Hi all!

Welcome to Spooky Season! Every single year, I centre my Halloween around a theme. In 2022, it was clowns. In 2023, it was dolls. In 2024, it’s…well…Halloween! I’m talking about the infamous franchise created by filmmaker/composer John Carpenter. This series revolves around masked serial-killer, Michael Myers, who stalks his victims; murdering them with a kitchen knife. I thought it was high-time I ranked all the films, so without further ado, let’s get into it! 

Spoilers Ahead! 

1.) Halloween (1978)

My favourite film in the entire franchise is the original from 1978. How could I put it anywhere else?

In 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. On October 30th, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, Michael Myers stole a car, escaping Smith’s Grove. He returned to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, searching for his next victim. There he set his sights on Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) to be his newest and most precious subject yet. 

Did you know Halloween was originally going to be called The Babysitter Murders? The actual title set the tone for what was to come. Audiences were introduced to a very unique serial killer in Michael Myers. He doesn’t speak, nor run; but rather walks slowly toward his victims. He also never takes off his mask – which was actually modelled off William Shatner’s face. Michael is truly terrifying because he is such a mystery. From the iconic score to the slasher-style kills, to the stellar performance from our final girl, it’s no wonder the original was the best film to come out of the franchise.

2.) Halloween II (1981) 

In second place, we have the sequel from 1981. I promise my list isn’t in chronological order! 

After failing to kill Laurie Strode and taking several bullets from former psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, (Donald Pleasence), Michael Myers follows Laurie to the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, where she has been admitted for his attempt on her life. The institution proves to be particularly suited to serial killers however, as Myers cuts, stabs and slashes his way through the hospital staff to reach his favourite victim.

This is a fantastic sequel because it’s here that we learn why Michael is so obsessed with Laurie. She is in fact, his sister. Despite their familial ties, he still wants to end her life. I love the cat-and-mouse game throughout the hospital, plus the creative death count along the way. Laurie is limited in her movements; needing to use every resource to escape her brother’s knife. Jamie Lee Curtis’s acting is phenomenal, cementing her as one of the best final girls in horror cinematic history. As it is a direct follow-up to the original, I couldn’t list it any lower than second place. 

3.) Halloween (2007) Rob Zombie 

I warned you my ranking was controversial! In third place, we have Rob Zombie’s version of Halloween from 2007. 

Nearly two decades after being committed to a mental institution for killing his stepfather and older sister, Michael Myers breaks out, intent on returning to the town of Haddonfield. He arrives in his hometown on Halloween, with the indomitable purpose of hunting down his younger sister, Laurie. The only thing standing between Michael and a Halloween night of bloody carnage, is psychologist, Dr. Samuel Loomis.

I love Rob Zombie’s films, hence why his adaptation is rated so highly. You can check out my entire ranking of his works here. I actually prefer Rob Zombie’s Halloween over the 2018 remake. Not the original, just the reboot. There’s more heart and grit. We see Michael Myers as a child, hear him speak and even get a sense of how he became such an infamous serial killer. We learn about his love of masks and shoddy upbringing. It was a brave move, but Rob pulled it off! I really respect his take on it. 

4.) Halloween: Resurrection (2002) 

The controversy just keeps coming! In fourth place, we have Halloween: Resurrection from 2002. This is arguably the most hated instalment in the franchise and yet, here we are! 

The dilapidated home of infamous serial killer Michael Myers, has now become the set of a webcam reality show. But when the veteran slasher discovers that a group of university students has taken over his old killing grounds, he decides it’s time to bring the blades out of retirement.

This movie remains the lowest rated Halloween film on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 12% score. However, I love it! If you are a fan of early 2000’s horror, like myself, this is the instalment for you. It is not meant to be taken seriously. It’s a whole lot of fun. I think Busta Rhymes makes Resurrection what it is. His performance is so hilarious and unfiltered. This franchise is quite a serious one, despite the odd moments of camp here and there. To throw in what is essentially a horror comedy, was very much needed. I found it refreshing and super entertaining. Sue me! 

5.) Halloween Kills (2021) 

In fifth place, we have Halloween Kills from 2021. Definitely my favourite instalment from the newest trilogy. 

The nightmare isn’t over as unstoppable killer, Michael Myers, escapes from Laurie Strode’s trap to continue his ritual bloodbath. Injured and taken to the hospital, Laurie reunites with Tommy Doyle, the boy she was babysitting on the night Michael began his reign of terror. As Laurie continues to fight through the pain, Tommy leads an angry mob of vigilantes to rise up against Myers; destroying the evil once and for all.

Halloween Kills is so successful (in my opinion) because it doesn’t hold back. The death count is varied, high and bloody. Michael ditches the kitchen knife, no longer killing the same old way. This time around, he is creative and full of vengeance. Paul Rudd was asked to reprise his role as Tommy Doyle but declined. It then passed to Anthony Michael Hall, who was actually scared of crossing paths with Michael Myers on set. This film in particular has a very dark and sinister feel I really respond to.

6.) Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)

Coming in at sixth place, we have Halloween H20: 20 Years Later from 1998. A highly underrated piece of cinema if I do say so myself! 

Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, former baby sitter, Laurie Strode, finds herself hunted by persistent knife-wielder, Michael Myers. Laurie now lives in Northern California under an assumed name, where she works as the headmistress of a private school. But it’s not far enough to escape Myers, who soon discovers her whereabouts. As Halloween descends upon Laurie’s peaceful community, a feeling of dread weighs upon her – with good reason.

This instalment is so fun. Set in the late 90’s, it gave me all the nostalgia. It’s a fun filler in the franchise, right up until the gripping ending, where things take quite a serious turn. Did you know, the actor who played Michael Myers in Halloween H20 also played Ghostface in Scream 2? H20 has a really good twist and excellent kills. Jamie Lee Curtis continues to nail her iconic final girl role, even in adulthood. 

7.) Halloween (2018)

Next up, we have Halloween from 2018 – the first remake in the new trilogy of films. 

It’s been 40 years since Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack from crazed killer, Michael Myers, on Halloween night. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown, when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield – but this time, she’s ready for him.

The first time I watched the remake, I was not impressed. As a die-hard fan of the original (see above), it felt unnecessary. However, it has grown on me over time. It has the essence of the 1978 film, but dialed up to 100 in terms of darkness. All of the Halloween movies should be viewed during spooky season, but this one especially will suit the October vibe. It’s a very solid instalment in the franchise. 

8.) Halloween II (2009) Rob Zombie 

In eighth place, we have Halloween II. Yes, Rob Zombie also remade the sequel to Halloween. 

It is that time of year again, and Michael Myers has returned home to sleepy Haddonfield, to take care of some unfinished family business. Unleashing a trail of terror, Myers will stop at nothing to bring closure to the secrets of his twisted past. But the town’s got an unlikely new hero, if they can only stay alive long enough to stop the unstoppable. 

The sequel is decent but it doesn’t hold a candle to the one from 1981 (see above). Not a whole lot happens and it just felt a bit unnecessary. It was actually very similar to the original, so whilst I enjoyed it for what it was, it didn’t do anything new. I think Rob should have stopped at one. Also, whilst 21 different actors have played Michael Myers throughout the years, there really is only one Laurie Strode and she’s not Scout Taylor-Compton. 

9.) Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

In ninth place, we have Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers from 1995. After this instalment, my opinions become less favourable. 

This instalment marks the return of the seemingly indestructible, masked murderer, Michael Myers, who targets Tommy Doyle (Paul Rudd), a young man tied into the legacy of the killer and his connections with the Strode family. As the supernatural elements of Michael’s macabre abilities are explored, his longtime adversary, Dr. Sam Loomis, is also back in yet another attempt to stop the psychopath’s brutal rampages.

This was Paul Rudd’s very first acting role. The Curse of Michael Myers is notably one of the least popular in the franchise but I didn’t mind it as much as the ones listed below. Did you know, it has an alternate producer’s cut ending, revealing Michael as the father of Jamie Lloyd’s child? The theatrical ending leaves the paternity ambiguous. It also reveals why Michael is immune from death. He possesses the Curse of Thorn, placed on him since birth from a cult. It commands a child to kill its entire family as a blood sacrifice, in order to keep the cult alive. This is why Michael has no hesitation in murdering his own kin. I like that it added to the lore and answered some questions. 

10.) Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) 

Released the year I was born, we have Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers from 1989.

After lying in a coma for a year, Michael Myers awakens – stalking his way back to his small hometown in Illinois. There, he is intent on killing his niece, Jamie (Danielle Harris), who has been confined to a mental institution since Michael’s last attempt on her life. Suspecting a psychic link between Michael and Jamie, psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, joins forces with Sheriff Ben Meeker and attempts to stop Michael’s latest rampage.

At this point the franchise started becoming a bit convoluted. Jamie basically becomes the new Laurie Strode and we meet a new, mysterious figure – The Man in Black. It was hard to take seriously, especially at the beginning, when Michael Myers was floating down the river. I couldn’t help but laugh. I enjoyed Danielle Harris’s acting but wasn’t as engaged in the story, as the films mentioned above. What it does new however, is suggest that the evil within Michael Myers can be transferred – as we see later on in Halloween Ends (see below). 

11.) Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

In third-last place, we have Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers from 1988. This instalment features the worst mask our infamous villain has ever worn. I call it the Wish version! 

12.) Halloween Ends (2022) 

In second-last place, we have Halloween Ends from 2022 – the last and final film in the newest trilogy. 

The plot follows outcast, Corey Cunningham, who falls in love with Laurie Strode’s granddaughter, while a series of events, including crossing paths with Michael Myers, drives him to become a serial killer.

I hated the ending of this film, and I certainly wasn’t alone in those feelings. A legal contract was written up early in the franchise, stating that Michael Myers could not be killed off. However, by Halloween Ends, it was declared null and void. Instead of evil dying, it changes shape, taking a new form in Corey. It just felt lazy and far too rushed. I wish they had done things differently. 

13.) Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

I had to end this ranking with a highly controversial placement. Yes, Halloween III: The Season of the Witch from 1982 is my least favourite film in the franchise. 

I know this instalment has become a cult classic but I found it unbelievably boring and hard to follow. Season of the Witch does not feature Michael Myers at all. The reason being that John Carpenter originally wanted the Halloween franchise to become an anthology. When the fans protested, the idea was scrapped. This stand-alone movie is all sorts of wacky and unrealistic. I struggled to get through it. After absolutely loving Halloween II, it was hard to enjoy what came after. Sorry! 

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank the films? 

Peace & Love xoxo