Marvel’s 2022 special Werewolf by Night (fans shorten it to WBN) shocked viewers with a stark monochrome palette in the age of ultra-saturated MCU spectacles. Director Michael Giacchino and producer Brian Gay chose black-and-white to evoke 1940s monster movies, push practical gore without an MA rating, and give the short a stylistic jolt that felt “really different” inside the franchise.
Why Is WBN Only Black and White? Homage Meets Practicality
From day one Giacchino wanted the special to look like the Universal and Hammer horror features he grew up loving, arguing that “from the very beginning, it needed to be in black-and-white.”
Black-and-white also masked bright red blood, letting Marvel include more classic-horror violence while still landing a family-friendly TV-14 rating.
Ratings & Gore: Monochrome as a Ratings Tool
Screen-tone gore reads less graphic in grayscale. Executive producer Brian Gay confirmed the filter helped “give you that scare” without breaching Disney’s content guidelines.
Director Michael Giacchino’s Vision
Giacchino has said the choice let him “do something different under the Marvel umbrella,” and he still calls the 2022 cut the “original vision,” even after experimenting with a full-color grade.
Wait—There Is a Color Version Now
A remastered Werewolf by Night in Color dropped on Disney+ and Hulu on 20 October 2023, adding saturated reds and greens while keeping the 54-minute runtime intact.
How to Watch WBN in Black-and-White vs Color
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Disney+: Both versions stream worldwide; the monochrome cut remains the default thumbnail.
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Physical screenings & concerts: Giacchino still screens the B&W print with live orchestras each October.
FAQ
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Is there a color version of WBN?
Yes—Werewolf by Night in Color premiered on Disney+ on 20 Oct 2023. -
Does the color cut replace the black-and-white original?
No. Giacchino calls them “two kids … both great.” The B&W version is still considered the canonical first release. -
Was black-and-white chosen only for style?
Style and ratings: the desaturated palette pays homage to classic horror and kept the special under a TV-MA rating despite on-screen gore. -
Will future Marvel specials use black-and-white?
Marvel hasn’t announced more monochrome projects, but positive fan response makes the stylistic tool likely to return. -
Where can I stream Werewolf by Night right now?
Both versions are on Disney+ globally; U.S. viewers can also find the color edition on Hulu each Halloween season.
