How to watch Halloween movies in order | All four Halloween timelines | Radio Times
Ever since John Carpenter’s original Halloween terrified moviegoers in 1978, masked killer Michael Myers has become one of the most iconic movie villains of all time, and the boogeyman has lost none of his character. power in the forty years since that original release.
With several of the Halloween movies now available to stream on Netflix, it’s never been easier to catch up on the series; however, as is often the case with a long-running franchise, remakes and reboots have mixed up the time. simple timeline of the halloween cinematic universe.
so where should you start? We have four Halloween timeline options for you. Here’s your essential guide to the Halloween movies in order as the spookiest night of the year approaches.
- for the latest news and insider tips on how to get the best deals this year, check out our black friday 2021 and cyber monday 2021 guides.
halloween movie order: the original timeline
The first path you have a choice of traversing traces Halloween’s original timeline, starting strong with John Carpenter’s acclaimed original movie, but eventually winding down as the story gets dumber and dumber.
1. Halloween (1978)
This first installment features Jamie Lee Curtis in her first major role, playing teenage babysitter Laurie Strode, who becomes the target of a deranged serial killer named Michael Myers.
watch on netflix
2. halloween ii (1981)
The story continues in this direct sequel written by John Carpenter himself, revealing hidden secrets about the true link between Myers and Strode, bringing their story to a (temporary) end.
watch on netflix
3. halloween 4: the return of michael myers (1988)
After a brief absence for a third unrelated entry (more on this below), Michael Myers returned in this fourth installment of the Halloween film series.
donald plesance reprises his role as dr. Sam Loomis, who must confront former patient Michael Myers when he returns to Haddonfield with murderous intent.
notably, jamie lee curtis did not return for this installment and was not seen again until halloween h20 1998, which picks up the story in a separate continuity.
watch on netflix
4. halloween 5: the revenge of michael myers (1989)
placerance returns for this fifth entry alongside danielle harris as michael myers’ hapless niece, as another seasonal clash unfolds with predictably deadly consequences.
watch on netflix
5. halloween: the curse of michael myers (1995)
After two highly criticized entries, the Halloween franchise went haywire with this misjudged sequel, delving into Michael Myers’ past as the victim of a scheming cult.
rent or buy on amazon
intermediate | halloween iii: season of the witch (1982)
The third installment in the halloween film series doesn’t fit neatly into any of the franchise’s timelines, as it’s a standalone sci-fi story exploring witchcraft.
The idea was to turn Halloween into an anthology series, like the ones that have since been popularized by American Horror Story, telling a different spooky story in each entry.
Unfortunately, the public didn’t like the idea and demanded that Michael Myers return as the franchise’s villain, which he finally did six years later.
watch on netflix
halloween movie order: the second timeline
The Halloween franchise enjoyed a brief resurgence in the 1990s, due to a soft reboot that made all but the first two movies non-canon.
1. Halloween (1978)
This first installment features Jamie Lee Curtis in her first major role, playing teenage babysitter Laurie Strode, who becomes the target of a deranged serial killer named Michael Myers.
watch on netflix
2. halloween ii (1981)
The story continues in this direct sequel written by John Carpenter himself, revealing hidden secrets about the true link between Myers and Strode, bringing their story to a (temporary) end.
watch on netflix
3. halloween h20: 20 years later (1998)
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first film, Jamie Lee Curtis returned as Laurie Strode for this belated sequel, which only acknowledges continuity from the first two films.
We are again introduced to Strode living under a different name and trying to escape her traumatic past, but Myers finally catches up to her once again.
The film stands out as one of the brightest spots in the Halloween film series, earning critical and commercial success, but with that came the temptation to make another sequel.
rent or buy on amazon
4. halloween: resurrection (2002)
and this is where it all went wrong (again). Halloween: Resurrection sees Michael Myers return to his hometown of Haddonfield, where he has one last confrontation with Laurie Strode, as well as a cast of new faces.
The film was critically panned and was a financial disappointment, resulting in another reboot from genre director rob zombie (see bottom of this page).
rent or buy on amazon
halloween movie order: the current timeline
the newest iteration of halloween is also selective when it comes to canon; In this case, only the first movie happened, but Laurie Strode hasn’t been able to move on in the 40 years that followed.
1. Halloween (1978)
This first installment features Jamie Lee Curtis in her first major role, playing teenage babysitter Laurie Strode, who becomes the target of a deranged serial killer named Michael Myers.
watch on netflix
2. halloween (2018)
A direct sequel to the original John Carpenter film, Halloween 2018 returns to find Laurie Strode, a paranoid loner obsessed with the eventual return of her attacker: Michael Myers.
Her fixation on survival has led to the estrangement from her daughter and granddaughter, but the Strode women will find themselves allies once more when their worst fears come true.
This installment in the Halloween movie series was a huge success, with two confirmed sequels on the way: Halloween kills in 2021 and Halloween ends in 2022.
rent or buy on amazon
3. halloween kills (2021)
A direct sequel to Halloween 2018, the latest entry in the franchise takes place immediately after the events of the previous film, after Michael Myers escapes the trap Laurie had set for him.
Like Halloween II, Laurie spends much of the runtime incapacitated at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, but a mob consisting of Tommy Doyle, a grown-up version of the boy she cared for all those years ago, aims to get rid of the man. out of the sack once and for all.
The response to this film was rather muted than its predecessors, and the film received mixed reviews from critics, though some fans remained enthusiastic about their praise.
currently in UK cinemas
the rob zombie series
Following the flop of Halloween: Resurrection, the franchise was turned over to genre director Rob Zombie to reimagine it with full creative control.
The result is a two-movie franchise set in a standalone continuity, which generally failed to impress critics or audiences; That said, as is often the case with niche horror fare, they both have a small cult following.
1. halloween (2007)
Loosely adapting the plot of John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, this remake sees babysitter Laurie Strode (here played by Scout Taylor-Compton) stalked by a deranged killer on Halloween night.
2. halloween ii (2009)
Rob Zombie is back to continue his twist on the Halloween mythos, with Myers continuing his search for Laurie Strode, while his former psychiatrist cashes in on his newfound infamy.
rent or buy on amazon
watch movies in order
- conjuring and annabelle movies in order
- star wars movies in order
- x-men movies in order
- x-men movies in order dc in order
- marvel movies in order
- quick & furious movies in order
- terminator movies in order
- pixar movies in order
- batman movies in order
- bond movies in order
- muppet movies in order
Sign up for Amazon Prime here and get a 30-day free trial, while StarzPlay comes with a 7-day free trial. Looking for something else to watch? check out our TV guide to see what’s on.
