Who directed the Halloween film series?
The Halloween film series is one of the most famous and longest-running series of horror films. Its first installment, “Halloween” (1978), is particularly notable as it laid the foundation for the entire series and had a major impact on the slasher film genre. In this article, we look at who has directed the various installments of the Halloween film franchise.
John Carpenter: Original Director
The first “Halloween” (1978) film was directed by John Carpenter. Carpenter not only directed the film, but also co-wrote it with Debra Hill and composed the film’s iconic score. Carpenter’s direction and the film’s minimalist style set the stage for the entire series and made it a classic.
Rick Rosenthal: The Sequel
Rick Rosenthal directed the second part of the series, “Halloween II” (1981). This film picks up right where the first part left off and retains many elements of the original film, such as Carpenter’s music and visual style.
Tommy Lee Wallace: Part Three
The third film, “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” (1982), was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. This film differs significantly from the other installments in the series, as it does not feature Michael Myers, instead focusing on an entirely new story. The reception of the film was mixed, but it has since achieved a cult following.
Dwight H. Little and Dominique Othenin-Girard: Parts of the Late 1980s and Early 1990s
Dwight H. Little directed “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” (1988), which brought Michael Myers back to the franchise. Dominique Othenin-Girard directed the next installment, “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” (1989).
Joe Chappelle and Steve Miner: Parts of the 1990s
Joe Chappelle directed “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” (1995), also known as “Halloween 6”. Steve Miner directed “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998), which brought back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode.
Rick Rosenthal: Return to Director
Rick Rosenthal returned as director for “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002), which continues the story of H20.
Rob Zombie: Remakes
Rob Zombie directed two remakes, “Halloween” (2007) and “Halloween II” (2009). These films offer a new take on the original story and deepen Michael Myers’ backstory.
David Gordon Green: The New Trilogy
David Gordon Green directed the latest trilogy consisting of “Halloween” (2018), “Halloween Kills” (2021) and “Halloween Ends” (2022). These films serve as direct sequels to the original film and ignore many of the previous sequels.
The directors of the Halloween film series have brought many different views and styles to the series, but John Carpenter’s original vision has remained at the core of the series. You can find more information about the Halloween film franchise, for example, here.
