Overview
A masked killer returns to terrorize a small town on Halloween night, leaving a trail of fear and blood in his wake.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- foreboding
- eerie
- oppressive
- halloween season
- late night horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard John Carpenter's tightly directed horror thriller as an influential, beautifully crafted model of suspense, though some fault its thin characterization and derivative premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michael Myers appears in a stark, expressionless mask that became the film's defining visual motif.
Carpenter repeatedly uses empty spaces, lurking figures, and withheld attacks to extend anticipation.
Haddonfield's homes, streets, and babysitting routines contrast with Michael's stalking and killings.
Dr. Loomis describes Michael as fundamentally dangerous and the film withholds a sympathetic explanation for his violence.
Films like Halloween, and why
Psycho
foundational slasher horror built around a masked serial killer, stalking, suspense, and a resourceful final girl
Black Christmas
stylized slasher tension, teen victims, escalating suspense, and an influential masked killer figure
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
small-town serial-killer horror emphasizing stalking, mystery, and an apparently unstoppable murderer
A Nightmare on Elm Street
genre-defining horror suspense using careful anticipation, isolated victims, and a relentless killer
Movie Details
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Release Date
- 1978-10-24
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (6388)
Cast
- Donald Pleasence
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Nancy Kyes
- P. J. Soles
- Charles Cyphers
- Kyle Richards
- Brian Andrews
- John Michael Graham
- Nancy Stephens
- Arthur Malet
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, Cultpix, Shudder Apple TV channel, Chilling
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Halloween about?
- On Halloween night in Haddonfield, a masked escaped killer turns familiar suburban streets into a prolonged nightmare of stalking and survival.
- What is Halloween like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Halloween as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Halloween violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Halloween as moderate.
- What did critics think of Halloween?
- Critics broadly regard John Carpenter's tightly directed horror thriller as an influential, beautifully crafted model of suspense, though some fault its thin characterization and derivative premise.
- Which films are like Halloween?
- Films with a similar feel include Psycho, Black Christmas, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
- How long is Halloween?
- Halloween runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Halloween?
- In United States, Halloween streams on fuboTV, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, Cultpix, Shudder Apple TV channel, Chilling.
