How Many Halloween Movies Are There? The Complete Timeline Guide To All 13 Films

If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering how many Halloween movies are there, you’re not alone. The answer—thirteen official films—is straightforward, but navigating the sprawling, often contradictory world of Michael Myers is anything but. From the iconic 1978 original to the 2022 finale, the franchise has spawned multiple timelines, reboots, and retcons that can confuse even the most dedicated slasher fans. This guide breaks down every installment, explains the messy continuity, and gives you the definitive orders to watch all 13 movies, whether you’re a first-time viewer or a seasoned Haddonfield resident.

The Halloween Franchise: A Slasher Legacy

Halloween is an American slasher media franchise that consists of thirteen films, as well as novels, comic books, a video game, and other merchandise. It all began with John Carpenter’s low-budget 1978 masterpiece, which revolutionized the horror genre with its minimalist score, relentless killer, and "final girl" trope. The film’s success—it grossed over $70 million worldwide on a $300,000 budget—spawned a series that has endured for over four decades, becoming a cornerstone of the slasher film genre. The franchise boasts a remarkably prolific and occasionally convoluted history, with each new sequel or reboot often ignoring or reinterpreting the events of its predecessors. This has resulted in multiple, sometimes conflicting, narratives that chart the terrifying saga of Michael Myers and his unrelenting pursuit of victims, most notably Laurie Strode.

The Story of Michael Myers: From Haddonfield to Infamy

At the heart of the franchise is Michael Myers, a silent, emotionless force of nature. The films primarily focus on Michael Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his sister, Judith Myers, on Halloween night 1963. Fifteen years after that first killing, Michael escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois, to kill again, targeting Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends. This simple, relentless premise—a boogeyman who walks, not runs—became a blueprint for slasher films. Over the years, Michael’s mythology has expanded to include cultist connections, family ties, and supernatural resilience, but the core remains: he is an embodiment of pure evil, driven by an inexplicable urge to murder his family and anyone in his way.

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Why the Halloween Timeline Is So Confusing

The Halloween timeline isn't exactly straightforward, and depending on who you ask, there’s more than one right way to watch it. The confusion stems from a series of retcons (retroactive continuity changes) and creative reboots that have fractured the saga into distinct continuities. Here’s how it happened:

• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) attempted to anthologize the series, removing Michael Myers entirely. It was a commercial and critical disappointment, leading producers to bring Michael back.
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) ignored the events of Halloween II (1981) and Season of the Witch, establishing a new timeline where Michael survived his apparent death.
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) ignored Halloween 4, 5, and 6, resetting the timeline to follow directly from Halloween II (1981). It introduced a new continuity where Laurie faked her death.
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002) continued the H20 timeline but was poorly received.
• Rob Zombie’s remakes (Halloween 2007, Halloween II 2009) offered a gritty, origin-heavy reboot, separate from all previous films.
• Halloween (2018) ignored every sequel and remake, serving as a direct sequel to the 1978 original. This spawned a new trilogy: Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022).

These shifts mean that events in one film (like Laurie being Michael’s sister) may not exist in another. The franchise currently encompasses three main timelines:

1. The Original Timeline: Halloween (1978) → Halloween II (1981) → Halloween 4 → Halloween 5 → Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers.
2. The H20 Timeline: Halloween (1978) → Halloween II (1981) → Halloween H20 → Halloween: Resurrection.
3. The Reboot Timeline: Halloween (2018) → Halloween Kills → Halloween Ends.

How to Watch All 13 Halloween Movies in Order

That’s why we’ve broken down exactly how to watch the Halloween movies in order, whether you want to follow the story as it unfolds chronologically or relive the scares the way audiences did when the films first hit theaters. There’s no single “correct” order, but each viewing method offers a unique experience.

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Release Order: Experience the Saga as Audiences Did

Watching in release order lets you appreciate the franchise’s evolution—from Carpenter’s atmospheric original to the more graphic, psychological entries. It also highlights how each film reacts to its predecessors. Here is the complete list of all 13 Halloween movies in release order:

1. Halloween (1978)
2. Halloween II (1981)
3. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
4. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
5. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
6. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) [Also known as Halloween 6]
7. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
8. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
9. Halloween (2007) [Rob Zombie remake]
10. Halloween II (2009) [Rob Zombie sequel]
11. Halloween (2018)
12. Halloween Kills (2021)
13. Halloween Ends (2022)

Chronological Order: Following Michael Myers’ Story

If you want to follow the in-universe timeline of Michael Myers’ murders, this order arranges films by the year they are set. Note that some films (like Halloween III) are set in the same year but feature no Michael Myers.

1. Halloween (1978) – Set in 1963 (flashback) and 1978.
2. Halloween II (1981) – Set in 1978, immediately after the first film.
3. Halloween 4 (1988) – Set in 1988.
4. Halloween 5 (1989) – Set in 1989.
5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) – Set in 1995.
6. Halloween H20 (1998) – Set in 1998.
7. Halloween: Resurrection (2002) – Set in 2002.
8. Halloween (2007) – Set in 2007 (reimagined backstory).
9. Halloween II (2009) – Set in 2009.
10. Halloween (2018) – Set in 2018, ignoring all previous sequels.
11. Halloween Kills (2021) – Set in 2018, immediately after the 2018 film.
12. Halloween Ends (2022) – Set in 2022, four years after Kills.
13. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) – Set in 1982; standalone story.

The “Michael Myers” Timeline: A Purist’s Approach

For fans who only want films featuring Michael Myers (excluding Halloween III), this order combines the three continuities into a single, albeit non-canonical, saga. It’s a fun way to see all of Michael’s on-screen kills in one marathon.

1. Halloween (1978)
2. Halloween II (1981)
3. Halloween 4 (1988)
4. Halloween 5 (1989)
5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
6. Halloween H20 (1998)
7. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
8. Halloween (2007)
9. Halloween II (2009)
10. Halloween (2018)
11. Halloween Kills (2021)
12. Halloween Ends (2022)

Every Halloween Movie Breakdown (1978–2022)

Let’s get into the Halloween franchise, breaking down each film and its significance. As of October 26, 2023, there are 13 Halloween movies in the franchise, encompassing various timelines, reboots, and continuities. This number includes the original Halloween (1978) and the most recent installment, Halloween Ends (2022). Below is a quick-reference table summarizing each film’s place in the franchise.

Film Title	Year	Timeline(s)	Key Highlights & Box Office
Halloween	1978	Original, H20, Reboot	Launched the franchise; $70M gross on $300K budget.
Halloween II	1981	Original, H20	Direct sequel; introduces Laurie as Michael’s sister (later retconned).
Halloween III: Season of the Witch	1982	Standalone	Anthology attempt; no Michael Myers; cult following.
Halloween 4	1988	Original	Returns Michael; introduces Jamie Lloyd (niece).
Halloween 5	1989	Original	Continues Jamie’s story; Michael’s cult connection hinted.
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers	1995	Original	Explores “Curse of Thorn” cult; Paul Rudd’s debut.
Halloween H20	1998	H20	Ignores 4–6; Jamie Lee Curtis returns; $75M gross.
Halloween: Resurrection	2002	H20	Reality TV twist; poorly received; ends H20 timeline.
Halloween (remake)	2007	Reboot	Rob Zombie’s gritty origin story; $80M worldwide.
Halloween II (remake)	2009	Reboot	More graphic; explores Michael’s psyche.
Halloween	2018	Reboot Timeline	Direct sequel to 1978; ignores all sequels; $255M gross.
Halloween Kills	2021	Reboot Timeline	Michael vs. mob; $131M worldwide (COVID-impacted).
Halloween Ends	2022	Reboot Timeline	Intended to close the saga; $105M worldwide.

Box Office and Cultural Impact

The Halloween saga has grossed over $770 million worldwide across all 13 films, with Halloween (2018) being the highest-grossing entry. The original’s influence is immeasurable—it popularized the slasher formula, the final girl archetype, and the use of POV shots from the killer’s perspective. Each film has added layers to Michael Myers’ mythos, from the “Curse of Thorn” in Halloween 6 to the “Evil Dies Tonight” theme of the new trilogy. The franchise has also faced criticism for repetitive storytelling and diminishing returns, but its cultural footprint remains indelible, with Michael Myers’ mask and silhouette becoming Halloween icons.

The Current State of the Franchise and What’s Next

Halloween Ends is intended to close the Halloween saga, but how many Halloween movies are there, and which ones are considered canon? The answer depends on your preferred timeline. The 2018 reboot trilogy treats only the 1978 original and its three sequels as canon, dismissing everything else. However, Halloween creator John Carpenter is executive producing a new sequel, so the story may not be over. In January 2024, it was announced that a new Halloween film is in early development, potentially ignoring Ends or launching another reboot. This means the franchise’s “official” count could change, but as of 2024, the tally remains thirteen films.

Beyond the Films: Exploring Halloween on DisneyNOW

While Michael Myers delivers scares, the Halloween season also offers family-friendly fun. If you’re looking for lighter Halloween content after a marathon of slasher films, watch full episodes of your favorite Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD shows on DisneyNOW. The platform features Halloween-themed episodes from series like The Ghost and Molly McGee, Amphibia, and Gravity Falls. Plus, watch movies and video clips with spooky but safe stories for all ages. Watch the best of Disney TV all on DisneyNOW—the perfect way to unwind after surviving Haddonfield’s horrors.

Conclusion: Your Halloween Movie Journey Starts Here

So, how many Halloween movies are there? Thirteen official films, spanning multiple timelines and creative visions. The Halloween franchise, a cornerstone of the slasher genre, boasts a sprawling and sometimes confusing timeline, but that’s part of its charm. Whether you choose release order to see the franchise’s evolution, chronological order to follow Michael’s path, or the “Michael Myers” timeline for a pure kill-count marathon, each method reveals something new. The saga’s retcons and reboots reflect horror’s changing tastes—from supernatural cults to gritty realism—but the core remains: Michael Myers is the ultimate boogeyman.

As you watch all 13 Halloween movies in the correct order with this detailed guide, remember that there’s no wrong way to experience Haddonfield’s terror. Just grab your popcorn, turn down the lights, and keep an eye on the bushes. After all, Halloween is the perfect time to watch one of the scariest guys to ever wear a jumpsuit. And if you need a palate cleanser, DisneyNOW is ready with its own brand of Halloween magic. Happy watching—and don’t say “I’ll be right back.”

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How Many Halloween Movies Are There (& Which Are Canon)

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How Many Halloween Movies Are There (& Which Are Canon)

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How Many Halloween Movies Are There? Full List Here