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The Complete Halloween Movie Timeline: 4 Ways To Watch All 13 Films In Order (Updated 2024)

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Trying to marathon the *Halloween* franchise is a famously confusing endeavor. Unlike many other horror series, the story of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode has been rebooted, retconned, and re-sequenced so many times that there are now four completely separate timelines and one standalone film. As of late 2024, with the David Gordon Green (DGG) trilogy concluded, the franchise totals 13 films, making a definitive watch order essential for new and veteran fans alike. This comprehensive guide breaks down the four distinct continuities—The Original/Thorn Saga, The H20 Saga, The Rob Zombie Remakes, and The Blumhouse Trilogy—plus the complete release order. The key to watching *Halloween* is not following a single chronological path, but choosing which story you want to follow.

The Four Major Halloween Timelines Explained

The core confusion of the *Halloween* franchise stems from the fact that several sequels simply ignore the events of their predecessors, creating alternate realities that branch off from the 1978 original. Here is the definitive list for each of the four main timelines.

1. The Definitive Blumhouse/David Gordon Green (DGG) Trilogy Timeline

This is the most recent and arguably the most popular continuity, completely disregarding every sequel after the 1978 original. It presents Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) as a survivalist veteran dealing with decades of trauma, preparing for Michael Myers' inevitable return. This timeline focuses on a single, final confrontation.

  • 1. Halloween (1978)
  • 2. Halloween (2018): Set 40 years after the original, ignoring all other sequels.
  • 3. Halloween Kills (2021): Takes place immediately after the 2018 film.
  • 4. Halloween Ends (2022): Set four years after *Halloween Kills*, concluding the trilogy.

2. The Original "Thorn" Timeline (The Longest Saga)

This is the initial, convoluted continuity that introduced the infamous "Curse of Thorn" cult, which attempted to explain Michael Myers' superhuman resilience. It is the longest timeline, spanning six movies and introducing Laurie Strode's daughter, Jamie Lloyd, after Laurie's initial exit from the series.

  • 1. Halloween (1978)
  • 2. Halloween II (1981): Set immediately after the original, revealing Laurie Strode is Michael's sister.
  • 3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): Ignores the ending of *Halloween II* and focuses on Laurie's daughter, Jamie Lloyd.
  • 4. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
  • 5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): Introduces the "Thorn" cult mythology.

3. The H20 Timeline (The Laurie Strode Redemption Arc)

Created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original, this timeline also discards all sequels after *Halloween II (1981)*. It brings Jamie Lee Curtis back as Laurie Strode, who has faked her death and is living under a new name, Keri Tate, to escape her brother. This arc was intended to be a definitive ending for Laurie's character.

  • 1. Halloween (1978)
  • 2. Halloween II (1981)
  • 3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): Set 20 years after *Halloween II*, ignoring parts 4, 5, and 6.
  • 4. Halloween: Resurrection (2002): The controversial sequel to *H20*, which undercuts its predecessor's ending.

4. The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline

Filmmaker Rob Zombie completely rebooted the franchise with a darker, grittier vision. His films serve as a prequel and a sequel, focusing heavily on Michael Myers' troubled childhood and the psychological reasons behind his descent into evil. These two films are entirely separate from all other continuities.

  • 1. Halloween (2007): A remake of the 1978 original with a significant focus on Michael’s childhood.
  • 2. Halloween II (2009): Rob Zombie's sequel, continuing his unique, brutal narrative.

The Complete List of All 13 Halloween Movies in Release Order

For purists or those who simply want to see the evolution of the franchise, watching the films in the order they were released is the most straightforward method. This order highlights the series' numerous tonal shifts, from the original slasher to the supernatural elements and the modern gritty reboots.

The franchise spans over four decades, starting with the low-budget masterpiece that launched the slasher genre and culminating in the 2022 conclusion of the Blumhouse trilogy.

  1. Halloween (1978): Directed by John Carpenter.
  2. Halloween II (1981): Written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill.
  3. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982): A standalone film with no Michael Myers.
  4. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
  5. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
  6. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
  7. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
  8. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
  9. Halloween (2007): Rob Zombie Remake.
  10. Halloween II (2009): Rob Zombie Sequel.
  11. Halloween (2018): Blumhouse/DGG Reboot.
  12. Halloween Kills (2021)
  13. Halloween Ends (2022)

The Standalone Film: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Often the most debated film in the series, *Halloween III: Season of the Witch* stands completely apart from the Michael Myers saga. Director John Carpenter and producer Debra Hill originally intended for the *Halloween* franchise to be an anthology series, with a new horror story centered around the holiday each year.

This film is their only attempt at that concept, featuring a bizarre plot about an evil corporation using a Stonehenge-powered microchip in Halloween masks to commit mass child sacrifice.

It was a commercial failure upon release due to the absence of The Shape, but it has since gained a significant cult following for its unique premise and memorable Silver Shamrock jingle.

Essential Entities and Trivia for Topical Authority

To truly understand the franchise, you need to know the key players and the fascinating, low-budget origins of the 1978 classic that started it all. The original film, directed by John Carpenter, was made on an incredibly tight budget, leading to some iconic, albeit accidental, creative choices.

Michael Myers and The Mask's Secret Origin

The iconic, blank-faced mask worn by Michael Myers is one of the most recognizable pieces of horror movie costuming. The production team for the 1978 film had a budget of only $300 for the mask.

  • The William Shatner Connection: The team purchased two masks—a clown mask and a Captain Kirk mask from the *Star Trek* series—for under two dollars each.
  • The Final Choice: They chose the Captain Kirk mask, painted it white, widened the eyeholes, and messed up the hair to create The Shape's unforgettable look. William Shatner himself was reportedly unaware of this for years.
  • The Different Shapes: The adult Michael Myers was actually played by six different people throughout the 1978 film, including Nick Castle (The Shape), Tony Moran (unmasked Michael), and Tommy Lee Wallace (when the sheet is worn).

The Enduring Legacy of Jamie Lee Curtis and John Carpenter

The success of *Halloween* is inextricably linked to the careers of its two central figures: star Jamie Lee Curtis and visionary director John Carpenter.

  • Laurie Strode’s Debut: *Halloween (1978)* was Jamie Lee Curtis's feature film debut. She was paid a mere $8,000 for her role as the original "Scream Queen" and final girl, Laurie Strode.
  • A Low-Budget Masterpiece: John Carpenter received only $10,000 to write, direct, and score the original film. The film was shot in 20 days in the spring, which meant the crew had to constantly rake up leaves and spray paint them brown to maintain the autumn setting of Haddonfield, Illinois.
  • The Score: Carpenter composed the minimalist, terrifying theme music himself, a crucial element that established the film's atmosphere and became one of the most famous horror themes of all time.

Whether you choose the streamlined DGG trilogy for a modern, focused story, or dive into the convoluted supernatural mess of the Thorn timeline, the *Halloween* franchise offers a wealth of slasher history. The best way to watch the movies in order is to simply pick a timeline and stick with it until the bitter end.

The Complete Halloween Movie Timeline: 4 Ways to Watch All 13 Films in Order (Updated 2024)
halloween movies in order
halloween movies in order

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