The Halloween franchise has branched off into all sorts of interesting directions over the years. As different directors, writers, actors, and studios become involved – they seem to all want to occasionally reboot and start fresh. As a result, the Halloween films have created several different timelines. The latest of which was created with the release of the 2018 Halloween film. This film was created as a direct sequel to the 1978 Halloween, ignoring everything in between. Because the newly released Halloween Kills is a direct sequel to the 2018 Halloween film, that means the new timeline currently only consists of three movies.
As a result, a lot of the lore that fans might be familiar with in the Halloween franchise has been altered or removed completely. Laurie Strode is still a survivor of Michael Myers, for example, but no longer his sister which was a plot point added in the 1981 film Halloween II. Rather, Laurie Strode is a random individual, and Halloween Kills emphasizes this multiple times. Michael Myers is not trying to go after Laurie Strode. He does not acknowledge her on his own accord. He simply wants to kill at random. There is no motive.
We’ll be seeing this new timeline continued when Halloween Ends is released next year. Until then, the only films that are considered canon in the new timeline are the original 1978 classic, the 2018 Halloween, and the 2021 film Halloween Kills. However, if fans are curious on revisiting some of the older entries, these are the other timelines that connect with the original:
Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Halloween: Resurrection
Fans can also watch Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II, both of which remake elements from the 1978 film and its first 1981 sequel. Similarly disconnected is Halloween III: Season of the Witch, a movie that focuses on a plot entirely different from the Michael Myers storyline. At this point, the Halloween franchise definitely has something for everyone.
Halloween Kills was directed by David Gordon Green who also helmed the 2018 film. He wrote the script alongside Danny McBride and Scott Teems. The film features a cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Charles Cyphers, Anthony Michael Hall, Kyle Richards, Nancy Stephens, Jibrail Nantambu, and Robert Longstreet. James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle both return as Michael Myers.
Fans are currently able to see Halloween Kills both in theaters and on the Peacock streaming service.