Anyone interested in stories about supernatural creatures can take their pick. Vampires remain among the most popular, but werewolves also have plenty of fans. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly as many movies about werewolves as there are about vampires.
RELATED:Best Korean Horror Movies
However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a great werewolf movie among the monster flicks out there. The selection may be slimmer, but that only helps to filter out the truly great werewolf movies. Some of these films got the fame and recognition they deserved, while others flew under the radar. Regardless of their fame or age, though, these stellar werewolf films have a lot to offer.
8Dog Soldiers (2002)
While not as iconic as other werewolf movies,Dog Soldiershas a few clever concepts that make it worth watching. The movie is captivating and full of tension thanks to its fast pace, and offers plenty of scares with its action scenes. It follows a group of soldiers who are attacked during a training exercise in Scotland, and have to fight for their lives.
The movie works with the idea of the werewolves hiding in plain sight, simply by making sure dogs get blamed for their actions. That alone would be enough to make the movie intriguing enough, butDog Soldiershave a few more aces up its sleeves. Horror fans will have to watch it to find out just what those are.
7The Beast Must Die (1974)
Despite its fairly low rating on IMDb (only 5.7), this werewolf movie is better than many people give it a credit for. After all, it features Peter Cushing, one of the greatest actors of all time, in a leading role. What’s more, the movie works with an intriguing story idea.
The Beast Must Diefocuses on eight people who are spending a weekend on an island estate. So far, it seems like a normal trip, but one of the guests is a werewolf and it’s up to the rest to figure out who it is. Anybody who enjoys whodunit mysteries and werewolf movies all mixed in one should give this movie a chance.
6The Company Of Wolves (1984)
Director Neil Jordan is no stranger to horror movies, as he directed the famousInterview with the Vampire(1994), for example. However, he also paid his tribute to werewolves in this lesser-known movie. It creates a unique atmosphere, as most of its story takes place in the early 18th century in a forest.
RELATED:Incredible Slasher Films Older Than Halloween
Despite this, the trip to the past happens in the mind of a teenager living in the 20th century. It gets even more complicated, keeping the audience intrigued. The movie also has another advantage in the form of a strong cast, including names such as Angela Lansbury and Stephen Rea.
5Werewolf Of London (1935)
A lot of movie buffs focus on watching new movies, but may forget all about the old classics.Werewolf of Londonis one of the oldest werewolf movies, and despite its ripe old age of 86 years, it still has a lot of appeal for modern audiences. It focuses on a botanist who turns into a werewolf and is trying to find a cure for his condition.
The film both has great actors and incredible special effects, especially for a movie from 1935. For horror fans who want a return to the roots of werewolf horror movies, they shouldn’t miss out on watching this hidden jewel.
4The Howling (1981)
Joe Dante directed multiple horror movies, andThe Howlingis one of his classics. It focuses on a newswoman named Karen who travels into a mountain resort and eventually realizes the locals are… somewhat strange.
The movie is both scary and also offers a dark sense of humor, which is a combination that the best Joe Dante movies often have (such as 1984’sGremlins). The special effects also don’t disappoint.The Howlingcould be best described as the quintessential 1980s horror movie, which many people will appreciate.
3An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Incidentally, two of the best classic werewolf films premiered in 1981. Despite its age, the terrifying scenes work even today andAn American Werewolf in Londonhas some heart-stopping moments.
RELATED:Slasher Movies To Watch If You Liked Halloween
The movie features excellent special effects, alongside an intriguing story. Two young Americans travel to the UK, wherea werewolf attacks them. From there on, the movie creates a strong atmosphere, and thanks to its fast pace and the occasional (very dark) humor, it’s a must-watch for all werewolf fans.
2Wolf (1994)
Jack Nicholson is one of the most celebrated actors of all time, and for a good reason. His varied performances, including those in horror movies (such asTheShiningbased on Stephen King’s book), made him a legend.
Wolfmight not be as well-known as some other Nicholson movies, but that doesn’t change the fact it’s an excellent film that manages to combine both horror and romance. After Nicholson’s hero, the publisher Will, turns into a strange new creature, he fights to keep alive his old life. Nicholson gives an excellent performance. The movie has other great actors as well, such as Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, and Christopher Plummer, to name just three.
1The Wolf Man (1941)
ThoughWerewolf of Londonis even older, it’sThe Wolf Manthat most horror fans consider the real beginning of werewolf horror movies — possibly because it was created by the famous Hammer Film Productions that also made several other legendary horror movies. Lon Chaney portrayed the titular wolfman, who struggles with his new condition.
The movie is far from optimistic, unlike other comedy horrors on this list. Its sense of terror, combined with excellent special effects (for this time period, anyway) and Chaney’s performance, manage to captivate the audience even today.
