As of October 26, 2023, there are 13 films in the Halloween franchise featuring Michael Myers as the primary antagonist. These movies weave a complex and often contradictory tapestry of timelines, retcons, and variations on the iconic masked killer’s origins and motivations.
A Chronological Breakdown of the Halloween Films
Understanding the number of Halloween films requires acknowledging the franchise’s penchant for reboots and alternate timelines. Here’s a chronological listing of all 13 movies, accounting for their places in different continuities:
- Halloween (1978): The original masterpiece, establishing Michael Myers’ reign of terror in Haddonfield.
- Halloween II (1981): Picking up immediately after the first film, revealing Laurie Strode’s connection to Michael.
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982): An anthology film completely unrelated to Michael Myers and considered non-canon by most fans.
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): Resurrecting Michael after Season of the Witch, and introducing his niece, Jamie Lloyd.
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989): Continuing Jamie Lloyd’s story and further developing the “Curse of Thorn” mythology.
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): Delving deeper into the controversial Curse of Thorn explanation for Michael’s evil.
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): Retconning Halloween 4-6 and bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, now living under an assumed name.
- Halloween: Resurrection (2002): Continuing from H20, and concluding Laurie Strode’s story in a divisive manner.
- Halloween (2007): Rob Zombie’s reimagining of the original film, providing a psychological backstory for Michael.
- Halloween II (2009): Rob Zombie’s sequel to his 2007 remake, further exploring Michael’s fractured psyche.
- Halloween (2018): A direct sequel to the 1978 film, ignoring all other sequels and bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis as a hardened survivor.
- Halloween Kills (2021): Continuing directly from the 2018 film, focusing on the community’s reaction to Michael’s return.
- Halloween Ends (2022): Concluding the David Gordon Green trilogy and presenting a final confrontation between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers.
Understanding the Halloween Timelines
Navigating the Halloween franchise can be confusing because of its multiple timelines. Here’s a simplified overview:
The Original Timeline (1978-1995)
This timeline includes Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995). This is the timeline where Michael’s niece, Jamie Lloyd, becomes a prominent character, and the “Curse of Thorn” is introduced.
The H20 Timeline (1978, 1981, 1998, 2002)
This timeline retcons Halloween 4-6, establishing H20 as a direct sequel to Halloween II. It continues with Halloween: Resurrection.
The Rob Zombie Timeline (2007-2009)
This timeline consists of Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009), which are remakes and explore a different take on Michael’s origins and motivations.
The David Gordon Green Timeline (2018-2022)
This timeline is a direct sequel to the original Halloween (1978), ignoring all other sequels and encompassing Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Halloween Franchise
Here are some common questions about the Halloween movies, providing clarity on the franchise’s intricacies:
FAQ 1: Is Halloween III: Season of the Witch a Michael Myers movie?
No. Halloween III: Season of the Witch is an anthology film that has no connection to Michael Myers or the events of the other Halloween movies. It was intended to be the start of a series of unrelated horror films under the Halloween banner, but the negative reaction to its lack of Michael Myers led the franchise to bring him back in Halloween 4.
FAQ 2: Which Halloween movies are considered canon?
“Canon” is subjective in the Halloween franchise due to the multiple timelines. However, the most widely accepted canonical continuities are:
- The Original Timeline (Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Halloween 6)
- The H20 Timeline (Halloween, Halloween II, H20, Resurrection)
- The David Gordon Green Timeline (Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends)
FAQ 3: Why are there so many different Halloween timelines?
The different timelines arose from attempts to revitalize the franchise after periods of perceived decline or creative stagnation. Retconning previous entries allowed filmmakers to introduce new storylines and appeal to different audiences. This is a common practice in long-running horror franchises.
FAQ 4: What is the “Curse of Thorn” in the Halloween movies?
The “Curse of Thorn” is a plot element introduced in Halloween 4 and further explored in Halloween 5 and Halloween 6. It suggests that Michael Myers is driven to kill by an ancient Celtic curse bestowed upon him by a cult. This element is generally considered one of the weaker aspects of the franchise and was retconned in the H20 timeline.
FAQ 5: Which Halloween movie is considered the best?
Halloween (1978) is almost universally considered the best film in the franchise. Its suspenseful atmosphere, iconic score, and chilling portrayal of Michael Myers have made it a horror classic. It established many of the tropes that define the slasher genre.
FAQ 6: How many times has Michael Myers seemingly died in the Halloween movies?
Michael Myers has seemingly died countless times throughout the franchise, only to return in subsequent sequels. He’s been shot, stabbed, blown up, burned, and more. His resilience and ability to survive seemingly fatal injuries are a key part of his mystique.
FAQ 7: Who is Laurie Strode, and what is her relationship to Michael Myers?
Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is one of the most iconic final girls in horror history. In the original Halloween films, she is Michael’s target and eventually revealed to be his sister (in Halloween II). The 2018 reboot ignores this connection, making her a random survivor of Michael’s 1978 rampage.
FAQ 8: What is the significance of Michael Myers’ mask?
Michael Myers’ blank, emotionless mask is a crucial element of his character. It represents his lack of humanity and makes him a symbol of pure, unadulterated evil. The mask’s simple design adds to its unsettling effect.
FAQ 9: Which timeline is considered the scariest?
Many fans consider the original timeline (up to Halloween II) to be the scariest, due to its grounded realism and focus on suspense and atmosphere over gore and elaborate explanations for Michael’s evil. The simplicity of the original film’s premise is often cited as its greatest strength.
FAQ 10: Will there be any more Halloween movies after Halloween Ends?
While Halloween Ends was marketed as the definitive conclusion to the saga, the Halloween franchise is too lucrative to remain dormant forever. It’s highly likely that there will be future Halloween movies, whether they be reboots, sequels, or prequels. The rights to the franchise have changed hands multiple times, often leading to new interpretations.
FAQ 11: Which actor has played Michael Myers the most?
While Nick Castle originated the role, James Jude Courtney has portrayed Michael Myers the most in the David Gordon Green trilogy (Halloween 2018, Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends), becoming a fan-favorite for his menacing physicality.
FAQ 12: What are the essential Halloween movies to watch?
If you’re new to the franchise, the essential films to watch are Halloween (1978) to understand the origins, Halloween II to experience the direct continuation, and Halloween (2018) to see a modern reimagining of the story. These three films provide a solid foundation for understanding the Michael Myers mythos. They are the building blocks that the other films either expand upon or directly contradict.