With the spooky season right around the corner, horror fans everywhere are gearing up for their annual fright fest. And what better way to celebrate than by diving into the most iconic slasher franchise of all time – Halloween? Since the first movie’s release in 1978, Halloween has become the blueprint for slasher films, building a legacy around the terrifying masked figure of Michael Myers. However, watching this beloved franchise in order is no easy feat. With reboots, reimaginings, and alternate timelines, four different ways to approach the Halloween movies exist. Here’s your guide to exploring each and where to stream the films online.

1. Release Order

If you’re a fan of watching movies as they came out, this order sticks to the franchise’s original release dates:

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Though release order is straightforward, the franchise is far from it. Between sequels, retcons, and unrelated films, this order provides the best context for the cultural evolution of the series but can be confusing.

2. Original Timeline

The original timeline carries on from the 1978 classic, continuing the infamous rivalry between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode with some major twists along the way:

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (unrelated)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

3. H20 Timeline

With the success of Scream in the late ‘90s, the Halloween franchise got a refresh with Halloween H20, which ignored previous sequels and resurrected Laurie Strode for an updated take on her character:

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

4. Blumhouse Timeline

In 2018, horror master Jamie Lee Curtis returned to her iconic role in a new trilogy that picks up right after the original 1978 film, bringing the series into the modern era with a psychological twist:

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Also Check Out: Crunchyroll Kicks Off Halloween With 20 Free Spooky Anime Titles

A Closer Look at the Films

Halloween (1978)

The classic that started it all follows a young Michael Myers as he escapes from a mental institution and returns to Haddonfield to terrorize teenagers, targeting Laurie Strode.

Halloween II (1981)

Laurie finds herself recovering in the hospital, only to be pursued once again by Michael. This film introduces the twist that Laurie is Michael’s sister.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

An anthology entry featuring no Michael Myers, instead focusing on a sinister corporation and deadly Halloween masks.

Halloween 4-6

These films follow Michael’s quest to kill Laurie’s daughter, Jamie, while diving into supernatural territory, eventually introducing the controversial Cult of Thorn.

Halloween H20 (1998) and Resurrection (2002)

H20 brings back Laurie, now a schoolteacher, for a final showdown with Michael. Resurrection, however, takes an odd turn with a reality show inside Michael’s house and quickly lost favor with fans.

Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009)

A brutal reimagining from Rob Zombie, these films added psychological depth to Michael’s backstory but took a darker, edgier approach that divided fans.

Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022)

The 2018 reboot disregards all sequels, focusing on an aged, trauma-ridden Laurie. Halloween Kills dives into the impact of mob mentality, while Halloween Ends provides a unique and controversial conclusion to the saga.

So, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to experience every twist and scare. Whether you choose the original timeline, Blumhouse’s reboot, or even the H20 timeline, Michael Myers is ready to haunt your Halloween.

Source: JustWatch

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