The Ultimate Guide: How Many Halloween Movies Are There? (All 13 Timelines Explained)
The question of "How many *Halloween* movies are there?" is one of the most frustrating and confusing queries in all of horror cinema, but as of this current date in December 2025, the definitive answer is 13 feature films. This massive number spans nearly five decades of terror, beginning with John Carpenter's 1978 masterpiece and concluding (for now) with the controversial *Halloween Ends* in 2022. The reason for the confusion isn't just the sheer quantity, but the fact that the franchise has repeatedly rebooted and retconned itself, creating four distinct and often contradictory timelines that all star the iconic slasher, Michael Myers—or, in one notable case, don't.
Understanding the *Halloween* saga requires more than just a simple count; it requires mapping out the various continuities that pit Laurie Strode against The Shape. With the rights recently changing hands and a new "creative reset" on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dissect the entire filmography, from the original "Thorn Trilogy" to the modern Blumhouse era, and prepare for the next phase of terror from Haddonfield.
The Definitive Tally: All 13 Halloween Movies By Timeline
The total count of 13 films is composed of three major continuities centered on Michael Myers, plus one standalone entry. Below is the complete list of every *Halloween* film released, organized by the four separate timelines they belong to, which is the only way to truly make sense of the franchise's convoluted history.
Timeline 1: The Original 'Thorn' Continuity (8 Films)
This is the most sprawling and complex timeline, encompassing the original film, its direct sequel, and the infamous "Curse of Thorn" storyline that attempted to explain Michael Myers' supernatural strength. This continuity features Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, then replaces her with her daughter Jamie Lloyd, and finally brings Laurie back for a brief, non-canonical return in *Resurrection*.
- *Halloween* (1978) - Directed by John Carpenter, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis.
- *Halloween II* (1981) - Reveals the infamous twist that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers' sister.
- *Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers* (1988) - Michael Myers returns after a 10-year coma, pursuing Laurie's daughter, Jamie Lloyd.
- *Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers* (1989) - Continues the story of Jamie Lloyd and introduces the "Man in Black."
- *Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers* (1995) - The notorious "Thorn Trilogy" conclusion, explaining Michael's evil via a Druid curse.
- *Halloween H20: 20 Years Later* (1998) - NOTE: This film ignores everything from *Halloween 4*, *5*, and *6*, but is technically a direct sequel to *Halloween II* (1981). It creates a soft reboot.
- *Halloween: Resurrection* (2002) - The final film in this particular branch, featuring a controversial ending for Laurie Strode and a reality TV plot.
Timeline 2: The Rob Zombie Remakes (2 Films)
Director Rob Zombie completely rebooted the franchise in 2007, offering a grittier, more psychological origin story for Michael Myers. These films stand entirely on their own and have no connection to the previous entries.
- *Halloween* (2007) - A remake that spends significant time detailing Michael Myers' childhood and institutionalization.
- *Halloween II* (2009) - A highly divisive sequel that delves deeper into Michael's psychological state and his connection to Laurie Strode.
Timeline 3: The Blumhouse/David Gordon Green Trilogy (3 Films)
The most recent and commercially successful timeline is the Blumhouse Productions era. This trilogy, directed by David Gordon Green, performed a radical retcon by ignoring every single film after the 1978 original. In this continuity, Laurie Strode is not Michael Myers' sister, and the events of *Halloween II* (1981) never happened. It is a direct sequel to the first film, set 40 years later.
- *Halloween* (2018) - A direct sequel to the 1978 original, starring Jamie Lee Curtis as a survivalist Laurie Strode.
- *Halloween Kills* (2021) - A brutal middle chapter that focuses on the town of Haddonfield's vigilante response to Michael Myers.
- *Halloween Ends* (2022) - The final chapter of the Blumhouse trilogy, which takes place four years after *Kills* and introduces a new character, Corey Cunningham, into the mix.
Timeline 4: The Standalone Entry (1 Film)
This film is the true oddity of the franchise. It was an attempt by John Carpenter and producer Debra Hill to turn *Halloween* into an anthology series, with a new horror story each year. It failed to connect with audiences at the time but has since become a cult classic.
- *Halloween III: Season of the Witch* (1982) - Features no Michael Myers or Laurie Strode, centering instead on an evil corporation using deadly, cursed Halloween masks.
The Four Major Retcons and Confusing Timelines Explained
The reason the *Halloween* franchise feels like a tangled web is the constant use of the "retcon," or retroactive continuity. The filmmakers essentially hit the reset button multiple times, keeping the core elements (Michael Myers, Haddonfield, October 31st) but discarding entire sequels. Here is a breakdown of the major continuity shifts:
The Original 'Thorn' Timeline (1978–2002)
This timeline starts with the 1978 original, a simple story of pure evil. The first retcon occurs in *Halloween II* (1981), where Michael Myers is revealed to be Laurie Strode's older brother. This familial link became the driving force of the entire series, culminating in the bizarre cult-based mythology of the "Curse of Thorn" in *Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers* (1995). The entire arc is defined by Michael's supernatural, unstoppable nature and the attempts of Dr. Sam Loomis to stop him.
The 'H20' Retcon (1998)
After the failure of the Thorn storyline, *Halloween H20: 20 Years Later* (1998) was released to simplify the continuity. It completely ignored *Halloween 4*, *5*, and *6*, picking up directly after *Halloween II* (1981). This was a deliberate attempt to focus on the core Laurie Strode vs. Michael Myers conflict, ignoring the Thorn cult and Jamie Lloyd. It provided a seemingly definitive end to the saga, only to be undermined by *Halloween: Resurrection* (2002), which brought Michael back for a final, disappointing chapter in this arc.
The Rob Zombie Reboot (2007–2009)
Rob Zombie's films are a complete, self-contained reboot. They are not sequels to any previous film. Zombie's intent was to explore *why* Michael Myers became a killer, dedicating the first half of his 2007 film to Michael's traumatic childhood. This provided a definitive break from the original series, offering a darker, grittier, and more realistic (though still highly stylized) take on the material.
The Blumhouse Retcon (2018–2022)
The most recent and successful retcon is the Blumhouse Trilogy. This continuity is the simplest, as it only recognizes the events of the very first *Halloween* (1978). By ignoring the brother/sister twist from *Halloween II* (1981), it returns Michael Myers to his original characterization as the "Shape"—a force of nature and pure evil with no clear motive. This trilogy, spearheaded by director David Gordon Green and executive producer John Carpenter, focused on Laurie Strode's generational trauma and her final, brutal confrontation with Michael Myers in *Halloween Ends* (2022).
What is the Future of the Halloween Franchise After 13 Films? (Latest Update)
With the release of *Halloween Ends* in 2022, the Blumhouse era officially concluded. The rights to the franchise reverted, and the future of Michael Myers is set for another "creative reset."
The major, up-to-date news is that Miramax has won the television rights to the *Halloween* franchise. This move suggests that the next official chapter in the saga will likely be a new television series rather than a 14th feature film. The plan is to develop a cinematic universe for television that will reportedly "go back to the original film" for its inspiration. Producer Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions has confirmed that his studio is no longer involved, having completed their three-picture deal.
While a new theatrical film is inevitable down the line, the immediate future of The Shape rests with Miramax's television plans. This new series is expected to serve as a fresh start, once again ignoring the events of the sequels and offering a new take on the classic horror formula established by director John Carpenter.
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