The Halloween movies in order

In 1978, director John Carpenter released his low-budget horror slasher, Halloween. Starring the then unknown Jamie Lee Curtis, the movie told the story of a teenage babysitter who is stalked by a masked killer on October 31st.

Upon release, Halloween proved to be a big hit with audiences, as well as a box-office smash, and was quickly followed by a sequel. More films soon came along, and this expanded the series in new, and sometimes confusing ways.

Confusing because some of the movies continued the story, while others rebooted and/or completely ignored what came before. In fact, when it comes to the Halloween movie series, it can be a headache trying to navigate your way through all the films – especially as some of the entries share the same title!

But don’t worry, this post is here to help you out. Below you will find a guide to all the Halloween films.

The guide includes a list of all the entries in the series, and the order in which they were released. Plus, to make things super simple, you’ll also find a guide to all the different timelines, so you know when to watch each film.

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The Halloween movies

Halloween (1978)

The first entry in the Halloween movie series made its debut in 1978. Titled Halloween (aka John Carpenter’s Halloween) the movie followed the story of teenager, Laurie Strode, who lives with her family in the town of Haddonfield.

In the movie, it’s fifteen years since Michael Myers killed his sister, and on the night before Halloween he escapes from a mental institute and makes his way to Haddonfield. When he arrives, he dons a white face mask and goes on a killing spree, with Laurie firmly in his sights. (91 mins)

Halloween II (1981)

Released three years after Halloween, but picking up events on the same night, Halloween II continues the story, with Laurie taken to hospital to recover following her encounter with Michael Myers. However, with Michael still alive he is keen to finish the job he started, and heads to the hospital to find her.

On his way, Michael continues to murder the residents of Haddonfield while psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis follows in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Laurie learns some devastating news that Michael is her brother. (92 mins)

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Onto movie No.3 now, and this is where things start to get a little more complicated, because Halloween III: Season of the Witch ditches Michael, Laurie, Loomis, and Haddonfield altogether, and instead focuses on a sinister plot involving Halloween masks. Why? Because the original plan was to make the Halloween movie series an anthology series (not reliant on Michael Myers), so this film took an entirely new direction.

Anyway, in Halloween III, Dr. Daniel Challis investigates a death related to Silver Shamrock – a successful manufacturer of novelty items including a range of highly sought-after masks. However, the closer Challis gets to learning the truth about Silver Shamrock and its owner, Conal Cochran, the worse his situation becomes. (98 mins)

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

As noted above, the original plan for the Halloween films was to create an anthology series, which is why Halloween III does not involve Michael Myers. However, when Halloween III was initially released, the film was not well received by audiences, and plans for an anthology were dropped.

The Halloween movie series then went on hiatus for six years. When the series returned, Michael Myers was once again the focus, for the aptly titled Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.

In this film, ten years have passed since Michael massacred the residents of Haddonfield. On the eve of Halloween he returns in search of his seven-year-old niece, aka Laurie’s daughter, Jamie Lloyd. (88 mins)

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

A year after the events of Halloween 4, Michael returns to Haddonfield, once again in search of Jamie. More killings occur, with Jamie and Dr. Loomis doing their best to survive. (96 mins)

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

In movie No. 6, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Jamie gives birth to a baby boy, but is finally killed by Michael. The baby becomes the subject of Michael’s fixation, who is under the control of the cult of Thorn. (87 mins) 

Halloween: H20 (1998)

For movie No.7, the series takes another new direction, by effectively ignoring some of the events of the past. Released in 1998, twenty years after the release of Halloween, Halloween: H20 jettisons any continuity established in Halloween 3 – 6, and instead acts as a belated sequel to Halloween II.

In this film, the events of Halloween and Halloween II have left Laurie Strode suffering from PTSD. She has done her best to cope over the years, but worries that one day Michael Myers will return to kill her.

Having faked her own death, Laurie now works as the dean of a private school, under her new name, Keri Tate. Here she does her best to protect herself and her teenage son, John.

But Laurie soon finds out she can never truly escape Michael’s clutches. On Halloween, twenty years after his initial rampage in Haddonfield, Michael tracks Laurie down for a family reunion. (86 mins)

Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

Picking up a few years after the events of Halloween: H20, Michael tracks Laurie down to a mental institution. After putting an end to their relationship, he returns to Haddonfield to terrorise the crew of a reality TV show which is being broadcast from the old Myers house. (89 mins)

Halloween (2007)

And now for something different. For movie No. 9, the Halloween movie series gets a reboot via 2007’s Halloween – a complete reset of the franchise.

In this movie, Michael’s childhood is explored, before he once again embarks on a killing spree in Haddonfield. This includes terrorising his sister, Laurie Strode. (109 mins)

Halloween II (2009)

A year after the events of 2007’s Halloween, Michael returns to Haddonfield, with Laurie firmly on his mind. Yet more murder and mayhem ensues. (105 mins)

Halloween (2018)

For film No. 11, past continuity is abandoned once again, in a bid to streamline the saga. Using the original 1978 film as the only entry worth maintaining, 2018’s Halloween ignores everything which followed, including the notion that Michael and Laurie are related (something which originated in Halloween II).

Instead, this film picks up 40 years after Michael’s rampage in Haddonfield, with Laurie now living as a recluse in a fortified house away from the general public. She mostly keeps herself to herself, but always has a watchful eye on her grown-up daughter, Karen, and granddaughter, Allyson. 

However, Laurie’s life is turned upside down when Michael escapes from imprisonment on the night before Halloween and seemingly heads in her direction. More murders follow. (106 mins)

Halloween Kills (2021)

Picking up the story on the same night as 2018’s Halloween, Laurie, Karen, and Allyson are taken to hospital, where Laurie undergoes surgery. Meanwhile, after surviving a showdown with the trio, Michael heads to Haddonfield. (105 mins)

Halloween Ends (2022)

A few years have passed since the events of Halloween Kills, and the citizens of Haddonfield are still trying to come to terms with the devastation caused by Michael Myers. Meanwhile, Michael has disappeared, seemingly without a trace.

But Michael’s brand of evil remains, and soon when a troubled young man named Corey crosses paths with the mass murderer, he finds himself being influenced to kill. The citizens of Haddonfield have a new nightmare on their hands. (111 mins)

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The Halloween movies in production order 

To date there are 13 entries in the Halloween movie series. Should you wish to watch all of the movies in production order then follow this list:

• 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 (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

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The Halloween timelines

The Halloween movie series contains multiple timelines and continuities, so it can be difficult to follow. To make things easy, you will find a breakdown of the different timelines/viewing orders below.

The original timeline (1978 – 1995)

This is the original continuity which focuses on Michael, Laurie, and Laurie’s daughter, Jamie.

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

The standalone timeline (1982)

This is the standalone entry which has nothing to do with Michael Myers.

• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

The 20th Anniversary revised timeline (1978 – 2002)

This is the revised continuity for the 20th anniversary, which retains 1978’s Halloween and 1981’s Halloween II, and pairs them with Halloween: H20 and Halloween: Resurrection. This timeline focuses on Michael, Laurie, and Laurie’s son, John.

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween: H20 (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

The 2007 rebooted timeline (2007 – 2009)

This is the rebooted timeline which has nothing to do with the original movies.

• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)

The 40th Anniversary revised timeline (1978 – 2022)

This is the revised continuity for the 40th anniversary, which maintains 1978’s Halloween, and attaches it to 2018’s Halloween, as well as Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. This timeline focuses on Michael, Laurie, Laurie’s daughter, Karen, and Laurie’s granddaughter, Allyson.

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

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Who are the cast of the Halloween movies and are the films the work of the same director?

The most notable actor in the Halloween movie series is Jamie Lee Curtis who appears in seven of the films in the role of Laurie Strode. The actress also has the distinction of playing Laurie in the original timeline, the 20th anniversary timeline, and the 40th anniversary timeline.

Outside of Curtis, notable actors in the series include Donald Pleasence, P.J. Soles, Nancy Loomis, Charles Cyphers, Tony Moran, Nick Castle, Nancy Stephens, Dick Warlock, Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur, Ellie Cornell, Beau Starr, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan, Mitchell Ryan, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Adam Arkin, LL Cool J, Janet Leigh, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Busta Rhymes, Brad Loree, Sean Patrick Thomas, Katee Sackhoff, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tyra Banks, Lorena Gale, Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell, Tyler Mane, Brad Dourif, Daeg Faerch, Sheri Moon Zombie, William Forsythe, Udo Kier, Danny Trejo, Clint Howard, Bill Moseley, Leslie Easterbrook, Skyler Gisondo, Octavia Spencer, Margot Kidder, Howard Hesseman, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Will Patton, Anthony Michael Hall, Scott MacArthur, Michael McDonald, and Rohan Campbell.

In terms of directors, the Halloween movies are the work of the following:

• John Carpenter directed Halloween (1978)
• Rick Rosenthal directed Halloween II (1981) and Halloween: Resurrection
• Tommy Lee Wallace directed Halloween III: Season of the Witch
• Dwight H. Little directed Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
• Dominique Othenin-Girard directed Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
• Joe Chappelle directed Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
• Steve Miner directed Halloween: H20
• Rob Zombie directed Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009) 
• David Gordon Green directed Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends

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Which is the best Halloween movie?

According to IMDb, the Halloween movie series is rated as follows:

• Halloween (1978) – 7.7/10
• Halloween II (1981) – 6.5/10
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) – 5.2/10
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) – 5.8/10
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) – 4.9/10
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) – 4.7/10
• Halloween: H20 (1998) – 5.8/10
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002) – 3.9/10
• Halloween (2007) – 6.1/10
• Halloween II (2009) – 4.8/10
• Halloween (2018) – 6.5/10
• Halloween Kills (2021) – 5.5/10
• Halloween Ends (2022) – 5.0/10

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Editor/Writer/Shape

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about the Halloween movie series. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.