Zombies are overrated. Let's be honest, a werewolf could defeat a slow moving zombie any night of the living dead. Provided there was a full moon.
Ive always loved werewolf movies so I thought this neglected genre was long overdue an appraisal. So sit back and bark at the moon with the top 10 hair raising werewolf movies of all time. Watch these 10 trailers then have a virtual movie marathon of your own, and remember: Stay On The Path, Beware Of The Moon.
In descending order of greatness:
10. Wolfcop (2004)
A fun little cult B-movie werewolf comedy that never takes itself too seriously. Like a violent version of Teen Wolf. Sort of.
9. Dog Soldiers (2002)
A fantastic low budget British production with an original story and special effects to rival Hollywood.
8. Silver Bullet (1985)
Probably Stephen King's finest and only werewolf adaptation, which isnt that bad once you look past the child protagonist. (Stephen King's protagonists are always either authors or children). Enjoy its gloriously over the top eighties charm.
7. Werewolf Of London (1935)
The original black and White classic which kickstarted the movie genre.
6. The Wolfman (1941)
Lon Chaney Junior is the archetypal everyman Jekyll / Hyde in this classic Universal Studios black and white movie that improved on the original Werewolf Of London. One of the best werewolf movies ever made and a milestone in the genre's cinematic evolution.
5. The Curse Of The Werewolf (1961)
Oliver Reed tears up the screen as he wrestles his inner beast on heat in this lusty Hammer classic.
4. Wolfen (1981)
A dark and gritty eighties new york werewolf cult classic that somehow never received the respect it deserved.
3. The Howling (1985)
This stylish entry was directed by Joe Dante of Gremlins fame with a slow burning storyline and great acting from Dee Wallace. Its also well worth checking out the campy B movie sequel, if you dare, with Sybil Danning as the werewolf leader.
2. The Beast Must Die (1974)
A classic Amicus curio that blends Blaxspoitation and Agatha Christie murder mystery drama with its famous Werewolf Break novelty guessing game. "One of these eight people will turn into a werewolf." Can you guess which one?
1. An American Werewolf In London (1981)
This cold stone horror classic claws its way to the number one spot with its black ghoulish humour, great storyline, and countless iconic and gorey moments. I've watched this John Landis movie a ridiculous amount of times, and never tire of it. Even now the dream sequence of Nazi Werewolves with machine guns makes me shiver with fear and excitement. Not to mention the Picadilly Square set piece ending, which is unequaled.
At the time, Rick Baker's werewolf transformation special effects won an Oscar, and rightly so. A werewolf movie set in England with pitch perfect humour and gore that has never been surpassed in the genre, which somehow leads us back to the cinematic roots of Werewolf Of London.
Remember: Stay On The Path, Beware Of The moon.