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Werewolf by Night

Werewolf by Night

There's no escaping the night.

TV movie202252 minPG-13Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Director
Michael Giacchino
Starring
Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris, Kirk R. Thatcher

On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Werewolf by Night?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Werewolf by Night streaming on Disney+.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Werewolf by Night?

Werewolf by Night earns 9 badges, led by Top 10% in Action and Atmospheric.

Show 1 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Werewolf by Night worth watching?

Werewolf by Night's Midcredits score is the 85th percentile of all films, from 348K ratings across 4 sources. 75% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

85th percentile

Better received than 85% of films

92nd percentile among Action86th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)82nd
Approval (how many liked it)85th

71 /100

82nd percentile of all films

91st percentile among Action81st percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

75% liked it

85th percentile of all films

90th percentile among Action85th percentile among 2020s
75% rated it 7–1025% rated it 1–6

Critics 90% · Audience 88%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 5 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

88th percentile

348K ratings across platforms

79th percentile among Action89th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 8% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a stylish, black-and-white homage to classic horror with solid acting and effective atmosphere, but differ on whether its brevity and thin plotting undercut its impact.

Fans praised

  • black-and-white 1940s horror homage with striking classical cinematography
  • Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly's strong lead performances and chemistry
  • Giacchino's confident direction and score evoke classic monster movies

Detractors panned

  • thin character writing and underdeveloped supporting roles
  • werewolf design more man than wolf and uneven practical effects
  • short runtime leaves story and world-building feeling incomplete

What stands out

Atmosphere90

Immersive gothic tone and world-building, classic horror feel

Cinematography88

Stunning black-and-white visuals with 1940s horror aesthetic

Sound and music85

Giacchino's score enhances classic horror vibe, sound design praised

Acting82

Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly praised for presence and chemistry

Tension75

Good suspense in monster hunt, some find it mild

Effects and spectacle70

Practical effects and monsters hit or miss, werewolf design debated

Plot and story60

Straightforward monster-hunt narrative, some find it too simple

Characters55

Thinly written supporting roles, lead Jack Russell well-liked but underdeveloped

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is Werewolf by Night like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to be scared.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Campy · 4% of filmsAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlays its material as a loving, slightly campy homage to classic monster movies, with a knowing but affectionate distance.
The rideThe film is tense and thrilling throughout the hunt, with the emotional and physical climax in the final confrontation, where Jack's transformation and Elsa's choice carry the heaviest weight.
StructureA straightforward linear narrative with setup, confrontation, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you grinning and inspired by its affectionate homage to classic monster movies and the triumph of the misfit heroes.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeJack Russell, a werewolf, infiltrates a monster hunter competition to rescue his friend Ted (Man-Thing), which drives the plot.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsFreedom · 5% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeAt its core, the film is about a daughter reclaiming her family legacy and a monster finding loyalty in a friend, navigating estrangement and belonging.
StanceThe film questions what family loyalty means when it is weaponized, but does not settle on a clear moral; both Jack and Elsa must decide where their allegiances lie.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalWildernessHorror supernatural
Orchestral classicalExperimentalForeground music · original score · Michael Giacchino
SettingBloodstone Manor and its surrounding maze and forest, a gothic horror enclave
MusicThe score echoes classic monster-movie fanfares and eerie chamber music, playing a key role in the gothic atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Werewolf by Night okay for kids?

PG-13

Werewolf by Night is rated PG-13. As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (84/100), sexual content at minimal (5/100), language at mild (30/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (4/100) and frightening material at intense (65/100). Overall it is heavier than 91% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 15 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland16
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Hungary16
  • ID17+
  • Israel16
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • PRPG-13
  • SingaporeNC16
  • Spain16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 59% of all filmsHeavier than 91% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 98%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 3%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 20%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 3%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 84%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Werewolf by Night have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Werewolf by Night: Gore or body horror (severe), Kidnapping or confinement (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horror
MildKidnapping or confinement

Cast and crew

Who is in Werewolf by Night?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Gael García Bernal
as Jack Russell
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Laura Donnelly
as Elsa Bloodstone
Harriet Sansom Harris
as Verussa
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kirk R. Thatcher
as Jovan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Eugenie Bondurant
as Azarel
Leonardo Nam
as Liorn
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Daniel J. Watts
as Barasso
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Al Hamacher
as Billy Swan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Carey Jones
as Ted (Man-Thing)
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
David Silverman
as The Flaming Tuba
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Werewolf by Night?

Movies like Werewolf by Night include Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022), Red Sonja (1985) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Roy Thomas, and most are stories about unlikely alliances.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its world: superhero. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Werewolf by Night?

75 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: monster. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.