2025's Wolf Man was just released in theaters this past weekend. There was a lot of buzz around the movie and the potential for a new werewolf transformation. The director Leigh Whannell teased that it is unlike any werewolf movie we've seen before. He was right about that, but is that necessarily a good thing?
Werewolf movies are a dime a dozen, trying to constantly one-up the other. The best part about these films is the transformations. The moment when the character loses all of their human characteristics, and they turn into the hairy monster we know and love. Wolf Man certainly takes a stab at flipping the trope on its head but fails to do so, in my opinion.
Here is my top 10 ranking of werewolf transformations, including Wolf Man.
1. American Werewolf in London (1981)
Naturally, this list starts off with American Werewolf in London. This iconic movie is widely known and loved. The gnarly transformation of David is by far the best werewolf transformation I've ever seen. David screams in agony while his bones begin to lengthen and expand into his true form.
The best transformations are the ones that are extremely painful because the bones are typically breaking and shifting into something animalistic. David Naughton is a huge part of the transformation's success as he does a phenomenal job acting like the animal within is tearing him apart. Not only is the scene done extremely well, but it also holds up for being over 40 years old. The practical effects are scary and quite realistic.
2. The Howling (1981)
The Howling was released in the same year as American Werewolf in London but received much less attention. Having two werewolf movies back to back makes it extremely hard not to compare the two. However, The Howling is still a great werewolf movie and iconic in its terrifying transformation.
The Howling transformation is not necessarily painful for the character as he actually seems to enjoy the snapping and shifting of his own bones. Eddie (Robert Picardio) transforms for at least three minutes, and the scene is somewhat long for a werewolf transformation but is done so well that it lets the terror settle in. The practical effects and makeup are on the same level as American Werewolf in London and again hold up even now.
3. Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)
Hemlock Grove is a TV series that was a Netflix original and lasted for three seasons. The show is not just about werewolves but many other mythical creatures. The werewolf transformation is severely underrated but also takes inspiration from A Company of Wolves (1984). The transformation is one of the bloodiest I've ever seen.
Peter (Landon Liboiron) was cursed by a witch and that is why he becomes a werewolf. The transformation is another painful change that takes quite some time. Peter's eyes and teeth fall out as the wolf's features take their place. The mouth of a wolf begins to emerge from his face, and the effect is pretty well done and unique to werewolf transformations.
4. Van Helsing (2004)
Van Helsing is one of my favorite gothic campy movies. What's not to love about it? Dracula vs. Van Helsing? Frankenstein? Hugh Jackman? The list goes on and on. One of the best parts of the movie is not Van Helsing's werewolf but rather Velkan's (Will Kemp) own transformation.
The movie relies pretty heavily on CGI, but it could have been a lot worse for its time. Velkan's transformation is actually quite enthralling, and it's pretty fast but effective. As the moon peeks out from behind the clouds, he defies gravity, crawling up the wall as the curse overtakes him. Velkan begins to tear at his own skin while the wolf peeks through. Van Helsing is undoubtedly cheesy but still has moments of greatness.
5. Underworld (2003)
Similar to Van Helsing, Underworld is another great gothic campy horror. Underworld is about vampires vs. werewolves, although they go by lycans instead. There are a couple of werewolf transformations over the course of the series. However, I enjoyed Michael's transformation the most.
Michael (Scott Speedman) has a pretty unique perspective on the transformation. Instead of watching bones change and break from the outside, we get a shot of the bones shifting inside. His heart begins to beat faster, and his ribs expand to the point of torment. The transformation of the lycan in this movie is entertaining, and the final form of the werewolves is intimidating.
6. Ginger Snaps (2000)
Ginger Snaps stands out amongst the rest of the movies on this list. For once, it follows the transformation of a woman instead of a man. It's an atypical werewolf movie that I would consider to be a hidden gem.
Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) is bitten by another werewolf, but she doesn't suddenly change on a full moon. Instead, she changes slowly over time. Ginger begins to notice more hair than usual, claws sticking out, her teeth getting sharper, and a tail sprouting from her bone. Once Ginger finally transforms, she turns into a very unique-looking wolf, all thanks to the practical effects.
7. The Wolfman (2010)
Wolf Man's (2025) predecessor, The Wolfman, follows the traditional formula of a man turning into a hairy, bloodthirsty beast. The transformation happens pretty fast but has certain elements that really shine through the goofy CGI.
Larry (Benicio del Toro) is put in front of a class accused of having delusions despite his warnings of animalistic urges. The teacher begins to explain his delusions, but Larry begins his transformation in front of a bunch of people. They can only watch in horror as his bones elongate and shift into a monster. The shots of his hands breaking and his eyes bulging are my favorite parts, so I can forgive the CGI.
8. Wolf Man (2025)
Wolf Man had fans concerned when the werewolf was revealed at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. The design was unlike any werewolf we've seen, and after seeing the movie, I can say the design did not live up to the hype.
Wolf Man does some really interesting things with perspective and sound but loses its intrigue during the transformation. Blake's (Christopher Abbott) transformation is slow and comes on like a virus, and eventually, he loses sense of himself. The transformation again looks pretty painful as his fingernails fall off and bones shift in his chest and face. His full transformation doesn't even look like a werewolf, and that is where my disappointment lies.
9. The Wolfman (1941)
I think it would be wrong to have a werewolf transformation list without The Wolfman. The 1941 version was not the first ever werewolf movie, but it sprung the monster into the limelight. The tropes we have come to know and use as 'rules' originated from this film.
The Wolfman transformation is very short in this movie. We barely get to see anything. Larry (Lon Chaney Jr.) begins to transform, and all we see is his legs growing hairier and hairier. Eventually, the scene cuts to him in full werewolf form, but for the time, the transformation was groundbreaking.
10. Teen Wolf (1985)
Teen Wolf does something interesting with the trope and decides to make the transformation widely accepted. The main character is not ashamed of his secret but instead flaunts it in front of everyone. Teen Wolf is a pretty popular werewolf movie and inspired the TV show by the same name, although they took a horror approach instead of being a comedy.
The transformation of Scott (Michael J. Fox) is still similar to some on this list, with bones moving underneath the face and hair growing in places it shouldn't. The difference is that the transformation isn't painful but is treated as something comedic. The final wolf form is pretty goofy, and I find it hard to take it seriously. But that's how Teen Wolf should be treated. However, I prefer the scary werewolves that are bloodthirsty and hunt people based on instinct.