10 Best Werewolf Movies of the 2020s (So Far)

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In the realm of horror subgenres, werewolves are frequently overlooked and undervalued. Although classic films such as “The Wolf Man,” “An American Werewolf in London,” and “The Howling” significantly impacted how the public perceives these creatures, werewolves do not receive the same level of attention as vampires, zombies, or spirits. As we move into a new decade, zombies are poised for a significant comeback with movies like “28 Years Later” and its sequels, vampire films like “Nosferatu” and “Abigail” continue to showcase the monster’s enduring appeal, and fresh perspectives on paranormal hauntings are presented in movies like “Presence.” In contrast, werewolves have a unique trajectory.

– The 2020s have proven to be an intriguing decade for werewolf films. Despite the major studios generally steering clear of the monster, independent filmmakers and smaller production companies have been revitalizing the legendary creature. A number of these movies came out during the COVID-19 pandemic when cinemas were closed, instead playing at small drive-ins or going straight to Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) or streaming services, often overlooked but definitely worth viewing. Robert Eggers has announced his upcoming film Werwulf, which we hope will provide the same artistic treatment for werewolves as Nosferatu did for vampires. In anticipation, here’s a rundown of the ten best werewolf movies from the 2020s.

10
‘The Beast Within’ (2024)

In the gripping film titled “The Beast Within“, Kit Harington takes on a captivating role. This movie, which stirred quite a debate among audiences, endeavored to revive the age-old folklore elements within the werewolf genre. The narrative centers around Willow (Caoilinn Springall), who uncovers an intriguing secret: her father, Noah (Harington), appears to be under a mysterious curse that transforms him into a werewolf. The movie’s shocking finale elicited controversy among viewers due to its surprising reinterpretation of the werewolf transformation.

Although the movie “The Beast Within” was met with mixed opinions from critics, as it received a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 42 reviews, it presents a fresh perspective on the werewolf genre. The film creates an eerie ambiance, showcases an authentic-looking werewolf, and, similar to “The Wolf Man“, employs the monster as a symbol of the horrors stemming from generational trauma. In this instance, the narrative is told through the perspective of a child. Essentially, “The Beast Within” can be seen as a modern interpretation of a Grimm fairy tale and has since garnered a following on streaming platforms.

9
‘Werewolves’ (2024)

The essence of the movie “Werewolves” can be summarized as follows: Imagine if the concept of “The Purge” was combined with werewolves, and you’d have this film. Starring Frank Grillo from the “Purge” franchise, it revolves around an eventful night when a supermoon triggers werewolf transformations in humans. Corporations race to find an antidote, but things spiral out of control. Our protagonist, Wesley Marshall (played by Grillo), battles through the city to rescue his sister-in-law and niece. If there was an Academy Award for the Best Marketing Hook, the movie’s tagline— “One year ago, a supermoon turned millions into werewolves”— would undoubtedly win the prize.

Although the movie Werewolves may not fully deliver on its promise, perhaps because of budget restrictions, it nonetheless offers an impressive demonstration of potential for future films and a delightful homage to late ’80s B-action horror flicks. The werewolf effects are remarkably well done, and director Steven C. Miller seems to relish transforming the typical zombie-ridden urban landscape into an even more suspenseful setting by populating the streets with colossal, fearsome werewolves that attack, bite, and maul their victims. Katrina Law delivers a solid supporting role, and the overall feel of the film recalls the grindhouse era. Many viewers might have missed this gem during the holiday season, but for lovers of horror and ’80s action movies, Werewolves is definitely worth watching.

8
‘Wolf Manor’ (‘Scream of the Wolf’) (2022)

Wolf Manor” (originally known as “Scream of the Wolf” in the U.S.) is a British horror-comedy with a humorous twist on classic horror films, particularly aiming to surpass the satirical tone of “An American Werewolf in London.” The title itself, “Wolf Manor,” is a witty reference to “The Wolf Man,” hinting at the film’s playful and lighthearted approach. The story revolves around a movie production team working on a vampire film within an abandoned manor, who soon find themselves pursued by a werewolf.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must confess that the release of “Wolf Manor” stirred quite a debate among moviegoers, with its reception being somewhat divided. This divide was partly fueled by its marketing strategy and classification. In certain regions where the film is accessible, it’s exclusively categorized as a horror flick instead of a horror-comedy. This mislabeling has created unreasonable expectations, as the intended humor in the werewolf design can come off as cheesy or unconvincing when viewed strictly from a horror perspective.

However, delve deeper and you’ll discover that “Wolf Manor” embraces British comedic nuances wholeheartedly, serving as a satirical commentary on the trials and tribulations of low-budget filmmaking. Essentially, it’s a self-aware movie about a team producing a horror film under tight financial constraints—it’s a shoestring-budget film about making a shoestring-budget horror film!

Once you embrace the idea that this production is more focused on eliciting laughs than scares, it transforms into an amusing adventure.

7
‘The Wolf of Snow Hollow’ (2020)

a werewolf.

Among the two detective-style werewolf movies here, “The Wolf of Snow Hollow” stands out due to its chilling snowy setting (we’ll discuss the other one later). Director Jim Cummings and cinematographer Natalie Kingston create a suspenseful murder-mystery vibe similar to the popular series “Hannibal”. Employing a werewolf as a mystery creature was innovative at its release, and “The Wolf of Snow Hollow” remains captivating even now. You can currently stream it for free on Tubi.

6
‘The Cursed’ (2021)

In a different phrasing:

The movie titled “The Cursed” (different from Wes Craven’s 2005 film “Cursed” about werewolves) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021, under its original name, “Eight for Silver.” Directed by Sean Ellis, who worked on “Metro Manila,” and starring Boyd Holbrook from “Logan,” Kelly Reilly of “Yellowstone,” Alistair Petrie from “Rogue One,” Roxane Duran from “Interview with the Vampire,” and Áine Rose Daly from “Hanna,” “The Cursed” is a horror film filled with chilling ambiance. This film, set in the rural French countryside during the 19th century, revolves around a town being tormented by—as one might expect—a werewolf.

Instead of a typical werewolf film, “The Cursed” might disappoint viewers seeking a traditional approach, as it unfolds at a slow pace, building tension primarily in its final act. However, it skillfully employs its 1800s setting to reconnect the werewolf with its folklore origins, highlighting the fear and helplessness one would feel encountering such a beast during that era. Despite the excessive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in portraying the werewolf, it offers a fresh and unconventional perspective on the creature. Essentially, “The Cursed” caters to fans of monster movies who are also intrigued by history and gothic horror.

5
‘I Am Lisa’ (2020)

The movie titled “I Am Lisa” is a chilling horror-revenge flick that features a werewolf, making it an absolute must-watch. The film narrates the tale of Lisa (Kristen Vagnos), a young lady who endures a brutal attack in the forest at the hands of a corrupt sheriff and her vicious daughter. After being bitten by a werewolf and left for dead, Lisa embarks on a quest for retribution against those who wronged her. Notably directed by esteemed indie filmmaker Patrick Rea, “I Am Lisa” presents an intriguing feminist perspective on the werewolf genre, transforming what is often portrayed as a curse into a powerful empowerment narrative.

In the movie “I Am Lisa”, the way the werewolf was depicted drew some criticism, but its gradual, understated transformation was more reminiscent of “Ginger Snaps” rather than the large-scale transformations seen in films like “The Howling” and “An American Werewolf in London”. What makes “I Am Lisa” stand out in the werewolf genre is its innovative blend of revenge fantasy with teen horror. In this film, lycanthropy is portrayed as a superpower that’s used to combat the evil deeds committed by humans. Unfortunately, due to being released during the COVID-19 pandemic, “I Am Lisa” didn’t receive much attention and went largely unnoticed like many other smaller films at the time. However, it’s definitely worth watching if you can find it.

4
‘Wolf Man’ (2025)

The latest movie on the list is Leigh Whannell’s “Wolf Man,” a film that has been met with mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. This modern take on Universal Monster’s “The Wolf Man,” released in 2025, tells the story of Blake Lovell (Christopher Abbott), a seemingly ordinary family man who takes his wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner), and daughter, Ginger (Miranda Firth), on a trip to his old family home. Unfortunately, while there, he is bitten by a werewolf. As the werewolf infection takes hold, Blake transforms from a loving father into a dangerous monster, posing a threat to his own family.

In a fresh take on the “The Wolf Man” series, the film “Wolf Man” eliminates supernatural elements and portrays the werewolf bite as a debilitating disease that progressively impairs motor skills. The story follows Blake’s journey, where his sight becomes increasingly sharper, his loved ones distort into alien-like figures in vivid hues, and his senses become hyper-alert. At the same time, the audience experiences the family’s perspective as they witness Blake’s gradual loss of control over his transformation.

The design of the Wolf Man movie stirred up debates, yet it offers an intriguing perspective on a seldom-explored aspect of werewolf lore. Instead of relying on conventional startling moments, this film explores the dread of losing self-control over one’s body and, ultimately, the anxiety of causing harm to loved ones unwillingly. Although it doesn’t provide the same level of relief as Whannell’s The Invisible Man, it shares similarities with the 1941 movie in its tragic narrative.

3
‘Werewolf by Night’ (2022)

The initial and solitary Halloween special produced by Marvel Studios, titled Werewolf by Night, stands out as one of the most impressive additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Inspired by the comic book character with the same name, Werewolf by Night focuses on Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), who infiltrates a clandestine group of monster hunters for a mission to rescue his pal Ted, also known as The Man-Thing. Jack teams up with Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), the child of a renowned monster hunter, in their joint effort to reclaim her ancestral legacy from her wicked stepmother and prevent the hazardous hunters. Meanwhile, they strive to keep Jack’s werewolf identity hidden before it is set free.

Under the skilled direction of composer Michael Giacchino, I found myself utterly captivated by “Werewolf by Night.” This production, a heartfelt tribute to the timeless Universal Horror creatures, is beautifully crafted in black-and-white, with intricate set designs that mirror the artificial backdrops of classic monster films. The care and passion poured into every detail make it nearly impossible not to be swept off your feet by this masterpiece. Furthermore, it stands as a compelling rebuttal to any criticism suggesting all Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects share the same formula. Nothing within the franchise—or contemporary cinema for that matter—bears such an unique and captivating aesthetic as “Werewolf by Night.

The title character’s werewolf design is exceptional, seamlessly translating the comic design into reality while also standing as a worthy successor to the legendary 1941 Jack Pierce makeup from “The Wolf Man.” In a tasteful tribute, Marvel Studios unveiled a colorized version of “Werewolf by Night,” depicting the narrative in the vibrant colors characteristic of Hammer Horror films from the 1950s. The series, titled “Werewolf by Night,” is exceptional and fans are anxiously anticipating the return of Jack Russell, Man-Thing, and Elsa Bloodstone in the MCU.

2
‘Wolfwalkers’ (2020)

Wolfwalkers deviates from the typical werewolf movie genre definition, yet why should all werewolf films be confined to horror? Instead, it derives its folklore roots in Irish mythology about werewolves, making it a remarkable film—one of the top picks for 2020. The tale revolves around Robyn Goodfellowe (Honor Kneafsey), a trainee hunter, and Mebh Óg MacTíre (Eva Whittaker), a girl living wild in the woods as a wolfwalker—someone capable of transforming into a wolf. Set in Ireland during the year 1650, the story unfolds as Robyn uncovers her own ability to transform into a wolf at night. In their unique alliance, these two friends aim to restore harmony between the fearful humans and the supernatural wolves.

In simpler terms, “Wolfwalkers” is a joint production between Irish studio Cartoon Saloon and Luxembourg’s Mélusine Productions, their third collaboration after “Song of the Sea” and “The Breadwinner.” The animation style is stunning, reminiscent of wood carvings, making each scene stand out like the most beautiful illustrations in a picture book. With fluid animation, superb voice acting, and a deeply moving script, “Wolfwalkers” isn’t just one of the best werewolf movies of this decade; it’s one of the best films overall for this decade. It was even nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, but should have won the top prize.

1
‘Werewolves Within’ (2021)

Filmmaker and humorist Josh Ruben has gained recognition in the genre of horror-comedy, and his newest production, Heart Eyes, is receiving rave criticisms. His previous work, Werewolves Within, stands out as not only the top werewolf film of the last ten years but also the most successful video game adaptation yet. Indeed, Werewolves Within was adapted from the Ubisoft video game bearing the same name, itself inspired by the popular murder-mystery party game named Werewolf. The movie transposes the medieval backdrop to a modern Vermont town, where a newly appointed sheriff (Sam Richardson) must identify which of the town’s quirky residents could be a bloodthirsty werewolf.

As I sat down to watch “Werewolves Within,” I was immediately captivated by its deft blend of horror and laughter. The film masterfully maintains an eerie tension that keeps you guessing throughout the mystery, yet never forgets to throw in a well-timed joke when needed. Director Ruben Fleischer’s background in improv is evident, as he skillfully orchestrates a powerhouse ensemble of comedic stars such as Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub, whose performances are truly scene-stealing.

Werewolves Within delivers a captivating whodunit with characters so charming they’re played by today’s top comedians, creating a film that leaves audiences grinning from ear to ear and eagerly recommending it to friends. The movie demonstrates that the werewolf genre still holds untapped potential for creativity and originality.

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2025-02-09 03:03