There have been thirteen films released under the Halloween banner as of 2024, encompassing multiple timelines and reinterpretations of the core story. This includes both the original storyline and the more recent reboots.
A Legacy of Fear: Tracing the Halloween Film Series
John Carpenter’s 1978 masterpiece, Halloween, redefined the slasher genre and launched a cultural phenomenon. The film’s stark simplicity, chilling score, and the terrifying presence of Michael Myers, a seemingly unstoppable force of evil, captivated audiences and spawned a sprawling franchise that continues to evolve and haunt viewers to this day. However, the path of the Halloween series has been far from straightforward. Multiple timelines, retcons, and reboots have created a complex web of continuity, leaving many fans wondering exactly which films “count” and how they all fit together.
This article aims to provide a definitive guide to the Halloween film series, clarifying the different timelines, highlighting key turning points, and answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this iconic horror franchise. Understanding the history of Halloween requires navigating a maze of creative decisions and production changes, but the journey is worth it for any true horror fan.
The Original Timeline (1978-1995)
The original timeline begins with John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) and continues through Halloween II (1981), which picks up immediately after the events of the first film. This initial pairing established Michael Myers as a supernatural force driven to kill, particularly targeting Laurie Strode.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) is a unique entry, completely divorced from the Michael Myers story and focusing on a different horror theme: cursed Halloween masks. While a divisive film, it remains a cult classic in its own right.
The storyline resumes with Michael Myers in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995). These films explore the “Curse of Thorn” mythology, adding a supernatural explanation for Michael’s seemingly unkillable nature. This timeline is generally considered to end with The Curse of Michael Myers.
The H20 Timeline (1998-2002)
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) served as a direct sequel to Halloween II, ignoring the events of films 4, 5, and 6. This film reintroduced Laurie Strode, now living under an assumed name and working as a headmistress at a private school, still haunted by the events of that fateful Halloween night.
Halloween: Resurrection (2002) follows directly from H20, picking up the story immediately after the preceding film’s cliffhanger ending. This film, however, is generally considered to be one of the weakest entries in the franchise and is often disregarded by fans.
The Rob Zombie Remakes (2007-2009)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) is a complete reboot of the franchise, offering a gritty and visceral reimagining of Michael Myers’ origin story. It delves into his troubled childhood and explores the psychological factors that may have contributed to his murderous tendencies.
Halloween II (2009) continues Zombie’s interpretation, venturing into more surreal and psychological horror territory. This film is even more divisive than the first remake, with many fans criticizing its deviation from the original storyline.
The Blumhouse Trilogy (2018-2022)
The Blumhouse trilogy, consisting of Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022), is another reboot that directly ignores all previous sequels and presents a new version of the story, continuing from the original 1978 film. This timeline focuses on the enduring trauma experienced by Laurie Strode and her family and the impact of Michael Myers’ evil on the Haddonfield community. This timeline is considered the current, and potentially final, version of the core storyline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Halloween movie franchise, addressing common confusions and clarifying key points.
FAQ 1: What is the “Thorn” trilogy?
The “Thorn” trilogy refers to Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. These films introduced the Curse of Thorn, a Druid cult ritual that allegedly compels Michael Myers to kill his family members. This storyline is often criticized for overcomplicating the mythology of Michael Myers and deviating from the original film’s simplicity.
FAQ 2: Does Halloween III have anything to do with Michael Myers?
No. Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a standalone film with a completely different storyline and characters. It was originally intended to be the start of an anthology series of Halloween-themed horror films, but the poor reception from fans who were expecting Michael Myers led to the return of the iconic killer in subsequent sequels.
FAQ 3: Why are there so many different timelines in the Halloween series?
The multiple timelines are a result of various creative decisions and attempts to reboot or revitalize the franchise. Some filmmakers wanted to ignore certain sequels and start fresh, while others sought to explore new directions with the existing characters and mythology.
FAQ 4: Which Halloween movies star Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode?
Jamie Lee Curtis has starred in Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). She is the quintessential scream queen of the franchise and a major reason for its enduring popularity.
FAQ 5: What is the most profitable Halloween movie?
Adjusted for inflation, the original Halloween (1978) remains the most profitable film in the series. Its low budget and massive box office success cemented its place as a landmark achievement in independent filmmaking and horror cinema. In terms of raw gross, Halloween (2018) is the highest-grossing entry.
FAQ 6: Which Halloween movie is considered the scariest?
Subjectivity plays a big role, but many fans and critics consider the original Halloween (1978) to be the scariest due to its suspenseful atmosphere, minimalist score, and the unnerving presence of Michael Myers. Its simplicity and realism contribute to its enduring effectiveness.
FAQ 7: Who played Michael Myers in the most Halloween movies?
Nick Castle played Michael Myers in the original Halloween (1978) and had a cameo voice appearance in Halloween (2018). However, George P. Wilbur holds the distinction of portraying Michael Myers in the most films overall, playing the role in both Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.
FAQ 8: Is there any official order to watch the Halloween movies?
That depends on which timeline you want to follow. The most straightforward approach is to watch the original Halloween (1978) and then choose one of the continuations: the original timeline (Halloween II – Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers), the H20 timeline (Halloween H20 and Halloween: Resurrection), the Rob Zombie remakes, or the Blumhouse trilogy.
FAQ 9: Will there be more Halloween movies?
Given the enduring popularity and profitability of the Halloween franchise, it is highly likely that more films will be made in the future. Whether they will continue from the Blumhouse trilogy or present another reboot remains to be seen. The rights to the franchise have changed hands several times, which influences the direction of future installments.
FAQ 10: What is the “Director’s Cut” of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers?
The “Director’s Cut” of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is an alternate version of the film that was never officially released in theaters. It contains several differences from the theatrical cut, including alternate scenes, deleted scenes, and a different ending. It is considered by many fans to be a superior version of the film.
FAQ 11: Where does Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers fall in the timeline?
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is the sixth film in the original timeline, following Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers. It is ignored by both the H20 timeline and the more recent reboots.
FAQ 12: Is there a Halloween TV series?
There isn’t a widely recognized Halloween TV series with the same characters and storylines as the films. However, there have been talks and rumors about developing a television series based on the Halloween concept, but none have come to fruition to date. The anthology concept of Halloween III could potentially be revisited in a television format.