Every Halloween Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best (#6 Is Controversial)

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As a horror fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the sheer number of Halloween films – thirteen entries make it the most extensive series out of the big four slasher franchises. Leatherface and Freddy Krueger each have nine, and Jason Voorhees only manages a disappointing twelve – we’re still waiting for that thirteenth Friday the 13th! John Carpenter’s original Halloween isn’t just a classic; it’s arguably one of the most important horror movies ever, and that legacy will endure. But with that kind of success, it was bound to happen that studios would try to recapture that magic. Over the nearly fifty years Michael Myers has been on screen, the series has definitely had its peaks and valleys. Thankfully, when it’s been good, it’s been really good, even if some of the other attempts haven’t quite hit the mark.

With so many changes to the story and over forty years of movies, which film has best managed to recreate the feeling of the original 1978 movie? Let’s take a look.

13) Halloween: Resurrection

The next five Halloween movies aren’t great, but Halloween: Resurrection is definitely the worst. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers is also pretty bad and comes close, but Resurrection is still the absolute low point of the series.

I remember being really excited about Halloween H20 – it felt like a great way to bring the franchise back after Scream. But honestly, Resurrection completely ruined everything that good feeling in just a few minutes. It was shocking to see them kill off Laurie Strode, and it felt like they didn’t even respect her character, giving her some really dumb things to do. After that, the movie just became a series of boring kills, a ridiculous plot about a reality show, and… well, Busta Rhymes watching martial arts. It was a huge disappointment.

Stream Halloween: Resurrection on HBO Max.

12) Halloween (2007)

Rob Zombie’s Halloween feels like two separate movies, and unfortunately, neither part really succeeds. The first half focuses on a disturbing backstory filled with family abuse and childhood violence. The second half simply retells the story of the original Halloween, but with much more graphic violence, losing the suspense and impact of the first film.

While not a total loss, Halloween has a few redeeming qualities. Michael Myers’ mask is effective, Scout Taylor-Compton does a good job as Laurie Strode, and it was fun to see Danielle Harris return. However, the movie is mostly filled with disturbing violence and annoying conversations.

Stream Halloween (2007) for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

11) Halloween Ends

It’s understandable that David Gordon Green and his team wanted to take a different approach, but Halloween Ends unfortunately provides a disappointing conclusion to the trilogy that began with Halloween (2018). The movie is consistently unsettling and difficult to watch.

The main issue with this film is that it shifts focus away from Michael Myers, the usual killer. Instead, it centers on a young man in his twenties who, after years of being bullied, embarks on a violent quest for revenge. While it was good to see Laurie Strode finally defeat Myers, the path to get there feels unsettlingly relevant to current events and ultimately disappointing.

Stream Halloween Ends on Peacock.

10) Halloween II (2009)

Similar to Halloween Ends and Rob Zombie’s original Halloween, Halloween II is extremely violent and can be difficult to watch. Zombie has always been a direct filmmaker, and Halloween II is likely his most brutally intense work.

Why is Halloween II considered better than the original Halloween? It’s a more focused and well-executed film, and it’s interesting how the movie significantly changes Laurie Strode’s character. Plus, it provides a satisfying conclusion for Malcolm McDowell’s portrayal of the villainous Dr. Loomis – though the writing didn’t always help him, McDowell still delivered.

Stream Halloween II (2009) on fuboTV.

9) Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers

The film Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is in a bit of an odd position within the Halloween series. It attempted to update the franchise, but ended up feeling separate from both the movies that came before it (Halloween 4 and 5, which it does continue the story of) and the one that came after, Halloween H20.

Despite its flaws, Curse gets a few things right. It successfully evokes the autumnal atmosphere that’s a hallmark of the Halloween series, and while the acting is uneven, there are some truly memorable performances. Plus, the Producer’s Cut gives Dr. Loomis a surprisingly different and compelling send-off.

Stream Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers on HBO Max.

8) Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers

Wow, Halloween 5 is a real disappointment after Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. Halloween 4 has some really memorable scenes and great performances from Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris, who convincingly portray the relationship between Rachel and Jamie.

Next, Halloween 5 completely ignores the satisfying conclusion of the previous film. It quickly kills off Rachel and forces Harris to play Jamie as mostly silent and deeply traumatized. However, these aren’t even the biggest problems with the movie. It lacks any truly memorable scenes and doesn’t measure up to the quality of Return.

Stream Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers on AMC+.

7) Halloween Kills

Halloween Kills returns to the frightening atmosphere of previous Halloween films, and it might be the most violent entry in the series yet. However, its biggest weakness isn’t a major flaw – it simply gives fans exactly what they’ve always asked for, perhaps to an excessive degree.

This movie isn’t as polished as the first one, but it still manages to capture the classic feel of the original Halloween. The opening scene, where Michael Myers takes out an entire fire department, immediately shows you this film won’t hold back on the violence.

6) Halloween (2018)

The 2018 Halloween was a huge box office hit for both Michael Myers and Blumhouse Productions, and it revitalized the horror genre. It successfully made Michael Myers a truly frightening villain again, more so than he’d been in a long time.

While David Gordon Green’s first Halloween film has its strengths, it’s not as strong as some fans hoped due to its occasionally confusing plot. The movie sometimes slows down, focusing on less compelling side characters. However, it delivers in key moments, like the intense house-to-house violence and the final showdown between Michael and Laurie.

Stream Halloween (2018) on Hulu.

5) Halloween III: Season of the Witch

When it was first released, Halloween III: Season of the Witch didn’t appeal to fans of the Halloween series – and it still hasn’t for many. However, over the years, the film has gained a positive reputation because it’s bold, creative, and surprisingly effective.

Halloween III stands out because of its truly frightening villain, Conal Cochran, and the strong performances from Tom Atkins and Stacey Nelkin. The film’s memorable score and autumnal atmosphere perfectly capture the spirit of the Halloween season, bringing back fond memories of trick-or-treating – though you’d probably want to skip the Silver Shamrock mask this time around.

Stream Halloween III: Season of the Witch on Peacock.

4) Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

While many prefer the 2018 Halloween over Steve Miner’s Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, this film is undeniably more fun to watch. It’s a bit brief, and the constant switching of Michael Myers’ mask can be distracting, but it successfully combines the self-aware horror style of the 1990s Scream with the classic slasher feel of the 1980s.

This film also boasts what is arguably the second-best ending in the entire series. Laurie Strode finally defeating Michael Myers with the axe is a truly satisfying conclusion – and the story should have ended there (we’re looking at you, Resurrection).

Stream Halloween H20: 20 Years Later on HBO Max.

3) Halloween II

Halloween II is a surprisingly solid sequel, considering the amount of criticism it received over the years. While the reveal that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers’ sister wasn’t essential to the story, it didn’t ruin the franchise either.

This film feels more like the original Halloween than any other sequel, both in how it looks and what it’s about, and that’s a major achievement. The fact that it picks up immediately after the first film – on the same night – really helps. The hospital location is effective, Dr. Loomis still has a purpose, and the supporting characters are generally enjoyable, making Halloween II a genuinely exciting follow-up.

Stream Halloween II on Peacock.

2) Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

Unlike the first two Halloween films, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers feels more like a typical studio production. However, it’s still a very effective sequel, and it does the best job of making the town of Haddonfield, Illinois feel like a real and believable location.

While some of the dialogue in Halloween 4 isn’t perfect, the movie generally succeeds in what it sets out to do. It’s fast-paced, features inventive kills, and the connection between Rachel and Jamie is a real highlight. It strikes a great balance between being frightening and fun, giving Michael Myers the comeback he earned – even if his mask isn’t the most appealing!

Stream Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers on AMC+.

1) Halloween (1978)

Everyone agrees Halloween is a classic. Most people consider it a perfect film, and even those who don’t still think it’s fantastic.

While films like Peeping Tom and Psycho helped start the slasher genre, Halloween truly built it into what we know today. It’s a brilliantly made film with a captivating atmosphere, a perfect rhythm, and strong performances. Similar to Jaws, Halloween demonstrates the power of suggestion – it creates maximum suspense by showing less, not more.

Stream Halloween on AMC+.

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2025-10-31 00:17