Werewolves are one of the classic movie monsters, but it's hard to find films with them that aren't too intense or violent for families to watch. Here are five films that are light on the gore and violence, but still have some scares, werewolf style.
Better have some silver on hand for watching these films.
Blood and Chocolate (2007)
This film adaptation of the young adult novel of the same name, by Annette Curtis Klause, centers on a young teenage girl descended from a long line of "loups-garoux" - humans who can shape-shift into wolf-like creatures. She is promised to the leader of the pack, but falls for an American cartoonist researching werewolves for his publisher. Forced to choose between family and love, what will she do?
There were a few liberties taken in bringing this popular book to the screen, but it's still acceptable for the older teen audience. This a very stylized, low-gore werewolf film, in the vein of any of the Twilight films.
- Director: Katia von Garnier
- Writers: Ehren Kruger; Christopher B. Landon
- Cast: Agnes Bruckner, Hugh Dancy; Oliver Martinez
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
Cursed (2005)
Ellie is a PR executive who has juggled work with taking care of her younger brother Jimmy since the death of their parents. One night, the two are attacked by some unknown creature. As it gets closer to the full moon, the two start to realize that they may be cursed and destined to become werewolves if they don't find and kill the one that mauled them.
Think of this as a Scream-lite of werewolf films. It has the usual Wes Craven self-aware comedic tone to it, but it is still a horror film. It's also fun to spot the cameos throughout the film.
There is an unrated version of this DVD with the two minutes of footage that was edited out to bring the film down to an acceptable level to get a PG-13 rating for theaters. The additional bits of gore don't change the storyline at all. The unrated DVD also has some entertaining featurettes to watch.
- Director: Wes Craven
- Writer: Kevin Williamson
- Cast: Christina Ricci; Jesse Eisenberg; Joshua Jackson; Portia de Rossi
- MPAA Rating: PG-13 / Unrated (DVD)
Silver Bullet (1985)
Based on the Stephen King story, Cycle of the Werewolf, the film centers on siblings Jane (the narrator of the film) and her paraplegic younger brother Marty. Left in the care of their alcoholic uncle, the kids become aware that a recent wave of deaths are caused by a werewolf, and Marty figures out who this creature is in human form. The only problem is nobody will believe him, and now the werewolf is out to get him.
Even though this movie has an R-rating, other than a few swear words and some blood and mild gore, this is actually a pretty tame horror movie That doesn't mean it won't have appeal for adults, though, because the story is well-written and the acting is really good. There are some real moments of suspense. Nowadays, this film might even earn a PG-13 with just a few seconds trimmed off. Not for young kids, but older teens should be fine.
- Director: Daniel Attias
- Writer: Stephen King
- Cast: Gary Busey, Corey Haim, Terry O'Quinn; Megan Follows; Everett McGill
- MPAA Rating: R
Teen Wolf (1985)
A teen boy discovers that puberty brings on another unexpected change - he turns into a werewolf. With this comes superhuman powers that make him a star on the school basketball team, as well as big wolf on campus.
The only thing scary about this film is how cheesy it can get. But when choosing a werewolf film the whole family can enjoy together, this is the one to pick. Fox made being a lycanthrope so cool, this movie is a classic among 80s films.
- Director: Rod Daniel
- Writer: Jeph Loeb; Matthew Weisman
- Cast: Michael J. Fox; James Hampton; Susan Ursitti; Doug Savant
- MPAA Rating: PG
The Wolf Man (1941)
When his brother dies, Larry Talbot travels from America to his ancestral homeland in Europe. Visiting a gypsy camp with a village girl, he is bitten by a gypsy who has turned into a werewolf. He learns he is now cursed to transform into a werewolf. Transformed by the full moon, he finds himself hunted by the village, led by his disbelieving father.
Not scary by today's standards, but a classic of the genre worth watching. In fact, most of the werewolf lore currently used in horror movies came from this film. Might be a bit scary for the young ones, but fine for most all ages.
- Director: George Waggner/
- Writer: Curt Siodmak
- Cast: Claude Rains; Lon Chaney, Jr; Ralph Bellamy
- MPAA Rating: PG
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
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