Best Dog Horror Movie 2025 Guide: From Good Boy To Werewolf Classics
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Dog horror movies hold a special place in the world of scary cinema, bringing a unique kind of suspense to the screen. These movies can be confusing, since we don't like to see dogs getting harmed, but in 2025, this genre is surging, drawing in audiences with bold ideas and unsettling stories that stand apart from the usual fare.
If you are on the lookout for the best new scary dog movies, this guide helps you sort through all the top releases with imdb ratings and movie trailers, perfect for a spooky Halloween night. Turn off the lights, volume up, and enjoy!
Table of Contents
1. "Good Boy" The Horror Movie Everyone Is Talking About: IMDB 6.3
“Good Boy” stands out as one of this year’s best new dog horror movies, earning an IMDb: 6.3 rating. The story follows a family who adds a rescue dog named Indy to their home. At first, everything seems harmless. Then, as night falls, Indy’s manner shifts in small, unsettling ways. Supernatural hints creep in one by one. The film encourages you to wonder if Indy is a protector, a danger, or something even stranger.
Indy’s performance anchors the entire film. Through careful direction, Indy brings out both warmth and menace, a rare feat for animal-led horror. Director Ben Leonberg gets the most out of every shot, using Indy’s raw, believable reactions to create empathy for both the dog and the humans on screen. Indy’s shifting role from affectionate pet to possible threat gives the movie its emotional punch, keeping the suspense fresh and unforgettable.
Upon release, “Good Boy” earned high praise from horror critics for its creative style and layered storytelling. Box office and streaming numbers have been strong, with the film not only performed well in digital streaming and a limited theatrical run, but it also outpaced other indie horror hits. Critics and audiences consistently recommend it as a must-see, cementing its place as a true genre standout this year.
2. Best Dog Horror Movies & Werewolf Films (2000 - 2025)
Canine horror guide for a spooky Halloween movie night! Since we wanted this guide to be more comprehensive, we have included werewolf movies. Dog-related horror might be something people don't appreciate as much since we love our furry friends and don't want to see them killing. This might be the reason why "Good Boy" has become so popular. Good boy is not trying to kill, but rather protect his owner.
Without a further ado, let's jump-in our 2000 - 2005 dog & werewolf horror movie list.
The Dogs (2025) IMDb: 4.6
Although not the best rated dog horror film, it has won 4 awards - Outstanding performance, Best female director, Best film and two feature film awards. As one of the IMDb reviews state "I'm often disappointed in horror movies. They're either too predictable, too over-the-top, or just plain dumb. The Dogs (2025) was none of that. I enjoyed every minute of it."
In a dystopian future, humanity faces extinction as domesticated dogs, driven by an unknown primal instinct, turn violently against their owners. This chilling film explores themes of loyalty, survival, and betrayal from the perspective of both humans and the once-loyal canines, promising a visceral and emotional horror experience.
Werevolf by Night (2022) IMDb: 7.1
Following the death of their leader, a secret cabal of monster hunters gathers for a ritual where they must compete to claim a powerful relic. Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone face off against terrifying monsters and each other, all while a deadly creature stalks them in the shadows.
Eight for Silver (2021) IMDb: 6.2
When a brutal, mysterious beast attacks a 19th-century French village, a pathologist arrives to investigate. He discovers the seemingly feral monster is actually a cursed werewolf, and its presence is tied to a supernatural threat and the community's dark past.
Werevolves Within (2021) IMDb: 6.0
A satirical horror comedy. A snowstorm traps eccentric residents in a remote lodge where a proposed pipeline has caused tension. A newly arrived forest ranger must solve who among the group is the werewolf before the killer strikes again.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020) IMDb: 6.2
A stressed-out police officer in a snowy mountain town struggles to solve a series of brutal killings that occur only during the full moon. The town fears a werewolf is responsible, forcing the officer to confront paranoia, personal demons, and the possible reality of the impossible.
As Boas Maneiras | Good Manners (2017) IMDb: 6.7
As the reviews state, this movie is a fairy tale, a horror movie, romance, a musical and a social parable...all in one movie".
Following a terrifying attack by a mysterious beast in a remote Brazilian town, a pregnant Clara hires Ana, a lonely nurse, as a nanny. As the due date approaches, the women uncover dark secrets about the child's true identity, confronting a supernatural curse and a terrifying transformation under the full moon.
Late Phases (2014) IMDb: 6.0
Following a terrifying attack by a mysterious beast in a remote Brazilian town, a pregnant Clara hires Ana, a lonely nurse, as a nanny. As the due date approaches, the women uncover dark secrets about the child's true identity, confronting a supernatural curse and a terrifying transformation under the full moon.
The Breed (2006) IMDb: 5.1
A simple but effective horror premise: a group of college friends vacation on a remote island only to be besieged by a large, relentless pack of aggressive, genetically enhanced killer dogs from an abandoned military training facility.
Dog Soldiers (2002) IMDb: 6.8
As one IMDb review says "This film has everything for the true horror fan, a great story, good acting, lots of blood, tons of action and most importantly it's bloody scary!". Movie is about a routine military exercise that turns into a nightmare in the Scottish wilderness. Although it is not exactly a dog horror movie, it would have been a shame not to include it here.
Ginger Snaps (2000) IMDb: 6.8
A brutal, cult-classic werewolf film from 2000. Teenage sister Ginger is bitten by a mysterious creature on the night she starts puberty, leading to terrifying physical and psychological changes. Her sister must fight to save her soul before the full transformation is complete.
3. Dog Horror Movie Classics You Need to Watch
These seminal films established the "killer dog" sub-genre, trading supernatural forces for pure psychological and primal terror.
Man's Best Friend (1993) IMDb: 5.5
A news reporter adopts Max, a genetically engineered Tibetan Mastiff escaped from a research lab, unaware of its programmed deadly instincts and destructive behaviour. The film blends creature feature horror with dark comedy.
Baxter (1989) IMDb: 7.1
A chilling French black comedy told entirely from the philosophical and deeply unsettling perspective of Baxter, an intelligent Bull Terrier with a chilling desire for the perfect owner - and a willingness to dispose of any human who fails to meet his standards. Baxter's movie trailer is in french.
Cujo (1983) - based on the Stephen King Novel, IMDb: 6.0
The seminal killer dog movie based on the Stephen King novel. A massive, previously gentle Saint Bernard is bitten by a rabid bat and traps a mother and her young son inside their disabled car. The film is a masterful, claustrophobic siege thriller anchored by Dee Wallace’s terrifying performance.
White Dog (1982) IMDb: 6.7
A powerful and controversial psychological horror film where a young actress adopts a beautiful white German Shepherd that has been viciously trained to attack Black people. She must hire a Black trainer to de-program the dog before it harms anyone else.
Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) - Full Movie IMDb: 5.3
A classic made-for-TV movie where a suburban family unknowingly adopts a German Shepherd puppy possessed by a malevolent demonic entity. The dog then goes on a murder spree, twisting the family's beloved pet into a true agent of Satan.
The Pack (1977) IMDb: 6.2
One of the earliest "nature strikes back" dog horror films. A remote Australian town is terrorized by a vicious, organized pack of feral dogs after they are abandoned by their owners, forcing the residents to fight for their survival.
4. Where to Watch Dog Horror Movies: Netflix, Amazon Prime & Other Streaming Platforms
Trying to stream or catch these scare-filled adventures on the big screen? Discovering the classics and the newest high-concept horrors is simple, thanks to many streaming and rental options.
- Shudder / AMC+: This is the primary destination for the most intense and obscure titles. Shudder and its parent, AMC+, regularly stream Cujo (1983), The Breed (2006), and the newest high-concept hits like "Good Boy" (2025).
- Tubi / Plex / Hoopla (Free with Ads): These free platforms often rotate several classic dog horrors. You can typically find Cujo, The Pack (1977), and Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) available for free streaming.
- Netflix: While rotating frequently, Netflix is the typical streaming home for Man's Best Friend (1993) and may host international releases like As Boas Maneiras | Good Manners (2017).
- Criterion Channel: The controversial and powerful classic, White Dog (1982), is often available on The Criterion Channel due to its historical significance.
- Digital Rental/Purchase: Every title, including The Wolf of Snow Hollow, Baxter, and Dog Soldiers, is readily available for digital purchase or rental on major platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), and Google Play.
That's it for the Halloween scary movie list with canine horror and werevolves. Have you watched any of these dog horror movies? Which one was your favorite?
