The Halloween movie franchise is one of the most iconic horror series in history. Created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, it centres around masked serial killer Michael Myers. There have been many reboots and interpretations of the original Halloween stories over the years.
This guide includes details on the different Halloween franchise eras and streaming info on where to watch the Halloween movies in the UK.
Origins and Early Films (1978-1989)
- 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)
Horror fans around the world first met Michael Myers in the original 1978 Halloween movie. Directed by John Carpenter and produced by Debra Hill, the movie starred Jamie Lee Curtis as the iconic ‘final girl’ Laurie Strode and Donald Pleasance as Dr. Loomis. It was a huge commercial success and led the way for the numerous Halloween sequels over the years.
Jamie Lee Curtis returned as Laurie Strode in Halloween II as she continued to hide from Michael Myers. Halloween III: Season of the Witch experimented with a different storyline without Michael Myers, but the film received poor reviews. For the fourth and fifth instalments, The Return of Michael Myers and The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween went back to its roots with a terrifying fight for survival as Michael Myers faces off against Laurie Strode’s daughter, Jamie Lloyd.
The 1990s and Early 2000s Reboots (1995-2002)
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
- Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
The 1990s brought a new twist to the Halloween movies with the release of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Fans were divided about a new storyline, titled the ‘Thorn Cult’, which was introduced to explain Michael Myers’ supernatural ability to stay alive. Donald Pleasance made his final appearance as Dr. Loomis in the movie before his death.
In 1998, Jamie Lee Curtis returned as Laurie Strode in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, who is now a headmistress of a boarding school and hiding from Michael Myers. The film picks up after the events of Halloween II, ignoring the storylines of the previously released films.
Halloween: Resurrection introduces a modern spin to the series with a reality TV show concept where contestants spend the night in Michael’s childhood home. The movie was panned and is considered the end of the original Halloween timeline.
Rob Zombie’s Reboots (2007-2009)
- Halloween (2007)
- Halloween II (2009)
Rob Zombie rebooted the Halloween franchise, directing two movies: Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009). They explored Michael Myers’ origin story, diving deep into his childhood and psychological state. Rob Zombie’s reimagining brought a fresh perspective to the franchise, but received mixed reviews amongst fans.
Modern Era and Blumhouse Revival (2018-present)
- Halloween (2018)
- Halloween Kills (2021)
- Halloween Ends (2022)
Renowned horror movie production company Blumhouse Productions got involved with the Halloween franchise in 2018. Halloween, directed by David Gordon Green, is a direct continuation of the original 1978 movie. Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, with the film being a commercial and critical success. Laurie continues to deal with the trauma and lasting impact of Michael’s terror in Blumhouse’s Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
Where To Watch Halloween Movies Online
The Halloween movies are available to stream on a number of different platforms in the UK, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+. For information on where to watch all of the Halloween movies online, see the full details below.
