There have been thirteen Halloween movies released theatrically (or on streaming services) as of 2023, all featuring the iconic slasher Michael Myers in some capacity, albeit to varying degrees of prominence. This number encompasses the original timeline, the rebooted timeline started by Rob Zombie, and the more recent trilogy from David Gordon Green.
The Halloween Legacy: A Chronological Overview
The Halloween franchise, one of the most successful and enduring in horror history, has undergone numerous retcons, reboots, and reimaginings over the past four decades. Understanding the different timelines is crucial to accurately counting the Michael Myers films. Let’s break down the chronological order of releases and briefly discuss their place within the franchise’s complex continuity.
- Halloween (1978): The original and arguably the most influential. Directed by John Carpenter, it introduces Michael Myers, a seemingly unstoppable force of evil.
- Halloween II (1981): Continues the story immediately after the first film, revealing Laurie Strode to be Michael’s sister.
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982): A complete departure from the Michael Myers storyline, focusing on a Halloween mask company with sinister intentions. It is considered an anthology film and does not feature Michael Myers.
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): Michael escapes from Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and returns to Haddonfield, seeking out his niece, Jamie Lloyd.
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989): Picks up one year after the events of Halloween 4, with Jamie Lloyd now exhibiting a psychic link to Michael.
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): This film explores the origins of Michael’s evil, introducing a cultic element with the “Curse of Thorn.”
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): Retcons the events of Halloween 4-6, presenting a timeline where Laurie Strode faked her death and has been living under a new identity. Michael returns to hunt her down.
- Halloween: Resurrection (2002): Continues directly from H20, though often criticized for its narrative choices, including Michael supposedly killing Laurie.
- Halloween (2007): A complete reboot directed by Rob Zombie, exploring Michael’s troubled childhood and eventual descent into madness.
- Halloween II (2009): Rob Zombie’s sequel to his 2007 reboot, delving deeper into Michael’s psyche and his connection to Laurie.
- Halloween (2018): A direct sequel to the original 1978 film, ignoring all subsequent sequels. Laurie Strode is now a traumatized survivalist preparing for Michael’s inevitable return.
- Halloween Kills (2021): Continues the story directly after the 2018 film, showcasing the Haddonfield community’s united effort to stop Michael.
- Halloween Ends (2022): Concludes the David Gordon Green trilogy, focusing on the long-term psychological impact of Michael Myers on Laurie and the town of Haddonfield.
Michael Myers: A Legacy of Fear
The character of Michael Myers is a cornerstone of the slasher genre. His silent, relentless pursuit, masked visage, and seemingly supernatural resilience have cemented his place in popular culture. Whether you prefer the original timeline, the Zombie reboots, or the modern trilogy, Michael Myers remains a terrifying presence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Halloween Movies
This section provides detailed answers to some of the most common questions surrounding the Halloween movie franchise and its iconic villain.
H3: Does Halloween III: Season of the Witch count as a Halloween movie?
Yes, Halloween III: Season of the Witch is officially considered a Halloween movie, but it is a standalone anthology film and does not feature Michael Myers. It was intended to be the start of an annual Halloween anthology series, but its poor reception led to Michael Myers’s return in Halloween 4.
H3: Which Halloween movies ignore previous installments?
Several Halloween films disregard previous entries in the series:
- Halloween H20: Ignores Halloween 4, 5, and 6.
- Halloween (2007): Is a complete reboot and ignores all previous films.
- Halloween (2018): Serves as a direct sequel to the original 1978 film, ignoring all other sequels.
H3: Who played Michael Myers in the original Halloween (1978)?
Several actors portrayed Michael Myers in the original Halloween. Nick Castle is credited as the primary performer for the “The Shape” role, particularly during the iconic stalking scenes. Tony Moran played Michael Myers unmasked at the end of the film. Debra Hill, the film’s producer, even briefly stepped in for a scene.
H3: How many times has Michael Myers “died” in the Halloween films?
Michael Myers has seemingly “died” numerous times throughout the franchise, only to return in subsequent installments. Here are a few instances:
- Halloween II: Blown up in a hospital explosion.
- Halloween 4: Shot and seemingly killed.
- Halloween 6: Beaten and injected with tranquilizers.
- Halloween H20: Decapitated by Laurie Strode.
- Halloween: Resurrection: Supposedly killed by Laurie.
- Halloween Kills: Beaten and left for dead by a mob.
However, these “deaths” are often ambiguous, allowing for his continued resurrection in later films.
H3: What is the “Thorn” storyline in Halloween 6?
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers introduced the “Thorn” storyline, which attempts to explain Michael’s seemingly supernatural abilities and his compulsion to kill. It involves a cult called the Cult of Thorn, who placed a curse on Michael, compelling him to kill his family line on Halloween night. This storyline is widely considered one of the weakest aspects of the franchise and was largely ignored in later installments.
H3: Which Halloween movie is considered the worst by fans?
While opinions vary, Halloween: Resurrection (2002) is frequently cited as the worst Halloween movie by fans and critics alike. Common criticisms include its weak plot, poor character development, and the controversial decision to seemingly kill off Laurie Strode early in the film.
H3: Which Halloween movie is considered the best by fans?
The original Halloween (1978) is almost universally considered the best film in the franchise. Its suspenseful atmosphere, iconic score, and effective use of tension have made it a landmark achievement in horror cinema.
H3: How is Laurie Strode related to Michael Myers in the original timeline?
In Halloween II (1981), it is revealed that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers’s sister. This connection was later retconned in the 2018 film, which ignores all previous sequels and establishes that Laurie and Michael are not related.
H3: What is the significance of the mask that Michael Myers wears?
The mask that Michael Myers wears is a crucial element of his character. It is a blank, expressionless face that obscures his identity and dehumanizes him, making him a symbol of pure, unadulterated evil. The mask was originally a William Shatner (Captain Kirk) mask, repainted white.
H3: How does the David Gordon Green trilogy (2018, 2021, 2022) differ from other Halloween movies?
The David Gordon Green trilogy offers a different take on the Halloween mythos by:
- Ignoring all sequels to the original 1978 film.
- Focusing on the long-term trauma experienced by Laurie Strode.
- Exploring the impact of Michael Myers on the entire Haddonfield community.
- Attempting to provide a definitive conclusion to Michael Myers’s story.
H3: Will there be any more Halloween movies featuring Michael Myers?
The future of the Halloween franchise is uncertain. While Halloween Ends was marketed as the conclusion of the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers saga, the popularity and profitability of the franchise make it likely that new Halloween movies will eventually be made, potentially featuring a reboot or a new storyline with Michael Myers or other antagonists taking center stage. As of the present day, nothing has been announced.
H3: Where can I watch all the Halloween movies?
The availability of Halloween movies on streaming services varies depending on your location and the specific streaming platform. You can typically find them on platforms like Peacock, Shudder, Amazon Prime Video (for rental or purchase), and various other streaming services that regularly rotate their horror movie selections, particularly around the Halloween season. Always check the streaming service’s current offerings in your region.