The Howling (film)

The Howling is a 1981 American horror film directed by Joe Dante, and starring Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, and Robert Picardo. Based on the novel of the same name by Gary Brandner, the film follows a television newswoman sent to a remote mountain resort after a fatal incident with a serial killer, unaware that the inhabiting residents are werewolves.

The film was released on April 10, 1981 and became a moderate success, grossing $17.9 million at the box office. The film received generally positive reviews, with praise regarding the makeup special effects from Rob Bottin. The film won the 1980 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film during the film's development, and was one of the three high-profile wolf-themed horror films released in 1981, alongside An American Werewolf in London and Wolfen. Over the years, the film has accumulated a cult following, and the film's financial success helped the film career of Joe Dante, and prompted Warner Bros. to hire Dante (as director) and Michael Finnell (as producer) for Gremlins. The film's success spawned a franchise, consisting of seven sequels.