I adore everything about werewolves. I've always been fascinated by the rich folklore and myths associated with those creatures of the night and how those legends and rules are used (or ignored) in films and other mediums.
With the release of Leigh Whannell's dreadful variation on the werewolf genre, "Wolf Man," I got to thinking about my favorite werewolf movies, the fifteen listed below.
And no, I did not include any of the dumbass "Twilight" movies or the idiotic "Underworld" films on my list, despite them being popular with many fans.
I also did not include "Teen Wolf" with Michael J. Fox, the cleverly titled "Teen Wolf Too" with Jason Bateman, "Wolf" with Jack Nicholson, "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" with Michael Landon (although I like to watch it when Svengoolie shows it), and "Van Helsing" with Hugh Jackman.
1981, by the way, was a unique and incredible year for the werewolf genre. Three outstanding entries were released that year, among the best ever made. I don't know what was in the water in 1981, but I'm happy it was there because it was The Year of the Wolf.
My 15 Favorite Werewolf Movies (in order of preference):
This Universal Classic with Lon Chaney Jr. is the best. I have loved it since I was a toddler, tiptoeing around the house pretending to be the Wolfman.
John Landis' horror/comedy masterpiece is a triumph in style and storytelling and a showcase for some of the most incredible practical makeup effects by the legendary Rick Baker. And yes, it is from 1981, the Year of the Wolf.
Hammer Studios took a crack at the werewolf genre with this absolute classic, directed by Terence Fisher and starring the great Oliver Reed. This is my favorite werewolf makeup design of all time, and it's all in glorious, vibrant color with tremendous emotion. I love this movie.
Director Joe Dante's delightfully over-the-top, scary, funny, brilliant take on the genre is known for its clever script (co-written by John Sayles) and incredible makeup effects by Rob Bottin. It is another true classic from 1981, the Year of the Wolf.
British soldiers battle a group of Scottish werewolves in this bizarre, incredibly entertaining film from the outstanding and underrated genre director Neil Marshall. It's a badass movie.
Directed by the phenomenal Neil Jordan, this gothic fairy tale starring Angela Lansbury and David Warner is a dark twist on the Little Red Riding Hood story loaded with imagination and nightmare-inducing sequences.
The very first werewolf movie is a Universal classic that is beautiful, moody, haunting, and filled with terrific performances, especially by Henry Hull as the title monster. The werewolf looks pretty badass, too, especially for a film made in 1935.
The third remarkable werewolf movie, also released in 1981, the glorious Year of the Wolf, stars Albert Finney as a NYC investigating some grisly murders that just happened to be committed by some lycanthrope beings.
I know this is a ridiculous and goofy movie, but I love it and HAD to include it on this list. It is a true favorite from my childhood and features two of the greatest Universal monsters in a battle for the ages. It's a blast, plain and simple.
This modern classic about two outcast sisters, played by Emily Perkins and the extraordinary Katharine Isabelle, is a very cool and original creature feature and a fantastic parable about puberty and how starting your first menstrual cycle is similar to becoming a werewolf.
Stephen King's smart and funny short story about a kid in a wheelchair (Corey Haim) and his goofy uncle (the fabulous Gary Busey) taking on a killer werewolf is an 80s classic and a hell of a good time.
The most recent entry on this list is a very funny, well-made, and supremely entertaining horror/comedy with a terrific cast that includes Milana Vayntrub, Sam Richardson, Sarah Burns, and Guillermo from "What We Do in the Shadows"—Harvey Guillen.
13) BAD MOON (1996)
The truly gifted writer and director Eric Red (who, among other tremendous credits, wrote the quintessential vampire movie "Near Dark") takes on the werewolf genre with this ominous and intense film starring Michael Pare, Mariel Hemingway, and a cool-ass German Shepherd named Thor.
14) WOLF GUY (1975)
This legendary and insane Japanese action/horror movie, starring the infamous Sonny Chiba as a guy who fights werewolves and tries to solve a mystery, is a cult classic with a crazy and passionate fanbase. That fanbase includes Bill Hader, who discusses the flick in the above video. This movie has to be seen to be believed.
The always reliable filmmaker Joe Johnston directed this entertaining and surprisingly effective remake of the Universal classic 1941. A GREAT cast that includes Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving do an excellent job in this love letter to old-school horror.
Honorable Mentions:
I have a soft spot for these five werewolf movies, too, even if they weren't enough to make the Top 15.
"Werewolves on Wheels," which is, in fact, about a werewolf motorcycle gang.
"The Beast Must Die" is an interactive murder mystery starring my hero Peter Cushing. It features a scene called "The Werewolf Break," in which the movie stops so you can figure out who the werewolf is.
"Trick 'r Treat" is a very entertaining anthology film.
And "WolfCop" and "Another WolfCop" are precisely what you think they are.
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What are your favorite Werewolf movies?? Let me know by leaving a message at (773) 417-6948 or email me at nick@nickdigilio.com.
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