Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere is no single story timeline for every Halloween film. The most useful way to watch is to choose a branch: the 1978 original leads into several incompatible continuities, while Rob Zombie’s two films form a separate reimagining and Halloween III: Season of the Witch stands apart from Michael Myers’ story.
What order should I watch the Halloween movies in?
Choose the route that matches the story you want. These are practical viewing orders, not a single studio-prescribed canon.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Halloween 3-Movie Collection (Blu-ray + Digital) | $14.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Halloween: The Complete Collection[Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ji8p78tWL._SL160_.jpg)
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Halloween: The Complete Collection[Blu-ray] | $206.76 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![The Halloween 4K Collection: 1995 - 2002 [4K UHD + Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61DjSnt-ymL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Halloween 4K Collection: 1995 - 2002 [4K UHD + Blu-ray] | $77.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![HALLOWEEN: Collector's Edition [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dt1ERL4FS._SL160_.jpg)
|
HALLOWEEN: Collector's Edition [4K UHD] | $22.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| Route | Watch order | What it follows |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 relaunch | Halloween (1978) → Halloween (2018) → Halloween Kills (2021) → Halloween Ends (2022) | A modern Laurie Strode and Michael Myers arc branching from the 1978 film. |
| H20 | Halloween (1978) → Halloween II (1981) → Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) → Halloween: Resurrection (2002) | Laurie’s later story in the continuity that includes the 1981 sequel. |
| Original sequel | Halloween (1978) → Halloween II (1981) → Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) → Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) → Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) | The Jamie Lloyd films and the Thorn mythology. |
| Rob Zombie | Halloween (2007) → Halloween II (2009) | A separate reimagining and its sequel. |
| Anthology standalone | Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) | A Silver Shamrock story, outside Michael Myers’ storyline. |
If you want a compact contemporary arc, choose the 2018 relaunch. For the franchise’s development over time, watch in release order and treat the films as branching continuities rather than one uninterrupted story.
Why are there several Halloween timelines?
The 1978 Halloween is the shared starting point for the original-sequel, H20, and 2018 branches. The sequels do not all coexist in one continuity. The 1981 Halloween II establishes the sibling relationship in the continuity that proceeds through Halloween 4–6 or, on a different route, through H20 and Resurrection. The 2018 film instead starts a new path from the events of the 1978 original; Miramax describes it as a story that “carves a new path” from that film (Miramax’s official film page).
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- Halloween 3-Movie Collection (Blu-ray + Digital)
Which films belong in each branch?
The original sequel branch: Jamie Lloyd and Thorn
After the 1978 original and 1981 sequel, watch Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and The Curse of Michael Myers. This route follows the later films’ Jamie Lloyd story and the Man in Black/Thorn mythology. Do not add H20 or the 2018 trilogy as though they continue this same chain: they take different paths.
The H20 branch: Laurie’s later story
Watch Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), H20, and then Resurrection. This route follows the continuity introduced in Halloween II and skips the Halloween 4–6 films. The official franchise catalog describes H20 as taking place twenty years after Michael’s return and Laurie’s change of name, while Resurrection follows the aftermath of that story (official Halloween film catalog).
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The 2018 relaunch: a shorter modern arc
Watch the 1978 original, Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends. Peacock calls the 2018 film a relaunch and identifies the original, the relaunch, and Kills as the most relevant setup for Ends (Peacock’s guide to Halloween Ends, published October 20, 2022).
Rob Zombie’s reimagining
Watch the 2007 Halloween followed by Halloween II (2009). They are a paired retelling, not sequels to the 1978 continuity. The 2007 film gives a different account of Michael’s childhood.
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- Genre: Horror
- Number of Discs: 8
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Number of Movies: 3
- Movie Cast: Donald Pleasence^Jamie Lee Curtis^Joseph Gordon-Levitt^Tyra Banks^Paul Rudd^Josh Hartnett^Bianca Kajlich^Luke Kirby^Adam Arkin^Malcolm McDowell
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
The 1982 film centers on Silver Shamrock Novelties rather than Michael Myers. The official franchise catalog says it “takes a break from the Michael Myers storyline.” You can skip it without missing a link in Michael’s story, or include it in release order as the series’ standalone anthology experiment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should I watch Halloween in release order?
Release order is the best choice if your goal is to see how the franchise changed, rather than follow just one continuity. It lets you encounter the standalone anthology film in context and see how later movies revisit, extend, or restart earlier stories. For a focused plot route, use one of the branch orders above instead. A 2025 JustWatch chronology guide, updated June 25, 2026, also distinguishes four principal chronologies (JustWatch’s chronology guide).
Quick Recap
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