Released in 1981 and directed by John Landis, An American Werewolf in London is widely regarded as one of the most influential werewolf films ever made. The story follows two American backpackers (Griffin Dunne and David Naughton) traveling through England, whose trip takes a horrifying turn after a brutal attack on the moors. What sets the film apart is its unusual balance of dark humor and genuine horror, something Landis intentionally leaned into following his earlier success with comedy. The film is especially known for its groundbreaking practical effects, created by Rick Baker, whose work on the transformation sequence earned him the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup. Even decades later, that scene is still considered one of the most convincing in horror history.