Halloween

1978 "The Night He Came Home!"
7.7| 1h31m| R| en| More Info
Released: 25 October 1978 Released
Producted By: Compass International Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/halloween/
Info

Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

Genre

Horror, Thriller

Watch Online

Halloween (1978) is now streaming with subscription on AMC+

Director

John Carpenter

Production Companies

Compass International Pictures

Halloween Videos and Images
View All
  • Top Credited Cast
  • |
  • Crew

Halloween Audience Reviews

Laikals The greatest movie ever made..!
Ploydsge just watch it!
Konterr Brilliant and touching
Lancoor A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action
Wuchak A soulless killer, Michael Myers, escapes from the asylum and returns to the Illinois town where he murdered his sister 15 years earlier to wreak havoc on Halloween night. Donald Pleasence is on hand as Myers' seriously concerned doctor.John Carpenter's "Halloween" (1978) is hailed as the progenitor and blueprint for the slasher craze of the 80s with staples like the unstoppable masked killer, fake scares, the final girl and the undead dead. Of course, "Halloween" was influenced by earlier slashers or quasi-slashers, like "Psycho" (1960), "Dementia 13" (1963), "A Bay of Blood" (1971) "Torso (1973), "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) and "Black Christmas" (1974). "Friday the 13th" (1980) and its sequels took the "Halloween" template and added other elements, like the summer camp setting and an devolving supernatural killer.Whilst I prefer the "Friday" films, "Halloween" has more class than many slashers that followed, like the unimaginatively blunt "The Slumber Party Massacre" (1982). It also keeps the proceedings deadly serious unlike ones that added humor and campiness, such as "Friday the 13th Part 3" (1982). The film establishes some quality atmosphere with the raining sanitarium escape and the Halloween night sequences. The creepy ambiance is helped by the moody score composed and performed by Carpenter.Although the story takes place in a fictional Illinois town, the film was shot in the Los Angeles area (South Pasadena and Hollywood, etc.), which is okay since the neighborhood scenes could be Anytown, USA. What's NOT okay is how the trees clearly reveal that it's not late October.Other problems include a tedious lack of drive and some weak dialogue, like the girls' conversation walking home from school, which doesn't ring true. Speaking of the girls, they're decent, but not nearly as good as the "Friday" films. Nancy Kyes (Loomis) is arguably the best as Annie, followed by Jamie Lee Curtis as the main protagonist (whose mother, Janet, starred in "Psycho"). Flighty, but likable PJ Soles is also on hand. Another dubious part is the doctor hiding in the bushes by the abandoned Myers' abode speaking portentously.I appreciate "Halloween" because it's classy, atmospheric and it's a superb pick for the fall season; it also holds an eminent place in horror history. But, in light of the above flaws, it's a tad overrated by gushing fans.GRADE: B
baileygiannini I first saw this classic when I was thirteen years old at my Grandma and Papa's house. It didn't scare me, because I know that all of the storylines are make believe. Today however, I get worried that there's someone like Michael Myers who isn't in a normal mindset and might go on a killing spree. This picture is amazing, it has scares and a simple story that even a ten year old could follow. Everyone should own this film on DVD or Blu-Ray. This is one film that you shouldn't miss. This is just as good as Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror film, Psycho, and having Jamie Lee Curtis in the film was an excellent choice by John Carpenter himself, who at first wanted someone else for the roll of Laurie Strode. I also think that the mask that Michael Myers wears is terrifying and that Irwin Yablans was indeed completely wrong about it not be scary, as he shared on the Halloween (1978) documentary, which is now available to watch on YouTube. The film has a great supporting cast and a great teamwork ethic by bringing in Debra Hill to colloberate with him on the film. I think that Moustapha Akkad should've been more supportive about the film. $300,000.00 today is extremely expensive. I don't see why even back then you couldn't have made a simple horror film like this one. It's a fantastic film, the style and the look of the film, even when the opening titles play on the screen in the beginning, sets the tone for an amazing horror film. Sadly after Halloween II in 1981 it all went down hill and everything was just to make money. I am hoping that horror fans will help end this franchise this Halloween with the new Halloween film coming out (October of 2018) For and from overall rating I give Halloween (1978) A BOMBING 10 STARSWHAT AN AMAZING FILM!
spovolo This movie is an amazing classic horror for its time. Even if you don't like horrors this is one that's good to watch. Now with the new 2018 one coming out this year it is a direct sequel to the original. So if your looking at watching the new one I suggest watching the original one first.
jpasols Halloween (1978) is truly the best horror film EVER to be made! I don't even know where to start on reviewing this film! Halloween is what started me on the horror genre. It was my very first horror film and very first R Rated movie. This is a solid flick with a great simple plot, amazing characters, amazing cast members, and phenomenal acting. Now some people out there say this movie is over-hyped and overrated, well sorry you don't know what a truly amazing horror film is. Not to mention I can't wait for the 2018 sequel to this movie! If you for some strange reason have not seen this absolutely flawless film, do yourself a huge favor and watch it! And if don't like this movie, then you seriously got screws loose in your head.