Horror loves a reboot. Oh man, horror loooooves a reboot. You’ve heard the names of horror classics like Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre because they are utter classics of the genre—and you’ve had those names re-splashed in your head in the last 20 years because they’ve been so frequently rerun, rebooted, or in some way or another re-established into the public consciousness. Perhaps no franchise in the history of horror has been as successful as Halloween, which started by revolutionizing the genre in 1978 and essentially hasn’t stopped since.
2022’s Halloween Ends, the third and final entry in a trilogy directed by David Gordon Green and starring original star Jamie Lee Curtis, promises to be the ending to a story that’s now been going on for damn near 45 years. And while Halloween Ends may provide an ending, we all know damn well that it’s never the end when we’re talking about Michael Myers (and it’s also never the end when we’re talking about a series of movies that’s making people money).
But we’re not just purely being cynical here—we’re talking as fans of horror movies, as fans of slasher movies, and as informed fans of movies in general. The Halloween series has “come to an end” three times before, and, yet, here we are. Michael Myers and Laurie Strode have lived before, Michael Myers and Laurie Strode have died before, and this vicious cycle may just continue for the rest of our lives.
If you’re a fan of any and everything Halloween, you may have one particular goal in mind: how can I watch them all? They may not connect, but there’s something cathartic about watching Michael Myers lurk in his William Shatner mask, quietly stalking before mowing down unsuspecting victims. The quality of the movies may vary, but if you like slashers, if you like taking an annual trip to Haddonfield, Illinois, this is what you live for.
So, stick with us. Below, we break down the order in which you can watch every Halloween movie ever made—there are now 13—and how you can get all the Laurie and Michael that your heart desires.
The Holy Original
The classic. You must watch this one at all costs.
Halloween (1978)
As you’ll see proceeding through this list, there are numerous continuities within the larger Halloween franchise. But—outside of the Rob Zombie remake films, which exist in their own little corner—they all come after the 1978 classic, original, Halloween, directed by John Carpenter. And while a lot of older horror movies don’t tend to stand the test of time, this one 100% does; it’s a classic for a god damn reason.
In the hands of a less capable director, maybe Halloween wouldn’t be as memorable, or as classic, but Carpenter is not a “less capable director”—he’s one of the greats. His decisions to ramp up the tension but also maintain moments of humor where the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously are inspired. This is the movie that made Jamie Lee Curtis a star—and it’s clear why.
Stream Halloween Here
The Sequel Trilogy
The three movies in the Halloween sequel trilogy—set 40 years after the original Halloween—aren’t super cohesive, but are well-directed, with a star turn from Jamie Lee Curtis and some gnarly kills.
Halloween (2018)
The Halloween sequel trilogy—all three of which are directed by David Gordon Green (The Righteous Gemstones, Pineapple Express) and co-written by Green and his pal Danny McBride—ignores every other movie on this list and picks up things 40 years after the events of the original. The first installment is brilliant; it’s full of modern characters (a doctor, true crime podcasters, etc) trying to put reason and science behind Michael Myers’ evil, while a worn, weary, and utterly-prepared Laurie (a returning Curtis) knows far better. There’s no explanation for evil, and there’s no explanation for Michael Myers—you just have to kill it. Judy Greer and Andi Matichak join the cast as Laurie’s daughter and granddaughter, respectively, and both are great in their roles.
Stream It Here
Halloween Kills (2021)
Halloween Kills picks up right when Halloween ends and makes some…strange decisions. Tommy Doyle, a child in the original film, returns as a key character played by Anthony Michael Hall, and he….leads an angry mob. Laurie enters the hospital in the beginning of the movie and never leaves (!?!?!?). Let’s focus on the good: the kills are good! The movie is, once again, directed well. Mostly a misstep, but still fun for fans of the franchise and of slasher films.
Stream It Here
Halloween Ends (2022)
The newest film in the franchise—the final with Jason Blum producing, the final in the sequel trilogy, and possibly the final to star Jamie Lee Curtis—Halloween Ends is an ambitious movie, even for this long-running, much-explored franchise. And while everything in the movie isn’t executed perfectly, the stellar cast, the brutal kills, and Gordon Green’s experienced eye behind the camera make this one of the better sequels in the franchise. And the last 30 minutes or so will have Halloween fans cheering, screaming, and yelling at their TV (I was, at least).
Stream It on Peacock
The Original Series
After the original Halloween, five sequels were released. John Carpenter’s original plan was for the Michael Myers story to be over after Halloween II, but after the lukewarm (at best) reaction