Teen Wolf is a 1985 American coming-of-age romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Rod Daniel and written by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman. Michael J. Fox stars as title character, a high school student whose ordinary life is changed when he discovers that he is a werewolf. James Hampton, Scott Paulin, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine, Matt Adler and Jay Tarses appear in supporting roles. Filming took place from November to December of 1984.
Teen Wolf was released on August 23, 1985, by Atlantic Releasing Corporation and received mixed reviews. It was a commercial success, grossing over $80 million on a $1.2 million budget. Due to its success, the film spawned an animated series adaptation in 1986 and a 1987 sequel that featured Hampton and Mark Holton as the only returning cast members. Teen Wolf also influenced a supernatural drama series of the same name that aired on MTV from 2011 to 2017.
Plot[]
Scott Howard is a 17-year-old high school student who is tired of just being average. Living in a small town in Nebraska, his only claim to popularity is playing on the Beavers. his school's unsuccessful basketball team. Scott fawns after his love interest Pamela Wells even though she is dating his rival Mick who in turn plays for the Dragons, an opposing team that bullies him on the court. Completely oblivious to the affections of his best friend Boof, Scott constantly rebuffs her advances due to their history together.
After startling changes such as long hair sprouting, hands suddenly getting hairy, he decides to quit the team, but his coach, Finstock, changes his mind. Scoring a keg with his friend Stiles for a party, Scott and Boof end up alone in a closet and Scott gets rough when they begin making out, accidentally clawing Boof's back. When he returns home, he undergoes a strange transformation and discovers he is a werewolf. His father Harold reveals he too is a werewolf, and that he had hoped Scott would not inherit the curse because 'sometimes it skips a generation'.
Scott reveals his secret to Stiles, who agrees to keep it a secret, but when Scott becomes stressed on the court, he becomes the wolf and helps win their first game in three years. This has an unexpected result of fame and popularity as the high school is overwhelmed with 'Wolf Fever'. Scott is alienated from Boof and his teammates as he begins to hog the ball during games.
Stiles merchandises "Teen Wolf" paraphernalia and Pamela finally begins paying attention to Scott. After he gets a role as a 'werewolf cavalryman' in the school play alongside her, she comes onto him in the dressing room and the two have sex. Later, after a date set up to make Mick jealous on purpose, Pamela tells Scott that she is not interested in Scott as a boyfriend, much to his disappointment. Harold tells Scott he is responsible for vice principal Rusty Thorne breathing down his neck due to a scare he had given him when he was in high school; advising him to be himself.
With the upcoming Spring Dance, Boof agrees to go with Scott, but only if he goes as himself. Scott goes alone as the Wolf and has a great time. Boof takes Scott out into the hallway and they kiss, which turns Scott back into himself. When they return to the dance, everyone pays attention to him which includes Pamela. An upset Mick walks up to Scott and punches him in the face; proceeding to insult Boof and taunt Scott until the Wolf angrily attacks him that results with Mick getting his shirt ripped. Scott runs out of the hall right into Thorne who threatens expulsion. Harold defends his son before going on to intimidate Thorne by growling into his face, causing the Vice Principal to wet himself.
Scott renounces using the wolf and quits the basketball team, who have come to expect it. During the championship game, Scott arrives and rallies his teammates to play without the wolf. Despite the odds, the team begins to work together and they make ground against the Dragons. During the final quarter, behind by one point, Scott is fouled by Mick at the buzzer. He makes both shots, winning the championship much to everyone's delight. Brushing past Pamela, Scott kisses Boof as his father embraces both. Mick tells Pamela that they should leave, but she tells him to 'drop dead' and storms off while everyone else celebrates the victory.