As a cinephile who’s seen more horror flicks than I care to count, let me tell you about my take on the iconic Halloween series, particularly the recent installments.
There’s never a bad time to watch, or rewatch, John Carpenter’s influential slasher Halloween and many of its sequels, reboots, and remakes – but with October 31st fast approaching, now is a better time than ever.
1978 saw the debut of the original movie, which quickly earned classic status and sparked a series that’s expanded over time. However, after the release of Halloween Ends in 2022, the franchise appears to be taking a break from new productions for now.
The movie is part of David Gordon Green’s “requel” trilogy, coming after Halloween and Halloween Kills, making it the 13th installment in the overall series. Given the potential for this franchise to continue, 13 could be considered an apt number for a horror series.
Here’s a simpler way of putting it: To enjoy a consistent storyline when watching these 13 movies, you can’t just watch them in order they were released. Several reboots have introduced changes to earlier films, making the chronology fluid. In fact, a few of the movies don’t even fit within the primary timeline.
Additionally, unlike a few years back when most films could be streamed on Netflix, today it’s become quite challenging to figure out where to find them all. Many titles have moved to various streaming services like NOW, Netflix, and even Plex, making the process more diverse.
To kick things off, here are four potential timelines for your Halloween movie marathon. Below is a handy guide on watching Halloween films in sequence and where to find them as the chilling night approaches.
Halloween movie order: The original timeline
You can choose the initial route that sticks to the traditional Halloween narrative, which initially delivers powerfully with John Carpenter’s critically-acclaimed first movie. However, as the plot became progressively more absurd, it started to lose its momentum.
1. Halloween (1978)
In this initial part, we’re introduced to Jamie Lee Curtis as she takes on her debut significant role, playing the character of teenage babysitter Laurie Strode. However, Laurie finds herself in danger when a psychopathic murderer known as Michael Myers sets his sights on her.
Rent or buy On Prime Video
2. Halloween II (1981)
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve delved into the next captivating chapter penned by John Carpenter himself, offering intriguing insights into the enigmatic bond between Myers and Strode. This gripping tale serves to shed light on their complex connection, culminating in what appears to be a (temporary) resolution to their harrowing saga.
Stream on Prime Video
3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
In the fourth movie of the Halloween franchise, following a short pause not connected to the previous storyline, Michael Myers made his reappearance.
Once more, Donald Pleasance steps into the shoes of Dr. Sam Loomis, a psychiatrist whose dark past with patient Michael Myers resurfaces when the latter, intent on mayhem, reappears in Haddonfield with deadly plans.
Significantly, Jamie Lee Curtis was absent from this version and didn’t reappear until the 1998 film “Halloween H20”, which presents a new timeline and resumes the storyline.
Stream on Apple TV+
4. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
In the fifth installment, Pleasance is back, joined by Danielle Harris who portrays Michael Myers’ unlucky niece. Once again, a winter confrontation takes place, resulting in the anticipated lethal outcomes.
Stream on Apple TV+
5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
Following two criticized installments, the Halloween series took an unexpected turn with this questionable continuation, exploring the backstory of Michael Myers as a victim of a manipulative cult.
Stream on Paramount+
Intermission | Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
In the Halloween movie series, the third installment presents an intriguing departure from the established timeline, offering instead a self-contained science fiction story centered around themes of witchcraft.
The concept revolved around reimagining Halloween as a collection of individual episodes, similar to how American Horror Story presents diverse scary tales in each installment.
Regrettably, the concept wasn’t well-received by viewers; instead, they insisted on Michael Myers returning as the main antagonist, a role he assumed again six years down the line.
Rent or buy on Prime Video
Halloween movie order: The second timeline
During the 1990s, the Halloween series experienced a short-lived revival due to a soft re-start, which made the other movies, apart from the initial two, no longer part of the official continuity.
1. Halloween (1978)
In this initial part, we meet Jamie Lee Curtis for the first time, as she takes on her significant debut role, where she plays Laurie Strode, a teenage babysitter. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes the focus of a psychotic killer known as Michael Myers.
Rent or buy On Prime Video
2. Halloween II (1981)
In this sequel penned personally by John Carpenter, we delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the connection between Myers and Strode, ultimately shedding light on their complex relationship as the tale takes a brief pause.
Stream on Prime Video
3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original movie, Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in this late follow-up that recognizes the chronology of the first two movies.
In a new identity, Strode is attempting to flee from her troubled history, yet Myers manages to track her down once more.
Among the Halloween movie franchise, this particular film shines brightly, receiving both critical acclaim and box office success. However, such achievements brought about the allure to produce another sequel.
Rent or buy on Prime Video
4. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
In this instance, the story takes a turn for the worse (once more). The movie Halloween: Resurrection finds Michael Myers making another appearance in his home town of Haddonfield. Here, he encounters both an old adversary, Laurie Strode, and a group of fresh characters in one final showdown.
The film was critically panned and a financial disappointment, resulting in yet another reboot from genre director Rob Zombie (see bottom of this page).
Stream on Apple TV+
Halloween movie order: The current timeline
In more modern interpretations of Halloween, certain events are considered canonical. To clarify, only the events of the initial movie are deemed as factual occurrences. However, Laurie Strode, over the span of 40 years since then, has struggled to leave her past behind.
1. Halloween (1978)
In this initial part, we meet Jamie Lee Curtis assuming her debut significant character, Laurie Strode, a high school babysitter. Tragically, she finds herself under attack by a psychopathic murderer known as Michael Myers.
Rent or buy On Prime Video
2. Halloween (2018)
2018’s Halloween sequel takes us back to where we left off from John Carpenter’s original movie. In this new installment, Laurie Strode has become a recluse, consumed by the prospect that her assailant, Michael Myers, will one day return.
Her relentless focus on staying alive has caused a rift between her and her daughter, as well as her granddaughter. However, when their deepest apprehensions become reality, the Strode women will reunite in an alliance against the common threat.
The latest movie in the Halloween franchise was an enormous success, and it has been announced that there will be two follow-ups released: Halloween Kills is slated for 2021, and Halloween Ends will hit theaters in 2022.
Stream on Netflix
3. Halloween Kills (2021)
In continuation of the 2018 version of Halloween, the newest installment in the series picks up right where the last film left off – following Michael Myers’ escape from the trap that Laurie had set for him after his initial capture.
In Halloween II, Laurie Strode is frequently bedridden at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital throughout the movie. However, a group led by Tommy Doyle, who was the boy she looked after many years prior, band together with the intention of permanently eliminating the evil that haunts her.
The reaction to this film wasn’t as enthusiastic as that of its previous installments, garnering a mix of positive and negative critiques from critics, though some dedicated fans continued to express their admiration.
Rent or buy on Prime Video
4. Halloween Ends (2022)
In the concluding part of David Gordon Green’s reboot series, we find ourselves heading towards a climactic confrontation between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers – a battle that may well mark the end of their long-standing struggle.
Four years after the events of Halloween Kills, the story begins with Laurie residing with her granddaughter and working on her memoir. However, this peaceful life is disrupted when a young man, who stands accused of murdering a child he was babysitting, sets off a chain reaction of violence and terror in the community.
This leads to Laurie finally confronting the evil she can’t control.
Stream on Netflix
The Rob Zombie series
After the flop of Halloween: Resurrection, the franchise was handed over to horror director Rob Zombie to breathe new life into it with complete creative autonomy.
The outcome is a two-movie series, each taking place within their own independent timeline, which didn’t particularly captivate critics or viewers. However, it’s not uncommon for specialized horror productions to develop a dedicated following among fans, and these films are no exception. They have a modest group of enthusiasts.
1. Halloween (2007)
In a modern take on John Carpenter’s 1978 horror masterpiece, the role of Laurie Strode is now portrayed by Scout Taylor-Compton. This reimagining follows her harrowing ordeal as she is pursued relentlessly on Halloween night by a psychopathic murderer.
Watch on Plex
2. Halloween II (2009)
In a fresh take, Rob Zombie resumed his unique interpretation of the Halloween lore, as Michael Myers persisted in tracking down Laurie Strode, meanwhile, his previous psychiatrist leveraged his recent notoriety for personal gain.
Rent or buy Prime Video
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2024-10-28 21:34