Films About Werewolves are typically part of the big four monster subgenres with Vampires, Mummies and Zombies. However, unlike those aforementioned horror subgenres, quality Werewolf films are much harder to create due to higher special effects need and the werewolf transformation itself – which almost every Werewolf film is judged upon.
Universal kicked the Werewolf subgenre off with The Wolf Man (1941) and there were a few other quality films over the next four decades with The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), The Beast Must Die (1974) and Night of the Howling Beast (1975).
It wasn’t until the 1980’s that the Werewolf subgenre came into a league of its own with its first golden age. The early 1980’s produced some of the classic films of this subgenre with The Howling (1981), Wolfen (1981), An American Werewolf in London (1981), The Company of Wolves (1984), Teen Wolf (1985) and Silver Bullet (1985). The Monster Squad (1987) gets special mention as it brought four monster icons together for a Horror Comedy which also happened to be family friendly.
The 1990’s only saw a few mainstream releases of Films About Werewolves with Wolf (1994) and An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). Other Werewolf films from this decade included Mad at the Moon (1992) and Full Eclipse (1993).
The 2000’s became the second golden age of Werewolf films primarily through the launch of three franchises – Underworld (2003), Twilight (2008) and Ginger Snaps (2000). Where Underworld featured an ongoing battle between Vampires and Lycans, Twilight introduced Werewolves into its young adult fantasy world with New Moon (2009). Ginger Snaps, however, intertwined a coming-of-age narrative with the metaphorical (yet brutal) transformation of a human into the wolf. The decade also produced some other notable Films about Werewolves with Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001), Dog Soldiers (2002) and Cursed (2005).
The 2010’s saw the end of the Twilight and Underworld franchises while Universal tried to reboot their horror icon films with The Wolfman (2010). Though this was one of the only major studio releases of a Werewolf film during this decade, there were quite a few other quality Werewolf films including Game of Werewolves (2011), Wer (2013), When Animals Dream (2014), Late Phases (2014), Howl (2015) and Good Manners (2017).
The 2020’s kicked off a promising sign for the Films about Werewolves subgenre with three above average films in a row – The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020), Bloodthirsty (2021) and Werewolves Within (2021).
Our list of Films About Werewolves has over 70+ films from 1941-present. As we’ve noted on our site, we typically only include films in our lists that have a 4 / 10 or higher rating so that has unfortunately left a few Werewolf films off the list. For other quality films that did not make our list of The Top Films About Werewolves You Haven’t Seen, these include Mad at the Moon (1992), Project: Metalbeast (1995), Cursed (2005), Bad Moon Rising (2011) and Good Manners (2017). All are worth checking out including the top ten from our list below.
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Films About Werewolves You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Full Eclipse
Plot: LA police department has a new special division – Werewolf cops – and they’re reducing crime in the city…
KBZ’s Take: To start, this is not a great film. In fact, it’s not really that good. However, any film that attempts something new within a subgenre is worth checking out in our book. This film has a unique premise which links lycanthropy to drug use and has a few decent action sequences. There is even a werewolf transformation scene which is better than the films (lack of) budget would indicate. Worth checking out for fans of the Werewolf subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Uj0HUg
Plot: Teenager suspects her new neighbor is a Werewolf.
KBZ’s Take: If you’ve seen the original Fright Night (1985), then you have seen most of this film. Though it almost follows the original film beat by beat, there is still enough variance in this film to help it stand on its own. Kevin Sorbo as Redd Tucker (aka Peter Vincent) is actually quite good in his role and the CGI is above average for a cable TV effort. Another film to checkout if you want to round out your “Werewolf films I have seen” resume.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EUmlIS
#8
Bloodthirsty
Plot: Struggling singer teams up with a producer who brings out the best…and worst in her.
KBZ’s Take: Very slow-paced film and will likely turn off quite a few fans of the subgenre. It is more of a psychological thriller than a horror film, and it takes it’s time exploring the psychological effect of realizing you are a Werewolf. However, if you stick with the film, it is a bit rewarding by the end.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H2HjYB
Plot: A new sheriff of a small town must figure out who is the monster amongst the residents trapped indoors during a snowstorm.
KBZ’s Take: Very funny horror comedy that plays more like a Whodunnit film than a straight up horror film. However, it does have quite a few horror elements that lead up to a decent Werewolf transformation scene in the latter half of the film. Definitely worth checking out for fans of both the Films About Werewolves and Horror Comedies subgenres.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OSzNBr
#6
Kibakichi
Plot: A werewolf samurai hunts down monsters.
KBZ’s Take: If you ever thought to yourself, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if a samurai could transform into a werewolf, use martial arts and fight monsters in turn of the century 1900’s Japan” then this film is for you. Words can’t really describe this film and it’s confusing as hell to follow…but when they finally get to the Samurai Werewolf kicking monster ass, your life will be complete.
Where to Stream / Buy: N/A
#5
Dog Soldiers
Plot: Werewolves attack a squad of British soldiers holed up in a house in the middle of Scottish wilderness.
KBZ’s Take: Any hardcore horror fan or fan of the Werewolf subgenre has likely seen this film. We’re listing this for casual horror fans who might not have heard of it. It’s directed by Neil Marshall and is his second-best film after The Descent (2005). It also has a John Carpenter Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) vibe where the soldiers are in an almost hopeless situation as the Werewolves attack. Special note: this film has one of the best Werewolf creature designs and is worth watching for that alone.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FiKmKT
#4
Late Phases
Plot: Blind army veteran protects a retirement community from a Werewolf.
KBZ’s Take: Another classic film of the subgenre that might have been missed by general horror fans. While the film is a bit slow, it does a great job of building suspense within the community and with the audience. It also avoids many of the usual Werewolf film tropes to deliver an intense man against beast experience.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gVIMFG
#3
Bad Moon
Plot: A man struggles to contain his curse while the family dog protects his family.
KBZ’s Take: A forgotten film of the 90’s, Bad Moon is both a great Werewolf film and Home Invasion horror film. It also explores the family aspect of a man slowly succumbing to his curse while also trying to protect his loved ones from himself. The film also adds to the Werewolf subgenre with its own tropes that have been adopted by subsequent films. Plus, any film that has Thor the wonder dog battle against a Werewolf is a must see.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H36JFr
Plot: After 15 years, a man returns home to his village to accept an ‘award’…but the villagers have other ideas for him.
KBZ’s Take: This gem of a film from Spain is not well known but is a great horror comedy in the vein of Shaun of the Dead (2004). It’s best to know as little as possible going into this film but we can say it has some of the best Werewolf creature designs we’ve seen.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3iz6RTe
#1
Howl
Plot: Passengers on a train are attacked by Werewolves.
KBZ’s Take: We didn’t have high expectations for this film based on reviews but after seeing it, we have to say it’s one of the best films of the Werewolf subgenre. There are some genuinely shocking scenes and jump scares in this film which will unnerve some of the most hardcore horror fans. It also has a deliberate pacing in the film that amps up as the bus passengers are stranded and slowly realize what’s in store for them. A must see of the subgenre and an overall great horror film to check out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OX2Vrw
