HecklerSpray

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Top 8 Werewolf Movies

By David Schwartz

Finally, a list we can really get our teeth into – the best-ever films about werewolves.

You only need look at the excitement caused by Benicio Del Toro‘s new film The Wolfman to realise how much we love stories about lycanthropes.

But why are we so fascinated by movies about people who change into man-eating wolves every full moon? It can’t be because we think we could all do with more hair, sharper teeth and a dog-like snout. Although, it’s a look that hasn’t done Sarah Jessica Parker‘s career any harm at all. It’s probably something to do with unleashing the beast – something the hecklerspray crew tries to do every Friday night without fail. Of course, Hollywood has tried to tap into this curiosity on many occasions. However, very few filmmakers get it right.

Werewolves are slightly more demanding on special effects artists than zombies or vampires. While all you have to do with the other two is slap on some white make-up and you’re halfway there, changing into a half-man, half-beast demands a little more work. And let’s face it, most of them get it wrong. Even Jack Nicholson couldn’t save Wolf.

Anyway, here’s the list. Enjoy!

8. The Company of Wolves (1984)

Neil Jordan‘s 1984 re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood has little to do with the folklore of werewolves and more to do with Catholic anxiety over adolescent sexuality. Although the Gallagher brothers are visible proof you can never trust a man whose eyebrows meet in the middle.

7. Wolfen

If you’ve never seen this film, get it out now. Simply brilliant.

6. Ginger Snaps

Possibly the most misleading title of a film ever, but, then again, The Girl Who Had An Horrific First Period (you have to see the film to understand that reference) wouldn’t have sold many tickets. One of the best cult movies of recent years.

5. Teen Wolf

We had no idea werewolves were good at basketball until we saw this film.

4. Underworld

OK, this is just another excuse to stick a leather-clad Kate Beckinsale on the site.

3. The Howling

Even to this day, Joe Dante‘s film is genuinely scary.

2. Dog Soldiers

Only just pipped to the top spot by An American Werewolf in London. Delivers frights and laughs in equal measure. Our favourite bit: “I hope I give you the shits.”

1. An American Werewolf in London

Simply the best-ever horror film ever made. It’s incredible that even with all of the advancements in technology in recent years, the transformation scene is still head and shoulders above anything else that has come since. So what’s our favourite bit? Well, it’s either the Slaughtered Lamb (we’ve all been in pubs where everyone stops what they’re doing to look at you) or the Nazi dream sequence.

Comments

  1. carmela says

    teen wolf! legend! i used to watch that over and over again when i was little. underworld though?? come on that was awful. the only good bit in it was wentworth miller looking like a geek and proving to women everywhere he is actually nothing special.

  4. Shaun says

    Ok I reckon Van Helsing needs a mention just for the most badass Werewolves ever on film.

  5. arkonbey says

    um. That was pretty much just a list of werewolf movies. Underworld, but no Lon Chaney’s Wolfman? Why was Teen Wolf on the list? Even I was a Teenage Werewolf was better. And, Silver Bullet does deserve to be on the list.

    At least you left out Wolf, American Werewolf in Paris and the terrible Howling sequels.

  6. Mithaearon says

    carmela I would include Underworld in any werewolf/vampire/horror movie list jsut for the latex! oh the latex, the lat….

  7. jasono says

    Yeah, I’m pretty disappointed to see Silver Bullet didn’t make the list. It has Gary Busey in it for crying out loud.

  8. ChrisW says

    TEEN WOLF? Are you nuts?

    Lon Chaney Jr’s version set the standard and has to be listed.

  10. mst3kster says

    You H8ERZ are 0 for 2.

    Don’t you remember in Office Space when both Milton and his stapler contract Lycanthropy? Certainly you didn’t forget the scene where Milton goes on a cubicle destroying spree while his stapler howls at the full moon?

    I beginning to wonder about you people!!!

  11. Vince says

    I must say this is a very good list. You can not go wrong with The Howling, Wolfen and Underworld. As a kid I loved An American Werewolf In London and may be my all time favorite. I could see why you included Teen Wolf, but you need to change the list from top 8, to top 9 and include “Silver Bullet” which is classic!

    What about RawHead Rex? Does that movie classify as Werewolf? You might even include Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I have never seen Dog Soldiers, I think I’m going to check it out this weekend. Still not bad of a list.

  12. carmela says

    Mithaearon… there are plenty of ways to enjoy latex. underworld is not one of them. yea yea beckinsdales fit but come on she can’t act AT ALL

  14. Rick says

    I agree with you on #1. On my favorite top 10 list of all films, period.

    I also like and agree with your take on Wolfen – adapeted from a novel by Whitney Streiber.

  19. Vince says

    Like I said before, this is a great list. Why doesn’t anyone here like Underworld? Underworld adds something fun and new to the Werewolf Genre. The acting was good enough for the type of movie it is. I don’t think they were trying to go for an Oscar in the film.

    Anyway, I just finished watching Dog Soldiers for the first time last night and must say that it is pretty good and is deserving of the number 2 spot. Good scares and a few laughs. Definitely recommended! Reminded me of An American Werewolf In London how the film was shot. I loved Teen Wolf but Silver Bullet needs to take it’s spot. Oh and Caroline McGinn, aren’t you a little old (99)for Myspace? Just joking, thanx for the vidz.

  20. Vince says

    Since I see that no one else has been commenting the past couple of days, I will end my comments by saying one last time that this is a great top 8 which would be better of course with Silver Bullet. Not to be redundant.

    I learned of two movies this week that I never saw(Ginger Snaps, Dog Soldiers)before and My friends and I loved them. Very original and highly recommended for horror fans. I am now a proud subscriber of HecklerSpray! To all who view this, have a great weekend and many great days/nights.

  21. Tron says

    “how can you complete this list without van helsing?”
    Simple. it’s the TOP 8 werewolf movies, where van helsing should never EVER EVER (i cannot stress this enough) have been made. It’s one of the worst movies in any genre i’ve ever seen.
    but Ginger Snaps = win. it’s an awesome movie. the sequels… Not so much.

  22. Nick says

    WUT!!!
    thats the list?
    ya some of those werewolves movies are good..but yer forgetting an American werewolf in paris? it made like 4 stars and the werewolves in that movie were better than the ones in underworld.. and wut about van helsing?
    THIS LIST SICKENS ME!!!!..ima make my own werewolf movie with black jack, and hookers..ok forget the black jack..ehh furget the movie too

  23. Vince says

    Just finished watching Big Bad Wolf for the first time. Not bad.  It was great to see the guy who played the Bully in 3 O’ Clock high as the Werewolf. Sorry If I spoiled it for those who never seen the movie. For a B movie it’s a great rental. You’ll love it.

  24. Toby says

    The best ever werewolf movie is The Wolf Man. Second best is The Silver Bullet. In third place is Bad Moon. Teen Wolf totally sucked. The American werewolf in Europe movies all suck. Howling could possibly make fourth place, but all sequels sucked.

  25. BlackenedGass says

    You guys used my traielr for Dog Soldiers! That’s me, Ed Wilkins! I’m not asking you to take it down or anything, I’m just curious what made you choose mine!

  27. BlackenedGass says

    THanks David, that means a lot to me, cos I want to be a film editor after i finish uni =D

  28. Voltz says

    Underworld? Underworld?! Is this a serious list? I guess Underworld’s there for the same reason this is a top8 instead of a top10, they just hadn’t seen ten good werewolf movies.

  30. ImYourBiggestFang says

    Wow…this list and everyone here forgot about FrightNight II. Also, what Nick mentioned…American Werewolf in Paris.

  31. that one guy says

    dog soldiers ginger snaps and all the werewolf movies up there r awsome i have seen them all ecept teen wolf that one sux

  32. Moe says

    Hey Cy! Brotherhood of the wolf had nothing to do with werewolves. And for the guy who said American Werewolf in Paris’ werewolves were cool…they looked like Steve Buscemi had a love child with a Rottweiller. Silver Bullet was a great Movie. So was Bad Moon. It deserves some credit. The Wolfman still sets the standard though and should be at the top of the list.

  33. Bartly says

    I fully believe that the best top werewolf movies are:
    1) American Werewolf In London
    2) The Howling (Just the first movie) 1979
    3) Silver Bullet
    4) Ginger Snaps
    5) Van Helsing
    6) Underworld Trilogy
    7) Dog Soildiers

  34. Dragonfly says

    Okay, did you even see that movie? Not only does it have nothing to do with werewolves, its “beast” isn’t even a wolf.

  35. Warg says

    Aw comeon, Van Hellsing is the worst werewolf movie I’ve ever seen, they totaly ruined the old charm with Vlad and Frankenstein

  36. matt says

    A merican werewolf in psria has the first ever computer animated werewolf and tranformation and you dont even have that

  37. Moe says

    Hey Matt! read my comment above. An American Werewolf in Paris has the worst werewolves ever! Not a bad movie but the effects were horrible.

  39. Moe says

    Twilight is THE gayest movie ever. vampires out in the daylight and they sparkle? Don’t even get me started on the so-called “werewolves”. Go see the Wolfman. That’s a werewolf!

  40. Atahan says

    Yeah, Twilight’s Werewolves sucks, they are not even Werewolves just big wolves. And what about vampires ! They sparkle !

  44. Uncle Spicey says

    The wolves in American Werewolf in Paris were a sad joke. Bad Moon had a great werewolf, but hideous transformation effects. No one has ever done a transformation scene better than the Howling. AWIL had the best one liners. Dog Soldiers had the best action and the whole Evil dead feel to it. Van Helsing had the best looking werewolves….but fell flat with the Dracula CGI and Frankenstein Monster look. Hollywood needs to sit a die hard group of monster movie fans down to test these things out before releasing them to the general public….it’s the only way to avoid things like Werewolf: The devil’s hound.

  46. RealNigga says

    STUPID list. This TRon aint know nun about movies saying Van Helsing is the wrost. b**** you serious? its painful to see how dumb some people can b. but I think they just hatin on the bestest