John Landis’s An American Werewolf in London (1981) is celebrated for its dark humor and groundbreaking makeup effects. Several deleted scenes—some trimmed for pacing, others cut for tone—offer richer character context, amplify the film’s emotional stakes, and reveal darker comedic beats that Landis originally explored. Below are the most notable deleted or extended sequences, why they matter, and what they add to the film experience.
After transforming back into a human, David was originally shown wandering through the London Underground (the Tube) wearing a stolen raincoat. He tries to navigate the subway system while dealing with the shock of his transformation and the fear of being recognized. It was a sequence intended to bridge the gap between the night of the killings and the morning at the zoo, but it was cut for pacing reasons—the audience didn't need to see David struggling with public transit to understand his disorientation. an american werewolf in london deleted scenes
This scene was actually included in the original theatrical release but was famously missing from certain Region 2 Special Edition DVDs due to a mastering error. It is restored on most modern Blu-ray releases. Other Notable Edits John Landis’s An American Werewolf in London (1981)
An American Werewolf in London | John Landis - In Review Online After transforming back into a human, David was