The Wolf Man

Released Dec 12, 1941

1h 10m

Horror

List

91%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When his brother dies, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) returns to Wales and reconciles with his father (Claude Rains). While there, he visits an antique shop and, hoping to impress Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), the attractive shopkeeper, buys a silver walking cane. That same night he kills a wolf with it, only to later learn that he actually killed a man (Bela Lugosi). A gypsy (Maria Ouspenskaya) explains that it was her son, a werewolf, that he killed, and that Larry is now one himself.

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Critics Consensus

A handsomely told tale with an affecting performance from Lon Chaney, Jr., The Wolf Man remains one of the classics of the Universal horror stable.

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Keith Phipps

AV Club

It finds modern sophistication and cultured intellects unprepared to deal with a threat that's already at hand, maybe even under our own skin.

Rated: B+

Apr 13, 2020

Full Review

SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

The whole thing is nonsensical, but occasionally strangely compelling.

Apr 13, 2020

Full Review

Age Staff

The Age (Australia)

Lon Chaney, junior, has his first big role as The Wolf Man, but it would take a genius to "get away" with this role.

Apr 13, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The best werewolf movie ever made also gets my vote as the finest film in the entire Universal series (edging out 1935’s The Bride of Frankenstein).

Rated: 4/4

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

While The Wolf Man may not have stood the test of time like many of its predecessors, it is a classic film that would lay the groundwork for a continuing cycle of wolves for decades to come.

Oct 7, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Essential for devising the modern concept of the werewolf, from which nearly every subsequent werewolf film has drawn inspiration, the film uses the guise of a horror yarn to consider the duality of human beings.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 20, 2022

Full Review

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Alec B

It certainly started a lot of tropes and it has minor charms but it's also the most plodding of the old Universal Monster movies. Post-Code, these just don't work as well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Jay H

He was a Peeping Tom!!!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

Full Review

Luke T

Back when they knew how to make movies. Good blocking, solid acting, smart dialogue, spooky atmosphere, intriguing plot, and a lean runtime. If you don't like this movie, you don't like movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Kliff H

Great classic, solid story and good for its date.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Jelisije J

The film was great for its time, but doesn't hold up in modern times.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

Full Review

Valerii Ege D

The fight between superstition and logicality is well-crafted. Werewolf parts are a bit lousy but anxiety for the unknown is really well written. It is a psychological mystery-thriller more than a horror.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/26/23

Full Review

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George Waggner

Director

Lon Chaney Jr.

Larry Talbot

Claude Rains

Sir John Talbot

Ralph Bellamy

Col. Paul Montford

Evelyn Ankers

Gwen Conliffe

Warren William

Dr. Lloyd

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The Wolf Man: Official Clip - Protection From Me

2:22

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - First Kill

2:12

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - A Beautiful Girl

3:01

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - Bear Trap

2:44

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - Heaven Help You

2:08

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - They're Hunting Me

3:00

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - Your Suffering Has Ended

2:16

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - Wolf Attack

2:58

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - I'm a Murderer

2:44

The Wolf Man: Official Clip - The Hunt is On

1:14

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Synopsis

When his brother dies, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) returns to Wales and reconciles with his father (Claude Rains). While there, he visits an antique shop and, hoping to impress Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), the attractive shopkeeper, buys a silver walking cane. That same night he kills a wolf with it, only to later learn that he actually killed a man (Bela Lugosi). A gypsy (Maria Ouspenskaya) explains that it was her son, a werewolf, that he killed, and that Larry is now one himself.

Director: George Waggner
Producer: Jack J. Gross
Screenwriter: Curt Siodmak
Distributor: Film Classics Inc., Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Screen Gems
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 10m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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