Top 10 Werewolf Movies

The Halloween movie fun keeps on rolling.  This time let’s throw werewolves into the mix.  Sure they don’t get the sexy mystique of vampires nor do they get the awesome fun of zombies, but they do deserve some discussion as they are important to the overall horror history and genre.

10.  Teen Wolf - Who knew a werewolf could play high school basketball?  Sit back and enjoy the 80s awesomeness of this Michael J. Fox classic as he shows that sometimes being a little hairy can do wonders for your high school popularity.  Toss in all the typical high school stereotypes and traditional 80s film flair with a werewolf…instant success.  Makes me wanna go out and van surf just thinking about it.

 9.  Underworld – This film actually is the only one to make more than one of the top 10 lists because of the interweaved storyline between the werewolves (lycans) and the vampires (death dealers).  Interesting twist to the historical tie between them, great effects, and cool gothic backdrop architecture are worth the admission.  Beckinsale kicking ass in leather is reason enough alone to watch it.  If you like the storyline, the sequel picks right up where the first one finishes.

 8. Silver Bullet – Corey Haims shows just how capable the handicapable are in this Stephen King novella originally called The Cycle of the Werewolf brought to the screen.  Gary Busey co-starring in this film earns it a top ten spot right away, but Haim using a Roman Candle as a weapon moves it up to the 8 spot.  If I ever end up in a wheelchair…I know exactly the kind I would want. 

 7. Wolfen - Albert Finney, Gregory Hines, and Edward James Olmos star in this film which was one of three werewolf movies released in 1981 (the other two took the #1 and #2 slots here).  Pace is a little slow, but the NY underground setting provides excellent atmosphere for the film.  Touches more on the Native American myths and legends tied in with environmentalism than some others in the genre.

 6. Wolf – An all star line-up were gathered for this one (Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and James Spader).  Jack Nicholson stars in the role everyone had been waiting for from him.  The best thing about this film is it adds a multi-dimensional aspect to the wolf which really hadn’t been explored as much before.  Transformation scenes in this one are also very well done which in general is one of the overall worst parts of werewolf films as they are generally not done well.

 5. Ginger Snaps – Don’t let the chick teen flick name or dvd cover throw you off.  Certainly, one of the lower budget films in the list, but they do a surprisingly good job with a clever script and creative set up.  Having a wolf be attracted to a girl’s period…yea I would say that is original.  This film provides the right amount of gore and good to see a modern movie use animatronics over CGI.  The film surprised a lot of horror critics and fans alike, so if you haven’t seen it then you should make it a point to see.

 4. Dog Soldiers – The only British entry to make the top 10, this film went straight to DVD in the US should make your must see wolf list as it easily could have slid under your radar.  The script has some surprisingly funny lines (most notably the “I hope I give you the shits” one) as well as being pretty violent.  Again, no CGI is a bonus here.  If you want a good beer and pizza movie then this is it.

 3. The Wolf Man (1941) – Kickin’ it old school with our number 3 slot.  Lou Chaney is the original and considered “the” werewolf of all cinema.  Sure it’s black and white and is missing all of the violent scenes from more modern day entries, but there is just something about some of these older classics that make them so enjoyable to watch.  Take a drive thru werewolf film history and check this film out.

 2. The Howling – Another of the 1981 multi-studio trifecta releasing of werewolf films.  This film certainly made folks afraid of the woods.  This one focuses around a pack or colony of werewolves who operate a retreat facility.  Lots of good gore and the best on screen transformation sequences released (until the next film came out later that same year).  Bonus with it is some early 80s full frontal nakedness.  The ending of the film was awesome which will make you laugh and was well done.  This film has spawned 6 sequels which are generally ripped apart and not well received.

 1. An American Werewolf in London - I think it is probably pretty safe to say that no one out there can argue about this film being given the grand prize ribbon for wolf films.  This is the standard by which all films before and after 1981 are compared to and is still considered the best and most revolutionary transformation scene on film.  Ironically enough with this scary horror film comes some perfectly timed comedic moments centered primarily around the ghost of his dead friend.  This film used to terrify me as a young Corndogger and as I got older the more I really appreciated it not only as a stand-alone werewolf film, but as a film that took American horror films to a new standard.
Honorable Mentions – If you’ve seen the usuals and want to venture off the beaten path, you should check out these as well.

• Bad Moon – Bad acting, bad cgi, but interestingly told partly thru a dog’s point of view.
• The Company of Wolves – Not your childhood tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
• Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein – Sure it’s hokey, but it is fun.  The old comedy duo face all the monster classics from Dracula to the Wolfman.
• Brotherhood of the Wolf – More action than horror, but can you really go wrong with a kung fu native american kicking ass in Europe?  Interesting take on the myth.

Got an opinion on others that were left out or that my list is totally wrong (or right)?

Drop in a comment and let’s discuss.

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