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The Definitive Michael Myers Movie Order: 4 Timelines Explained (Updated December 2025)

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Trying to watch the Halloween franchise in order is a famously confusing cinematic journey, often feeling less like a single story and more like four separate horror sagas. As of December 18, 2025, the Michael Myers filmography spans 13 movies, but due to multiple reboots and retcons, the story of "The Shape" is divided into four distinct timelines, each with its own continuity and rules regarding the fate of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers himself. Understanding the true chronological order requires you to choose which reality you want to follow.

The entire Halloween saga has collectively grossed over $884 million worldwide, solidifying its place as one of the most successful horror franchises ever. With the rights to the franchise now open following the conclusion of the Blumhouse trilogy, and rumors of a new TV series or a 50th-anniversary reboot in 2028, there’s no better time to revisit every terrifying chapter of the immortal killer’s rampage.

Michael Myers: The Man Behind The Mask (Key Entities)

Before diving into the timelines, it’s crucial to know the key figures and facts that anchor the entire franchise. Michael Myers, often simply referred to as The Shape, is the central antagonist, a silent, relentless force of pure evil. The iconic white mask he wears was famously created from a painted and altered Captain Kirk mask from Star Trek.

  • Total Films: 13 (as of Halloween Ends, 2022)
  • Laurie Strode: The perennial protagonist, originally played by Jamie Lee Curtis. Her relationship with Michael changes drastically across the timelines (sister, non-relative, etc.).
  • Dr. Samuel Loomis: Michael's psychiatrist, portrayed by Donald Pleasence in the original films and Malcolm McDowell in the Rob Zombie remakes. He is the first to recognize Michael's pure evil.
  • Key Actors (The Shape): While many actors have worn the mask, the most notable are Nick Castle (the original 1978 film and the Blumhouse trilogy), Dick Warlock (Halloween II 1981), Tyler Mane (Rob Zombie's films), and James Jude Courtney (Blumhouse trilogy).

The Four Main Michael Myers Timelines in Chronological Order

To watch the Halloween movies chronologically, you must select one of these four distinct timelines. Each one ignores the films from the others, creating parallel realities for Michael Myers’ story.

1. The Original "Thorn" Timeline (1978–1995)

This is the longest and most convoluted timeline. It starts with the classic film and introduces the "sibling" twist, which then gets complicated by the mystical "Curse of Thorn" that explains Michael's supernatural resilience.

  1. Halloween (1978): The original film where Michael escapes Smith's Grove Sanitarium and stalks Laurie Strode on Halloween night.
  2. Halloween II (1981): Continues immediately after the 1978 film. It reveals the major plot point that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers' younger sister.
  3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): Ignores the events of Halloween III (which is a standalone film without Michael). Michael awakens from a coma and targets Laurie's daughter, Jamie Lloyd.
  4. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989): Michael continues to pursue Jamie, now mute and traumatized. This film further explores the psychological link between them.
  5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): Introduces the "Cult of Thorn," a mystical explanation for Michael's murderous drive and invincibility, tying him to an ancient Celtic curse. This is the final film in this original continuity.

2. The H20/Resurrection Timeline (1978–2002)

This timeline acts as a soft reboot. It completely ignores films 3, 4, 5, and 6, picking up the story 20 years after Halloween II and providing a clean slate for Laurie Strode's story.

  1. Halloween (1978): The original film.
  2. Halloween II (1981): The film where Laurie is revealed to be Michael’s sister.
  3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): Laurie Strode has faked her death and is now living under a new name, Keri Tate, as the headmistress of a private school. She confronts Michael 20 years later. This film was intended to be a definitive ending.
  4. Halloween: Resurrection (2002): Retcons the ending of H20, revealing that Laurie mistakenly killed a paramedic wearing Michael's mask. Michael returns and kills Laurie, then terrorizes a group of college students filming a reality show in his childhood home.

3. The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline (2007–2009)

Director Rob Zombie completely rebooted the franchise, offering a grittier, more character-driven take on Michael Myers. These films are the darkest in tone and focus heavily on Michael’s traumatic childhood and the psychology behind his transformation into a killer. They are entirely separate from all other continuities.

  1. Halloween (2007): A remake of the 1978 film, spending significant time detailing Michael's troubled childhood, his institutionalization, and his eventual escape to hunt down his sister, Laurie Strode.
  2. Halloween II (2009): A sequel that continues the story, focusing on the psychological damage inflicted on Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) as Michael is still on the loose. This film is known for its highly stylized and brutal violence.

4. The Blumhouse/Legacy Timeline (2018–2022)

This is the most recent and arguably the most popular timeline, produced by Blumhouse Productions. It drastically simplifies the lore by ignoring *every* sequel and remake, making the 2018 film a direct sequel to the 1978 original. This continuity removes the "sibling" twist, making Michael and Laurie Strode (again played by Jamie Lee Curtis) non-relatives.

  1. Halloween (1978): The original film.
  2. Halloween (2018): Set 40 years after the original. Michael Myers is captured after his 1978 killing spree. He escapes and returns to Haddonfield to confront Laurie Strode, who has spent decades preparing for his return.
  3. Halloween Kills (2021): Continues immediately after the 2018 film. Michael survives and goes on a massive, brutal rampage as the entire town of Haddonfield rises up to hunt him down.
  4. Halloween Ends (2022): Set four years after Halloween Kills, this film serves as the final chapter of the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers rivalry in this continuity, offering a definitive conclusion to their story.

The Future of The Shape: What's Next for the Franchise?

With Halloween Ends (2022) concluding the Blumhouse trilogy, the rights to the franchise are now with Miramax, and the future of Michael Myers is currently uncertain, making this a fresh and evolving piece of horror movie history.

Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum has confirmed that his studio no longer holds the rights, marking the end of the current run. However, the franchise is far from finished. Industry reports have suggested a fierce bidding war for the rights, with a potential new direction involving a Halloween TV series being considered.

Horror aficionados are also anticipating the 50th anniversary of the original film in 2028, a highly likely date for the next major cinematic reboot. Whether Michael Myers will return as a supernatural force, a purely human killer, or a new entity entirely remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: The Shape will always return to Haddonfield.

For fans looking to dive deep, the best approach is to pick one timeline—most recommend the simple Blumhouse Legacy (1978, 2018, Kills, Ends) for a modern, streamlined experience—and then explore the others to appreciate the full, complex lore of this slasher icon.

The Standalone Film: Why is Halloween III Different?

A common source of confusion in the Halloween movie order is Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982). This film is a complete anomaly. It does not feature Michael Myers, Dr. Loomis, or Laurie Strode, and is not connected to any of the four major timelines. The original intention of filmmakers John Carpenter and Debra Hill was to turn the Halloween title into an anthology series, with a new story for each installment. However, due to negative fan reaction, Michael Myers was brought back for Halloween 4, and Season of the Witch remains a cult-classic, standalone entry.

The Definitive Michael Myers Movie Order: 4 Timelines Explained (Updated December 2025)
michael myers movies in order
michael myers movies in order

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