View source for Teen Wolf

{{Short description|1985 film by Rod Daniel}}
{{About|the 1985 film|the television show|Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)|other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Teen Wolf
| image          = Teen Wolf.jpg
| alt            = Scott Howard opening the front of his shirt
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Rod Daniel]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Thomas Coleman
* Mark Levinson
* [[George W. Perkins (television producer)|George W. Perkins]]
* Michael Rosenblatt
* Scott M. Rosenfelt
}}
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jeph Loeb]]
* Matthew Weisman
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Michael J. Fox]]
* [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]]
* [[Scott Paulin]]
* [[Susan Ursitti]]
* [[Jerry Levine]]
* [[Jay Tarses]]
}}
| music          = [[Miles Goodman]]
| cinematography = [[Tim Suhrstedt]]
| editing        = Lois Freeman-Fox

| studio  =   {{Plainlist|
* [[Atlantic Entertainment Group|Atlantic Releasing Corporation]]
* Wolfkill Productions
}}
| distributor    = Atlantic Releasing Corporation
| released       = {{Film date|1985|08|23}}
| runtime        = 92 minutes<!--Submitted theatrical runtime: 92:08--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/teen-wolf-3 | title=''TEEN WOLF'' (PG) (!) | publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=November 15, 1985 | access-date=August 5, 2015 | archive-date=November 19, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119190334/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/teen-wolf-3 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $4 million<ref name="AFI">{{Cite web|title=Teen Wolf|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58385-TEEN-WOLF?sid=4e9b93f0-c69a-4fbb-9964-91d0398742b7&sr=11.402878&cp=1&pos=0|access-date=January 29, 2023|publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129013757/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58385-TEEN-WOLF?sid=4e9b93f0-c69a-4fbb-9964-91d0398742b7&sr=11.402878&cp=1&pos=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $80 million<ref name="auto">{{cite news|last=Borrelli|first=Christopher|title='Teen Wolf' director's brutally honest commentary|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/09/27/teen-wolf-directors-brutally-honest-commentary/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 17, 2012|page=2|date=September 27, 2011|archive-date=April 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408013852/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-09-27/entertainment/ct-ent-0929-teen-wolf-director-20110927_1_tv-movies-teen-wolf-rod-daniel/2|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''''Teen Wolf''''' is a 1985 American [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[Rod Daniel]] and written by [[Jeph Loeb]] and Matthew Weisman. [[Michael J. Fox]] stars as the title character, a high school student whose ordinary life is changed when he discovers that he is a [[werewolf]]. [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]], [[Scott Paulin]], [[Susan Ursitti]], [[Jerry Levine]], [[Matt Adler]], and [[Jay Tarses]] appear in supporting roles. Filming took place from November to December 1984.

''Teen Wolf'' was released on August 23, 1985, by [[Atlantic Releasing Corporation]], and received mixed reviews from film critics. It was a commercial success, grossing over $33 million domestically on a $4 million budget,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4269114881/weekend/|title=Teen Wolf|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 6, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164223/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4269114881/weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> with the worldwide gross being over $80 million. The film's success spawned a [[Teen Wolf (franchise)|titular franchise]], including an [[Teen Wolf (1986 TV series)|animated series adaptation]] in 1986, a [[Teen Wolf Too|sequel film]] in 1987, the [[Dark fantasy|supernatural]] [[Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)|live action drama series]] that aired on [[MTV]] from 2011 to 2017, and its [[Teen Wolf: The Movie|continuation film]] in 2023.

==Plot==
Scott Howard, a 17-year-old [[high school]] student, lives in a small town in Nebraska. His only claim to popularity is playing for the Beavers, his school's unsuccessful [[basketball]] team. Scott fawns after Pamela Wells even though she is dating his rival Mick who plays for the Dragons, a dominant opposing team that bullies him on the court. Completely oblivious to the affections of his childhood friend Boof, Scott constantly rebuffs her advances due to their history together.

After startling changes such as long hair suddenly sprouting on his hands and chest, he decides to quit the team, but his coach, Finstock, changes his mind. Scoring a [[keg]] with his best friends, Stiles and Lewis, for a party, Scott and Boof end up alone in a closet, but when they begin kissing, he accidentally claws her back. When he returns home, he transforms into a [[werewolf]]. His father Harold, also a werewolf, explains this is a family curse and that he had hoped Scott would not inherit it because 'sometimes it skips a generation'.  The next morning, Harold tells Scott that being a werewolf will be manageable for him and that he can still live a normal life.

Scott reveals his secret to Stiles, who agrees to keep it a secret, but when Scott becomes stressed on the court, he becomes the Wolf and helps the team win their first game in three years. As a result, Scott gains fame and popularity as the high school is overwhelmed with 'Wolf Fever'. He is also alienated from Boof and his friend Lewis, who is scared of him now. The basketball team goes on a winning streak, but his teammates now resent him as he begins to hog the ball during games.

Stiles merchandises "Teen Wolf" paraphernalia, and Pamela finally begins paying attention to Scott. After he gets a role as a "werewolf cavalryman" in a [[American Civil War|Civil War]] school play alongside her, they have sex in the dressing room. Later, after a date set up to make Mick jealous, Pamela tells Scott that she is not interested in him as a boyfriend, much to his disappointment. Harold tells Scott he is responsible for his son's conflicts with vice principal Rusty Thorne, explaining that when they were in high school, Harold scared him in an attempt to protect Scott’s mother. He advises Scott to be himself and avoid abusing his wolf powers.

Boof agrees to go with Scott to the upcoming Spring Dance, but only if he goes as himself. Scott goes alone as the Wolf instead. She takes him into the hallway and they kiss, which turns Scott back into himself. When they return to the dance, Scott garners everyone's attention, including Pamela. A jealous Mick punches him in the face, then proceeds to insult Boof and taunt Scott until the Wolf angrily attacks. Horrified by his loss of control, as well as seeing his friends scared, Scott flees but encounters Thorne in the hall. Thorne attempts to expel Scott, but Harold sends his son home before going on to intimidate Thorne by growling in his face, causing the vice principal to wet himself.

Scott renounces using the Wolf and plans to quit the basketball team. He apologizes to Boof and assures her that he is done relying on the Wolf to succeed. During the championship game, he arrives to rally his teammates to play without the Wolf. Despite the odds, the team begins to work together and they make ground against the Dragons. During the final quarter, behind by one point, Scott is fouled hard by Mick at the buzzer. He makes both free throws, winning the championship. Brushing past Pamela, he kisses Boof as his father embraces them both. Mick tells Pamela that they should leave, but she tells him to "drop dead" and storms off while everyone else celebrates the victory.

==Cast==
<!--- Cast per opening tombstone credits, roles and order per closing credits scroll --->
{{Cast listing|
* [[Michael J. Fox]] as Scott Howard
* [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]] as Harold Howard
* [[Susan Ursitti]] as Lisa "Boof" Marconi
* [[Jerry Levine]] as Rupert "Stiles" Stilinski
* [[Matt Adler]] as Lewis
* [[Lorie Griffin]] as Pamela Wells
* [[Jim McKrell]] as Rusty Thorne
* [[Mark Arnold (actor)|Mark Arnold]] as Mick McAllister
* [[Jay Tarses]] as Coach Bobby Finstock
* [[Mark Holton]] as Chubby
* [[Scott Paulin]] as Kirk Lolley
* [[Doug Savant]] as Brad
}}

==Production==
''Teen Wolf'' was one of the first scripts written by [[Jeph Loeb]].<ref name="thetrades">R.J. Carter (January 1, 2002) [http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=1652 Interview: Jeph Loeb: Look! Up In The Sky!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312230827/http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=1652 |date=March 12, 2010 }} The-Trades.com. Retrieved October 31, 2009.</ref> Loeb was hired to write it because the studio, after the surprising success of the film ''[[Valley Girl (1983 film)|Valley Girl]]'', wanted to make a comedy that would cost almost nothing and take very little time to film. The project came together when Michael J. Fox accepted the lead role and his ''[[Family Ties]]'' co-star [[Meredith Baxter-Birney]] became pregnant, which created a delay in the sitcom's filming that allowed Fox time to complete filming and then return to his sitcom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/44054/we-attend-the-teen-wolf-reunion-screening|title=We Attend the Teen Wolf Reunion Screening|first=Robert|last=Mays|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=July 23, 2016|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922105404/http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/44054/we-attend-the-teen-wolf-reunion-screening|url-status=live}}</ref>

On a production budget of $4 million, [[principal photography]] for ''Teen Wolf'' began in November 1984 and concluded the next month.<ref name="AFI"/> [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]] originally auditioned for the role of Coach Bobby Finstock but was later cast as Harold Howard.<ref>{{cite web |title=15 Facts About Teen Wolf On Its 35th Anniversary |first=Roger |last=Cormier |work=[[Mental Floss]] |date=2020-08-23 |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65556/15-transformative-facts-about-teen-wolf |access-date=2021-10-24 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405215645/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65556/15-transformative-facts-about-teen-wolf |url-status=live }}</ref> The beaver mascot logo used in the film was the [[Oregon State University]] [[Benny Beaver|Beavers]] logo, in use by the university at that time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mascot Monday: Benny Beaver|url=http://kccollegegameday.com/2009/07/27/mascot-monday-benny-beaver/|publisher=KCcollegegameday|access-date=September 17, 2012|date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518011524/http://kccollegegameday.com/2009/07/27/mascot-monday-benny-beaver/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
Atlantic Releasing spent $4 million on advertising for ''Teen Wolf''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathews |first1=Jack |title='Future': A Boon to Fox and 'Wolf'? |url=https://proquest.com/docview/292129316 |access-date=2023-01-26 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1985-07-03 |page=1 |url-access=subscription |via=[[ProQuest]] |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126105502/https://www.proquest.com/docview/292129316 |url-status=live }}</ref> Released in the U.S. on August 23, 1985, ''Teen Wolf'' debuted at No. 2 in its opening weekend, behind ''[[Back to the Future]]'' (also starring Michael J. Fox).<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Fox Stays on Top With 'Future,' 'wolf'|publisher=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 28, 1985|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-08-28/features/8502050451_1_screens-teen-wolf-million|access-date=2011-01-01|archive-date=June 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614142704/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-08-28/features/8502050451_1_screens-teen-wolf-million|url-status=dead}}</ref> After its initial run, the film grossed $33,086,661 domestically,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=teenwolf.htm |title=Teen Wolf (1985) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2010-08-01 |archive-date=February 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222035354/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=teenwolf.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://the-numbers.com/movies/1985/0TEW1.php |title=Movie Teen Wolf - Box Office Data, News, Cast Information |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=2010-08-01 |archive-date=September 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916191604/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1985/0TEW1.php |url-status=live }}</ref> with a worldwide gross of about $80 million.<ref name="auto"/>

''Teen Wolf'' was first released on [[DVD]] via [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]] in a "Double Feature" pack with its sequel ''Teen Wolf Too'' on August 27, 2002. The film was later released on [[Blu-ray]] on March 29, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Liebman|first=Martin|title=Teen Wolf Blu-ray|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Teen-Wolf-Blu-ray/20658/|publisher=Blu-ray.com|access-date=September 17, 2012|date=April 3, 2011|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202171020/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Teen-Wolf-Blu-ray/20658/|url-status=live}}</ref> The only special feature available on any of the releases is the film's theatrical trailer. The film was reissued on Blu-ray Disc on August 8, 2017, by Scream! Factory, with a remastered transfer and a new "making of" featurette.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Teen-Wolf-Blu-ray/176283/#Review|title=Teen Wolf Blu-ray|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521195529/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Teen-Wolf-Blu-ray/176283/#Review|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Critical response==
The film's critical reception was mixed.<ref>{{cite web| author= Variety Staff| url= https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/teen-wolf-2-1200426452/| title= Teen Wolf| publisher= Variety| date= 1984-12-31| access-date= 2020-06-06| archive-date= July 26, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200726131602/https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/teen-wolf-2-1200426452/| url-status= live}}</ref> Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 46% of 35 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 5.4 out of 10. The consensus summarizes: "Though Michael J. Fox is as charismatic as ever, ''Teen Wolf''{{'}}s coming-of-age themes can't help but feel a little stale and formulaic."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_wolf/|title=Teen Wolf - Rotten Tomatoes|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Flixster]]|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=August 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820224343/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_wolf/|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a 25 out of 100 rating based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://metacritic.com/movie/teen-wolf | title=Teen Wolf | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=August 5, 2015 | archive-date=January 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102213034/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/teen-wolf | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a negative review calling it "aggressively boring". He went on to say that "the film is overacted by everybody except Mr. Fox, who is seen to far better advantage in ''[[Back to the Future]]''."<ref>{{cite web|last=Canby|first=Vincent|title=SCREEN: 'TEEN WOLF,' WITH MICHAEL J. FOX|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/23/movies/screen-teen-wold-with-michael-j-fox.html|work=New York Times|access-date=September 17, 2012|date=August 23, 1985|archive-date=May 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524171736/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/23/movies/screen-teen-wold-with-michael-j-fox.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Colin Greenland reviewed ''Teen Wolf'' for ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' #75, and stated that "Anxious that their movie should be perfectly wholesome, clean and bloodless, writers and director forgot Scott was supposed to be a werewolf, and made him a basketball star instead."<ref name="WD75">{{cite journal | last =Greenland | first =Colin | title =2020 Vision | journal =[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] | issue = 75 | pages =7 | publisher =[[Games Workshop]] | date = March 1986 }}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Track listing
| headline        = Teen Wolf: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| extra_column    = Contributing artists
| total_length    = 29:05
| all_music       =

| title1          = Flesh on Fire
| extra1          = James House
| length1         = 4:05

| title2          = Big Bad Wolf
| extra2          = The Wolf Sisters
| length2         = 2:36

| title3          = Win in the End
| extra3          = Mark Safan
| length3         = 4:41

| title4          = Shootin' for the Moon
| extra4          = [[Amy Holland]]
| length4         = 2:45

| title5          = Silhouette
| extra5          = [[David Palmer (vocalist)|David Palmer]]
| length5         = 3:54

| title6          = Way to Go
| extra6          = Mark Vieha
| length6         = 3:45

| title7          = Good News
| extra7          = David Morgan
| length7         = 2:56

| title8          = Transformation (Instrumental)
| extra8          = [[Miles Goodman]]
| length8         = 2:29

| title9          = Boof (Instrumental)
| extra9          = Miles Goodman
| length9         = 1:54
}}

==Legacy==
===Animated television series===
{{main|Teen Wolf (1986 TV series)}}
An [[Teen Wolf (1986 TV series)|animated series adaptation]] aired on [[CBS]] for two seasons from 1986 to 1987. [[Townsend Coleman]] voiced the lead role of Scott Howard, with [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]] reprising his role as Harold Howard. The series retained the basic premise and most of the characters from the film, but made changes to the story, such as Scott attempting to keep his werewolf identity secret from the general public. It also featured new characters, including Scott's grandparents (voiced by [[Stacy Keach Sr.]] and [[June Foray]]) and younger sister Lupe.

===Sequels===
{{main||Teen Wolf Too}}
A [[sequel]] entitled ''[[Teen Wolf Too]]'' was released in 1987 and starred [[Jason Bateman]] as Todd Howard, Scott Howard's cousin. Only [[James Hampton (actor)|James Hampton]] and [[Mark Holton]] returned from the original film, with the sequel focusing mostly on new characters led by Todd. ''Teen Wolf Too'' received negative reviews and failed to match the success of its predecessor, grossing $7.9 million on a $3 million budget. A second sequel starring [[Alyssa Milano]] was planned, but never filmed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/5321479/the-teen-wolf-you-never-saw-sadly |title=The Teen Wolf You Never Saw, Sadly |publisher=Io9.com |date=2009-07-23 |access-date=2010-08-01 |archive-date=December 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227232257/http://io9.com/5321479/the-teen-wolf-you-never-saw-sadly |url-status=live }}</ref> Another female version of ''Teen Wolf'' was in the works that later developed into 1989's ''[[Teen Witch]]''.

===Live-action television series===
{{main|Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)}}
[[MTV]] greenlit a [[Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)|television series adaptation]] in 2009 that was developed by [[Jeff Davis (writer)|Jeff Davis]]. While also centered on a high school student who becomes a werewolf, the story was reimagined as a [[supernatural fiction|supernatural]] [[teen drama]] with elements of [[action fiction|action]] and [[horror fiction|horror]].<ref name="variety">{{cite web|date=2009-06-23|first=Jon|last=Weisman|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/mtv-greenlights-eight-projects-1118005302/|title=MTV greenlights eight projects|publisher=Variety|access-date=2020-06-06|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164223/https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/mtv-greenlights-eight-projects-1118005302/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tyler Posey]] portrayed the title character, whose name was changed to Scott McCall for the series. It aired for six seasons from 2011 to 2017. A film continuation, ''[[Teen Wolf: The Movie]]'', was released on January 26, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-10-07 |title='Teen Wolf: The Movie' Gets Premiere Date On Paramount+; Watch First Clip |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/teen-wolf-the-movie-gets-premiere-date-paramount-plus-watch-first-clip-1235138780/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205082920/https://deadline.com/2022/10/teen-wolf-the-movie-gets-premiere-date-paramount-plus-watch-first-clip-1235138780/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of basketball films]]
* ''[[I Was a Teenage Werewolf]]'' (1957), an earlier horror film about a high school teenage werewolf
* ''[[Full Moon High]]'' (1981), an earlier comedy-horror film about a high school teenage werewolf
* ''[[Big Wolf on Campus]]'' (1999), a Canadian TV series on [[Fox Family Channel|Fox Family]], produced by [[Saban Entertainment]] about a high-school senior boy who becomes a werewolf
* ''[[Ginger Snaps (film)|Ginger Snaps]]'' (2000), teenage girl werewolf black comedy

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0090142|Teen Wolf}}
* {{mojo title|teenwolf|Teen Wolf}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|teen_wolf|Teen Wolf}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Teen Wolf}}

{{Teen Wolf (franchise)}}
{{Rod Daniel}}

[[Category:Teen Wolf (franchise)]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:1985 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1985 comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s high school films]]
[[Category:1985 independent films]]
[[Category:1980s teen comedy films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:American basketball films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American high school films]]
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:American teen comedy films]]
[[Category:American werewolf films]]
[[Category:Atlantic Entertainment Group films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rod Daniel]]
[[Category:Films about shapeshifting]]
[[Category:Films scored by Miles Goodman]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jeph Loeb]]
[[Category:Films about puberty]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]