As of October 26, 2023, there are a total of 13 films in the Halloween franchise. These films chronicle the relentless terror inflicted by Michael Myers on the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, and beyond, evolving through various timelines, retcons, and narrative choices over four decades.
A Bloody Timeline: The Complete Halloween Movie Series
The Halloween franchise is notorious for its fluctuating continuity. Several timelines exist, making a simple viewing order somewhat complicated. Here’s a breakdown of all thirteen films:
- Halloween (1978)
- Halloween II (1981)
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
- Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
- Halloween (2007) (Remake)
- Halloween II (2009) (Remake)
- Halloween (2018) (Reboot/Direct Sequel to 1978)
- Halloween Kills (2021)
- Halloween Ends (2022)
It’s crucial to understand the different timelines to appreciate each film’s place in the overall saga.
Understanding the Halloween Timelines
The complexities of the Halloween franchise largely stem from its multiple, often conflicting, timelines. Knowing these will help you navigate the series:
The Original Timeline (1-5)
This timeline encompasses Halloween (1978) through Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989). In this continuity, Michael escapes Smith’s Grove Sanitarium on Halloween night in 1978 and terrorizes Haddonfield. Laurie Strode is established as Michael’s sister. Dr. Loomis continues his relentless pursuit of Myers. Halloween 6 also fits within this timeline, albeit with retcons.
The H20 Timeline (1, 2, H20, Resurrection)
This timeline ignores Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and Halloween 6. It picks up after Halloween II with Laurie Strode faking her death to escape Michael. She reappears in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later as Keri Tate, living under an assumed identity. Halloween: Resurrection continues this timeline.
The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline (2007, 2009)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009) form a completely separate continuity, reimagining Michael’s origins and relationship with Laurie. These are remakes and do not connect to the other timelines.
The Blumhouse Trilogy Timeline (1978, 2018, Kills, Ends)
This timeline is a direct sequel to the original Halloween (1978), completely ignoring all other sequels. It depicts a hardened Laurie Strode preparing for Michael’s inevitable return. The Blumhouse trilogy, consisting of Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022), concludes this particular narrative arc. This timeline is arguably the most popular and critically acclaimed of the later continuities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Halloween movie franchise:
What is considered the “best” Halloween movie?
While subjective, the original Halloween (1978) is almost universally considered the best due to its suspenseful atmosphere, innovative filmmaking, and iconic score by John Carpenter. Its simplicity and effective use of horror tropes are widely praised. The Blumhouse Halloween (2018) is also frequently cited as a strong contender.
Which Halloween movie is the scariest?
Again, subjective, but most fans point to the original Halloween (1978) as the scariest. Its slow burn, creeping dread, and the masked presence of Michael Myers create a chilling and unforgettable experience. The Rob Zombie versions are often cited for their brutal violence, but not necessarily for their scare factor.
Is Laurie Strode in every Halloween movie?
No, Laurie Strode (played primarily by Jamie Lee Curtis) is not in every Halloween movie. She is absent from Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.
Why is Halloween III: Season of the Witch so different?
Halloween III: Season of the Witch was conceived as the start of an anthology series, with each Halloween film telling a different, unrelated horror story. However, due to negative audience reception after the absence of Michael Myers, the series reverted to focusing on him in subsequent installments. This film is largely unrelated to the Michael Myers storyline.
What is the chronological order of the Halloween movies (using the Blumhouse Timeline)?
If you want to watch the Blumhouse timeline, the chronological order is: Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). These films directly follow on from each other.
Who is Michael Myers’ original doctor?
Dr. Samuel Loomis is Michael Myers’ original psychiatrist and a key character in many Halloween films. He’s portrayed by Donald Pleasence in the original films and later by Malcolm McDowell in the Rob Zombie remakes. Loomis is obsessed with understanding and stopping Michael, believing him to be pure evil.
What is the significance of the Michael Myers mask?
The Michael Myers mask is arguably one of the most iconic images in horror cinema. It’s a modified William Shatner mask, painted white and with widened eyeholes. Its expressionless and emotionless nature contributes significantly to Michael’s unsettling and terrifying presence. It symbolizes the blank slate of evil.
How many times does Michael Myers “die” in the franchise?
Michael Myers seemingly “dies” numerous times throughout the franchise, only to return in subsequent installments. He’s been shot, stabbed, burned, blown up, and more. His apparent immortality is a recurring theme and a major source of frustration (and horror) for his pursuers. Each timeline has different “deaths” and resurrections.
Are there any plans for more Halloween movies?
As of late 2023, there are no confirmed plans for a direct sequel to Halloween Ends. However, the Halloween franchise is a lucrative property, and it’s highly likely that the story will be revisited in some form in the future, whether through a reboot, remake, or another timeline. The rights to the franchise are constantly being negotiated.
What is the Thorn trilogy?
The “Thorn Trilogy” unofficially refers to Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. These films explore the controversial “Curse of Thorn” storyline, which attempts to explain Michael Myers’ seemingly supernatural evil by attributing it to an ancient Druid cult. This plotline is generally considered one of the weaker aspects of the franchise.
Why did they kill off Laurie Strode in Halloween: Resurrection?
The decision to kill off Laurie Strode in Halloween: Resurrection was largely driven by budgetary constraints and a desire to pass the torch to a new generation of characters. Many fans criticized this decision, considering it a disrespectful end to a beloved character. However, it’s worth noting that the H20 timeline is separate from the Blumhouse timeline, where Laurie has a very different arc.
Is there a definitive end to Michael Myers’ story?
As of Halloween Ends, the most recent film in the franchise, Michael Myers is seemingly killed. The film presents a definitive conclusion, but the horror genre is notorious for resurrecting iconic villains. Whether this ending remains permanent remains to be seen, given the cyclical nature of horror franchises. Ultimately, whether or not Michael is truly dead is up for debate, but Halloween Ends provides the most conclusive ending the character has had to date.