There are a total of 13 Halloween films featuring Michael Myers, presented in several distinct timelines or continuities. Understanding the different timelines is crucial to navigating the Halloween franchise in order.
The Halloween Movie Franchise: A Deep Dive
The Halloween franchise is a fascinating case study in cinematic storytelling, marked by multiple reboots, retcons, and alternate timelines. This complexity can make it challenging to keep track of all the films and their place within the overarching narrative. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the Halloween movies in chronological order according to their respective continuities. We will explore each timeline separately, listing the films in the order they should be watched to maintain narrative consistency.
The Original Timeline (John Carpenter’s Vision)
This is where the legend began, crafted primarily by John Carpenter and Debra Hill. It includes what many consider the definitive Halloween experience.
Halloween (1978)
The quintessential slasher film, directed by John Carpenter, introduces Michael Myers as a young 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 Laurie Strode and her friends. This movie is a cornerstone of horror and sets the stage for everything that follows (in this timeline).
Halloween II (1981)
Picking up immediately after the events of the first film, Halloween II reveals that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers’s sister. Set mostly in a hospital, it continues the night of terror as Michael relentlessly pursues Laurie. John Carpenter co-wrote the screenplay and served as producer.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Ignoring Halloween III, this film brings Michael Myers back after he supposedly died at the end of Halloween II. He escapes during a prison transfer and returns to Haddonfield to pursue Laurie’s daughter, Jamie Lloyd. This marks the beginning of a new sub-plot that focuses on Jamie.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Following directly from Halloween 4, this film sees Jamie traumatized and institutionalized after witnessing her stepfather’s murder at the hands of Michael. Michael, meanwhile, is recovering from being shot and seemingly falling down a mine shaft. The film introduces a mysterious “Man in Black” who becomes an important element in later installments.
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
This is where the franchise gets a little…out there. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers attempts to explain Michael’s seemingly supernatural evil by introducing the Cult of Thorn, a group that apparently bestows upon him the power of immortality and compels him to kill. Jamie Lloyd is killed off-screen early in the film, and Michael pursues her son, Steven.
The H20/Resurrection Timeline (Ignoring 4-6)
This timeline effectively ignores Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, offering an alternate continuation of the original two films.
Halloween (1978)
(As above, the foundation for everything).
Halloween II (1981)
(As above).
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
This film picks up twenty years after the events of Halloween II. Laurie Strode is now living under an assumed name, working as the headmistress of a private school and struggling with PTSD. Michael Myers returns to hunt her down. This film was intended to be a definitive ending for Laurie’s story.
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Despite the intention of finality in H20, Halloween: Resurrection brings Michael Myers back, killing off Laurie Strode (in a controversial opening sequence). The plot revolves around a reality TV show filmed inside the Myers house, where a group of college students are terrorized by Michael. This entry is generally considered one of the weakest in the franchise.
The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline
This timeline presents a reimagining of the original story, directed by Rob Zombie. It offers a grittier and more psychological take on Michael Myers.
Halloween (2007)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween is a remake of the original 1978 film. It provides a more detailed backstory for Michael Myers, exploring his troubled childhood and psychological issues before and after the murders of his family. It also covers the events of the original film, re-imagined through Zombie’s distinctive directorial style.
Halloween II (2009)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween II is a direct sequel to his 2007 remake. It delves further into Michael’s disturbed psyche and explores the mental connection between Michael and Laurie. This entry is notably different from the original Halloween II, presenting a more surreal and hallucinatory experience.
The David Gordon Green Trilogy (Ignoring Everything but the Original)
This latest timeline serves as a direct sequel to the original 1978 film, completely ignoring all previous sequels.
Halloween (1978)
(The original, once again the foundation).
Halloween (2018)
Directed by David Gordon Green, this film picks up forty years after the events of the original Halloween. Laurie Strode is a survivalist, haunted by her past and preparing for Michael’s inevitable return. Michael escapes from a mental institution and returns to Haddonfield to wreak havoc once more.
Halloween Kills (2021)
Halloween Kills takes place on the same night as the 2018 film, continuing the story immediately after the events of the previous installment. The residents of Haddonfield form a mob to hunt down Michael Myers. This movie is known for its high body count and intense violence.
Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends is the final installment in the David Gordon Green trilogy and is supposed to conclude the story of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. Set four years after Halloween Kills, the film explores the themes of fear, trauma, and the potential for evil to infect an entire community. It offers a controversial ending to the saga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Halloween movie franchise to further clarify the timelines and complexities.
What’s the best order to watch the Halloween movies if I want to ignore all the retcons and just see the whole story from beginning to end?
There’s no single “whole story” due to the multiple timelines. However, you can choose a timeline and watch the movies within that continuity in chronological order as outlined above. The original timeline is a good starting point if you want to experience the franchise’s evolution.
Why are there so many different timelines in the Halloween series?
The multiple timelines are the result of creative decisions made by different filmmakers over the years. Some sequels disregarded previous installments to tell a new story, while others sought to reboot the franchise entirely. This has led to the fragmented, multi-timeline structure we see today.
Is Halloween III: Season of the Witch canon to any of the timelines?
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is considered an outlier. It’s technically part of the franchise but does not feature Michael Myers and has a completely unrelated plot involving sinister Halloween masks and a pagan ritual. It’s not considered canon to any of the timelines featuring Michael Myers.
Which Halloween movie is considered the scariest?
Subjectivity plays a large role, but many horror fans consider the original Halloween (1978) to be the scariest due to its suspenseful atmosphere, John Carpenter’s minimalist score, and the pure, unadulterated evil embodied by Michael Myers.
Which Halloween movie has the highest body count?
Halloween Kills (2021) is notorious for its exceptionally high body count. Michael Myers cuts a swathe through Haddonfield with unparalleled brutality in this installment.
What’s the deal with the Cult of Thorn in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers?
The Cult of Thorn is a controversial element introduced to explain Michael Myers’ seemingly supernatural abilities and his compulsion to kill. It remains a divisive topic among fans, with some appreciating the attempt to add depth to Michael’s backstory and others finding it a convoluted and unnecessary addition.
Why did Jamie Lee Curtis return for Halloween H20 and the 2018 Halloween?
Jamie Lee Curtis returned to the Halloween franchise because she was drawn to the opportunity to explore Laurie Strode’s trauma and survival. She felt that the character had more to offer and wanted to give her a proper arc. The financial incentives of a successful horror franchise were also likely a factor.
What’s the most divisive Halloween movie among fans?
Halloween: Resurrection (2002) is widely considered one of the worst and most divisive entries in the franchise due to its nonsensical plot, the controversial death of Laurie Strode, and overall poor execution. Halloween Ends (2022) has also garnered significant criticism for its focus on a new character and its depiction of Michael Myers.
Are there any plans for more Halloween movies in the future?
While Halloween Ends was marketed as the definitive conclusion of the Michael Myers saga, the Halloween franchise is a lucrative property. Given the enduring popularity of the series and the success of recent installments, it’s highly likely that more Halloween movies will be made in the future, possibly through another reboot or a new continuation. As of November 2023, Miramax and Blumhouse are developing a TV series based on the Halloween franchise, with potential for a cinematic universe.
What makes Michael Myers such an enduring horror icon?
Michael Myers’ enduring appeal stems from his embodiment of pure, motiveless evil. He is a blank slate, a relentless killing machine with no discernible personality or human emotions, making him all the more terrifying. The iconic mask, John Carpenter’s score, and the simplicity of the original story also contribute to his lasting legacy.
What’s the chronological order of events within the David Gordon Green timeline?
The chronological order within the David Gordon Green timeline is: Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). This timeline directly continues the story from the original 1978 film, ignoring all other sequels.
Where can I stream all the Halloween movies?
The availability of Halloween movies for streaming varies depending on your region and the specific streaming service. However, most of the Halloween films are often available on platforms such as Shudder, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, either through subscription or for rental/purchase. Be sure to check your local listings for accurate information.