I admit it willingly - I have always been enthralled with the monster movie genre. Vampires, werewolves, zombies - I'm there! Sitting on the edge of my seat, enjoying every moment, and always ready for more. Werewolf movies are a challenge. Believability in the form of human that shape-shifts into a wolf (or wolf-like) creature is hard to come by. But there are a few werewolf movies that rank at the top of the genre and deserve recognition.

Dog Soldiers

In my opinion, the best, all-time werewolf movie! I will readily admit that I never saw the true nature of our heroine coming until it was way too late. This movie has everything - soldiers, spies, set deep in the forest, lovely young woman who needs rescuing (or does she?) and lot of huge, ugly, ferocious werewolves. I consider a horror movie to be good if it catches me off guard and makes me catch my breathe. This one did it more than once.

Silver Bullet

While Stephen King's novel-turned-film has a few corny moments, it also packs a few really good howls. This one keeps you going until the very end as the fear of our your star (and intended victim) seems to roll off the screen and creep into your heart. Viewers will be surprised at the identity of the werewolf and you will not know for sure until the end.

Underworld Trilogy

These films take third, fourth and fifth place. They have everything - vampires, werewolves, sexy men, sexy women, action, action, action. They are every bit as exciting as the Blade Trilogy and they have werewolves to boot! What more could a girl ask for?

Van Helsing

Okay, while the main draw here is Hugh Jackman, Will Kemp makes an incredibly sexy werewolf in human form and when he turns...watch out! Fast, furious, fanged and furry, this werewolf is wild. While he isn't the main character, he definitely ranks up in the top portrayals of his wolf-like kind.

Wolf

Who doesn't love Jack Nicholson? Put him together with Michelle Pfieffer and you have box-office magic. But it isn't magic that draws these two together - it's animal magnetism. More than once, this werewolf offering gets more than a bit steamy. Watch out for those fangs...and those eyes. They are haunting. If you like a little romance with your werewolf, then this is the film for you.

Cursed

I will always remember the way those human hands morph into werewolf claws. It looked really, really painful. And poor Christina Ricci looks so confused. Should she be enjoying her new change of character or is she simply evil? This is a good look at the inner turmoil that must come with the metaphysical changes that are inherent to "werewolfism." A thrill a minute and more than once, a bit shocking! Lock the doors!

American Werewolf in London

This was my first werewolf movie and it made my heart race. Mauled corpses warning of impending doom, excellent photography and leads to the eeriness of the film, and one huge, strong, bad werewolf. This is a werewolf classic that everyone needs to take the time to see.

Nature of the Beast

Okay, not a "real" werewolf movie, since it is made-for-television (The Family Channel)and actually sort of cutesy. But for the younger crowd, this is a decent indoctrination - okay, that's a lie, it is a careful easing - into the werewolf genre. Clearly this one will leave newcomers for a craving for the "real" stuff, but you have to cut your teeth somewhere, yes?

Have a Howlingly Haunting Halloween!

Learn more about this author, Cynthia L Parker.
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