First off, let’s get this out of the way—I know some of you will absolutely hate my list, and honestly, I’m good with that. If there’s anything horror fans are known for, it’s having very strong opinions about their favorite franchises. I’ll be the first to admit that while my love for the Halloween franchise runs deep, my rankings might raise a few eyebrows. And, before you ask, no, I’m not one of those die-hard Halloween 3: Season of the Witch nerds. I haven’t watched it in a million years (probably last caught the TV version ages ago), so yeah—maybe I’ll revisit it one day. But for now, let’s dive into the list.
1. Halloween (1978)
Is anyone surprised? The OG, the legend, the reason we’re even here talking about Michael Myers. John Carpenter’s Halloween is pure, uncut horror at its finest. Made on a shoestring budget, yet terrifying with nothing more than a white mask, a kitchen knife, and a haunting piano score that still gives me chills. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is the ultimate final girl—resourceful, brave, and relatable. There’s no CGI here, just atmosphere and dread. No matter how many Halloween movies they churn out, none of them quite capture the minimalist terror of this first one.
2. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
I said it—this is the most underrated film in the franchise. I don’t care what anyone says. Sure, it's messy, and sure, there’s a cult subplot that people love to hate. But this installment went hard on the mythology, expanding on Michael Myers’ supernatural elements in a way that set it apart from its predecessors. And let’s not forget—Paul Rudd as Tommy Doyle. Honestly, this film has a 90s charm that I wish carried through into later entries. Younger fans might have missed this one, but do yourself a favor and revisit it. It’s flawed, sure, but man, it deserves more credit.
3. Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007)
Okay, buckle up, because I know this one’s divisive. Say what you want about Rob Zombie, but I respect that he tried to give Michael Myers a deeper backstory. Zombie’s version dives into Michael’s twisted childhood, showing a house drenched in chaos, abuse, and neglect. Is it over the top? Absolutely. But it adds a raw brutality to Michael we hadn’t seen before. Zombie almost gives us a prequel before the real slashing begins. If you’re not a fan of Zombie’s style, this one won’t change your mind, but for me, it’s a bold reimagining that hits hard.
4. Halloween (2018)
After years of questionable sequels, this direct sequel to the original Halloween was exactly what the franchise needed. Ignoring all the convoluted lore that piled up over the years, this entry brought us back to basics—Laurie Strode vs. Michael Myers, no frills, no fillers. The trauma Laurie carries and the sheer survival instinct she’s built up in the 40 years since their first showdown adds emotional depth. Plus, that long-take tracking shot of Michael strolling through Haddonfield, casually stabbing folks, is pure cinema.
5. Halloween II (1981)
A natural extension of the first OG film, Halloween II picks up the same night, which makes it feel like a continuation of the first. We stay with Laurie as she fights for survival in a hospital while Michael relentlessly stalks her. It may not have the subtlety of the original, but it cranks up the tension and gore. The hospital setting is grim, and Michael’s seemingly unstoppable nature is in full force here. It’s not as perfect as the original, but it’s a worthy sequel (even if John Carpenter disagrees, lol).
6. Halloween Kills (2021)
Ah, the infamous body count movie. This is where Michael Myers turns into a full-blown wrecking machine. If you came for gore, this movie delivers. While it lacks the finesse of the 2018 film, it’s a brutal middle chapter where Michael Myers is essentially the slasher equivalent of a freight train. The whole "Evil dies tonight" thing? Yeah, we could’ve done without that, but I can appreciate a film that leans into Michael’s mythic level of violence.
7. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
After the weirdness of Season of the Witch, the franchise needed to bring Michael back—and they did, in classic slasher style. It’s formulaic, but there’s something comforting about that. The return of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis is a huge plus, and Danielle Harris as Jamie Lloyd is fantastic. It’s simple, but it works.
8. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
A step down from Halloween 4, but still not without merit. This one feels a little rushed, and the decision to make Jamie mute for most of the film was odd. That said, Michael Myers is as menacing as ever, and we get a bit more of that Loomis vs. Michael dynamic, which is always fun.
9. Rob Zombie’s Halloween II (2009)
This is where Zombie lost me. While his first outing was so refreshing, Halloween II feels like a fever dream, not in a good way. The visuals are rough, the tone is chaotic, and it just doesn’t have the magic of the original. Zombie’s insistence on showing us Michael’s inner psyche takes away from the mystery that makes him terrifying. Still, for those who like extreme horror, there are some brutal kills here.
10. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
I get why people love H20, but for me, it’s just okay. I know it brought back Laurie Strode in a big way, but the 90s teen slasher vibe doesn’t sit right in a Halloween movie. Still, seeing Laurie finally confront her trauma head-on was satisfying.
11. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Now, this one...yikes. There’s a reality TV angle that just doesn’t work, and the less said about Busta Rhymes doing kung fu, the better. While I love the return of Michael Myers, Resurrection is a low point for the franchise. It’s almost so bad it’s good—but not quite.
12. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Yep, here we are. I know there’s a strong cult following for this one, and I respect that. It’s just not my thing. Without Michael Myers, it feels disconnected, though the killer mask plotline is definitely unique. Maybe one day I’ll give it another chance with fresh eyes.
13. Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends disappoints by sidelining Michael Myers in favor of focusing on a new character, Corey Cunningham, who adds little to the overall impact of the story. Fans expecting an epic final showdown between Laurie Strode and Michael are left unsatisfied, as Myers has minimal screen time, and the film fails to capture the tension and dread that define the franchise. Instead, the movie meanders through unnecessary plotlines, resulting in a weak and underwhelming conclusion to the iconic series.
There you have it, my personal rankings. I’m sure many of you disagree (especially you Season of the Witch fans), but that’s the beauty of the horror community—we all have our own take on these beloved films. Whether Michael Myers is stalking the streets of Haddonfield or we’re diving into weird cult lore, one thing’s for sure: the Halloween franchise will always be a bloody good time.