Teen Wolf (1985)

Teen Wolf (1985) is a supernatural teen comedy that blends coming-of-age tropes with werewolf mythology, starring Michael J. Fox at the peak of his 1980s popularity. Directed by Rod Daniel, the film became a cult classic thanks to its charming protagonist, memorable transformation scenes, and its underlying themes of self-acceptance and adolescence.

Detailed Summary

High School, Hormones, and Hairy Surprises

Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox) is your average high school student—dealing with acne, unpopularity, and the usual teenage awkwardness. He plays on a hopeless basketball team, pines for the popular girl Pamela, and feels invisible at school. But something strange is happening to his body—and not in the typical puberty kind of way. His senses become sharper, body hair starts sprouting in unusual places, and he starts to feel…different.

Then, in a twist both hilarious and horrifying, Scott transforms into a full-blown werewolf during a basketball game. Surprisingly, instead of screaming or running in fear, the crowd is delighted—and Scott becomes a celebrity overnight.

Wolf-Mania Hits High School

Embracing his new persona as “The Wolf,” Scott uses his transformation to boost his confidence, perform impressive stunts, and, most importantly, win basketball games. His social life skyrockets—he gets the attention of Pamela, the school’s glamorous drama queen, and basks in newfound fame.

However, the success comes at a cost. He starts alienating his real friends, including Boof (Susan Ursitti), his childhood best friend who clearly has feelings for him. His father Harold, who is also a werewolf, warns him about the dangers of letting “The Wolf” take over his identity.

The Talent Show and Growing Inner Conflict

Scott performs in the school play with Pamela but realizes she’s only interested in him for the thrill of the werewolf spectacle. Meanwhile, his coach and the school are exploiting his wolf abilities for attention and success. Scott begins to question whether people like him for who he is—or just because he’s a werewolf.

He tries to quit “wolfing out” and go back to being his normal self, but finds it harder than he thought. Even his coach encourages him to keep using the wolf persona for the basketball championship.

Movie Ending

In the climactic final act, Scott makes a bold decision: he plays the championship basketball game as himself, not as the Wolf. Despite skepticism from his teammates and boos from the crowd, Scott inspires his team to play with heart rather than brute force. The game is intense and close, and with just seconds left, Scott sinks the winning free throw—proving that he doesn’t need supernatural powers to succeed.

After the game, he finally kisses Boof, choosing her over the shallow and manipulative Pamela. His father beams with pride from the stands, and Scott walks off the court, confident and self-assured as himself, not the werewolf.

There’s no twist ending, no horror reveal—just a sweet, triumphant moment of self-acceptance and emotional maturity. Scott has learned to value authenticity over popularity.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Teen Wolf does not have any post-credits scenes. However, there’s a famously awkward moment during the ending crowd celebration—an extra in the background accidentally exposes himself when his pants fall down. It’s unintentional, blink-and-you-miss-it, but has become a quirky trivia point among fans.

Type of Movie

Teen Wolf is a supernatural teen comedy with elements of fantasy, coming-of-age drama, and sports. It mixes light horror with adolescent comedy in a way that defined many ’80s genre mashups.

Cast

• Michael J. Fox as Scott Howard
• Susan Ursitti as Boof
• Jerry Levine as Stiles
• Lorie Griffin as Pamela
• James Hampton as Harold Howard (Scott’s dad)
• Mark Arnold as Mick McAllister
• Jay Tarses as Coach Finstock

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Miles Goodman, while the soundtrack includes an eclectic mix of upbeat ‘80s pop and rock songs. Notable tracks include:

• “Win in the End” by Mark Safan
• “Way to Go” by Mark Vieha
• “Shooting for the Moon” by Amy Holland

These tracks became associated with key scenes, particularly the basketball montages and transformation moments.

Filming Locations

The film was shot mainly in Los Angeles, California, with scenes at actual high schools:

• John Burroughs High School in Burbank
• Harbor College in Wilmington (used for basketball scenes)

The suburban Californian backdrop supports the film’s classic high school Americana vibe and contrasts well with the supernatural elements.

Awards and Nominations

Teen Wolf was not a major awards contender but became a cult hit. It wasn’t nominated for major industry awards but received recognition in pop culture retrospectives for its unique blend of genres and Michael J. Fox’s enduring performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The film was shot in just 21 days, mostly at night, to accommodate Fox’s schedule during Family Ties.
• Michael J. Fox was reportedly unhappy with the film’s tone and thought the werewolf makeup looked silly.
• Director Rod Daniel embraced a campy, light-hearted tone to make the film more of a metaphor for teenage self-discovery rather than a horror flick.
• The infamous “pants incident” in the final crowd scene remains one of the most discussed bloopers in film trivia history.

Inspirations and References

The film draws heavily from classic werewolf mythology, but filters it through a John Hughes-style teen movie lens. It echoes themes from:

• I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) – direct inspiration
• Teen angst films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club (minus the supernatural elements)

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No major alternate endings have been officially released. However:

• Some scenes were trimmed for pacing, including extended basketball practice sequences.
• There was a rumored subplot involving Scott’s mother being a werewolf too, but it was cut from the final version.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization of Teen Wolf was published after the film, expanding on a few internal monologues and character backstories but not introducing any major plot changes. The book gave more insight into Scott’s emotional turmoil, especially around the werewolf transformation.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Scott’s first transformation in the bathroom mirror.
• The reveal of his dad as a werewolf—an iconic, deadpan moment.
• Scott surfing on top of Stiles’ van, a cult classic visual.
• The final basketball game where Scott wins as his human self.

Iconic Quotes

• Coach Finstock: “There are three rules that I live by. Never get less than twelve hours sleep, never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city, and never go near a lady who’s got a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
• Stiles: “Give me a keg of beer.”
• Scott: “I’m not a fag, I’m a werewolf.”

(Note: the film’s language reflects its era and includes dialogue that may feel outdated or problematic today.)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Scott’s jersey number is 42, a possible nod to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (42 being the “answer to everything”).
• Stiles wears various shirts with hidden messages like “Obnoxious: The Movie” and “What Are You Looking At, Dicknose?”
• The school colors and mascot were real from John Burroughs High School, which added authenticity to the basketball scenes.

Trivia

• The film was a surprise box office hit, making over $80 million on a modest budget of $4 million.
• It was released just after Back to the Future, taking advantage of Michael J. Fox’s rising stardom.
• A sequel, Teen Wolf Too (1987), starred Jason Bateman—but was critically panned.
• The franchise was rebooted in 2011 as a darker MTV series starring Tyler Posey.

Why Watch?

If you’re into quirky ‘80s comedies with a supernatural twist, Teen Wolf delivers. It’s nostalgic, weirdly heartfelt, and anchored by Michael J. Fox’s charisma. Beyond the werewolf gags, it explores themes of identity, popularity, and adolescence in a way that still resonates.

Director’s Other Movies

• Like Father Like Son (1987)
• K-9 (1989)
• Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
• Home Alone 4 (2002)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Back to the Future (1985)
• Weird Science (1985)
• Big (1988)
• Fright Night (1985)
• The Lost Boys (1987)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)