Unleash the Laughter with Werewolf Tales

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Initially considered too scary for comedy and too humorous for horror, John Landis' An American Werewolf in London was shelved for over a decade. This tale of two backpackers attacked by a werewolf on the English moors expertly blurs the lines between genres. When Jack is killed and David survives, the lycanthropic curse is passed on. In the early days of recovery, Jack returns as a grisly corpse, warning David of the horrors to come. As David's victims pile up, Landis maintains a light and humorous tone with ingenious jump scares and a delightful soundtrack. David's first transformation is a legendary moment in horror, set to Sam Cooke's "Blue Moon" and filled with both agony and endearment. Despite the serious subject matter, Landis makes it all work with an incredibly likeable leading man.

We experience these horrors through David's relatable eyes, and Landis keeps us engaged with upbeat tunes even in the midst of sadness. This film is a masterclass in blending genres and creating a unique horror-comedy experience.

Teen Wolf (1985)

Four years later, Rod Daniels used werewolf folklore to explore adolescent development in Teen Wolf. Scott Howard, a dorky seventeen-year-old, discovers his lycanthropic heritage and undergoes a strange transformation. Covered in long brown hair, with glowing red eyes and fangs, Scott struggles to deal with his newfound visibility. His transformation during a basketball game leads to a crisis of confidence as his true friends turn against him.

Michael J. Fox plays this juxtaposition perfectly, bringing out Scott's awkwardness and the charisma of his wolven alter-ego. Musical montages show the Wolf's newfound popularity, but Fox never forgets the human side. Teen Wolf remains one of the genre's most unexpected and life-affirming horror comedies.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's What We Do in the Shadows merges the old with the new in a droll sendup of classic folklore. A clan of vampire flatmates films a reality TV-style documentary about their unusual lifestyle. When they encounter a pack of werewolves, hilarity ensues.

These werewolves steal every scene with their striking normalcy. Anton and his pack have humorous solutions to the mundanity of the werewolf curse, but they also remind us of ordinary people. Their supernatural lifestyle is juxtaposed with their human-like behavior, creating a unique and entertaining film.

Wolfcop (2014)

Lowell Dean's Wolfcop takes werewolf lore into the land of parody. Lou Garou, an alcoholic officer, witnesses an occult sacrifice and wakes up with a pentagram carved into his skin. His body begins to change, leading to a gruesome werewolf transformation. Despite this, Wolfcop uses his newfound powers to clean up the streets of Woodhaven.

Dean revels in the ludicrous with one outrageous sequence after another. Wolfcop's cruiser is tricked out, he barks one-liners, and has passionate sex while covered in fur. The film is a nod to An American Werewolf in London with original songs romanticizing the werewolf life.

Werewolves Within (2021)

Josh Ruben's Werewolves Within derives its humor from a town filled with misfits and an unlikely hero. Park Ranger Finn Wheeler arrives in snowy Beaverfield when a mysterious beast terrorizes the residents. A beloved pet is devoured, and suspicions arise as they search for the wolfy murderer.

Mailperson Cecily turns out to be the werewolf, stirring up chaos. Finn is personally offended by her betrayal, but he refuses to change. This film shows that we all go through our own transformations, and perhaps facing a werewolf helps us find the truth within ourselves.

Werewolves claws into theaters this Friday, December 6, 2024. Get tickets now and enter to win a custom werewolf head by legendary SFX maestro Alec Gillis.