There have been thirteen films released in the Halloween franchise centered around the relentless menace of Michael Myers. From John Carpenter’s original masterpiece to the recent trilogy, the series has carved a bloody swathe through popular culture.
The Core Chronicle: A Detailed Look at Every Film
The Halloween franchise is a complex beast, spawning multiple timelines and reboots that can leave even the most dedicated horror fan scratching their head. To understand the full scope of the Michael Myers story, it’s crucial to examine each film individually.
1. Halloween (1978)
The original and arguably still the best. John Carpenter’s Halloween introduced us to Michael Myers, a seemingly ordinary boy who murders his sister on Halloween night in 1963. Fifteen years later, he escapes from Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to terrorize babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). Carpenter’s masterful direction, the iconic score, and the sheer suspense established a new standard for the slasher genre.
2. Halloween II (1981)
Picking up directly after the events of the first film, Halloween II sees Laurie Strode hospitalized while Michael continues his relentless pursuit. This film expanded on the mythology, revealing that Laurie is Michael’s sister, a plot point that would become central to many subsequent entries. The film’s increased gore and violence, however, divided critics.
3. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
A controversial entry, Halloween III: Season of the Witch has no connection to Michael Myers. It’s an anthology film centered around a sinister mask-making corporation with deadly plans for Halloween night. While initially panned, it has gained a cult following for its unique story and unsettling atmosphere.
4. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
After sitting out the third installment, Michael Myers returns in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. This film ignores the events of Halloween III and picks up ten years after Halloween II. Laurie Strode is dead, and Michael is now after her daughter, Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris). This film reintroduced Michael as an unstoppable force of evil.
5. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Continuing directly from the ending of Halloween 4, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers sees Jamie Lloyd, now traumatized and mute, developing a psychic link with Michael. This film is often considered one of the weaker entries in the series, criticized for its convoluted plot and inconsistent characterization.
6. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers delves into the origins of Michael’s evil, introducing the Cult of Thorn, a pagan group that allegedly controls Michael’s actions. This film, notorious for its troubled production and multiple cuts, is highly divisive among fans. It also marks the final appearance of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis.
7. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later retcons the events of Halloween 4, 5, and 6, presenting a new timeline where Laurie Strode has been living under an assumed name as a headmistress at a private boarding school. Michael resurfaces after two decades to hunt her down. This film, a direct sequel to Halloween II, was a critical and commercial success.
8. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Following directly after Halloween H20, Halloween: Resurrection is often considered one of the worst films in the franchise. The film controversially kills off Laurie Strode early on and focuses on a group of college students who participate in a live internet broadcast from Michael Myers’ childhood home.
9. Halloween (2007)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween is a remake of the original film, exploring Michael’s troubled childhood and providing a more visceral and brutal take on the story. While visually striking, it was met with mixed reviews.
10. Halloween II (2009)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween II is a sequel to his 2007 remake, further delving into Michael’s psyche and his connection to Laurie Strode. This film deviates significantly from the original timeline and is even more divisive than its predecessor.
11. Halloween (2018)
This film, directed by David Gordon Green, is a direct sequel to the 1978 original, completely ignoring all other sequels. Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, now a paranoid and battle-hardened woman who has been preparing for Michael’s inevitable return for forty years. This film was a critical and commercial success, revitalizing the franchise.
12. Halloween Kills (2021)
Continuing directly after the 2018 film, Halloween Kills sees the town of Haddonfield rising up to hunt down Michael Myers. This film is characterized by its extreme violence and its exploration of mob mentality. It received mixed reviews.
13. Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends concludes the David Gordon Green trilogy. Set four years after Halloween Kills, the film focuses on Corey Cunningham, a young man who becomes entangled in Michael Myers’ legacy of evil. This film offers a controversial and divisive ending to the saga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Halloween franchise:
1. What is the correct order to watch the Halloween movies?
There isn’t one definitive “correct” order, as the franchise has multiple timelines. The simplest is to watch the original Halloween (1978) and then choose which timeline you want to follow:
- Original Timeline: Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween 4 (1988), Halloween 5 (1989), Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
- H20 Timeline: Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween H20 (1998), Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
- Rob Zombie Timeline: Halloween (2007), Halloween II (2009)
- David Gordon Green Timeline: Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), Halloween Ends (2022)
2. Is Halloween III: Season of the Witch canon?
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is not canon to the Michael Myers storyline. It was intended to be the start of an anthology series, but the poor reception led to the return of Michael Myers in Halloween 4.
3. Why are there so many different timelines?
The different timelines are a result of reboots and retcons. Producers and writers have often chosen to ignore previous sequels in order to tell new stories with Michael Myers.
4. Who has played Michael Myers?
Numerous actors have portrayed Michael Myers throughout the series, including Nick Castle (the original), Tony Moran, Dick Warlock, George P. Wilbur, Don Shanks, Chris Durand, Tyler Mane, James Jude Courtney, and more.
5. Why does Michael Myers wear a mask?
The mask serves to depersonalize Michael, making him a more terrifying and enigmatic figure. In the original film, it was a painted William Shatner mask that was chosen for its blank and emotionless expression.
6. What is the significance of the Myers House?
The Myers House represents the origin of Michael’s evil and serves as a recurring location in the franchise. It is a symbol of the terror that lurks beneath the surface of seemingly normal suburban life.
7. What is the Cult of Thorn?
The Cult of Thorn is a pagan group introduced in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers that is said to be the source of Michael’s supernatural abilities. This plot element is controversial and is generally not considered canon in other timelines.
8. Why does Michael Myers kill?
The motivation behind Michael Myers’ killing spree is debated. Some see him as pure evil, driven by instinct and a desire to cause chaos. Others attribute his actions to childhood trauma or the influence of the Cult of Thorn. Ultimately, his motivation remains largely ambiguous.
9. How many times has Laurie Strode died in the Halloween films?
Laurie Strode has technically “died” twice in the Halloween franchise, depending on which timeline you follow. She dies in Halloween: Resurrection in the H20 timeline. In the original timeline which was discarded by the 2018 film, it is assumed she died sometime before Halloween 4.
10. What makes the Halloween theme music so iconic?
John Carpenter’s Halloween theme is iconic because of its simplicity, its chilling atmosphere, and its use of repetitive minor key chords. The minimalist score perfectly complements the film’s suspenseful tone.
11. What is the difference between a remake and a reboot?
A remake reimagines the original story with a new cast and crew, while a reboot starts a new continuity, often ignoring previous sequels. Rob Zombie’s Halloween is a remake, while the 2018 Halloween is a reboot/direct sequel.
12. Will there be any more Halloween movies?
While Halloween Ends was marketed as the final film in the series, the enduring popularity of the franchise and Michael Myers suggests that more Halloween movies are likely in the future, though probably not with the same cast or creative team as the 2018-2022 trilogy. The slasher is very likely not going to die forever.
The Halloween franchise, with its complex history and enduring appeal, continues to captivate horror fans. Whether you prefer the classic suspense of the original or the more modern and brutal interpretations, the legacy of Michael Myers remains an indelible part of horror cinema.