Teen Wolf: Michael J. Fox’s Least-Favorite Michael J. Fox Movie Is a Stealth Horror Masterpiece

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Michael J. Fox is famous for playing Marty McFly in the *Back to the Future* movies, but he also starred in *Teen Wolf* the same year as the first *Back to the Future* film. Interestingly, *Teen Wolf* was actually filmed first, making it technically his first leading role. The movie is a lighthearted comedy about a werewolf who plays high school basketball, and while it’s meant to be funny, some parts of the story don’t quite add up. However, the film works largely because of Fox’s charming performance as Scott Howard, which saves it from being just another forgettable 80s comedy. Despite now being able to laugh about it, Fox was initially embarrassed by *Teen Wolf* and remains less enthusiastic about it compared to his other projects.

Despite any negative feelings surrounding it, the film clearly left a significant mark, both on the career of its star and on popular culture as a whole. In fact, it’s likely something else wouldn’t have existed without it – something that also proved surprisingly influential. While the star doesn’t have particularly fond memories of making the film, it’s now considered a classic by fans of monster movies, horror, and ’80s comedies, and unexpectedly launched one of the most unusual franchises ever.

What Does Michael J. Fox Dislike About Teen Wolf So Much?

Surprisingly, his curse doesn’t isolate him; instead, it makes him incredibly popular. His enhanced werewolf strength proves to be a huge asset on the basketball court, turning him into a star player. While the story sounds silly, it has a good message. As Scott realizes how his powers are hurting his friends and family, he learns an important lesson about accepting himself.

Despite being filmed before Michael J. Fox became widely known for *Back to the Future*, *Teen Wolf* wasn’t released until later that year. The distributor, Atlantic Releasing Corporation, wanted to benefit from the success Fox was gaining with *Back to the Future*. Initially, Fox hadn’t been available for *Back to the Future* due to his commitment to *Family Ties*. However, when *Family Ties* took a short break, Fox agreed to film *Teen Wolf* while still working on *Back to the Future* alongside Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly – a situation that ultimately changed the course of both films.

While Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg were quietly concerned that Michael J. Fox’s portrayal of the Teen Wolf was too intense, Fox himself was deeply unhappy with the project. He thought the movie’s concept was ridiculous and disliked the time-consuming makeup, believing it was a waste of effort on a film he didn’t think would be good. His feelings are clear even in his memoir, *Lucky Man*, where he only briefly mentions the experience, fearing the movie would damage his career.

Looking back, I really don’t know what I was thinking at the time. (Did Michael Landon somehow make it work?) The elaborate makeup – multiple layers of rubber foam covered in yak hair and glued to my face with airplane adhesive – made it nearly impossible to eat. I asked my friends if taking this role would ruin my career, and they kindly lied, telling me everything would be fine. Even though *Teen Wolf* might have ended my chances of starring in movies before I even began, I still had *Family Ties* to fall back on.

Critics had varying opinions about the movie, but it performed very well at the box office, earning over $80 million globally on a small $4 million budget. While the director had some doubts, most viewers would agree that the actor Fox is the strongest part of the film and truly defines its character.

Teen Wolf Wouldn’t Have Been Nearly as Memorable Without Michael J. Fox

At first glance, *Teen Wolf* seems like a silly, forgettable 80s movie. Without the werewolf premise, the story wouldn’t be particularly special – it’s similar to many other teen films from that era, like *Can’t Buy Me Love*. Plus, the plot has several inconsistencies and doesn’t always make logical sense.

Even in a silly comedy, it’s a bit unbelievable that Scott’s classmates aren’t scared when he transforms, but instead are amazed and impressed. Fortunately, Michael J. Fox’s charming performance—even with all the special effects makeup—is what really makes the movie and its humor work so well.

Despite his reservations about the movie, Michael J. Fox delivers a fantastic performance as Scott. He brings his signature humor and energy to the role, making it as charming and memorable as any of his other work. His impeccable timing and delivery elevate even the weaker jokes, and it’s clear no other actor could have pulled it off as well.

Okay, so it’s not a perfect movie, not by a long shot. But honestly, there’s just something *so* enjoyable about it! When it came out, everyone loved it, and people still do. I think it’s that whole ‘werewolf in high school’ thing – it’s just a really fun concept. Michael J. Fox is a huge reason it works, too. He’s so charming and likeable, he really carried the movie. It’s a shame he didn’t play the role again, but it definitely boosted his career and showed he could do more than just comedy. And who would have guessed it would kick off a whole franchise that kept going for years? It’s a surprisingly enduring film, even with its flaws.

Whether He Likes It or Not, Teen Wolf is Still a Vital Part of Michael J. Fox’s Filmography

By the time Michael J. Fox filmed *Teen Wolf*, he was already well-known from *Family Ties*. While he’d had smaller roles before, like in *Midnight Madness*, *Teen Wolf* was his first chance to star in a major movie. Although *Back to the Future* came out just a month earlier and initially boosted his movie star status, *Teen Wolf* further solidified his popularity. Despite often saying he doesn’t love the film, Fox has become more accepting of it over time, and now usually talks about it with humor, making fun of his own involvement rather than complaining.

The first movie did well enough to get a sequel, even though Michael J. Fox declined to return. Jason Bateman stepped in to play Scott’s cousin, Todd, as the story shifted to college life. While critics disliked the sequel and it wasn’t as profitable, it still gave Bateman a boost in his film career, much like the original movie had done for Fox.

The series later transitioned to television, initially with a short-lived and largely forgotten cartoon. It was then completely reimagined for MTV in 2011. While the reboot retained the original character names, it differed significantly from the film in terms of mood and plot. This new version became a supernatural teen drama, focusing more on the horror and lore surrounding werewolves. Featuring intense storylines and engaging romantic relationships, it ran for six seasons and was followed by a movie on Paramount+ in 2023, with another movie already planned.

The series, just like the original movie, gained a loyal following and is remembered as a groundbreaking show in the supernatural teen drama world. It also helped launch the careers of actors who are now well-known, like Dylan O’Brien and Tyler Hoechlin. While the star may have initially worried the series would harm his movie career, he couldn’t have foreseen how successful it would become – and how that success would continue on television. Despite his own feelings about the movie, many people still enjoy it for its fun, low-budget charm.

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2025-10-09 16:11