Cinematically, werewolf movies have often been told as coming-of-age sagas that serve as allegories for life changes and rites of passage—everything from going through puberty to dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses. Other times, werewolves are simply terrifying representations of the monster that may well lurk within us all: The beast hiding inside that comes out during a full moon to feed and kill without control; the purely animalistic, impulsive part of our brains that lies beneath all of our emotions and logic. Of course, sometimes werewolves are just, well, werewolves: Hairy, scary and frequently unpredictable. The best werewolf movies run the gamut from horrifying to hilarious, depending on whether they lean campy or tragic, with some films successfully straddling the line between the two. To help you have a howling good time this Halloween (or whenever!), we’ve rounded up the 31 best werewolf movies that’ll make your hair stand on end.
31 Best Werewolf Movies
1. Werewolf of London
Released in 1935, Werewolf of London is one of the first mainstream films to ever feature a werewolf as a leading character, and it’s particularly heartbreaking: In this universe, werewolves are driven to kill what (and who) they love most. Universal Pictures How to watch: Stream Werewolf of London on Peacock.
2. The Wolf Man (1941)
Heavily influenced by The Werewolf of London, Lon Chaney Jr. stars as The Wolf Man in Universal’s 1941 classic creature feature—and he’s turned by fellow Universal star Bela Lugosi, most famous for his iconic portrayals of Count Dracula. Universal Pictures
3. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
Chaney reprises his role as the Wolf Man (alongside Lugosi as Frankenstein’s monster) in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. The film was the first in a series of monster mashups for Universal, and it set the tone for future crossovers like Godzilla Vs. Kong, Freddy Vs. Jason, and Alien Vs. Predator. John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images How to watch: Stream Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man on Peacock.
4. An American Werewolf in London
From writer-director John Landis’ darkly comical and heartbreaking story to the makeup to the soundtrack (Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” are used particularly well), An American Werewolf in London is an American classic. Polygram Pictures/Universal Pictures How to watch: Stream An American Werewolf in London on Peacock.
5. The Howling
Classic indie horror-satire The Howling reinvigorated the werewolf genre in 1981, especially thanks to its practical makeup special effects, which were state of the art at the time. You can thank The Howling for Gremlins, because its success led Warner Bros. to greenlight director Joe Dante and producer Michael Finnelli to make the classic green monster flick as well. Avco Embassy Pictures
6. Teen Wolf (1985)
Michael J. Fox plays an underdog turned, well, wolf in the coming-of-age classic Teen Wolf. If you’re a fan of teen comedies, werewolves, basketball, or all of the above, this is a fun option that won’t make your hair (or fur) stand on end. With one watch, it’s easy to see why it spawned a hit TV show almost two decades later. Atlantic Entertainment Group How to watch: Stream Teen Wolf on Hulu, Paramount+, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube.
7. Wolf
Iconic director Mike Nichols teams up with the legends Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer for Wolf, which follows Nicholson as a publisher who becomes a werewolf and struggles to keep his high-paying job. James Spader, Christopher Plummer, and David Hyde Pierce also appear in this campy cult classic. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images How to watch: Stream Wolf on Philo, Pluto TV, and Sling TV.
8. Ginger Snaps
Ginger Snaps is a cult classic about two death-obsessed teenage sisters who are forced to hide that one of them is becoming a werewolf. They’re forced to mask the truth not just from their town and local bullies, but also from their own family. In October 2020, it was reported that the film, which launched its own small franchise, would be adapted into a TV series. Copperheart Entertainment
9. Scooby-Doo! And the Reluctant Werewolf
Obviously the most kid-friendly movie on our list, Scooby-Doo! And the Reluctant Werewolf will keep little ones riveted without giving them nightmares every full moon. Hanna-Barbera Productions
10. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
The Underworld franchise is all about the war between vampires and werewolves, but it’s the 2009 prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans where the werewolves really get to shine. Screen Gems
11. Trick ‘r Treat
If you haven’t seen the Halloween classic that is Trick ‘r Treat, we don’t want to spoil any of it for you—but rest assured, there is a pretty amazing werewolf story in this anthology film. The movie has a selection of stories within it that all have an overarching theme: Respect the rules of Halloween! Warner Bros. How to watch: Stream Trick ‘r Treat on HBO Max and Hulu.
12. When Animals Dream
When Animals Dream is a Danish film well worth reading the subtitles, examining a teenage girl’s coming of age and relationship with her family with a werewolf allegory. AlphaVille Pictures Copenhagen
13. The Wolfman (2010)
Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Anthony Hopkins star in the 2010 remake of The Wolfman. The film won an Oscar for Best Makeup, and the howl is distinct: It’s made up of roars from rock icons David Lee Roth and Gene Simmons, among others. Universal Pictures How to watch: Stream The Wolfman on Peacock.
14. Silver Bullet
Based on Stephen King’s Cycle of the Werewolf, Silver Bullet stars Gary Busey and Corey Haim as they struggle to piece together—and end—a string of gruesome werewolf killings in their town. Dino De Laurentiis Company How to watch: Stream Silver Bullet on Sling TV.
15. An American Werewolf In Paris
Horror-comedy An American Werewolf In Paris is a somewhat unofficial sequel to An American Werewolf In London. Though it didn’t get much critical or commercial love when it debuted, it’s become a cult favorite among cinematic lycanophiles. Look for a cameo from Modern Family star Julie Bowen! Hollywood Pictures/Buena Vista Pictures
16. Van Helsing
Hugh Jackman stars as the titular monster hunter Van Helsing with Kate Beckinsale as they fend off werewolves, vampires, and other things that go bump in the night … with a twist, of course. Universal Pictures
17. Wolfen
Albert Finney stars as a detective trying to piece together a series of grisly murders in Wolfen, based on the novel The Wolfen. Warner Bros.
18. The Company of Wolves
“Werewolf,” she wrote. The Company of Wolves is a Gothic horror fantasy starring Angela Lansbury. It’s a much creepier version of “Red Riding Hood” that will make you happy that fairy tales aren’t real. What else do you really need? Palace Pictures
19. The Beast Must Die
The Beast Must Die combines classic B-movie horror camp with a whodunit mystery—and some versions of the film actually have a “werewolf break” where you and your fellow viewers can guess which person is the werewolf. Also, real talk: Isn’t the werewolf in this still adorable? Amicus Productions
20. Wer
Imagine having the stress of being a lawyer (the student loans alone!), then add to it with being tasked to defend a werewolf. That’s what we have Wer, and while it sounds like a bloody awful situation to be in, it’s a gory good time to watch. Incentive Filmed Entertainment How to watch: Stream Wer on Tubi.
21. Late Phases
Late Phases combines a post-war and family drama with the supernatural elements of a werewolf movie, making it one of the more emotionally charged films in the genre. Dark Sky Films
22. What We Do In the Shadows
Yes, What We Do In the Shadows is predominantly a vampire story, but werewolves play a crucial role in this hilarious film from Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement that inspired the FX series of the same name. Just remember: They’re werewolves, not swearwolves, so watch your language! Resnick Interactive Development/Unison Films/Defender Films
23. The Wolf of Snow Hollow
Residents of an otherwise quiet Utah town fall prey to a werewolf (or do they?) in The Wolf of Snow Hollow, a black comedy with slasher and whodunit elements that have earned it comparisons to classics like Fargo. United Artists
24. Wolfcop
Some werewolf movies, including the ones on this list, are unintentionally hilarious. Wolfcop, on the other hand, deliberately goes all-in on the camp and craziness, with booze, buddy cops, puns, and even a little mystery thrown in. It even spawned a sequel, Another Wolfcop, which is even more beloved among its cult following. The Coup Company/Vortex Words Pictures How to watch: Stream Wolfcop on Hulu and Shudder.
25. Among the Shadows
Among the Shadows is a mystery, horror, and political thriller rolled into one package —with Lindsay Lohan as the lead. It’s basically the perfect B-movie for a rainy Sunday during spooky season. Momentum Pictures
26. Freaks of Nature
Bob Odenkirk, Keegan-Michael Key, Vanessa Hudgens and Mackenzie Davis are among the stars of Freaks of Nature, which features a group of teens trying to find their place in a world full of paranormal beings, including vampires, zombies, aliens, and a werewolf surprise. Columbia Pictures
27. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Honestly, it’s unclear if anyone was actually Team Jacob, but The Twilight Saga: New Moon tried really hard to make that happen, so we have to give them some credit here. We’ll just ignore that super-creepy “imprinting” he does on a literal infant later on in the series. Summit Entertainment
28. Werewolves Within
Based on the video game of the same name, Werewolves Within combines horror, comedy, and mystery for an all-around good time with a star turn from the “AT&T girl” (and also comedian and hilarious actress) Milana Vayntrub. IFC Films
29. Dog Soldiers
A horrifying and hilarious sendup of both werewolf tropes and the military-industrial complex, horror director Neil Marshall’s debut Dog Soldiers centers on a military training exercise gone horribly wrong—or entirely to plan, depending on who you ask. Kismet Entertainment Group How to watch: Stream Dog Soldiers on Hulu.
30. Wolves of Wall Street
Capitalism kills. Not to be confused with Martin Scorsese’s examination of one Jordan Belfort, Wolves of Wall Street is an early 2000s B-movie at its finest. Starring Eric Roberts and Clueless icon Elisa Donovan, the film follows the naive Jeff as he adjusts to life at a major financial firm perpetuating greed that’s both inhumane and inhuman. DEJ Productions How to watch: Stream Wolves of Wall Street on Tubi.
31. The Cabin In the Woods
A star-studded cast (including Chris Hemsworth and Jesse Williams) brings meta horror-comedy The Cabin In the Woods to life—and yes, there is a werewolf in a pivotal scene. Mutant Enemy Productions Next, are vampires more your thing? Check out the best vampire movies ever!
