Werewolves have returned to theaters with the 2025 release werewolfBlumhouse’s remake of the 1941 classic, The werewolf. Along with vampires and zombies, werewolves remain some of the most popular monsters featured in cinema, particularly in the horror genre.
While these creatures are used to create tragic and dark gothic stories, other films have used werewolves in parodies or in genres such as action or comedy. Now that werewolf is finally in theaters, here’s a roundup of the seven best werewolf movies of all time across all genres.
7. The Wolfman (2025)
The latest new version of werewolf shows a man who takes his family to his childhood home in the mountains, only to be infected by a werewolf prowling the desert. Just as he did with The invisible manDirector Leigh Whannell took a classic movie monster and reinvented it for modern cinema, presenting the werewolf curse as more of a virus than a mystical curse.
While it lacks subtle dialogue and the kind of social commentary found in The invisible mandelivers the gripping suspense and gut-wrenching body horror associated with werewolf stories.
6. What we do in the shadows (2014)
Fans of the hit FX series of the same name probably know this comedy-horror classic. Although What we do in the shadows It centers on a group of vampires who live together in an apartment in New Zealand and features the funniest pack of werewolves to ever howl on the big screen.
Their hilarious catchphrase, “We’re werewolves, not oaths,” immediately cemented them as fan favorites in a film full of unique and fun characters. Let’s cross our fingers (whistle) that they will finally make that spin-off, we are wolvesnow that the television show adaptation is over.
5. The Howl (1981)
1981 was the year of the werewolves, thanks to popular Hollywood movies like The howl. Of gremlins director Joe Dante, The howl It follows a traumatized reporter who travels to an isolated resort to recover, only to discover that the place is populated by a cabal of werewolves.
Although the story can be a little cheesy at times, The howl It features fantastic graphics and scares, as well as some terrifying monster effects. It also allows werewolves to explore the dark side of human nature with its emphasis on sex, violence, and the media’s obsession with both. In the end, The howl It helped repopularize monster movies at the time of its release, eventually spawning seven sequels and a remake on the way.
4. Dog Soldiers (2002)
In Neil Marshall’s directorial debut, a squad of soldiers are forced to fight a pack of werewolves while training in the Scottish wilderness. Remembering beloved movies like aliens and PredatorThis macho horror film features a healthy mix of action, humor, suspense, and gore.
To top it off, dog soldiers features some incredible and terrifying creature designs, especially for a low-budget film. Those looking to get away from the traditionally slow and moody werewolf films will want to sink their teeth into this exciting cult classic.
3. The Wolfman (1941)
It is only fair that the viewing public werewolf Watch the movie that inspired it. this classic universal monster movie it provided the model for several werewolf films upon its release. Not everything has aged well, considering it’s a movie from the ’40s.
However, The werewolf crafts a beautifully tragic narrative with equally beautiful images, presenting a haunting gothic atmosphere that gives it a timeless cinematic charm. Additionally, Lon Chaney Jr.’s performance and the iconic makeup used to bring his Wolfman to life make this horror film especially memorable.
2. Werewolf by night (2022)
Werewolf at night follows a group of monster hunters competing for a magical relic, facing off against some powerful and terrifying creatures from the darkest corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film from director and composer Michael Giacchino was Marvel Studios’ first television special on Disney+ and made a lasting impression as a superhero horror film.
Werewolf at night pays homage to classic monster movies, including The werewolfwith its gorgeous black and white visuals and gothic story, making it a delight for horror and comic book fans alike.
1. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
This classic from the 80s animal house Director John Landis depicts an American graduate student who is attacked and cursed by a werewolf while backpacking through the English countryside. The film’s award-winning makeup effects single-handedly raised the bar for horror films as a whole.
With a fantastic mix of horror, tragedy and comedy, An American werewolf in London differentiates itself from traditional werewolf films while also setting a completely new standard for the subgenre.
