Every Jamie Lee Curtis Horror Movie, Ranked

Several actors have appeared in the Halloween movies, but none as significant as Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred in Freaky Friday. Over almost half a century, she continues to discuss her involvement with this series, praising it and returning whenever Laurie Strode is back for the latest reboot. These films might be the most prominent of her career. Besides her encounters with Michael Myers, Jamie Lee Curtis has also starred in numerous horror movies throughout her career. In the early years of her film career, she was known as the “Scream Queen.” To this day, she remains the epitome of that title, as she consistently returns to the realm of horror. Despite the inconsistency of her performances in these films, they are collectively significant, and we will rank them here.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that my list wasn’t without its exceptions. For instance, the gripping tale of “Roadgames” veers more towards the realm of suspenseful thrillers rather than horror. Similarly, “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” is an anomaly in the series, as it features a brief vocal appearance by Curtis but lacks the traditional elements of a horror movie. Lastly, “Haunted Mansion,” despite its name, is more of a comical take on the haunted house genre, straying from the typical attempts to scare the viewers.

11) Halloween: Resurrection

Following one of the most successful ’90s horror series films, Halloween: Resurrection, turned out to be an overwhelming letdown. It isn’t that Halloween H20: 20 Years Later is a flawless movie, but rather that Resurrection might rank as one of the franchise’s poorest offerings.

Remarkably, it’s surprising that Rick Rosenthal directed such a disorganized and low-budget film given his past work on what could arguably be the best sequel of the series: Halloween II. The cast is either uninteresting or grating, the rhythm is inconsistent, and there’s not a single frightening moment. What makes it even worse is that it undermines the powerful ending of Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later. Specifically, it was the perfect way to conclude Myers’ story, with Laurie Strode delivering the final blow with an axe. Resurrection begins by showing that she beheaded a paramedic without explanation (she appeared fine at the end of H20), places her in a mental health hospital for no apparent reason, and then swiftly has Myers kill her. It’s fortunate that David Gordon Green’s trilogy was created, because this would have been a disappointing final portrayal of Curtis in the Halloween franchise.

Stream Halloween: Resurrection on Paramount+.

10) Halloween Ends

David Gordon Green’s attempt to bring something fresh to the Halloween Ends was commendable, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The repetitive scenes of Michael Myers killing people lacked the necessary tension and horror because his character lacked humanity. A plot twist involving a young man accidentally killing a child while babysitting, being shunned by town residents, and eventually becoming a serial killer is far too reminiscent of real-life incidents like school shootings in our current society, making it unsettling rather than frightening.

After the initial two books in Green’s trilogy, which were more straightforward, the following installments seem underwhelming. Despite their imperfections, they weren’t outright unpleasant. In retrospect, it offers a more fitting conclusion for Curtis than the Resurrection.

Stream Halloween Ends on Peacock.

9) Virus

The film “Virus” appears to be an excessively produced and somewhat absurd production. Originating from the Dark Horse Comics property with the same name, it struggles to establish its unique identity, ultimately resembling a watered-down version of either “Deep Rising” or “Event Horizon.

The movie is enjoyable at times when you can clearly follow the action, and Curtis puts forth her best effort. However, it’s easy to understand why this production didn’t succeed. Many of the actors appear to know they’re part of a disappointing film, with Donald Sutherland delivering an over-the-top performance that stands out as the most entertaining misfit of his career – suggesting he was attempting to inject some fun into the production.

8) Terror Train

Moving forward, we’ve left behind the more challenging aspects in Curtis’ horror movie career. Nevertheless, among her early horror movies that preceded her genre-defining role in “Trading Places”, the film “Terror Train” is considered the least impressive.

The film isn’t poor at all. In fact, it has an eerie, captivating atmosphere, particularly because of its confined setting – a speeding train. Plus, it boasts a talented cast, including Hart Bochner from Die Hard, David Copperfield the magician, and the late Vanity.

The movie isn’t bad; it has a chilling ambiance, a single-locale speeding train setting, and a star-studded cast including Hart Bochner (Die Hard), David Copperfield, and the late Vanity.

Stream Terror Train on fuboTV.

7) Halloween (2018)

The 2018 movie Halloween, with its lower rankings, may cause some viewers to leave. Yet, there’s an unexpected turn (which could be debatably called a twist) in the final act that potentially undermines it.

Although Dr. Ranbir Sartain’s motive seems unreasonable and unexpected, the rest of David Gordon Green’s reboot success remains impressive. Andi Matichak and Judy Greer deliver outstanding performances, there are some clever references to Carpenter’s original, the opening is effectively chilling, and it skillfully portrays the distinctive autumn atmosphere essential for this series. Whether this new portrayal of Laurie Strode surpasses her appearance in H20 is open to debate, but it’s fantastic to see Curtis reprising her role once more.

Stream Halloween (2018) on fuboTV.

6) Prom Night

With several well-executed suspenseful moments, a chilling atmosphere, and largely consistent pace, ‘Prom Night’ stands out as one of the more effective slasher films from the early ’80s. What truly sets it apart, though, is its innovative handling of the trope where the protagonist is connected to the killer. This twist is universally praised by fans as being particularly successful.

The movie titled “Prom Night” carries a quirky appeal. The soundtrack is distinctly from the ’80s, creating an unusual blend with the scenes of decapitations. Additionally, it’s intriguing to note that Leslie Nielsen, who later became popular for his comedic role in “Airplane!”, starred in this violent film in the same year.

Stream Prom Night on Prime Video.

5) Halloween Kills

A film brimming with ambition and an impressive body count, “Halloween Kills” boasts a title remarkably fitting for its genre. Throughout the entirety of the movie, Michael Myers continues his signature terrorizing spree, even claiming many of the surviving cast members, whether they exist in reality or within the film’s narrative. While not every scene lands with the intended impact and Anthony Michael Hall’s character, Tommy Doyle, sometimes makes questionable decisions that veer from logical thinking, overall, the movie succeeds in delivering on its promised horror experience.

The problem with it being focused solely on Michael was that there weren’t many options for new directions. They eventually decided to go in a completely unexpected direction, which led to the creation of Halloween Ends.

Stream Halloween Kills on Peacock.

4) Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later is a delight for various reasons. To start with, it beautifully evokes the ’90s ambiance that stirs nostalgia in those who lived during that era. Moreover, it surpasses David Gordon Green’s trilogy in effectively recapturing the visual and atmospheric essence of Carpenter’s original masterpiece.

While it doesn’t quite reach the level of “Halloween II” or “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers,” H20 is not far behind, despite a few drawbacks. Its pace moves swiftly, which can be a bit too rapid at times, and it has fewer kill scenes than desired, although the creative ice skate killing of Jimmy (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) certainly starts the movie off with a bang. However, Steve Miner, the director of “Friday the 13th Part 2” and “Friday the 13th Part III,” demonstrates his ability to create top-tier slasher films throughout “H20.

Stream Halloween H20: 20 Years Later on Hoopla.

3) Halloween II

Following the achievement of films like Halloween and Friday the 13th, many ’80s slasher flicks sought to increase their level of gruesomeness. To some degree, this trend was also seen in Halloween II; however, it is significantly less graphic compared to, for instance, David Gordon Green’s trilogy or Rob Zombie’s excessively violent Michael Myers films.

Using “Halloween 4” as a prime example, one could argue that the series should not have ended after the initial film. There was still plenty of potential left unexplored, and while the Strode-Myers twist might have irritated some viewers, it’s not all that problematic. “Halloween II” offers a suspenseful, claustrophobic atmosphere with just the right amount of dim lighting, effectively recapturing the terrifying Myers perspective from the original. And let’s not forget about The Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman,” a spooky tune that encapsulates the Halloween spirit perfectly, complementing Carpenter’s score nicely.

2) The Fog

Although it may not receive as much recognition as Halloween or The Thing, The Fog is often recognized as one of John Carpenter’s strongest works, despite being slightly shorter than some would prefer. However, there are still debates about its top-tier status.

In simpler terms, the particular Curtis horror film you’re referring to appears to be one where her character, Elizabeth Solley, seems to merely accompany others without having control or impacting the storyline. However, this isn’t a list comparing Curtis’ performances in horror movies, but rather evaluating the movies themselves. If a movie’s main flaw is that it leaves you wanting more, then that’s a testament to its effectiveness as a film.

Stream The Fog on Prime Video.

1) Halloween (1978)

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but sing praises for one of the most outstanding films from the 70s – John Carpenter’s Halloween. It stands tall, transcending genres, and in my opinion, it’s absolutely flawless. When it comes to subtly sending chills down a crowd’s spine, this cinematic masterpiece sets the standard like no other.

Writing about Halloween again seems unnecessary given how extensively it’s already been discussed. Regardless of whether someone adores the horror subgenre or dislikes it passionately, there’s widespread agreement on what makes Halloween such a remarkable film. The music, cinematography, convincing performances that bring small-town characters to life, and the enigmatic villain all contribute to its seamless execution.

Stream Halloween on AMC+.

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2025-09-08 23:14