Although they don’t have as many big-screen appearances as zombies or vampires, werewolves are still popular characters portrayed in numerous films. It’s not always the case, but most films featuring furry supernatural species show the werewolf characters as ordinary people turning into vicious killers. However, It is not a rule that werewolf stories must be told within the horror genre. Films like Teen Wolf used lycanthropy to tell relatable coming-of-age stories through a comedic lens.
Stories of lycanthropy align with the cultural shift of the 1980s, when conversations about sex and puberty were infiltrating pop culture. Many of the werewolf films of the 80s were about supernatural characters entering a new phase of life.with the physical transformation from human to wolf being representative of this change. Many of these transformations depicted in 1980s werewolf films are presented as painful, which fits well with the gory imagery typically associated with horror films.
10
Wax (1988)
Directed by Anthony Hickox
Like the 50s horror movie House of Wax, WaxThe main setting is a sinister wax museum. In WaxA group of friends are visiting the museum and come across a series of horror exhibits featuring iconic horror monsters, including a vampire, a mummy, Frankenstein’s monster and, of course, a werewolf. Although there is a lot of blood spatter Wax, the film has more comedic moments than those filled with blood.
Wax is made fun by its talented group of actors who lead the film, as well as paying homage to classic monsters and horror characters that audiences have loved over the years. Recognizable villains appear in the film one at a time, as WaxThe overall mystery of k is being pieced together. Wax It has flaws, but it easily fulfills its objective of providing entertainment for the audience.
9
High Full Moon (1981)
Directed by Larry Cohen
Before making films like The things and A return to the Salem lotdirector Larry Cohen sought to create a horror comedy about a teenager becoming a werewolf. High Full Moon follows a teenager returning to his hometown decades after being bitten by a werewolf. As is the case with most ’80s films, some of the humor is hard to stomach – most of the unfunny jokes are rooted in dated stereotypes – but there are enough effective jokes to make the film enjoyable to watch.
High Full Moon sometimes it’s absurd, but how Wax or My mother is a werewolfthe film doesn’t try to be taken seriously. Actors Adam Arkin and Ed McMahon give fully committed performances and are hilarious as an on-screen father-son duo.
8
My Mother is a Werewolf (1989)
Directed by Michael Fischa
My mother is a werewolf stars Susan Blakely and horror film actor John Saxon. The horror-comedy film centers on Blakely’s Leslie Shaber, a suburban mother and wife disliked by her family, who transforms into a werewolf after meeting a strange (Saxon) man. My mother is a werewolf It’s best enjoyed when the audience doesn’t come in with high expectations.
Blakely and Saxon are clear standouts of the cast, with the rest of the film’s elements – performances, special effects and writing – being standard fare for an ’80s B-movie. My mother is a werewolf It’s not the best the genre has to offer, but it’s still immensely fun. The charm of the cheesy circumstances throughout the film makes it easy to watch and shows how silly werewolf stories can be.
7
The Monster Squad (1987)
Directed by Fred Dekker
Although it is not a film just about werewolf characters, the famous Wolf Man appears in The Monster Squad. The horror comedy revolves around kids banding together to stop monsters from taking over the world. The Wolf Man (Jonathan Gries) is just one of the film’s many Universal Monstersalongside Gill-man and Count Dracula.
When the titular group of friends and the monster characters become aware of each other, fun and disastrous encounters ensue. Yet, The Monster Squad is full of laughter and its joyful energy is sure to spark feelings of nostalgia. The film is reminiscent of classic family comedy times like The little rascals. The homage to these comedies, in addition to the classic monster stories, made critics and audiences appreciate The Monster Squad years later, despite the film performing poorly upon its initial release.
6
Silver Bullet (1985)
Directed by Dan Attias
Based on the Stephen King novel titled Werewolf Cycle, Silver Bullet follows a boy (Corey Haim) who discovers the identity of a murderous werewolf who is causing trouble in his small town. King wrote the film’s script and was adamant about the design of the film’s killer. The result of King’s vision ended up being a werewolf that critics and audiences alike concluded looked more like a black bear than anything.
Silver Bullet is not among the best adaptations of King’s work, but the film has grown in audience over the years. Following the traditional aspects of horror in Silver Bullet These are captivating performances from the film’s main cast. Gary Busey plays Haim’s character’s uncle, and together they make an unlikely but utterly captivating duo. His performances are appreciated by fans and make up for the lack of emotion in the film.
5
Wolfen (1981)
Directed by Michael Wadleigh
Released in the same year as An American werewolf in London and The Howl, Lobe is an underrated werewolf movie. Lobe falls into the crime and horror genres as it follows a police officer tasked with uncovering the truth behind a series of local murders. The police officer, Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney), soon discovers that those responsible for the deaths are linked to an Indian legend about wolf spirits.
Comments on the treatment of indigenous people are mixed with Lobebloody imagescreating a layered horror film that is more than gruesome murders. As effective as LobeThe story is that the technical aspects of the film are equally remarkable. Wolfen contains one of the earliest examples of an in-camera effect used to show the wolf’s point of view – a technique that can be seen in the Predator films.
4
Teenage Wolf (1985)
Directed by Rod Daniel
Not only has Teen Wolf inspired a popular MTV series decades after its release, but the film is also widely seen as an iconic ’80s comedy. Teen Wolf stars Michael J. Fox as the titular character, Scott, who goes from being just another student to his school’s most popular basketball player after it is revealed that he is a werewolf. Teen Wolf cleverly ties the werewolf transformation with coming-of-age themes.
Despite being covered in hair from head to toe, Scott’s experiences as a high school student are relatable to audiences. Fox adds to the enduring appeal of Teen Wolf with a charming performance, which further shows the lightness of the film. The shameless fun inside Teen Wolf always connected with audiences, despite the film’s negative reviews from critics when it was released.
3
The Company of Wolves (1984)
Directed by Neil Jordan
The Company of Wolves gives a dark touch to the story of little Red Riding Hoodbut it is not a fairy tale film suitable for children. The gothic fantasy film is based on Angela Carter’s 1979 short story of the same name and sees Sarah Patterson’s Rosaleen as the character Little Red Riding Hood. In the film, Rosaleen’s dreams transport her to an enchanted forest full of dangerous werewolves.. The werewolf character design is impressive and the transformation scenes are among the bloodiest.
Still, drawing from Carter’s writings, The Company of Wolves is full of substance and is grounded in themes of feminism and innocence. Furthermore, the magical forest where much The Company of Wolves happens is represented in a remarkable way. Vivid, detailed sets help bring the film’s fantastical elements to life.
2
The Howl (1981)
Directed by Joe Dante
Before making the beloved GremlinsJoe Dante directed The Howl. The horror film is based on a novel by author Gary Brandner and follows a news anchor who encounters a group of werewolves on what is supposed to be a relaxing getaway. Since its launch, The Howl was analyzed for his comments on the media and topics of sexuality. Animalistic behavior The HowlThe werewolf characters are connected to sexual desires in a way that hasn’t been exposed so explicitly before.
Furthermore, although The HowlThe story is not innovative, it is intelligent and humorous. Such aspects of the film fit well with The Howlgraphic representations of werewolf transformations and deaths. The brutal transformation scenes were put together by special makeup effects artist Rob Bottin and are some of the most seen in werewolf films.
1
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Directed by John Landis
Recognized as one of the best monster movies of all time, An American werewolf in London is a cult classic appreciated for its mix of comedy and horror and its makeup effects. The film centers around two American tourists who are attacked by werewolves, with one of the men, David (David Naughton), anxiously awaiting his transformation at the next full moon. Best known for his comedy films before An American werewolf in Londonwriter and director John Landis ensures that there is plenty of dark humor sprinkled throughout the film.
The story of An American werewolf in London is interesting and keeps the audience invested in its own right, but the film is arguably best remembered for its famous transformation scene. Naughton gives a convincing physical performance, wincing in pain to illustrate the impact such a change has on him. The effects used in the scene were created by Rick Baker and won the first Oscar for Best Makeup.