6 Best Scary Werewolf Films on DVD (As Opined by Michelle Snow)

Looking for some werewolf films for Halloween viewing? From scary to funny, there is something for every type of horror fan on this list.

Werewolves are human beings for most of the month, but watch out for the full moon, when they grow full body hair, run in packs and have a desire to feed.

Unfortunately, most werewolf films are not even worth renting on DVD. Whether it’s from low budget special effects, bad scripts or even worse acting, lycanthrope films are plentiful, but the good ones can be hard to find. The following are among the best of the lot.

Better have some silver on hand for watching these films…these are not suitable for the whole family (though I will do a list for that)…

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An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Two friends on vacation in England are attacked by werewolves. One dies, and though the other survives, he has no idea the horror that awaits him on the full moon.

This movie really revolutionized how werewolves were portrayed on the screen, especially in showing the transformation process up close. It’s also quite gory, so it’s not recommended for the kids.

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Dog Soldiers (2002)

A British military squad, on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands, comes across the bloody remains of the Special Ops team they were supposed to be hunting down. They then find themselves under attack from wolf-like creatures. Taking refuge in a nearby cabin, they meet a woman who seems to know everything about what attacked them. Can the team survive the night?

This low-budget UK werewolf movie has just the right amount of plot and action to overlook some small faults. It’s also full of gore and mayhem. A great addition to the werewolf genre of horror films.

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Ginger Snaps (2000)

The Fitzgerald sisters are two teen goths who like to take morbid photos and home movies in their spare time. One night, Ginger (the elder of the two), is attacked by a werewolf. That night is not only a full moon, but Ginger’s first night of puberty. As her sister Brigitte starts to realize what is happening, she races to try to save Ginger before she kills everyone around them.

This is not your typical werewolf film. As the wolf transformations begin, the film uses them to parallel Ginger’s changes into womanhood. But all that aside, there is plenty of gore and scares to keep horror fans happy.

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Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004)

Set in 19th century Canada, orphaned teen sisters Ginger and Brigette seek refuge at a trader’s fort that comes under attack by a pack of werewolves. After Ginger is bitten, Brigette and a Native American hunter try to save her and themselves from certain death at the hands of the pack.

In an interesting twist, this third installment in the Ginger Snaps series takes the same characters of Ginger and Brigette (same actresses as well) but transports them back a few centuries. This film also is a more straight-forward horror film, doing away with the werewolf/puberty correlations that drove most of the first film. There is still a high level of gore, though some of the fort’s characters aren’t as well-rounded as one would like.

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The Howling (1981)

Investigating what is thought to be a serial killer, a news woman has a near fatal mauling. She is sent to a rehabilitation center, where it becomes clear the other patients have more issues than first thought… especially when the moon is full.

By today’s standards, the monster make-up may look a bit cheap, but back then, they were pretty groundbreaking. This film and An American Werewolf in London helped launch the werewolf movie craze in the 80s and it still remains a solid horror film, if a bit dated.

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The Wolfman (2010)

Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) is lured from America back to his family estate in Europe, to investigate the savage murder of his brother. While there, Talbot must also contend with his estranged father (Sir Anthony Hopkins), his brother’s grieving fiancee (Emily Blunt), and a Scotland Yard inspector. His problems are only beginning though. He is then bitten by the creature who murdered his brother and finds himself cursed with becoming a werewolf, too.

Set in the VIctorian ages, this remake of 1941’s The Wolf Man is a throwback to the early days of the monster movies, where the film took its time to build the suspense and the story. That’s not to say this doesn’t have the modern horror updates of lots of violence and gore, but it doesn’t have the quick thrills and instant gratification kill scenes today’s horror usually incorporates. The patient watcher of this will enjoy a film with rich, well-done performances and find it a good addition to the werewolf film library.

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All of these films are available on DVD as of the publication of this article. Many movie channels on TV also tend to show them, especially around Halloween. If you click on the title links, they take you to Amazon (purchases through those links help keep this site going – so thanks muchly if you buy something!).

Do you have a favorite scary werewolf movie that I missed? Let me know in comments. I’d love to hear what your faves are!

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About zengrrl

I'm Michelle Snow, the writer and creator of Zengrrl. I write about travel, entertainment, women's issues, health, body positivity, and more, both for this blog and freelance. I have also authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. If you aren't already following me, the links are below, as well as on the top right of this page. Thanks!