Teenage werewolf movies are on the prowl! Those stories about those wolfy kids are always a hit with the horror crowd. Teen Wolf, a heartwarming horror comedy starring Michael J. Fox, hits its 38th anniversary this month, so it's a great time to talk about teenage werewolves! From the Native American tribe of principled wolves to the female horror drama of Ginger Snaps and the newly released horror romance of My Animal, there are a lot of stories to explore. Read more: Now We Know Who Willem Dafoe Is Playing In Beetlejuice 2.
My Animal (2023)
This delicate and emotional story of a young woman coming to terms with who she is, a werewolf, and her sexuality is a different kind of horror romance—directed by Jacqueline Castel, written by musician Jae Matthews, and starring Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi von Palleske, and Cory Lipman. It is more of an impressionistic werewolf story, but Heather breaks free as a werewolf and goes on a rampage.
I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)
I Was a Teenage Werewolf is a monster movie, but it also revolves around the idea that a teenager with a bad temper could become a werewolf following hypnotherapy and treatment with a dangerous serum. For everyone who loves the family television show Little House on the Prairie, it is an early role for actor Michael Landon, who would go on to play Pa Landon on the show. He plays Tony Rivers, a troubled kid who had a traumatic childhood. It was directed by Gene Fowler Jr. and also stars Whit Bissell and
Yvonne Lime. Read more: The Exorcist: Believer's Physical Release Is Jam-Packed With Special Features.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton, Ginger Snaps is a beloved new horror classic about two outcast goth sisters dealing with lycanthropy and typical teenage angst. The film explores the idea of a teenage girl's transition into womanhood as something that can be scary but ultimately liberating. It's a tragedy like many werewolf stories are, but it also shows a young woman coming into her power and exploring who she is as a female human being. It features an early role for genre favorite Katharine Isabelle and stars Emily Perkins, Kris Lemche, and Mimi Rogers.
Wolves (2014)
Wolves tell the story of Caden, a young man who doesn't know he is a werewolf but finds out after his wolf rage causes him to maul two fellow students and kill two people after losing control during a high school football game. After he flees, he finds a group of werewolves living as humans but engaged in a stealthy war between different families. The lesser-known werewolf movie stars Jason Momoa, Lucas Till, Stephen McHattie, and John Pyper-Ferguson. Read more: Black Friday Terror: Shop 'Till You Drop With Horror Movies Set In Malls.
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
It is important to note that the cherished Halloween anthology film does include a group of teenage werewolves. One of the most surprising segments in an admittedly surprising film that has more than one twist and turn, Surprise Party sets up a common horror scenario. In it, it seems a young woman, Laurie, is being stalked by a villainous serial killer, but who is stalking whom? The segment stars Anna Pacquin, Lauren Lee Smith, Rochelle Aytes, and Moneca Delain. Telling anyone more would ruin the surprise if you haven't seen it.
The Twilight Saga (2008 - 2012)
Some may scoff, but The Twilight Saga is about vampires and werewolves, and while its main focus is as a horror romance, I think it is a crucial gateway franchise for teenagers into the horror genre. It can't be passed over since we're talking about teenage werewolves. A high schooler named Bella moves to a small town and becomes enraptured by another teenager named Edward Cullen, and it turns out that Edward is a vampire. Then, when Edward moves away, she becomes friends with Jacob, who is part of a Native American werewolf tribe. The series stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner as the human, vampire, and werewolf love triangle members. The films were directed by Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade, and Bill Condon. Slade is well known in the genre for directing the savage horror film 30 Days of Night. Read more: The 2023 Fangoria Horror Holiday Gift Guide.
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004)
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed is the sequel in the aftermath of the events in the first film. Written by Megan Martin and directed by Brett Sullivan, it shows how the surviving sister, Brigitte Fitzgerald, tries to deal with her newly acquired lycanthropy after her sister Ginger's death. It stars Emily Perkins, Tatiana Maslany, Eric Johnson, Janet Kidder, and Katharine Isabelle. Ginger returns as a ghostly presence that seeks to help her sister from beyond.
Blood and Chocolate (2007)
Blood and Chocolate is a film that wasn't considered a success when it was released, but it is a werewolf film that falls more into the romantic teen category, so it bears rediscovery. It stars Agnes Bruckner as Vivian Gandillon, an orphaned werewolf who begins a romantic relationship with Aiden, played by Hugh Dancy. Dancy is now best known for Hannibal. Vivian is pursued by Gabriel, played by French star Olivier Martinez. The film was directed by Katja von Garnier and co-written by Ehren Kruger, known for writing the American remake of The Ring, and Christopher B. Landon, known for Happy Death Day and set to direct Scream 7.
Goosebumps (2015)
The teenage werewolf in Goosebumps, a horror comedy, is more along the lines of a wolfy cameo than a main character but is quite memorable. In the film Slappy the Dummy sets free monsters from the Goosebumps stories written by R.L. Stine, played by Jack Black. Slappy frees Will Black, the teenage werewolf from The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, and I won't tell you what comes next, but it's a highlight of the film. It also stars Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, and Amy Ryan.
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004)
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning is the prequel of the trilogy that was filmed simultaneously as the sequel Ginger Snaps Back. The Fitzgerald sisters, Ginger and Brigette, have the same names and strong sisterly bonds as the girls' 19th-century ancestors in Canada. A werewolf bite infects Ginger, and the sisters must fight for survival against settlers who fear werewolves. The movie again stars Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins and was filmed back to back with Ginger Snaps Back.