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The Definitive Michael Myers Movie Order: All 4 Confusing Timelines Explained

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As of December 23, 2025, the *Halloween* franchise stands as the most confusing—and most retconned—horror series in cinema history. With 13 films spanning nearly five decades, the saga of Michael Myers, "The Shape," doesn't follow a simple chronological path; instead, it branches into four distinct, mutually exclusive timelines that each decide which sequels to keep and which to completely ignore. This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion, offering the definitive viewing order for every single Michael Myers movie, no matter which reality you choose to follow. The key to understanding the *Halloween* filmography is accepting that multiple universes exist. Each major reboot or sequel chooses a different starting point, creating a 'multiverse' where Laurie Strode’s fate, Michael’s motivation, and even the existence of characters like Jamie Lloyd are constantly being rewritten. Whether you prefer the supernatural Cult of Thorn saga or the grounded, modern Blumhouse trilogy, this is the only guide you need to watch the Michael Myers movies in their correct story order.

The Four Eras of The Shape: Michael Myers’ Complete Filmography

Michael Myers, the silent, masked killer, is the central figure in all but one film (*Halloween III: Season of the Witch*), which is generally excluded from all timelines. His story is told across four separate continuities, each starting with the 1978 original.
  • The Original/Thorn Timeline (1978–1995): The saga of Michael’s supernatural curse and his pursuit of his niece, Jamie Lloyd.
  • The H20 Timeline (1978–2002): A soft reboot that ignores the "Thorn" plot to bring back Laurie Strode.
  • The H40/Blumhouse Trilogy (1978–2022): The most recent and popular timeline, which ignores all sequels and erases the sibling connection.
  • The Rob Zombie Remake Timeline (2007–2009): A complete, standalone reboot focusing on Michael’s psychological backstory.

Timeline 1: The Original ‘Thorn’ Continuity (The Supernatural Saga)

This is the original, sprawling timeline that introduced the supernatural element to Michael Myers’ story. It begins with the classic original and runs through the controversial "Cult of Thorn" storyline, which attempts to explain Michael’s inhuman resilience and evil. The central retcon in this timeline is the introduction of the Curse of Thorn, a Gaelic-based cult that marks a child to sacrifice their family on the night of Samhain (Halloween) to ensure the well-being of the tribe. This is the reason Michael is an unstoppable force.

The Thorn Timeline Viewing Order:

  1. Halloween (1978): The original masterpiece. Michael Myers escapes Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and returns to Haddonfield. Laurie Strode is introduced as the target.
  2. Halloween II (1981): Immediately follows the first film. The major reveal: Laurie Strode is Michael’s younger sister, adopted after their parents died. This establishes the sibling connection that defines this timeline.
  3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): Laurie Strode is dead (in a car crash). Michael returns to kill his niece, Jamie Lloyd, Laurie’s daughter. This film introduces Dr. Loomis’s continued obsession and Michael's new target.
  4. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989): Michael continues his pursuit of Jamie Lloyd, who now has a psychic link to her uncle.
  5. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): This polarizing entry fully introduces the Cult of Thorn, revealing that Michael is controlled by the cult’s ancient curse. It also features a young Paul Rudd and is the final appearance of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis.

Key Takeaway: This is the only timeline where Laurie Strode dies off-screen and her daughter, Jamie Lloyd, becomes Michael’s primary target. The focus shifts from random evil to a supernatural, cult-driven destiny.

Timeline 2: The H20 Continuity (The Laurie Strode Survival Saga)

Disappointed with the supernatural direction of the Thorn films, the producers decided to create a soft reboot for the 20th anniversary, bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis. This timeline is a direct sequel to *Halloween II* (1981), but it completely ignores the events of *Halloween 4, 5, and 6*, effectively erasing the character of Jamie Lloyd from existence.

The H20 Timeline Viewing Order:

  1. Halloween (1978): The original classic.
  2. Halloween II (1981): Confirms Michael and Laurie are siblings.
  3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): Laurie Strode is alive and well, living under a new identity as the headmistress of a private school, Keri Tate. Michael tracks her down, and the film serves as their final confrontation (or so it seems). This film is a direct retcon of the Thorn trilogy.
  4. Halloween: Resurrection (2002): This sequel completely undoes the satisfying ending of *H20* by revealing that Laurie killed a paramedic in Michael’s mask, not Michael himself. Laurie is killed early in the film, and the story descends into a reality TV stunt inside Michael’s house, often considered the franchise's low point.

Key Takeaway: The H20 timeline keeps the sibling connection but throws out all the Cult of Thorn baggage. It offers a powerful ending in *H20*, only to immediately ruin it with *Resurrection*.

Timeline 3: The H40/Blumhouse Trilogy (The Pure Evil Timeline)

The most recent and definitive timeline, often called the Blumhouse or David Gordon Green trilogy, is the ultimate retcon. It was designed to simplify the lore and bring the story back to its roots. This continuity ignores every single sequel after the 1978 original. This means that Michael and Laurie are no longer siblings, and Michael's evil is random and unmotivated—he is simply "The Shape."

The Blumhouse Trilogy Viewing Order:

  1. Halloween (1978): The original classic. This is the only film this trilogy considers canon.
  2. Halloween (2018): Set 40 years after the original, Michael escapes during a transfer, and Laurie Strode is now a paranoid, survivalist grandmother who has spent her life preparing for his return. The film features a multi-generational Strode family: Laurie, her daughter Karen, and granddaughter Allyson.
  3. Halloween Kills (2021): Immediately follows the 2018 film. Michael survives the fire and continues his massacre as the town of Haddonfield rises up to hunt him.
  4. Halloween Ends (2022): Set four years after *Kills*. This film focuses on the aftermath of Michael's rampage and introduces a new character, Corey Cunningham, whose story controversially intertwines with Michael Myers for the final showdown.

Key Takeaway: This is the cleanest, most streamlined timeline. It erases the sibling dynamic, presenting Michael Myers as an inexplicable force of nature and Laurie Strode as a true survivor, not a family member.

Timeline 4: The Rob Zombie Remake Continuity (The Psychological Reboot)

In 2007, director Rob Zombie was given free rein to completely reboot the franchise. His films are a standalone, two-movie series that have absolutely no connection to John Carpenter’s original timeline. Zombie’s approach was to give Michael Myers a detailed, tragic backstory, shifting the focus from the original’s subtle psychological horror to a more visceral, gore-heavy style.

The Rob Zombie Timeline Viewing Order:

  1. Halloween (2007): This remake dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to Michael’s childhood, showing his descent into madness, the murder of his sister Judith Myers, and his time in Smith’s Grove. The latter half of the film retells the events of the 1978 original.
  2. Halloween II (2009): A direct sequel to the 2007 remake. This film is a highly stylized and often surreal exploration of trauma, focusing heavily on Laurie Strode's mental breakdown and Michael's continued, brutal rampage.

Key Takeaway: If you want a deep dive into Michael Myers’ tragic origins and a much more brutal, unmasked look at the killer, this is your timeline. It is completely separate from all other continuities.

Which Michael Myers Timeline is the ‘True’ Canon?

If you are looking for the most current, official conclusion to the Michael Myers saga, the answer is clear: the H40/Blumhouse Trilogy is the current canon. * The Current Canon: *Halloween (1978)* -> *Halloween (2018)* -> *Halloween Kills (2021)* -> *Halloween Ends (2022)*. This timeline is the most recent to be completed and is the one that successfully brought back the original star, Jamie Lee Curtis, for a definitive, non-supernatural final battle. It is widely considered the best viewing experience for modern fans seeking a tight, focused story of trauma and survival in Haddonfield. The confusion of the *Halloween* franchise, with its multiple timelines, is a testament to the enduring power of its original concept. Whether Michael is driven by a cult, a sibling bond, or pure, unadulterated evil, his masked visage remains the ultimate icon of horror, and his story can be enjoyed in any of its four distinct realities.
The Definitive Michael Myers Movie Order: All 4 Confusing Timelines Explained
michael myers movies in order
michael myers movies in order

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