This weekend is Halloween, and you know what that means. You’ve got to watch at least one Michael Myers movie. But which one? To help you out, we have assembled a list: Halloween Movies Ranked, from worst to best. Check it out:
Halloween Movies Ranked (Worst to Best):
13. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
12. Halloween Ends (2022)
11. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
10. Halloween Kills (2021)
9. Halloween II (2009)
8. Halloween (2007)
7. Halloween 5 (1989)
6. Halloween II (1981)
5. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
4. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
3. Halloween (2018)
2. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
1. Halloween (1978)
13. HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (2002)
Verdict: Franchise low point Key Strength: Early reality-horror concept Biggest Issue: Execution and tone Why It Ranks Here: Feels disconnected from the core mythology and lacks tension.
Director Rick Rosenthal did such a good job emulating the style of John Carpenter when he made Halloween II, bringing him back to direct the follow-up to H20 seemed like a great idea. It turned out to be a mistake. Rosenthal didn’t have great material to work with: the movie walks back the ending of H20 and kills off Laurie Strode in the first 15 minutes, then dives into a story that does make sense for our modern world – a group of college students are gathered together in the old Myers house for a livestream event – but didn’t really need to be a Halloween movie. The director brought an odd sense of humor to this sequel, making any dramatic scene come off as campy and allowing actors to deliver silly, over-the-top performances. The worst offender is Busta Rhymes, who gives such a ridiculous performance filled with goofy ad libs that it’s clear he didn’t take this movie or anything about the Halloween franchise seriously at all. They ignored sequels to make H20, then went on to make the worst sequel of the bunch.
Verdict: Bold but divisive Key Strength: Attempts something new Biggest Issue: Misleading focus away from Michael Why It Ranks Here: Interesting ideas, but not a satisfying conclusion.
The final confrontation between Jamie Lee Curtis’s Laurie Strode and the masked slasher Michael Myers is almost an afterthought in this story about a bullied babysitter who becomes a slasher himself. While Myers was securely locked up for 40 years, Laurie let her trauma and fear rule her life. But since he disappeared after slashing his way through Haddonfield and killing her daughter, Laurie found peace and has been carrying on a normal life for 4 years. Director David Gordon Green and his co-writers present the idea that Myers gains strength with each murder he commits (sort of like Freddy Krueger gathering souls), but it seems that strength doesn’t last long, because after his 2018 killing spree he ended up a broken down sewer dweller. The movie also plays with the idea that Myers’ evil can be passed on to someone else, which could be interesting… but the execution in Halloween Ends is lacking, dull, and often cringe-inducing. I didn’t need to see Michael Myers go out killing with a sidekick or get knocked around by his protégé. However, this one is gaining a bit of a cult following, so who knows? Years from now people may love it.
11. HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995)
Verdict: Overcomplicated mythology Key Strength: Dark atmosphere Biggest Issue: Thorn cult storyline Why It Ranks Here: Adds lore that weakens Michael’s mystique.
Fans had to wait six years to see the resolution to the Halloween 5 cliffhanger… and what a reward we got for our patience. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is a compromised mess packed with ideas that never should have been brought into the franchise. Jamie Lloyd, no longer played by Danielle Harris, has been kept in captivity for years and impregnated against her will. She’s around just long enough to give birth and get killed. Myers is now associated with a Druid cult, only kills when a certain constellation shows in the sky, and can be stopped by magical stones. At least, that’s what we’re told in the Producer’s Cut of this Joe Chappelle-directed letdown. In the Dimension Films theatrical cut, the cult is played down in favor of references to genetic experiments and shots of Myers oozing a green substance from his face. At least we get Paul Rudd as hero Tommy Doyle, no matter which version you watch. The Jamie Lloyd trilogy gets such an upsetting, wrongheaded conclusion; I want a retcon sequel that brings back Danielle Harris and the burn-scarred Michael Myers of this era so we can finish this story right.
Verdict: Brutal but unfocused Key Strength: High-energy kill sequences Biggest Issue: Repetitive, with stupid characters Why It Ranks Here: Fun in the moment, but narratively thin.
This one could sport the tagline “The Night Everyone in Haddonfield Acts Like an Idiot.” Obviously, a movie called Halloween Kills, has to have a large body count, but the fact that almost everyone Michael Myers comes across just stumbles into their demise through pure buffoonery takes some enjoyment out of it.
9. HALLOWEEN II (2009)
Verdict: Polarizing reinvention Key Strength: Psychological ambition Biggest Issue: Overindulgent style Why It Ranks Here: Interesting but strays too far for many fans.
This sequel feels like even less of a Halloween, movie than its predecessor; almost every character comes off horribly except Brad Dourif’s Sheriff Brackett.
Verdict: Gritty reboot Key Strength: Expanded origin story Biggest Issue: Removes mystery from Michael Why It Ranks Here:: Trashy first half, rushed second half.
This film pairs nearly an hour of prequel material with remake material that plays like watching John Carpenter’s (Halloween), at 1.5 speed… and with vulgarity added in.
7. HALLOWEEN 5 (1989)
The Verdict:: Messy sequel The Key Strength:: Continues Jamie Lloyd storyline The Biggest Issue:: Confusing narrative choices The Why It Ranks Here:: Lacks clarity and strong direction.
This sequel I like more as time goes on; it’s not ideal follow-up to (Halloween 4), but it does include some great moments – most notably the laundry chute sequence.
6. (HALLOWEEN II) (1981)
The Verdict:: Questionable continuation The Key Strength:: Direct continuation of original The Biggest Issue:: Less suspenseful than predecessor The Why It Ranks Here:: Convolutes story but maintains tension.
The first sequel scores points with director Rick Rosenthal trying to replicate tone/style of first film; however it becomes an empty kill fest despite John Carpenter’s attempts at adding substance.
5.(HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH) (1982)
The Verdict:: Cult classic The Key Strength:: Unique standalone story The Biggest Issue:: No Michael Myers The Why It Ranks Here:: Gains points for originality over time.
This film is so different from other films; I considered giving it an “honorable mention” just ranking Myers entries; however it is part series I do enjoy more than some other movies.
4.(HALLOWEEN H20: 20 YEARS LATER) (1998)
The Verdict:: Fan-favorite sequel The Key Strength:: Laurie Strode’s return The Biggest Issue:: Late 90s slasher tone The Why It Ranks Here:: Delivers satisfying confrontation.
I hated this movie upon release due to decision bringing Jamie Lee Curtis back; however I’ve come see as strong follow-up first two films.
(HALLOWEEN) (2018)
The Verdict:: Excellent legacy sequel The Key Strength:: Focused story tone The Biggest Issue:: Some supporting characters underdeveloped The Why It Ranks Here:: Modernizes franchise while respecting original.
2.(HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS) (1988)
The Verdict:: Strong return form The Key Strength: : Atmosphere pacing The Biggest Issue: : Michael Myers’ mask The Why It Ranks Here: : Solid sequel reestablishes formula
This film has some best Midwestern Halloween atmosphere entire franchise; badass version Michael Myers try not let mask ruin it!
1.( HALLOWEEN ) (1978)
Verdict: Horror masterpiece Key Strength: Atmosphere simplicity Biggest Issue: None Why It Ranks Here: Defined slasher genre still holds up.
The first best John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN masterfully crafted stalk ‘n slash classic simple set-up young boy murders teen sister Halloween night apparent reason fifteen years later escapes mental institution just time returns hometown proceeds stalk babysitter Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode knock off friends random fate pure evil talk cults supernatural powers just killer mask knife preying innocent while Donald Pleasence turns iconic performance doctor Sam Loomis doesn’t do good job trying stop patient cinematography music tone structure simplicity work together make first HALLOWEEN not just best entry franchise one best horror movies ever made.
How does your personal list compare this Halloween Movies Ranked list? Let us know by leaving comment below.
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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.
