13. Halloween III: The Season of the Witch (1982)
The fact that Halloween III: Season of the Witch is at the bottom is mostly because it is not a Halloween movie, as it doesn’t feature Michael Myers. The studios’ attempt at turning Halloween into an anthology series was obviously a bad move, as Season of the Witch was both a critical and financial bomb.
12. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Now we can talk about the worst movie in the actual Halloween series. And despite the fact many would argue that it’s Halloween: Resurrection, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers is completely boring. Not only that, but it features the worst-looking Michael Myers, who even cries at one point.
11. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
You didn’t think we were going to defend Halloween: Resurrection that much, did you? While there’s some “Danger-tainment” with this MTV-inspired flick, it’s still pretty awful stuff. Busta Rhymes doing roundhouse-kicks on Michael, while most of the film looks like it was shot on a Logitech webcam? No, thanks.
10. Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween is a tough beast to properly judge. While the first half, in which we get to see the Michael Myers origin story no one asked for, ultimately adds nothing, the movie’s third act, which is essentially a scene-for-scene remake of Carpenter’s original, is expertly crafted.
9. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
Make no mistake about it - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is not a good movie, which has mostly to do with its completely nonsensical plot about rune stones and cults and so on. But is it an entertaining slasher with arguably some of the best kills in the entire series? Absolutely. Oh, and it has Paul Rudd.
8. Rob Zombie’s Halloween II (2009)
Following his scene-for-scene remake of the 1978 film (with the exception of the first 50 minutes), Rob Zombie returns to bring his own vision to the Halloween franchise. Halloween II is a nightmare-fuelled slasher, with perhaps the most terrifying version of Michael Myers yet, in the hulking Tyler Mane.
7. Halloween II (1981)
Even a movie this high on our list doesn’t mean that we think it’s particularly good. But it’s pretty neat that the original Halloween II follows on immediately from its 1978 predecessor, just like Halloween Kills does with Halloween Ends. The negatives? Well, Michael Myers is more like a zombie than a bogeyman.
6. Halloween Kills (2021)
Despite making a killing at the box office, Halloween Kills got slaughtered by the critics. Is it a bad movie? No, but it is a little all over the place when you compare it to its vastly superior 2018 predecessor. And while it does exactly what it says on the tin, some of the cheesy dialogue leaves a lot to be desired.
5. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Now here’s a Halloween sequel that has finally gotten the recognition it deserves over the past few years. Far from a masterpiece, of course, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, despite being something of a stock Halloween sequel, is a solid entry. The mask is pretty awful, though.
4. Halloween (1978)
Many Halloween fans would consider it blasphemous to not put the original Halloween at the top, but the truth is that, while it is undoubtedly a bonafide classic that started the slasher genre, and also introduced the most iconic score in horror, it isn’t without some bad acting and drawn-out shots in parts.
3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
There’s a lot of fun to be had with Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, the first movie to ignore many sequels, long before Halloween 2018. It might have one of the weaker portrayals of Michael Myers, but this still feels like the definitive follow-up to the original, as well as a Laurie Strode/Michael Myers finale.
2. Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends is the final entry in David Gordon Green’s new series of films, while also being the last time Jamie Lee Curtis will play Laurie Strode. Was it worth the wait? Well, we think the fact it’s in second place speaks for itself. Bold, atmospheric, and surprisingly thought-provoking, Halloween Ends will likely divide fans for some time to come, but we have a feeling that, over time, it will be considered one of the most unique entries in the entire franchise.
1. Halloween (2018)
Our top spot is Halloween 2018! Not only is it the best-looking film in the entire Halloween series, boasting some excellent camera work and the highest picture quality, this is also the most atmospheric film of them all, and James Jude Courtney’s Michael Myers raises the bar for future portrayals.
Check out the official trailer for Halloween Ends below:
As per Blumhouse Pictures (via Wikipedia), here’s the official synopsis for Halloween Ends, the final chapter in David Gordon Green’s Halloween Trilogy:
Four years after the events of Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson after the death of her parents.
Laurie has decided to take all the fear and rage, she has been holding onto for the last 4 decades and write a memoir which is almost completed.
Michael Myers has once again disappeared and hasn’t been seen since. This time Laurie has decided to liberate her fear and rage and embrace life with open arms.
All is quiet in Haddonfield, but when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she couldn’t control, once and for all.
Halloween Ends stars Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode), Andi Matichak (Allyson Nelson), Kyle Richards (Lindsey Wallace), Will Patton (Frank Hawkins), and James Jude Courtney (Michael Myers).
Newcomers include Rohan Campbell (Corey Cunningham) and Michael O’Leary (Dr. Mathis).
Halloween Ends is now out in theaters and is also streaming on Peacock.