[Editorial] 11 Best Werewolf Transformations in Horror Films

There is no shortage of werewolf films in the horror genre, but the success of these movies can often hinge on the creature design and the transformation scene, both of which are considered key parts of the werewolf story.

While some films successfully opt to leave the transformation scene out completely, like the wonderful Dog Soldiers (2002), those who decide to include it need to make sure they get it right, or it can kill the whole vibe of the film. So load up on silver bullets, mark your calendar for the next full moon, and check out 11 of the best werewolf transformations!

11. The Company of Wolves (1984)

The Company of Wolves is a gothic fantasy folk horror which deals with teenage sexuality, the threats which can be lurking in the forest and closer to home, and why trusting men can often lead to trouble. And while wolves are a running theme through many of the story segments, the best scene is where the Young Groom reveals he is a werewolf by transforming in front of his wife.

As his face contorts with rage, the Young Groom rips the skin off his head and hands to reveal the wolf underneath. This is far more bloody than your typical werewolf transformation, showing the painful possibilities of your body changing shape whenever the full moon pops up.

10. Van Helsing (2004)

Van Helsing may not be considered a cinematic masterpiece, but I am possibly one of its biggest fans, so I needed to include it on this list. The inclusion of a lot of CGI when it comes to the monster effects definitely dates the film to the early 2000s, but it still manages to have a fab werewolf transformation scene. 

Dracula has taken control of a werewolf, Velkan, in Transylvania in order to help bring about his master plan of creating a brood of vampire babies. However, this werewolf is still at the mercy of the full moon, so we get to see him change from his human form and back again a few times. When the moon hits, Velkan rips the skin from his body in huge chunks revealing the wolf underneath.

9. Silver Bullet (1985)

Silver Bullet is a bit of a werewolf whodunnit as we try to figure out who is changing once a month and picking off residents of Tarker’s Mills in Maine. However, schoolboy Marty attacks the werewolf on the Fourth of July and injures its eye, making it much easier to pinpoint the wolf when it’s in its human form. 

After convincing Sheriff Haller to investigate, the policeman comes across Reverend Lowe trying to restrain himself in his garage. Lowe transforms in front of the shocked Sheriff, bludgeoning him to death in a bid to keep his secret.

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8. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Laurie is off to a Halloween party dressed as Little Red Riding Hood with her sister and their friends in the woods. Laurie is a lot shyer than the other girls in her group and doesn’t seem as worried about securing a date as the other women. 

When she is followed into the woods by a man dressed as a vampire, it seems like Laurie may be the next bloody victim in this tale. However, it is soon revealed that Laurie and her friends are a pack of werewolves, who have lured the men into the woods for dinner.

7. An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)

Now, the overall werewolf design in An American Werewolf in Paris is somewhat questionable, but there’s one scene that I love so much that I will use any excuse to talk about it. Serafine is a werewolf, and in the opening scene of the movie, we see her attack her stepfather, Dr Pigot. Pigot’s legs are lost in the attack, but he survives and is kept in the basement under medical supervision.

After American tourist Chris ends up locked in the basement with Dr Pigot, he finds out the hard way that he’s a werewolf too. And despite having no legs and being strapped to the table, Pigot still proves terrifying as he chases Chris around the basement.

6. Ginger Snaps (2000)

Unlike most of the movies on this list, Ginger Snaps features a month-long transformation which sees the victim looking forward to life as a permanent werewolf rather than changing when the moon appears. Ginger is attacked and bitten by a werewolf on the full moon, and over the next 28 days, she and her younger sister Brigitte try to find a way to fight the infection.

Ginger starts to grow hair, fangs, and a tail on top of a rapidly changing face and silver hair. And by the time Halloween and the next full moon rolls around, Ginger is past saving. As Brigitte drives her home to try and administer a last-minute antidote, we see Ginger transform into her wolf form in the back of the van.

5. Late Phases (2014)

When Ambrose moves into a retirement community with his dog, even though it’s not his choice of lifestyle, he’s hoping for a quiet life. However, unfortunately for Ambrose, there happens to be a werewolf attacking the elderly residents. As the next full moon looms, Ambrose starts to prepare to ensure he’s not the next victim on the wolf’s list.

When we find out who the werewolf is, it’s another skin-ripping affair as the wolf literally bursts out of the human body. Fur grows from under torn flesh, claws rip through fingertips, and human teeth are expelled from the mouth as the werewolf is finally revealed in all its glory.

4. Thriller (1982)

Thriller is the first John Landis-directed were-creature on this list but it won’t be the last. Even though the main focus of this epic music video is the dancing zombies, the opening scene focuses on Michael Jackson and his date running into car trouble in a 1950s setting. Without another option, the pair walk through the woods. Things seem to be going well, but when the full moon pops out, it’s revealed that Michael is a werecat.

As his date screams in horror, Michael slowly transforms into a terrifying creature. His eyes change to yellow, his fingers twist and extend, and the skin on his face contorts and stretches before his final form is revealed.

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3. Wolf Cop (2014)

Lou Garou is a policeman with a drinking problem who gets turned into a werewolf without his knowledge. While he notices slight changes in his senses after he wakes up with a pentagram carved into his stomach, he doesn’t think much of it. However, while he’s having a drink at his local bar he finds himself transforming into a werewolf. 

After peeing blood (surprisingly our first mention of this on this list), Lou starts to change dick first, with his wolf member bursting out of his skin. As his hand bursts open with claws, chunks of Lou’s skin litter the bathroom floor, and his face splits down the middle, covering the mirror in sprays of blood.

2. The Howling (1981)

We know from the opening scene that killer Eddie Quest is a complete creep. Not only is he stalking news anchor Karen White, but he insists on meeting her at a local porn theatre when she tries to help the police catch him. So when poor Karen is cornered by Eddie, he takes full advantage, trapping her and terrifying her as much as possible.

As Karen watches on, Eddie slowly changes in front of her. After fishing a bullet out of his skull, Eddie’s face bubbles and contorts. His cheekbones extend, his eyes change colours, and his claws grow from his fingers. Eventually, his shirt bursts open to show his changing body underneath.

1. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

We had to save the best for last, and with the second John Landis entry on our list comes the best werewolf transformation of all time. While David is walking the Yorkshire moors with his friend Jack he is attacked by a werewolf. Jack is killed, and while David is lucky to be alive, he soon finds out he has not escaped completely unscathed. 

When the next full moon pops up, David is thrown into one of the most painful and body-contorting werewolf transformations ever. The change starts in David’s hands, hair sprouts all over his body, his legs bend the wrong way, and his snout extends, all while David roars in pain.

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