With today being Halloween and this October seeing the latest installment of the iconic franchise, now seemed like an excellent time to revisit the series as a whole. What follows is a ranking of the entire series of the franchise, from the Shape’s first appearance to his 2018 return. -AP
11. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
A mute Jamie has visions of Michael’s actions and tries to get help, but no one will listen to her. The acting is particularly terrible and Jamie’s muteness conveniently disappears about half way through the movie. This has the start of the Curse of Thorn that will be more thoroughly explained in the next film. None of the supernatural elements make sense, bad dubbing is used all over the place, and it ends on a cliffhanger. The only good thing is Donald Pleasance still giving his all.
10. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
The beginning completely ruins the ending of H20 and Laurie is killed. The rest of the film is a reality TV show called ‘Dangertainment’ where contestants have to stay in the old Myers house. Of course, Michael shows up and starts killing people. This is the most silly installment with Busta Rhymes electrocuting Michael’s balls. It’s a pretty painful watch.
9. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
I know this film has a cult following, but it didn’t really connect with me. It has witchcraft, killer androids, and masks with pieces of Stonehenge in it that will kill only when kids watch a certain commercial. It’s too convoluted and has a horrible, womanizing protagonist. The best parts are the Silver Shamrock commercial and the pitch black ending.
8. Halloween (2007)
Delving in to Michael’s past is unnecessary and takes up about half the film. For some reason, all the characters are the trashiest, most crass people no matter what their background is. This hulking Michael is pretty imposing and does some serious damage. Dr. Loomis is changed to a more opportunistic, selfish version which would be refreshing if all the other characters weren’t equally awful. Avoid the director’s cut and its completely unnecessary rape scene.
7. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
The Curse of Thorn is fully explained here and it doesn’t make much sense. It’s supposed to explain Michael’s strength and regenerative powers, but it’s not well developed. What saves this is Paul Rudd’s debut role as Tommy Doyle, the boy Laurie was babysitting in the first film, and the memorable kills. He is completely obsessed with Michael Myers to a creepy degree. Rudd seems to be unsuccessfully trying to suppress his charm to play the socially maladjusted Tommy. The film has several call backs to the first film and the kills are taken way over the top.
6. Halloween II (2009)
Many don’t like this film and it does have way too many surreal scenes with Sheri Moon Zombie and a white horse. However, it’s the first slasher I remember seeing that deals with the real aftermath of trauma. Laurie and Annie simply aren’t the same and struggling through day to day life with the memories and scars of the attack. The reveal of Laurie’s relation to Michael shatters her world and is revealed in the most callous way possible: in Loomis’ new book tour. The shared visions between Laurie and Michael are a little too reminiscent of Halloween 5, but it’s a decent film overall.
5. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Ignoring Halloween III through 6, Laurie Strode changed her name, works as a principal, and copes with large amounts of alcohol. She’s incredibly overprotective of her teenage son, who has no idea why she’s like this. This is a pretty standard slasher with a quite a few frightening moments balanced with some comedic ones. Laurie has unexpected strength and resilience against the persistent Michael. The ending is completely ruined by Resurrection. Ignoring this fact, it’s a decent installment in the series.
4. Halloween II (1981)
The original cast returns for the first sequel that takes place minutes after the first film. The kills are gorier and meaner, much like other copycats of the time. The hot tub death is particularly memorable. The characters, beyond Dr. Loomis and Laurie, are disposable and only death fodder. The score is equally good as the original, also composed by John Carpenter. It’s a different style of slasher than the first, but still enjoyable to watch.
3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
This installment focuses on Laurie’s daughter Jamie, bullied at school for her relationship to Michael Myers and dreaming of him. The family dynamic is portrayed well between her and her older stepsister. Haddonfield as a whole steps up as a mob to battle Michael for the first time and the ending is dark and tragic, reflecting the first scenes of the first film. The worst part is the new Michael mask that looks like a cheap replica.
2. Halloween (2018)
The newest sequel ignores all films except the original and keeps Michael at his most frightening. He could go after anyone for any reason when he once again escapes the asylum. Laurie Strode has been preparing since that night 40 years ago to face Michael once again, at the expense of her family and her own happiness. The characters are all dynamic and interesting and the kills range from incredibly gory to bloodless.
1. Halloween (1978)
The first installment is the best. Michael is his most dangerous because he could be after anyone. The soundtrack and Michael’s slow moving yet constant figure creates an atmosphere of tension and dread despite the largely bloodless deaths. The teens and their relationships are established well so the audience cares about their fate.
