If you’re sitting there scratching your head trying to figure out exactly how many Howling movies are there, you aren’t alone. It’s a mess. Honestly, trying to track this franchise is like trying to follow a trail of breadcrumbs through a forest in the middle of a thunderstorm. Most people know the 1981 original because it’s a legit masterpiece of horror, but after that? Things get weird. Real weird.
Technically, there are eight movies in the official Howling franchise. But "official" is a loose term here. Unlike something like Friday the 13th or Halloween, where the sequels at least try to pretend they’re part of the same universe, The Howling sequels are mostly standalone stories that barely acknowledge each other. Some of them don't even have werewolves that look like werewolves.
The Breakdown: All Eight Howling Movies
Let’s just get the list out of the way so you can see what we're dealing with. It’s a long, strange trip from the early 80s to the early 2010s.
- The Howling (1981) – The one that started it all. Directed by Joe Dante.
- Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985) – Also known by the much cooler title Stirba – Werewolf Bitch.
- Howling III: The Marsupials (1987) – Yes, you read that right. Marsupials.
- Howling IV: The Original Nightmare (1988) – A direct-to-video "re-adaptation" of the original book.
- Howling V: The Rebirth (1989) – A gothic mystery set in a castle.
- Howling VI: The Freaks (1991) – Werewolves vs. Vampires in a carnival.
- Howling: New Moon Rising (1995) – Basically a home movie with some line dancing.
- The Howling: Reborn (2011) – A Twilight-inspired reboot that everyone mostly forgot.
Why the Number is So Confusing
You’ve probably noticed that the quality and tone of these movies jump around like a caffeinated kangaroo. That's because the rights to the name were tossed around like a hot potato.
The first movie was a massive hit. It had groundbreaking special effects by Rob Bottin—stuff that still looks better than CGI today. But Joe Dante didn't stay for the sequels. Instead, we got Philippe Mora for the next two, and he decided to take things in a... different direction. By the time we hit the fourth movie, the series had basically abandoned the continuity of the first film entirely.
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If you're looking for a cohesive story, you won't find it here. Howling II is the only one that really tries to follow up on the events of the first movie (sorta). After that, the producers basically just slapped the Howling name on any script that had a guy growing hair under a full moon.
The Ones You Actually Need to Watch
Let’s be real: you probably don’t want to watch all eight of these unless you’re a total masochist or doing a very specific type of research. If you just want the "best" of the bunch, here’s the lowdown.
The Gold Standard: The Howling (1981)
If you haven't seen this, stop reading and go watch it. It’s smart, it’s scary, and it features one of the best transformation scenes in cinema history. Dee Wallace is incredible as a news anchor who retreats to a "resort" that turns out to be a cult of werewolves. It’s a classic for a reason.
The "So Bad It's Good" Icon: Howling II
This movie is a fever dream. It stars Christopher Lee (who allegedly apologized to Joe Dante later for being in it) and Sybil Danning as a werewolf queen. It’s campy, nonsensical, and features a theme song that will get stuck in your head for three days. It’s the definition of 80s cheese.
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The Weirdest One: Howling III: The Marsupials
This is where the franchise goes off the rails. Set in Australia, it introduces the idea of "marsupial werewolves" that have pouches for their pups. It’s bizarre and kind of charming in its own "what were they thinking?" kind of way.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Franchise
One of the biggest misconceptions is that these are all based on the novels by Gary Brandner.
The first movie is loosely based on the first book. Howling IV is actually a more faithful adaptation of that same book, which makes it feel like a low-budget remake of the first movie. Howling II is technically based on Brandner’s second book, but it ignores almost everything in it.
Basically, the books and the movies are two completely different beasts. If you go into the sequels expecting a continuation of the 1981 film's lore, you’re going to be very disappointed. There is no "Howling Cinematic Universe." It's more like a collection of weird cousins who only see each other at funerals and don't really talk.
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The Disastrous Low Point: New Moon Rising
If you're asking how many Howling movies are there because you’re planning a marathon, skip Howling: New Moon Rising. Just trust me on this.
It was directed by Clive Turner, who had worked on previous sequels, and it’s largely made up of footage from the older movies. The "new" parts involve locals in a small town acting out a plot that barely exists. There is a legendary amount of line dancing in this movie. For a werewolf flick, that’s a bold (and terrible) choice.
Is There a Ninth Movie Coming?
Rumors have been swirling for years about a big-budget remake. At one point, Andy Muschietti (the guy who directed IT) was attached to a project for Netflix.
As of early 2026, things have been pretty quiet on that front. The horror world is currently obsessed with "elevated" monsters and folk horror, so a gritty, practical-effects-heavy reboot of The Howling would actually fit right in. But for now, we’re stuck with the original eight.
Actionable Next Steps for Horror Fans
If you're ready to dive into this hairy mess, don't just pick a random number. Follow this plan to get the most out of your viewing experience:
- Watch the 1981 original first. It sets the bar. If you don't like this, you won't like any of them.
- Pair Howling II with a few drinks and some friends. It's not meant to be taken seriously. Embrace the madness.
- Seek out Howling V: The Rebirth if you like "Whodunnit" mysteries. It’s actually one of the more competent sequels, despite having almost no werewolf action until the very end.
- Avoid Howling VII at all costs. Unless you really, really like line dancing.
The Howling franchise is a testament to how a great idea can be stretched, warped, and mutated over thirty years. It’s not a "good" series by traditional standards, but it’s a fascinating look at the history of direct-to-video horror and the struggle to keep a brand alive when the original magic is gone. If you're looking for a weekend of fur and fangs, you've got eight options—just choose wisely.