Best Werewolf Movies and TV Shows
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Some werewolf TV shows and movies are all bark and no bite. It’s simply not enough to have a shapeshifting hero…or, even better, anti-hero.
The best movies and TV shows both incorporate and reinvent classic werewolf folklore, utilizing that rich history to deliver characters who—no matter how loveable they may be in human form—become fearsome beasts when that full moon hits.
- Teen Wolf (1985)
- Ginger Snaps (2001)
- An American Werewolf In London (1981)
- The Brotherhood Of The Wolf (2001)
- The Company Of Wolves (1985)
- The Beast Must Die (1974)
- Being Human (2011)
- Teen Wolf (2011)
- What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
- Silver Bullet (1985)
Teen Wolf (1985)
Rating: PG
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
Available on: Fandango, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Michael J. Fox stars in this coming-of-age cult classic. No matter how hokey it gets, Fox’s pure charisma and earnest performance carry the plot from start to finish.
As if puberty weren’t bad enough, the protagonist’s father reveals they come from a long line of werewolves.
The hero must then learn to control his wolfish tendencies, along with his raging hormones.
Ginger Snaps (2001)
Rating: R
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Available on: Fandango, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
In this smart film, Ginger is attacked and bitten by a werewolf on the night of her first period.
The parallel between coming of age as a young woman and contending with the bloodthirsty nature of a werewolf is fascinating.
What’s more, it ties the feminist narrative into the horror plotline seamlessly—without shying away from the more gruesome truths of either.
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Rating: R
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Available on: Fandango, Vudu, Amazon Prime, HBONow, HBOMax, Apple TV
When two Americans head off to the English frontier for a spot of hiking, they are badly wounded in a wolf attack.
Although his friend dies, the protagonist recovers quickly in a hospital. Despite his injuries’ miraculous healing speed, he can’t help but worry—he’s plagued by incessant nightmares of his dead friend, warning him that he is slowly becoming a werewolf.
Trapped in a foreign country, he must now grapple with his grief and new apparent reality.
It’s hard to know what’s real and what isn’t, in this film…but that’s what makes it so rewatchable.
The Brotherhood Of The Wolf (2001)
Rating: R
Language: French
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Available on: XFinity Stream, Amazon Prime
This French-language film, Le Pacte des Loupes, takes place in the 1700s.
For period drama fans, this movie might satisfy that desire for old-fashioned costumes, if not historical accuracy.
Following many deaths in a village at the hands (or claws) of some ferocious creature, the king deploys his best people to uncover the killer’s identity…and put an end to the bloodshed.
The Company Of Wolves (1985)
Rating: R
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
Available on: Amazon Prime
This film starring Angela Lansbury explores the sexual connotations of the Little Red Riding Hood myth.
Supposedly meant to intimidate women into chastity, the tale is taken to heart by the young protagonist, while she fantasizes about meeting a rugged woodsman deep in the forest.
Unlike the original tale, however, this Little Red Riding Hood is no damsel in distress.
The Beast Must Die (1974)
Rating: PG
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Available on: Fandango, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Before Teen Wolf and An American Werewolf In London brought werewolves to center stage, The Beast Must Die slid into theaters, baring its fangs for the world to see.
A well-known man invites some friends to his estate for a supposedly relaxing weekend, but everything changes when he announces that one of those people is a werewolf.
He then puts each guest through a series of tests to determine who the culprit is.
For viewers looking for a who-dunnit kind of mystery, instead of your average slasher werewolf film, this will whet that animalistic appetite.
Being Human (2011)
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Available on: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Youtube TV, Itunes, Vudu
Originally created by the BBC, this horror-comedy features two young roommates. The hook: one of them is a vampire, and the other is a werewolf.
Both supernatural creatures attempt to pass as human and live their lives in peace, but some species just aren’t meant to cohabitate.
Being Human has five seasons, for a total of 36 episodes. The series is finished, so feel free to binge the show without worrying about wait times.
Teen Wolf (2011)
https://youtu.be/1rCYDbefnmA
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Available on: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu
No list of werewolf media would be complete without mentioning Teen Wolf, the series inspired by the vastly superior 1985 film of the same name.
This reboot chronicles multiple teenagers coping with the pressures of school, first romances, sexuality…and the fact their fangs always come out at the worst possible times.
What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
Rating: R
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Available on: Fandango, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
While technically a vampire-focused movie, this honorable mention makes the cut for a very good reason.
Frequently, the vampires must deal with their most hated foes: the werewolves who live down the street.
Not only are these can’t-miss scenes chock-full of comedic genius, but they’re also fun to watch no matter which supernatural team you’re on.
Silver Bullet (1985)
Rating: R
Language: English
Rotten Tomatoes: 45%
Available on: Paramount+, Prime Video
In a small town, brutal killings start to plague the close-knit community. Marty Coslaw, a paraplegic boy, is convinced the murders are the doings of a werewolf.
Along with his sister and Uncle Red (Gary Busey), Marty begins a mission to capture the werewolf once and for all.
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After working hard all day, it’s nice to be able to just sit and stay with some doggone good programs. Whether straight-up horror or smart comedy—or a combination of both—these werewolf TV shows and movies are perfect for a full-moon binge.
If you’re looking for some other options to binge, the X-Files will always have you asking – “what if?” There’s even an episode of a werewolf if you still haven’t quite scratched that itch. Other options include the best horror movies from every year this century, or the classic Halloween franchise.
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