The site 80sHorror.net has a ‘complete list’ of all the (mostly English language) werewolf films released in this decade, and you can check that out here. It does have some gaps, but all lists will, I think.
However, not all films featuring werewolves are horror films, as by the 1980s we’re seeing a shift in the uses of this paranormal monster and attitudes to the werewolf thanks to the enduring images in horror-comedy, teen cult films, and the sympathetic view of the werewolf as an angst-ridden person struggling with their dual identity or shadow-self.
The werewolf and vampire were also becoming more overt symbols of closeted queer experience, and with the AIDS epidemic of this decade, the bite of the werewolf/vampire transmitting the curse to loved ones/the image of the werewolf/vampire killing the person [he] loves were powerful images ripe for allegory.
The vampire, though, was closer to death than the werewolf, and had a better aesthetic. For example, Lost Boys (1987) tapped into homoeroticism and closeted queer desire. (Michael and David, triangulated through the ‘acceptable’ desire for Star, which is the only relationship that can be consummated and achieved). It also leaned into the subcultures, music and aesthetics of the time to cement the vampire as a vehicle for this kind of expression, and create an enduring classic.
There is a list called The Comprehensive Werewolf Filmography on Letterboxd, too, which is worth a look for the ones I’ve missed and for general interest! This one also has some gaps, but my posts are not attempting to be comprehensive either, so be aware that all these lists are just for fun, and a starting point for further exploration.
Werewolf Films of the 1980s
(I’m sure I’ve missed loads, but here goes!)
Short Films
- The Wolf Man (1980) – a 15min short film.
- A Canadian Werewolf in Hollywood (1987) – a 2 minute long parody short film.
Features Where the Werewolf Appears (But Isn’t The Main Focus?)
- Monster Club, The (1980) – this is an anthology horror which only features a werewolf very briefly, it isn’t a werewolf film in and of itself.
- Sogni d’oro / Sweet Dreams (1981) – this one isn’t horror, but rather an Italian comedy drama about a filmmaker trying to overcome his creative block, and falling into a series of nightmares.
- Conquista, La / Conquest (1983) – Fantasy Action from Horror and Italian giallo director, Lucio Fulci.
- The Dungeonmaster (1984) – again, not a ‘werewolf film’ but does feature a werewolf as part of the beasts and monsters. Werewolves are definitely now considered part of the milieu!
- The NeverEnding Story (1984) – this is included because of Gmork, a werewolf-like villain.
- Transylvania 6-5000 (1985) – a Wolfman is encountered, but we’re not splitting hairs (pun intended).
- Vampire Hunter D (1985)
- She (1985) – post-apocalyptic action fantasy with a werewolf orgy scene.
- The Barbarians (1987) – this fantasy action adventure very briefly features a werewolf-like creature.
- Night of the Living Duck, The (1988) – Daffy Duck animated feature film.
- Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988)
- Saturday the 14th Strikes Back (1988) – wacky horror-comedy in the evil haunted house genre. Featuring a werewolf, apparently.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989) – again, this one is included here although the werewolf-like creature is, perhaps, tenuous, like Gmork in The NeverEnding Story.
- Sexbomb (1989) – this one is very meta, read the description (or watch it!) and tell me if it really counts.
Werewolves For Kids
- Munsters’ Revenge, The (1981)
- Buenas noches, señor monstruo / Goodnight, Mr Monster (1982) – This is a Spanish musical horror-comedy for all the family.
- Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf, The (1985) – a light-hearted family-friendly film aimed at younger children.
- Deadtime Stories (1986) – an anthology with one segment featuring Little Red Riding Hood and a werewolf.
- Monster Squad, The (1987)
- Red Riding Hood (1987) – fantasy adventure version of the tale in which a girl’s literally heartless uncle rules over a kingdom and gives his soul in exchange for an enchanted wolf that turns himself into a human to spy for him.
- Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf (1988)
- CreepTales (1989) – filming finished in 1989 for this anthology, but it wasn’t released until 2004. Letterboxd has this as 1989, as it was made between 1986-1989, and probably should count as a 1980s film.
Teenage Werewolves & Coming-of-Age
Fantasy/Action/Romance Films
- El retorno del Hombre Lobo / Night of the Werewolf (1980) – An entry in the Hombre Lobo series, this one has Waldemar Daninsky versus a resurrected Elizabeth Bathory.
- La bestia y la espada mágica / The Beast and the Magic Sword (1983) – a Fantasy-Horror collaboration between Spanish studio Acónito Films, and Japanese studio Amachi Films. It’s an ambitious entry in the Waldemar Daninsky/Hombre Lobo series, where he goes to Japan to find a cure.
- Kaos (1984) – an Italian fantasy-drama romance, with five stories centring on a werewolf, a feudal landlord, peasants, a ghost, and a mother and her sons.
- Ladyhawke (1985) – fantasy action adventure, where the werewolf is a deeply sympathetic and not-horrific creature, more in the tradition of Bisclavret by Marie de France.
- 魔高一丈 / Return of the Demon (1987) – an action adventure fantasy horror-comedy from Hong Kong.
Horror Films
- Howling, The (1981)
- An American Werewolf In London (1981)
- Wolfen (1981)
- Beast Within, The (1982) – TW: rape, cyclical abuse patterns.
- Cazador de Demonios / Demon Hunter (1983)
- 伝説の巨獣狼男対ゴジラ / Wolfman vs Godzilla (1983)
- Hard Rock Zombies (1984)
- Tales of the Third Dimension (1984) – A US-made comedy-horror anthology with a werewolf segment.
- Howling II, The: Stirba – Werewolf Bitch (1985)
- Silver Bullet (1985)
- Midnight Hour, The (1985)
- Leviatán / Monster Dog (1986) – a Spanish film starring Alice Cooper.
- Haunted Honeymoon (1986) – a horror-comedy.
- Werewolf (1987)
- El aullido del diablo / Howl of the Devil (1987) – another Paul Naschy film, but it’s not a Hombre Lobo entry. Naschy directs, and plays Hector Doriani, an actor always in the shadow of his late twin brother who was a horror movie star.
- La croce dalle 7 pietre / Cross of the Seven Jewels (1987) – Italian horror.
- Howling III, The : The Marsupials (1987)
- Curse of the Queerwolf (1988)
- Hard Rock Nightmare (1988)
- Howling IV, The : The Original Nightmare (1988)
- Waxwork (1988)
- Lone Wolf (1988)
- Grotesque (1988)
- Howling V, The : The Rebirth (1989)
- My Mom’s A Werewolf (1989)
- Night Shadow (1989)
- Fright Night Part II (1989)
How many have you seen?
Read the Werewolf Films Series
01: Werewolf films 1910-1949
02: Werewolf films 1950-1959
03: Werewolf films 1960-1969
04: Werewolf films 1970-1979 (Part 1) – Monster Mash/Fantasy Horror films
05: Werewolf films 1970-1979 (Part 2) – Crime/Thriller Horror films & Exploitation
06: Werewolf films 1970-1979 (Part 3) – Horror Comedy & Folklore and Religion
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