Halloween Movies With Michael Myers: Watch Order and Timelines

Start with Halloween (1978) if you’re new to Michael Myers. Then choose one connected story rather than treating every sequel as part of the same timeline. A straightforward option is the modern route: the original, Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022).

The Halloween movies with Michael Myers follow several different versions of his story. There are 13 released films in the franchise covered here, but 12 follow Michael as a main story character. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) tells a separate story. You can watch the main films in release order or pick a shorter route below.

Direct Answer

Start with Halloween (1978), then choose a connected timeline. For the modern story, continue with Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). Release order covers different story branches.

Michael Myers Movies in Release Order

Release order means watching films in the order they came out. It helps you see how the series changed over time, but it does not give you one unbroken story.

Here are the 12 main Michael Myers films:

These release years and story branches distinguish the sequels from the remake pair.

For the full 13-film franchise in release order, place Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) between Halloween II (1981) and Halloween 4 (1988).

Halloween III is an independent horror story about Halloween masks. Michael is not its story’s villain, although footage from the original Halloween appears on a television. You can leave it out when following his storyline.

Choose release order if you want to explore the whole series. Expect the story to restart or change direction at certain points. A later film may follow an earlier movie while setting aside several films released between them. 

Choose a Connected Halloween Timeline

A timeline, also called a continuity, is a set of films that share one version of the story. Movies in another branch may use the same characters but change their relationships or past events.

A sequel continues a story. A remake tells an earlier story again in a new version. Those differences explain why three movies called Halloween do not all serve the same purpose.

The Modern Timeline: Follow the Original With the New Trilogy

Watch in this order:

1. Halloween (1978)
2. Halloween (2018)
3. Halloween Kills (2021)
4. Halloween Ends (2022)

This is a useful starting route if you want the original film and a clear path into the newer sequels.

Halloween (2018) continues from the 1978 movie while setting aside the other sequels. It is not a remake of the original. Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, and the story picks up four decades after their first encounter.

In this version, Laurie and Michael are not siblings. That detail matters because some older films use a different family connection.

Choose this route for a focused four-film watchlist. Its trade-off is that you will miss the earlier sequel branches and their different ideas about Michael. You can explore those later without mixing them into this story.

The Original/Thorn Timeline: Follow the Earlier Sequels

Watch in this order:

1. Halloween (1978)
2. Halloween II (1981)
3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
4. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Halloween II continues the night shown in the original film. Later entries bring Michael’s niece, Jamie Lloyd, into the story. The official Halloween film guide describes these earlier connections.

The name “Thorn” refers to the supernatural mythology developed in this branch. You do not need to understand that idea before starting. The important viewing point is that The Curse of Michael Myers follows the earlier sequels; it is not a separate route by itself.

Choose this branch if you want the older sequel story. It takes five films and moves beyond the original’s simpler setup. If you prefer to begin with fewer entries, start with the modern route instead.

The H20 Timeline: Take a Different Laurie Strode Route

Watch in this order:

1. Halloween (1978)
2. Halloween II (1981)
3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
4. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

This branch shares the first two films with the Original/Thorn route. It then takes another direction, ignoring Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and The Curse of Michael Myers. 

H20 brings Jamie Lee Curtis back as Laurie Strode. Choose this route if you want to follow her through an alternative sequel story after Halloween II.

You do not need the Thorn films between Halloween II and H20. Adding them would combine two different versions of events. If you have already watched the first two movies, you can move into either branch without watching those shared films again.

The Rob Zombie Timeline: Start With the Remake

Watch in this order:

1. Halloween (2007)
2. Halloween II (2009)

Rob Zombie’s films form their own remake-and-sequel pair. The 2007 movie retells the original story and gives more attention to Michael’s earlier life. The 2009 sequel follows that version. 

Scout Taylor-Compton plays Laurie, while Tyler Mane plays adult Michael Myers. These are different versions of the characters from the Jamie Lee Curtis films.

Choose this route if you want a separate two-film interpretation. It is the shortest complete branch listed here, but a shorter watchlist does not mean gentler content. Check the rating and content information before choosing it for a group.

Check the Year and Cast Before You Watch

Searching only for “Halloween” can bring up several films with the same title. Use the movie’s year before renting, buying, or pressing play.

The three main title checks are:

• Halloween (1978): John Carpenter’s original and the starting point for the older and modern branches.
• Halloween (2007): Rob Zombie’s remake and the first film in his separate pair.
• Halloween (2018): David Gordon Green’s sequel to the 1978 original.

Be just as careful with Halloween II. The 1981 film follows the original. The 2009 film follows Rob Zombie’s remake. Their titles match, but their stories belong to different routes.

Cast can help you confirm a selection. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Laurie in the original and returns in selected later films. Scout Taylor-Compton plays Laurie in the remake pair. Nick Castle plays Michael in much of the original, while James Jude Courtney portrays him in the modern films.

A familiar actor alone is not enough to identify the timeline. Laurie appears in more than one branch. Check the title and year first, then use the director or cast as a second check.

For example, if your next film is Halloween (2018), a listing showing Rob Zombie as director is the wrong version for your watchlist.

Where to Check US Streaming, Rental, and Purchase Options

Availability changes, so check each film before planning a marathon. A service carrying one Halloween movie does not establish that it carries every sequel you need.

As a US snapshot checked October 9, 2026, JustWatch listed:

These are listings from a streaming guide, not a guarantee of access through your account. Open the provider’s current page and confirm the exact title, year, and payment option.

Before paying, check:

• Included access: Is the film covered by the subscription you already have?
• Extra channel: Does the listing require a separate channel subscription?
• Rental: What does it cost, and when does the viewing window expire?
• Purchase: Which version and picture quality are you buying?
• Ads: Is a free option supported by advertising?

Compare the films in your chosen route before subscribing. For example, access to the original alone may not cover your four-film modern watchlist.

Use the US version of the listing when watching in the United States. Other countries can have different services and rights. If a page is unavailable in your region, confirm options through the service you actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Halloween Trilogy Set Include Halloween (1978)?

Universal’s Halloween Trilogy set lists Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends. It does not include the 1978 original.

That means the three-film set and the four-film modern story route are different things. Check the included titles on the exact edition before buying. If you want to follow the route recommended above, arrange separate access to the original.

Are the Michael Myers Movies Suitable for Children?

Do not assume a movie is family-friendly because its title includes Halloween. These are horror films about a killer, and the content can include bloody violence and other mature material.

Universal lists Halloween (2018) and Halloween Ends as R-rated, with warnings for violent content and language, among other details. Check the specific film’s rating and content description before choosing it for younger viewers. Comfort with one horror film does not mean every entry will suit the same person.

Is There a Confirmed New Michael Myers Movie Release Date?

A release date for the next Michael Myers feature could not be confirmed as of October 9, 2026. Halloween Ends (2022) is the final released entry in the movie list above.

A fan trailer, proposed project, or search phrase such as “Halloween movies 2026” does not confirm a new release. Look for a dated announcement from the studio or distributor before treating a title or opening date as official.

Build Your First Halloween Watchlist

For a straightforward start, save Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends. Confirm each year and viewing option before your first movie night.

If another branch interests you more, follow that branch’s list. You can enjoy one connected story first and explore the other versions when you’re ready.

Disclaimer

The right viewing choice depends on your budget, preferences, occasion, and comfort with horror. Streaming access and fees can change by region, so check the current film listing and content rating before watching.