Halloween Kills and the Franchise Timeline
Halloween Kills is a 2021 slasher film and the direct sequel to the 1978 original, Halloween. The movie is the thirteenth installment in the Halloween franchise and was produced by Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and Miramax. It was directed by David Gordon Green and written by Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, and Scott Teems. The film continues the story of Michael Myers and the survivors of Haddonfield, Illinois, directly following the events of the 1978 original while ignoring the continuity of the later sequels. Halloween Kills premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2021, and was released theatrically in the United States on October 15, 2021. The movie's theatrical run was handled by Universal Pictures domestically and internationally, with a global box office gross of approximately $133.4 million against a production budget of $20 million, according to industry tracking data from Forbes.
To understand Halloween Kills, viewers should first watch the 1978 original, Halloween, directed by John Carpenter. This foundational film establishes Michael Myers as the masked killer and introduces the core characters, including Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. The 2018 film, Halloween, serves as a direct soft reboot and sequel to the 1978 original, ignoring all subsequent films. It was released on October 19, 2018, by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, and it grossed over $255 million worldwide. Halloween Kills continues directly from the 2018 film's ending, making the 2018 movie a mandatory prerequisite. The 2022 follow-up, Halloween Ends, concluded the story arc that began in 2018, and was also produced by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, with a worldwide gross of approximately $105.6 million.
Key Films and Viewing Order
Core Viewing Sequence
The recommended viewing order starts with the 1978 original, Halloween. Next, watch the 2018 reboot, Halloween, which resets the franchise's continuity. Finally, watch Halloween Kills to see the immediate aftermath of the 2018 film. This sequence ensures viewers experience the narrative as intended by the filmmakers, focusing on the Michael Myers storyline from the original film and the modern reboot. The 2018 film was a critical and commercial success, earning a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a CinemaScore of "B+" from audiences, as reported by Rotten Tomatoes.
Why the 1978 Original is Essential
The 1978 original Halloween is a landmark horror film that established the slasher subgenre. It was produced on a budget of $325,000 and grossed over $70 million in the United States, making it one of the most profitable films of its time. The film's director of photography, Dean Cundey, and composer, John Carpenter, created a visual and auditory style that defined the franchise. The movie's structure, which follows the killer on the night of Halloween, directly informs the plot of Halloween Kills, which takes place on the same night and explores the panic that spreads through Haddonfield after Michael Myers escapes. The original film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2006.
The 2018 Reboot's Narrative Role
The 2018 Halloween film, directed by