Werewolf or Wolfman Movie List
Six Of The Best Movies About The Werewolf
The werewolf is thought to be someone who can transform into a wolf and transform back again. The werewolf movie? Something to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hollywood has been making movies about werewolves since the beginning...or for the purposes of this page, since the 1941 version of The Wolfman starring Lon Chaney. His unforgettable growls are legendary despite the fact that the movie studios were unwilling to spend big money on the making of this film and so it was made on a limited budget with 'B' movie stars. The Wolf Man still managed to become an important part of movie lore.
This page is dedicated to the best werewolf movies from 1941 to 2009. If you are looking for a werewolf movie to add to your collection, you will likely find one here. You will also find a movie trailer for each of the six werewolf movies plus movie quotes and reviews.
The choice of most of these movies was based on recommendations in a recent article in the Ottawa Citizen and on bestselling and top-rated movies on Amazon. All of the movies discussed on this page are available at discounted prices, on Amazon. Amazon is usually priced quite competitively, features an unbeatable selection of movies and offers free shipping on orders of $25 or more.
Back to the movies. Be warned. Most of the movies on this page are not pretty and most are rated, for a couple of reasons, R. Even the original 1941 Wolf Man is considered menacing and violent. There are no tame or family friendly Halloween movies here but then again, you came here looking for a Wolf Man movie, didn't you?
Click here to order your copy of An American Werewolf in London from Amazon.
"Stay on the road.
Keep clear of the moars."
- An American Werewolf in London
An American Werewolf in London Video Trailer
This is the original An American Werewolf in London trailer from 1981. It doesn't tell much about the story but it sure sets you up to be SCARE
An American in London Video Trailer - This video sets up the story a bit better...
An American Werewolf in London Video Trailer - This video shows the story...in all of its 'Animal House' glory.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
American Werewolf Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
A gripping horror movie that has become a cult favorite, this one is macabre and funny. A definitely modern take on the werewolf story, it tells of a pair of Americans touring in London whose lives are changed when they are attacked by a wolf. This movie contains violence and explicit sex. Definitely R rated. If you are thinking of watching this movie, make sure you watch the THREE trailers first. It looks scary, it looks violent and...it looks ah, weird. (That would be the Animal House side.) If all that appeals, maybe this extremely popular werewolf movie is for you.
Amazon Customer Reviews of An American Werewolf in London
"1981 was The Year of the Werewolves...the furry fiends leaped onto movie screens in three major films: "The Howling," "Wolfen," and the classic of the genre, "An American Werewolf in London." There has never been a greater werewolf film, there has never been a better transformation scene, and few horror movies can match the entertaining mixture of humor and scares that writer/direction John Landis ("Animal House," "The Blues Brothers") achieved here." ~ Ryan Harvey
"This is one of the few movies that have consistently given me nightmares since I was a child. It is at least a decade ahead of its time." J.R. Pinto
"American Werewolf is one of THE seminal werewolf films. Period. It is certainly in the top 3 along with Universal Studios brilliant "The Wolfman". Even after 20+ years, it holds up exceptionally well. Rick Baker's effects, particularly the transformation and the werewolf in Picadilly, still amaze. " ~ Robert J. Clark
"This continues to be one heck of a ride for the viewer. Everytime I mention this film to someone, they describe an experience they had when they first viewed it. When I received this BD edition from Amazon, I showed it to one of my younger co-workers. Without any prompting he said, "I couldn't sleep for two weeks after I saw that on TV." ~ Zube
"Two Sisters.
One Night.
One Bite."
- Ginger Snaps
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Ginger Snaps Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
Amazon says: "When beautiful but reclusive goth teenager Ginger is attacked by a monstrous wolf on the eve of her first period, her body starts changing in a big way, as do her suddenly lusty, feral appetites. Director John Fawcett masterfully balances the expectations of teen horror exploitation (blood, bodies, sex, smart dialogue, and good old-fashioned monster-movie scares) with clever black humor and tender sisterly solidarity. Only devoted sister Brigitte knows the truth, and even as Ginger's abrupt transformation threatens their once unbreakable friendship, bonds of blood and love keep them together: Brigitte disposes of Ginger's victims while searching for a cure. Their dotty Mom is unexpectedly sensitive and ready to sacrifice all to protect her daughter. Blood and blood ties have never been more evocative."
Ginger Snaps stars Peter Keleghan, Mimi Rogers, Emily Perkins, John Bourgeois and Katharine Isabelle, this Canadian version of the werewolf's story was made in 2000 and has turned into a cult movie of sorts. It was liked by critics and won an award at the Toronto Film Festival and the lead actresses were praised. So successful was it, that a sequel called Ginger Snaps II Unleashed and a prequel called Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning were filmed in 2003. They are considered to be less successful than the original movie.
All Three of The Ginger Snaps Movies Are Available Through Amazon - Delivered to your front door with FREE SHIPPING on orders worth $25 or more.
Amazon Customer Reviews of Ginger Snaps
This movie has 128 five-star reviews; pretty amazing for a movie I had not heard of before doing this page.
"What can I say about this movie? I saw it when I was seventeen years old on HBO and instantly fell in love with it before the opening credits were through. Gore and cheesy effects aside, I have to say this movie is brilliant. It was a pretty original spin on the werewolf theme." ~ D.A. Marie
"I was afraid to buy this. It sounded too good to be true. A good werewolf movie? So many years (and bad films) after the Howling? You bet your life. GINGER SNAPS is not just good, it's great. And smart. Hip without being snide, slick yet retaining integrity, this is not just a good werewolf movie - or a good horror movie - it's just a great movie altogether." ~ M. Nichols"
"This film was a great surprise. It is a clever take on the werewolf legend and combines comedy with horror in a pleasing manner. I would highly recommended this film to someone who likes horror movies or is interested in getting into them." ~ L. Owen
""The beginning of this movie is very creepy. This movie does not hold back, which is very good. It is a horror movie that is also an excellent drama (think May only darker, more violent, etc...) It has heart. It has a moral conscience and that's important to me. That does not stop this movie from being as twisted, demented and creepy as it wants to be." ~ Scott Del
"Somwhere in these woods
lies an experience
too terrifying for words."
- The Howling
The Howling (1981) Video Trailer - "All anyone can do is watch, and wait..."
The Howling Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
The Howling is billed "the ultimate masterpiece of primal terror" and this werewolf movie will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. A female TV newscaster takes a rest period at a retreat but, when disturbed by bloodcurdling cries night after night, discovers a terrifying truth. Billed as a movie with some good one-liners but also as an extremely scary movie, one that is much scarier than you can imagine. The special effects are deemed remarkable, but this movie is rated R for violence and sex.
Amazon Customer Reviews of The Howling
"...it nonetheless has aged wonderfully and is still one of the most enjoyable horror films of its decade. It's scary without getting too gory for the average viewer, has superb special effects that don't overwhelm the story, features a fun cast of familiar faces, and has a quirky sense of humor and loads of movie in-jokes for horror movie fans." ~ Ryan Harvey
"The Howling is a good werewolf movie with some incredible special effects. A great horror movie to watch at night with all the lights off, if you can." ~ Arnita Brown
"I recommend this movie to horror fans. I've been a fan of horror movies for years, and I especially enjoy movies about werewolves. Although I consider Lon Chaney Jr's classic 1941 film "The Wolfman" to be the best, this movie is still very good and it has some very scary scenes. Horror movie fans will definitely enjoy this movie." ~ Jeffrey T. Munsen
"Elegant, go-for-the-throat
suspense thriller."
- Wolf (1994)
Wolf (1994) Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer's Werewolf Movie
Wolf features a star-packed cast, including Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer. Nicholson is considered to have been in fine form in this role; Pfeiffer, less so. In this werewolf movie, a senior editor at a publishing house undergoes some radical changes after being bitten by a wolf. Those changes become apparent as he becomes more energetic, at work and at play. His new energy, however, is almost more than he can deal with.
Amazon Customer Reviews of Wolf
"This is a well done film if you're looking for a more cerebral type of WW film than the normal fare. As I mentioned, the cast is also a higher calibre than normal. If ever there was a WW story that had a haunting elegance to it, this just might be it." ~ Jack the Wolf
"Having recently reseen Wolf, I'm again startled that the violence is so low-key. The werewolf scenes are understated, the werewolf make-up not as dynamic or viscerally rendered as, say, that in The Howling or An American Werewolf in London. Wolfinstead relies more on suspense and the sense of horror being evoked thru effective use of lighting and score, thru adroit character study and spot-on acting...In the final tally, Wolf is overwhelmingly a terrific horror movie, dark and subtle and literate, romantic and wicked funny. So, er, go ahead... take a bite of this (sorry, I groaned too)." ~ H. Bala
"WOLF is a howling good movie, though, filled with typical werewolf scares and a penetrating script and sharp performances. Nicholson is perfect as a mealy-mouthed senior editor ...WOLF is a classy horror film, and notoriously overlooked, but it's a good one!" ~ Michael Butts
"Wolf is intelligent, riveting, at times scary and realistic in its portrayal of the human concerns of people facing life and the super-natural. The acting is superb. Definitely a worthwhile movie." ~ Frank Scoblete
"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." - The Wolf Man
The Wolf Man 1941 Movie Trailer - This trailer shows a highly suspenseful movie.
The Wolf Man (1941) Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
Considered appropriate for adults and adolescents, this may be the tamest of the movies on this page.
This is the original version of The Wolfman starring Lou Chaney and Claude Rains. Now considered a classic movie, it used the advanced effects and photography techniques of its day. Critics in 1941 did not embrace it though; they thought it was cheesy and gimmicky. However, it went on to live as a part of movie history.
The story? That of the son of an English lord who is bitten by a werewolf and discovers this fact when he turns into one when the full moon rises. He hates what he becomes at night and a gypsy woman tries to help him out of his torment.
Amazon Customer Reviews of The Wolf Man (1941)
Starring Lou Chaney and Claude Rains
"My favorite of all (the classic movies) is the Wolfman, not because it is the latest title to my collection, but it is the one I remember best from childhood. All I have to do is put it on, turn down the lights and I'm back in my early years. Pulling the covers over my head and checking under the bed. This is by far the best it has ever looked." ~ J. Hankins
"Chaney's Wolf Man is by far the most sympathetic of Universal's three major monsters. Dracula loves being Dracula, Frankenstein's monster is a full-time monster made out of dubious body parts, yet Larry Talbot is a victim of cruel fate. Rushing in to help a damsel in distress, he sustains a bite from a werewolf - hardly the type of reward a hero deserves. Doing the things a werewolf does is bad enough, but Talbot knows he is a werewolf and has to spend all of his normal waking hours wallowing in mental agony, knowing he can do nothing to contain the hairy monster lurking within." ~ Daniel Jolley
"Despite a slightly creepy lead character, "The Wolfman" is still an enduring classic -- it's no longer exactly scary, but it is deliciously spooky. Definitely a must-see." ~ E. A Solinas
"The beast will have its day." - The Wolfman (2010)
The Wolfman (2010) Movie Trailer - Another all-star cast, this Wolfman movie features Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving
The Wolfman (2010) Reviewed in 100 Words or Less
This is the original story of The Wolfman from 1941 redone by Universal in 2010. The story is the same, featuring an American visiting his original home in England. His brother recently killed by a beast, he finds a fiance and a father, grieving to various degrees. The cinematography looks absolutely brilliant ~ a Victorian village, a full moon and The Wolfman. The physical changes in The Wolfman, evident in the movie trailer, benefit from current day technology and the movie no doubt bnefits from the presence of two Academy Award winners, Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro. It looks and sounds like a well done movie.
Amazon Customer Reviews of The Wolfman (2010)
"This is NOT a movie for your young and impressionable children. There is blood, guts and gore for shock value, murders, and asylum torture. Heads and body parts are ripped off and people are gashed open. Your children will have nightmares over this stuff. If you can take that stuff yourself, then this was a really good movie." ~ Kathy W.
"This is a fantastic movie! I must admit, I was worried that it was going to become another "My Bloody Valentine"..... all flash and no substance. Not the case. This film has a very good story, and frankly, it is even more interesting than the original Wolf Man story from the classic 1941 (I think) film." ~ Matthew Deluca
"The difference between this Werewolf movie and the the ones in the past was obviously the better acting, Sir Anthony and Benicio were both brilliant in potrayal of their characters. The special effects and cinematography were top notch and the sound was of very high quality. Great movie worth every penny," ~ Craig G. Matthews
Clap For The Wolfman
Which werewolf movie do YOU recommend?
The Wolf Man - The Legacy Collection - Includes the 1941 version of The Wolf Man, Werewolf of London, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man and She-Wolf of London.
The almost perfect star rating shows that Amazon customers seem to like this collection, too, receiving four movies on the two discs that are included in this set. The Wolf Man (1941) of course is the star of this show and the other three are films, movies that inspired the whole genre of movies.
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Final Thoughts
This is were I get personal. First, in case you are unaware, horror movies are not my normal movie genre. There was a time (think early Stephen King) when I saw every horror movie but now that I have grown a couple of years older, I prefer lighter fare, including drama movies, romance movies and even action adventure movies to most horror films. However, I have an 18-year old in the house who loves a 'good' horror movie...so I have recently rewatched the horror classic, Carrie with him and I expect there might be a couple of werewolf movies in the near future.
In terms of these werewolf movies, I'm not so sure about the violence and the 'R' ratings, at least for myself. I must admit though that in putting this page together a few movies intrigued me...starting with the very first version in 1941 of The Wolf Man, which my husband says is his favorite. The story of Ginger Snaps sounds interesting, as does Wolf. I'm pretty sure that there are some fun bits in An American Werewolf in Paris but that the whole movie might be too much for me (but a favorite for my son) and finally, I will say that I am REALLY impressed with the cinematography of the new Wolfman movie. My husband would also add Teen Wolf to the list, which he says is a lot of fun.
How about you? Do you watch horror films? Have you seen any of these werewolf movies? Which would you recommend? Would you add any others?
© 2010 Treasures By Brenda