With a new Wolf Man in theaters, were counting down the best werewolf transformations in movie history!
The idea of werewolves has existed since long before movies came along.
The concept goes back to antiquity with ancient Greek historian Herodotus writing in the fifth century B.C.
So yeah, werewolves have been around.
And no image associated with the critters has enjoyed greater cinematic appeal than the transformation.
But not all werewolf transformations are created equal.
So without further ado, here are what we estimate to be the very best werewolf transformations.
Digital effects can at times be eerily immersive, especially when you dont notice them.
Its an impressive visualization.
This popcorn finale is facilitated by a transformation sequence that mixes CG with practical effects.
There is something genuinely threatening about his laugh beneath practical fangs, even before his jawline goes crooked.
He sought to match what he did as a young man onAn American Werewolf in London.
If not, I will kill all of you!
More laughter as the full moon slowly begins to rise.
Yet the more money they got in sequels, the worse-looking the Lycans became.
And the same is true of Kevin Grevioux and his wonderfully baritone Raze.
Its simple and effective, achieving these movies goal of everything lookingearly 2000s coolat all times.
Pity the franchise didnt know how to use this missing link between the species.
Take the twist ending to the storyline starring Anna Paquin.
Their flesh is also torn asunder, revealing fur and fangs beneath.
Hes a tortoise trapped in a collapsed shell waiting to be put out of his misery.
The subsequent transformation is both rudimentary and still impressive.
As he passes each stone structure, he takes on more and more characteristics of a wolf.
The makeup design of this werewolf, however, has always left me wanting.
Secondly, the transformation is only hinted at in the film as his legs are shown growing hair.
His face slowly grows the iconic Jack Pierce-designed werewolf fur and fangs.
Hes back to reveal there was always something wild beneath his kindly smile.
Only as a skinless flayed man does he begin to transform into a dog.
It is a tremendous and still eerily believable magic trick to the modern eye.
Part of the memorability of the transformation(s) stems from how long theyre drawn out.
Its genuinely horrifying, but like the protagonists youre almost frozen in shock and awe at the disgusting sight.
A remake ofThe Wolf Manin all but name, it follows an American fish caught out in UK water.
The movie is both modern, complete with its revolutionary blending of self-ware humor and horror, and old-fashioned.
Its famed transformation sequence blends both sensibilities into cinema legend.
And thats before hes even visually begun to show signs of transformation.
This is all brutally terrifying and darkly funny.
