If you’ve blinked in the last 45 years, you may have missed a Halloween movie release, or 10. One of Hollywood’s longest standing film franchises, there are currently 13 Halloween films in existence, three of which are simply titled Halloween. So if you’re confused, we can’t blame you. Between its 13 films, the Halloween franchise does not follow one single, chronological storyline, so the best plan of attack here is to go in order of release and ask questions later. The slasher franchise focuses (mostly) on Michael Myers, a masked serial killer who spent his youth locked up for the murder of his sister, and who seeks out blood each year on Halloween. Over the last 45 years, audiences have seen Myers take on multiple adversaries, but the most famous among them is babysitter Laurie Strode, played famously by Jamie Lee Curtis. Any franchise this lengthy is bound to catch a bad review, or 10. Are the Halloween movies the best horror movies ever made? Absolutely not. That said, they are certified camp and a must-watch for any scary movie fan. Here is every Halloween movie in order of release, beginning with the first ever film in 1978. Warning: some spoilers ahead, but hey, you’ve had 45 years to watch these movies.
Halloween (1978)
The first ever iteration of Halloween came in 1978 and starred Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis, in her first film role. It introduces viewers to the man that would become one of the most notorious horror characters in cinema history, Michael Myers, a murderous escapee from a mental institution who has returned to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois for blood. To this day, Halloween is considered one of the most influential horror movies ever made, inspiring a longstanding genre of dark slasher films. Stream Now
Halloween 2 (1981)
This sequel picks up directly following the cliffhanging events of the first , with Myers following Curtis’ Finale Girl and teen babysitter Laurie Strode to the hospital, as his psychiatrist follows in an attempt to apprehend the killer. The most notable detail to emerge from this film is the fact that Laurie is actually the younger sister of Michael Myers, which changes the trajectory of the entire franchise. According to the lore, she was put up for adoption at a very young age following the death of her parents when Michael was only a child. Stream Now
Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)
This film is basically not even a movie, but in the name of journalism, it must be considered in this list. does not feature Michael Myers at all, instead focusing on the spooky art of witchcraft. Before the creators could have predicted a 13-picture run of Myers-centric s, they imagined the series to be a horror anthology, with each iteration focusing on a new spooky tale. Ultimately, this was a box office flop, forcing the team to go back to the drawing board and bring back our beloved slasher just six years later. Stream Now
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
As the title suggests, Michael Myers returns to the franchise with this film. The story picks up with Myers waking up from a 10-year coma following ’s finale explosion, dead-set (see what we did there?) on killing his seven-year-old niece. Jamie Lee Curtis is not featured in this film, but we’ve still got Donald Pleasence as Myers’ former psychiatrist Dr. Loomis on the hunt for the killer. Stream Now
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
This is where we start to fall off the rails, because the plot of is quite similar to the previous film. Like , this film sees Michael recover from yet another coma and decide again to hunt down his young niece Jamie, who now resides, totally mute, in a children’s clinic after attacking her foster mother. Stream Now
Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
Taking place 6 years after the previous film’s end, sees Michael Myers remain dedicated to his original goal—kill his entire family, even the members he’s just now learning about. Now that we know Michael’s sister is Laurie Strode (Curtis), this film sees him hunt down her adoptive relatives, while also remaining committed to the murder of his niece Jamie, who now has an infant son who is, you guessed it, also on the chopping block. What can we say, you don’t come to this franchise for plot. Stream Now
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Stay with us, please. H20 asks us to completely ignore the last three movies and the entire Jamie Lloyd storyline. A direct sequel to Halloween 2, this film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, LL Cool J, Michelle Williams, and Josh Hartnett. The film follows Laurie Strode who, reeling from near-death PTSD, has decided to fake her own death and go into hiding from Michael, who she now knows to be her brother. Alas, big brother does find her, working at a private school in California. Stream Now
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
A direct sequel to H20, Halloween: Resurrection stars the best cast yet, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis (thank god), Tyra Banks, and Busta Rhymes, among others. Like the films that came before, Resurrection sees Michael Myers terrorize his hometown of Haddonfield, which has since become the site of a live internet horror show. We’ll be honest with you, this is probably the worst film in the franchise, but you made it this far. Stream Now
Halloween (2007)
Here we are, back at the start. The 2007 is not a continuation but a remake, written and directed by Rob Zombie. The film revives the same characters of Myers, Dr. Loomis, and Laurie Strode, now played by different actors. Stream Now
Halloween 2 (2009)
A remake of the 1981 this film, also written and directed by Rob Zombie, paints a better picture of the twisted connection between Myers and Laurie Strode. We’re tired. Stream Now
Halloween (2018)
Jamie Lee Curtis has returned, all is right in the world of . This iteration of the film stands as a direct sequel to the original film from 1978, ignoring all prior sequels. The film follows Laurie, struggling with PTSD, as she prepares to face Myers 40 years after he tried to kill her. Stream Now
Halloween Ends (2022)
This is the final movie in existence, for now. follows a young man who falls in love with Laurie’s granddaughter (yes, Laurie is still alive), and must deal with the wrath of Michael Myers. Stream Now
Courtney Young is a freelance writer covering all things entertainment and pop culture, having previously written for Betches, Mic, and The Cut. Her Real Housewives locale of choice is New Jersey, her emotional support show is Girls, and her toxic trait is romanticizing mafia culture. You can follow her on Instagram @courtneyyoungg.