The Definitive Answer: How Many Halloween Movies Are There? (The 13-Film Timeline Breakdown)

For decades, Michael Myers has been the masked embodiment of evil, but trying to count his cinematic appearances is a horror show all its own. As of late 2024, the definitive and current answer to "how many Halloween movies are there?" is a firm 13 films. This number includes John Carpenter’s 1978 original, all its sequels and reboots, and Rob Zombie's two-part reimagining. However, the sheer volume of films is only half the story; the true nightmare lies in the fact that these 13 movies are split across four completely separate, and often contradictory, timelines.

The Halloween franchise is notorious for its convoluted continuity, which has been rebooted, retconned, and re-imagined more times than Michael Myers has been shot. What started as a simple slasher classic quickly spiraled into a complex web of supernatural cults, secret siblings, and entirely new universes. Understanding the true scope of the franchise requires a deep dive into the four distinct realities of Haddonfield, Illinois.

The Complete Michael Myers Filmography: All 13 Movies by Release Date

To establish a foundation, here is the complete list of all thirteen theatrically released Halloween films, from the 1978 masterpiece to the 2022 conclusion of the Blumhouse trilogy. This list provides the essential entities for any fan or newcomer trying to navigate the franchise.

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• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) - (Note: This film is a standalone entry with no Michael Myers.)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007) - (Rob Zombie Remake)
• Halloween II (2009) - (Rob Zombie Sequel)
• Halloween (2018) - (Blumhouse Sequel/Reboot)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

The total count of 13 is undeniable, but to watch them in a way that makes narrative sense, you must choose a timeline. The following sections break down the four separate universes Michael Myers inhabits.

Four Separate Timelines: The Horror of Continuity

The reason the question "how many Halloween movies are there" is so confusing is because multiple sequels simply ignore all the movies that came before them, creating new canons. Here is the breakdown of the four major continuities, which is crucial for achieving true topical authority on the subject.

1. The Original "Thorn" Timeline (7 Films)

This is the longest and arguably most convoluted timeline, which introduces the controversial "Cult of Thorn" mythology to explain Michael Myers' supernatural resilience. This continuity establishes Laurie Strode as Michael's sister.

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• The Core: Halloween (1978) → Halloween II (1981)
• The Detour: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) (Standalone)
• The Thorn Trilogy: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) → Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) → Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Key Entities: Laurie Strode, Dr. Sam Loomis, Jamie Lloyd, The Man in Black, The Cult of Thorn.

2. The "H20" Timeline (3 Films)

This continuity was created to bring back Jamie Lee Curtis's character, Laurie Strode, by ignoring the events of Halloween 4, 5, and 6. It maintains the sibling connection introduced in Halloween II (1981).

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

Key Entities: Laurie Strode, John Tate, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill's Halloween Theme.

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3. The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline (2 Films)

Director Rob Zombie completely rebooted the franchise, starting from scratch. His films focus heavily on Michael Myers' troubled childhood and psychological trauma, offering a grittier, more brutal origin story. These two films exist entirely outside the original series' continuity.

• Halloween (2007) (Remake)
• Halloween II (2009) (Sequel to the Remake)

Key Entities: Deborah Myers, Malcolm McDowell (Dr. Loomis), Scout Taylor-Compton (Laurie Strode), Sheri Moon Zombie.

4. The Blumhouse "H40" Timeline (3 Films)

The most recent and commercially successful timeline, produced by Blumhouse Productions, wipes the slate clean again. It is a direct sequel only to the original 1978 film, completely ignoring *all* other sequels, including the sibling connection. In this canon, Laurie Strode is simply a survivor, not Michael's sister.

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Key Entities: Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode), David Gordon Green, Judy Greer (Karen Nelson), Andi Matichak (Allyson Nelson), The Shape.

The Future of Haddonfield: Will There Be a 14th Film?

With Halloween Ends (2022) seemingly concluding the Blumhouse trilogy and providing a definitive, if controversial, end to the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers saga, the question of a 14th film is inevitable. The answer, as of late 2024, is that the cinematic future of Michael Myers is uncertain, but the franchise is far from dead.

Producer Jason Blum has confirmed that Blumhouse Productions no longer holds the rights to the franchise, meaning the next installment will come from a new creative team. The rights have reverted to Miramax and Trancas International Films.

The most significant and current development is the reported plan for a Halloween television series. While the details are scarce and the project's status has been rumored to be in "development hell" or "in doubt," the general consensus among industry insiders is that the franchise's next chapter will likely be on the small screen. This shift would allow a new team to explore the lore of Haddonfield or Michael Myers' origins in a long-form format, completely separate from the 13 existing films.

Given the franchise's enduring popularity and its massive worldwide box office gross of over $884 million, it is a certainty that Michael Myers will return. The next time you ask "how many Halloween movies are there," the answer might be "13 movies and a TV series." For now, the count remains at 13, but keep an eye on Miramax for the next evolution of The Shape.