Halloween - Watch Order: Release Order

1978 - 202213 Films21h 13m3.2 Average

John Carpenter's Halloween franchise is one of horror cinema's most influential yet convoluted series, featuring the masked killer Michael Myers. What began as a simple slasher masterpiece in 1978 has spawned multiple timelines, reboots, and retcons over four decades, creating a complex web of continuities that often ignore or contradict previous entries.

This complete chronological journey shows how different creative teams approached the Michael Myers mythology across 44 years, from Carpenter's original vision through the Thorn storyline of the 80s/90s, the H20 revival, Rob Zombie's brutal reimagining, and the modern Blumhouse trilogy. Note that Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a complete standalone entry featuring neither Michael Myers nor any connection to the main storyline, as it was part of Carpenter's original vision for an anthology series.

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Halloween poster

Halloween

19781h 31m4.5
Director: John Carpenter
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P. J. Soles, Charles Cyphers

Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

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Halloween II poster

Halloween II

19811h 32m3.7
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Jeffrey Kramer, Lance Guest

After failing to kill stubborn survivor Laurie and taking a bullet or six from former psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis, Michael Myers has followed Laurie to the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, where she's been admitted for Myers' attempt on her life. The institution proves to be particularly suited to serial killers, however, as Myers cuts, stabs and slashes his way through hospital staff to reach his favorite victim.

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Halloween III: Season of the Witch poster

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

19821h 39m2.6
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace
Cast: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O'Herlihy, Michael Currie, Ralph Strait

A terrified toy salesman is mysteriously attacked, and at the hospital, babbles and clutches the year's most popular Halloween costume, an eerie pumpkin mask. Suddenly, Doctor Daniel Challis finds himself thrust into a terrifying nightmare.

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Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers poster

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

19881h 28m3.4
Director: Dwight H. Little
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur, Michael Pataki

Michael returns to Haddonfield for Jamie Lloyd – the orphaned daughter of Laurie Strode – and her babysitter Rachel. Can Dr. Loomis stop him before the unholy slaughter reaches his innocent young niece?

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Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers poster

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers

19891h 38m2.7
Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Wendy Foxworth, Beau Starr

One year later, Michael Myers' traumatized young niece is horrified to discover she has a telepathic bond with her evil uncle... and that he is on the way back to Haddonfield to begin the carnage again.

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Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers poster

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers

19951h 28m2.6
Director: Joe Chappelle
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan, Mitchell Ryan, Kim Darby

Six years after being kidnapped by a cult, Jamie tries to escape the clutches of her serial killer uncle, Michael Myers.

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Halloween H20: 20 Years Later poster

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

19981h 26m3.2
Director: Steve Miner
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, Adam Hann-Byrd

Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, former baby sitter Laurie Strode finds herself hunted by persistent knife-wielder Michael Myers. Laurie now lives in Northern California under an assumed name, where she works as the headmistress of a private school. But it's not far enough to escape Myers, who soon discovers her whereabouts. As Halloween descends upon Laurie's peaceful community, a feeling of dread weighs upon her -- with good reason.

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Halloween: Resurrection poster

Halloween: Resurrection

20021h 34m2.1
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Brad Loree, Busta Rhymes, Bianca Kajlich, Katee Sackhoff

Reality programmers at DangerTainment select a group of thrill-seeking teenagers to spend one night in the childhood home of serial killer Michael Myers. Their planned live broadcast turns deadly when Michael decides to crash the party.

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Halloween poster

Halloween

20071h 50m3.4
Director: Rob Zombie
Cast: Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon Zombie, William Forsythe, Scout Taylor-Compton

The early years of young Michael Myers and the events leading up to his fateful Halloween night murder rampage in the quiet town of Haddonfield, Illinois.

Horror
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Halloween II poster

Halloween II

20091h 45m2.7
Director: Rob Zombie
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane, Sheri Moon Zombie, Brad Dourif

Laurie Strode struggles to come to terms with her brother Michael's deadly return to Haddonfield, Illinois. Meanwhile, Michael prepares for another reunion with his sister.

Horror
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Halloween poster

Halloween

20181h 46m3.7
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle

Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

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Halloween Kills poster

Halloween Kills

20211h 45m3.6
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle

Michael manages to free himself from Laurie Strode's trap to resume his ritual bloodbath. As she fights for her life from injuries from their last encounter, she inspires her daughter Karen, her granddaughter Allyson, and all of Haddonfield to rise up against the unstoppable monster.

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Halloween Ends poster

Halloween Ends

20221h 51m3.3
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Rohan Campbell, Will Patton

Four years after the events of Halloween in 2018, Laurie has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

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