There’s a few things that horror fans really crave for. The first signs of a zombie outbreak or when they eventually close in on one of our survivors. The slasher killer’s next big kill, and how crazy and unique it might be. A vampire sinking its fangs into an unsuspecting victim in that ultimate moment of lust and sustenance. And of course, the transformation of man, humble and scared, into the bloodthirsty, ferocious werewolf.

These are but a few things that really get the horror fans’ blood pumping away, but we at Geeks of Doom decided to take a little time to observe that last example: the werewolf transformation.

Over the years, we’ve seen countless people suffer through the painful process as their skin expands and grows incredible amounts of hair, bones stretch and contort, joints twist and bend the wrong way, before the creature takes over. If we’ve learned one thing about this process, it’s that it looks like it would be one of the most excruciating things any human being could endure.

Don’t wait around (because we knows what happens to all of those sad saps who sit around waiting in horror movies) and be sure to click on over to the other side and enjoy with us 7 of the Most Memorable Werewolf Transformations In Movie History.

Sadly, as time has moved forward, computer animation techniques have taken over and turning into a werewolf just isn’t the same as it used to be. Movies like The Twilight Saga and Van Helsing have tried to prove that it’s not worth the effort to create such a horrifying and mesmerizing special effects accomplishment, and that it’s simply easier to have a cartoony transition of a character from human to animal.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this is not every great werewolf transformation, and that you’ll surely have others you like better or that that you think deserve a spot on the list. This is simply a list of some of the better known transformations that had decent videos to accompany them. This list isn’t in any particular order; we tried to place some of the better ones at the bottom, but everyone is going to have ones they prefer over the others!

It’s also worth noting that these all come with video, and are not pretty things to watch. Most of them are scary and gruesome and sometimes involve a little nudity, so…probably not best watched at work, in front of kids, or if your tummy can’t take such things!

Bad Moon

OK, perhaps Bad Moon has a little too much cheesiness for some, but it’s still a pretty messed up transformation and worth mention.

At times, it looks some kind of bad effect is being used to contort the man’s skin as he slowly becomes an animal, and yes, this might be a little cheesy. But that aside, it’s a fairly twisted transition and the final result is a werewolf that’s very big and very scary and will likely do its job in terrifying you on a windy October night, while watching alone.

In terms of violence, Bad Moon has to be one of the top dogs. There’s some really messed up werewolf mauling shenanigans going on here.

The Wolf Man

The movie that started it all, The Wolf Man, is not one that could be left off of this list. By today’s standards, yes, it’s not the best transformation you’ll ever see; but considering this was 1941, it was really a cinematic achievement, and set the foundation for all to come.

To this very day, as far as actors who have played eventual wolfmen are concerned, it would be hard to choose anyone better than Lon Chaney. He was a large, intimidating presence, but was funny and friendly at the same time, making him hard not to love…right before he turned into the beast, of course.

The video below shows his transformation in the 1941 film, as well as one from the 1943 film, Frankenstein vs. The Wolf Man.

The Monster Squad

As someone who grew up with this movie, it’s impossible not to include it.

The Monster Squad doesn’t offer up a quite as extended or painful transformation, but that’s part of the appeal. The wolf comes fast and furiously, and before you know it you’re staring into the eyes of a vicious killer.

Jon Gries, who plays the man before the creature does a great job playing a man who struggles with his affliction, and tries to warn people to get him away from them. But alas, just as the Boy Who Cried Wolf, there comes times where people just simply will not listen.

Fright Night

We’re pulling a little reverse transformation here for you, you know, to keep things fresh.

In Fright Night, which I just happened to see recently (explaining why this stood out to me!), there’s a scene at the end where a wolf appears and attacks one of our main characters. They defend themselves, naturally, and drive a wooden table leg straight through the beast’s chest. This sets off a particularly disturbing transformation back from wolf to human that had to be included here.

As warned above some of these could contain spoilers. This would be one of those; do not watch if you haven’t seen the movie and plan on checking it out some day.

An American Werewolf In London

Of all werewolf transformations, this little number is one of the hands down favorites.

In An American Werewolf in London, a man named David, after much warning from his dead friend that they had been attacked by a werewolf and he was going to become one himself, doesn’t listen well enough, and one night during a full moon he begins to feel some unbearable pain.

What happens next doesn’t need much description. His transformation begins, and you can see it play out below!

The Company Of Wolves

Although I enjoy all of these, my personal favorite might just come from a not-so-well-known movie called The Company of Wolves.

The movie is a werewolf movie that also happens to be set in a lovely little fairy tale world. It’s a movie that’s unique and well-worth taking a look at if you have not already, but for now, you’re here for the wolf action, and boy is this one a doozy.

The scene has to be one of the most graphic and all-around disturbing werewolf transformations. You might not sleep well after seeing it, so approach with caution.

The Howling

To close things out, we have another all-time favorite of the werewolf sub-genre.

In 1981’s The Howling, things start off against with a little skinplay. First a little picking and prodding, before this gentleman’s skin starts bubbling away. After that, things really start to get all sorts of ooey-gooey crazy.

And what do you know, Dee Wallace Stone decides to stick around and watch the whole thing…you know, to make sure it goes well. It’s really quite kind of here. What’s the worst that could happen?

IF you’ve made it all the way here to the end, you’re a brave soul. Now share your thoughts! Tell us what your favorite werewolf transformation is — is it on this list, or does your favorite come from one of the many other movies out there with these ruthless creatures?