You can skip 4 of the 13 titles in the Halloween franchise and still follow the main story: Halloween: Resurrection, Halloween, Halloween II, and Halloween III: Season of the Witch. The essentials (9 titles) take about 14 hours instead of 21 hours.
- Skippable
- 4
- Essentials
- 9
- Time saved
- 7 hours
Safe to skip
- Halloween: Resurrection2002 · Film · 1h 29m · optionalThe H20 timeline's sequel; optional.
- Halloween2007 · Film · 1h 50m · optionalRob Zombie's remake; its own continuity. Optional.
- Halloween II2009 · Film · 1h 45m · optionalThe remake's sequel; optional.
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch1982 · Film · 1h 38m · optionalAn anthology entry with no Michael Myers; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 1982 · Film · 1h 38m · optional
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
After a terrified toy salesman is mysteriously attacked and brought to the hospital clutching the year's most popular Halloween mask, Dr. Daniel Challis sets out to investigate the strange events and finds himself thrust into a nightmarish conspiracy.
Why it matters: An anthology entry with no Michael Myers; optional.
- Starring
- Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, and Dan O'Herlihy
- Director
- Tommy Lee Wallace
- Box office
- $14 million on a $3 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 5.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 51%
No. 02 · 2002 · Film · 1h 29m · optional
Halloween: Resurrection
Reality programmers at DangerTainment select a group of thrill-seeking teenagers to spend one night in the childhood home of serial killer Michael Myers. Their planned live broadcast turns deadly when Michael decides to crash the party.
Why it matters: The H20 timeline's sequel; optional.
- Starring
- Bianca Kajlich, Busta Rhymes, and Sean Patrick Thomas
- Director
- Rick Rosenthal
- Box office
- $38 million on a $13 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 3.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 10%
No. 03 · 2007 · Film · 1h 50m · optional
Halloween
The early years of young Michael Myers and the events leading up to his fateful Halloween night murder rampage in the quiet town of Haddonfield, Illinois.
Why it matters: Rob Zombie's remake; its own continuity. Optional.
- Starring
- Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell, and Tyler Mane
- Director
- Rob Zombie
- Box office
- $80 million on a $15 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 28%
No. 04 · 2009 · Film · 1h 45m · optional
Halloween II
Laurie Strode struggles to come to terms with her brother Michael's deadly return to Haddonfield, Illinois. Meanwhile, Michael prepares for another reunion with his sister.
Why it matters: The remake's sequel; optional.
- Starring
- Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell, and Tyler Mane
- Director
- Rob Zombie
- Box office
- $39 million on a $10 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 4.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 25%
The essentials, in release order
- Halloween1978 · Film · 1h 31mJohn Carpenter's original; every timeline starts here.
- Halloween II1981 · Film · 1h 32mPicks up the same night; reveals Laurie is Michael's sister.
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers1988 · Film · 1h 28mMichael returns for his niece Jamie.
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers1989 · Film · 1h 38mContinues Jamie's story.
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers1995 · Film · 1h 28mEnds the Jamie storyline.
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later1998 · Film · 1h 26mIgnores 4 to 6: Laurie, 20 years later.
- Halloween2018 · Film · 1h 46mA direct sequel to the 1978 film that ignores every other sequel.
- Halloween Kills2021 · Film · 1h 45mThe same night as Halloween (2018).
- Halloween Ends2022 · Film · 1h 51mLaurie and Michael's final chapter.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Halloween title?
No. You can skip 4 of the 13 titles in the Halloween franchise and still follow the main story: Halloween: Resurrection, Halloween, Halloween II, and Halloween III: Season of the Witch. The essentials (9 titles) take about 14 hours instead of 21 hours.
How long are the Halloween essentials?
About 14 hours for 9 titles, in release order starting with Halloween.
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