabeth ShéA group of strangers visit an ancient Hungarian castle and bring along a werewolf.A surprisingly decent film, especially if you've seen the other Howling sequels (not because it follows their storyline or anything, but because it is astronomically better in quality). It's competently done for the most part, sort of like a lesser version of The Thing and Jaws. The only major shortcomings are the poor acting, bad dialogue and the fact that it's really just a generic horror-mystery. That said, it's worth a look.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsKate BeckinsaleScott SpeedmanBill NighyPicking up directly from the previous movie, vampire warrior Selene and the half werewolf Michael hunt for clues to reveal the history of their races and the war between them.I think I might have been a bit harsh on this back in the day. Yes, the action scenes are very hit-or-miss (largely due to the poor editing this time around), Scott Speedman is even more useless than ever and the plot borders on nonsense... however, it's still rather fun, the world-building is pretty interesting and Markus' vampire-hybrid form looks awesome (oh and SPOILER ALERT he gets chopped up in a helicopter blade which is pretty cool). It's far from amazing, but it's still better than most people might remember (myself included).
- DirectorDavid SladeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAs a string of mysterious killings grips Seattle, Bella, whose high school graduation is fast approaching, is forced to choose between her love for vampire Edward and her friendship with werewolf Jacob.As much as I hate to admit it, this movie isn't that bad. Stuff FINALLY starts to happen, and there is actually some interesting character development (y'know, when Bella shuts the hell up). Of course, for every cool part there's something boring or stupid to balance it out, but I don't imagine Twilight going anywhere but (even more) downhill from here.
- DirectorLouis MorneauStarsEd QuinnGuy WilsonStephen ReaSet in a 19th century village, a young man studying under a local doctor joins a team of hunters on the trail of a wolf-like creature.Objectively, this movie was a shoddy piece of crap... but admittedly I was entertained throughout. It's fun and doesn't take itself too seriously, but is hampered by bad CGI, bad acting, bad direction, shallow characters and pacing which is far too quick. Still, better than I expected it to be.
*UPDATE* Okay so this film basically DEFINES forgettable for me now - I rewatched the whole thing for this list, and then only just now realized that I had already seen this 5 years ago. I did not remember a single thing and would have swore that I never watched it. That is the sort of impact this film leaves on you. - DirectorGrant HarveyStarsKatharine IsabelleEmily PerkinsNathaniel ArcandSet in 19th Century Canada, Brigette and her sister Ginger take refuge in a Traders' Fort which later becomes under siege by some savage werewolves.We'll just ignore the continuity conundrum here...
- DirectorAnna FoersterStarsKate BeckinsaleTheo JamesTobias MenziesVampire death dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) fights to end the eternal war between the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her.Blood Wars doesn't turn Underworld's fortunes around, being overladen with dialogue which is literally 100% exposition of this series' lore and no character development. However, things get a little better by the time that the last act rolls around, as there are a couple interesting twists and some fun action scenes. There are also some good performances here, despite the material. Blood Wars clearly isn't a good film by any means, but it's enjoyable by the end.
- DirectorCraig StrachanStarsSamantha ShieldsMartin CompstonPeter CapaldiIn Glasgow, the teenager single mother Kelly Ann is forced by Father Steven "Steve" Gillis to deliver her baby boy for adoption. Six weeks later, Father Steve organizes a hike in the countryside with the youths David, Louise, Mark and Kelly Ann and leaves them alone in the Scottish Highlands. He shows the meeting point in the map and tells that he would wait for them in an inn on the next day. Out of the blue, Kelly Ann's ex-boyfriend Lee joins the group invited by David. While hiking, the group stumbles with a weird shepherd and later Lee puts the man on the run. During the night, Kelly Ann overhears the cry of a baby and she goes with Lee to a derelict old castle where they find an abandoned baby in the middle of dead bodies. Soon the group is hunted down by a deadly wolf-like creature and has to decide whether they hide or fight to survive.Not very much of note. 5 kids go out in the woods, they get attacked by werewolves. The acting isn't too bad, but the only real eyebrow-raiser is the unorthodox werewolf design (a lot of people really hate the design though; I think it's refreshingly different but I don't prefer it).
- DirectorJoe NimzikiStarsLandon LiboironLindsey ShawIvana MilicevicA teenage outcast discovers he is a werewolf, and must battle a pack of the brutal creatures when they threaten him and his new girlfriend.By the standards of the Howling series, this movie is relatively good. However, on its own Howling: Reborn is sub-par. It's a mediocre high-school horror flick, with too much of an emphasis on teen angst and cringe-worthy philosophizing (not to mention the usual issues with the Howling series - namely bad acting, directing, script, etc). Some will say it's just a rip-off of Twilight, but in all honesty it's far better than those movies (barring Eclipse I'll begrudgingly admit). All-in-all, they certainly could have done much worse... but that just doesn't cut it for me.
- DirectorHope PerelloStarsBrendan HughesMichele MathesonSean SullivanA villainous carnival owner traps a young werewolf to include in his growing menagerie of inhuman exhibits.Not as awful as the other Howling sequels (although it suffers much of the same problems), but it is rather boring and stupid overall. On the plus side though, there is some low budget ambition and the acting from some of the leads is surprisingly good.
- DirectorJonathan GlendeningStarsIsabella CalthorpeTom FeltonGemma AtkinsonSarah Tyler returns to her troubled family home in the isolated countryside, for a much put-off visit. As a storm rages outside, Sarah, her family and friends shore up for the night, cut off from the outside world. But something comes out of the driving rain and darkness. Something that holds a dark secret so devastating that, in one night, it could wipe out the entire family.An extremely generic teen monster horror movie. It's not even all that violent, so you can't even get your jollies from cheap exploitation. Utterly passable, which is a shame for a werewolf moving brandying about the "Dog Soldiers" name. Even worse, the werewolf looks *beep* horrible.
- DirectorMåns MårlindBjörn SteinStarsKate BeckinsaleMichael EalyIndia EisleyWhen human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.To its credit, Underworld: Awakening tries to shake up the series' formula by having the secret war between Vampires and Lycans interrupted by their discovery by humans. However, this is a double-edged sword, because immortals vs humans is just boring, and the film is at its very best when Selene is actually kicking Lycan ass again. The plot is pretty terrible as well, easily the worst in the series. Director Måns Mårlind also makes the crucial mistake of ditching the series' gothic tone. Seriously, what the hell? The gothic tone at least made previous installments feel somewhat classy and distinct - the new tone makes this just feel like a particularly uninspired Resident Evil movie.
- DirectorJames IsaacStarsJason BehrElias KoteasRhona MitraA 12-year-old boy and his mother become the targets of two warring werewolf packs, each with different intentions and motives.A half-baked, unremarkable action flick. I can't even recommend it on its werewolf design. While they look cool for the most part, their eyes are freaking massive and make them look very ugly and cartoonish.
- DirectorAnthony WallerStarsTom Everett ScottJulie DelpyVince VielufAn American man unwittingly gets involved with French werewolves who have developed a serum allowing them to transform at will.Yeah... from the moment you see bungee jumping off the Eiffel Tower you know this is going to be bad. The CGI is really bad too, although the fact that it made future werewolf films more hesitant to use CGI is nice.
- DirectorAlexander YellenStarsCraig ShefferDennis HaysbertKate VernonA werewolf virus is unleashed upon New York, and Major Hoffman looks for a cure while Lt. General Monning wants to establish a new canine army.It's pretty bad when your movie is ruined 5 seconds in. "How", you may ask? Well simply because the words "Asylum pictures" showed up on screen. That said, werewolf effects are okay considering that they're CGI and very low budget. Battledogs is a very lazy film (super generic storyline and characters) and unbelievably stupid as well (the US army CHARGES a pack of werewolves... CHARGES THEM. WTF!?!). However, the movie has enough over the top and unintentionally funny moments that you might enjoy the movie on some level at least.
- DirectorChris WeitzStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAfter Edward leaves because of an incident involving Bella, Jacob Black becomes her best friend. But what Bella doesn't realize is that Jacob also has a secret that will change their lives suddenly.Yeah that's right, I'm counting it as a werewolf flick. Criminally boring, basically 2 hours of set-up for something that never happens.
- DirectorLance W. DreesenStarsTrevor Duke-MoretzKimberly J. BrownRichard TysonAfter being attacked by a werewolf, a teenager believing it may have been his stepfather attempts to expose him.The decent middle section of movie is book-ended by an awful beginning and crappy ending. Performances are bad all-round, the werewolf is ridiculous and it's not funny (it's supposed to be a black comedy). Also, the werewolf rape scenes are disturbingly scarring, so there's extra incentive to stay away.
- DirectorSheldon WilsonStarsFelicia DayKavan SmithStephen McHattieThe modern-day descendant of Little Red Riding Hood brings her fiancé home to meet her family and reveal their occupation as werewolf hunters, but after he is bitten by a werewolf, she must protect him from her own family.Considering that this is a SyFy TV movie, you can probably make a pretty safe guess as to its quality. Worst of all for a werewolf connoisseur, the 100% CGI werewolves look AWFUL - like, I'm talking An American Werewolf in Paris levels of suck.
- DirectorJohn HoughClive TurnerStarsRomy WalthallMichael T. WeissAntony HamiltonA successful author moves to a small town after suffering a mental breakdown and is tormented by demons and werewolves.This movie is basically a ripoff of the original Howling - it uses much of the same plot points, but to much weaker effect. Unlike most Howling sequels, this one had a chance to be good and is actually pretty competent most of the time. I like the slow pace. It's obvious the director was influenced by proper horror films like Evil Dead and Jaws and wanted to live up to them... unfortunately they do a pretty *beep* job at that. The movie's brought down by terrible acting, poor effects and an abysmal 3rd act, which is too bad because this could have been at least average.
- DirectorPhilippe MoraStarsChristopher LeeAnnie McEnroeReb BrownA man discovers that his sister was a werewolf, and helps an investigator track down a gang of the monsters through the United States and eastern Europe.Without a doubt, this ranks up there as one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The film is an absolute mess in every single department. The only bright spots are Christopher Lee (who does his usual thing), the theme song (which must have been played almost 10 times over the course of the movie) and... uh... Sybil Danning repeatedly taking off her top on a loop (although that's counter-balanced by an extremely awkward furry sex scene). Anyway, bottom line - this movie is abysmal. Worth seeing if you love bad movies, but otherwise stay away.
- DirectorPhilippe MoraStarsBarry OttoMax FairchildImogen AnnesleyA female werewolf runs away from her family, and falls in love with a man who works in the movie business, while a sociologist who studies these creatures is looking for proof of their existence.Wow... the Howling sequels truly are cinematic *beep* stains. This one's just plain boring. Even the kill scenes, usually the only redeeming factor in a movie like this, are boring because the director refuses to give us any sort of gore as payoff. On top of that, the plot is ridiculously convoluted and the effects are abysmal and unsettling (in a bad way)... there's not much more awkward to watch than watching a woman covered in fake fur giving birth to an ugly, plastic kangaroo baby. And wait til you see it when it's older... bleh. The acting's a bit better than Howling II, but at the same time there are some absolute legendary moments of bad acting in this - seriously, Youtube "worst acting ever" and clips from this movie will be up there.
- DirectorRichard BrauerStarsLarry Joe CampbellMariann MayberryKimberly GuerreroHanklin and Dorothy Purvis enjoy outdoor life on their midwestern farm, that is until odd, violent incidents begin to occur towards the end of summer. What nobody realizes is that the attacker is not human, and seethes with a dark purpose.Not strictly a werewolf movie, but since it's based on the "Wisconsin Werewolf" I thought it was appropriate to include it here. This movie could have been strictly average, but everything it attempts is nullified by either amateur production or a shoestring budget (no suspense, bad acting, bad editing, etc). The non-ending is just par for the course.
- DirectorClive TurnerRoger NallStarsJohn RamsdenErnest KesterClive TurnerA number of brutal, werewolf-like slayings begin occurring in a small California town after the arrival of an unfamiliar motorcyclist.This did it... they FINALLY, REALLY DID IT! After a decade and a half of (almost exclusively) terrible sequels, The Howling franchise has finally mastered the art of "suck". This movie has absolutely no redeeming features - the acting, the script, the dialogue, the film stock, the editing, the direction, the violence, the pacing... EVERYTHING is engineered precisely to produce maximum suckiness. Plus, I hope you love old-school country music, because this movie features so much of it that it's basically a country music video half the time. Even for the love of the werewolf genre, don't waste your time on this piece of *beep*