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Ten Halloween Movies That Made You 400 Million Dollars Poorer

Updated on August 18, 2013

A Halloween Horror Movie Story!

Do you know about the 10 Halloween movies that emptied your pocket of nearly 400 million dollars? This almost sound like a horror story by itself, isn't it? Only, this is no story but facts. Halloween is one big shopping season, and the time to watch horror flicks to get you in the mood, which has become a tradition over the years.

Well, this article is about the Halloween movie franchise which made the producers laugh all the way to their banks. These ten movies consists of spin-offs and recycled versions of the original movie which was released back in 1978. Release date of the eleventh version, which is in 3D, is stated to be in October 2012.

Ok now, lets take a look at those 10 movies and how much they raked it in globally.

Halloween (1978)

This is the original independent slasher movie that started it all. Directed and produced by John Carpenter, Halloween (released in 1978) was made on a budget of $325,000 and grossed 60 million dollars worldwide by 1979. That is almost equal to $210 million of now! The story of the movie can be summarized as, a psychotic murderer's escape from a hospital where he was incarcerated since childhood, followed by his murderous rampage and his doctor's chase and attempts to stop him from committing more murders.

On Halloween, in the fictional town of Haddonfield (Illinois), six year old Michael Myers stabbed his elder sister to death with a kitchen knife. He gets institutionalized, but escapes from the psychiatric hospital 15 years later, and returns home to stalk a teenager named Laurie Strode and her friends. His psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis suspects Michael's intentions, and to try to prevent him from killing, pursues him to Haddonfield .

Halloween [Blu-ray]
Halloween [Blu-ray]
Did you miss this classic when it was released back in 1978? Well, now you can watch it in enhanced Blu-ray disc with all the effects in the comfort of your home. Just don't get too scared when watching alone. See the official trailer below first.
 

The Original Halloween movie (1978) - Official Trailer

Halloween 2 (1981)

3 years later the second installment of this horror movie franchise came out, with a budget of 2.5 million dollars. Directed by Rick Rosenthal, and written by John Carpenter, Halloween 2 (1981) was also a box-office success that grossed $25 million worldwide.

This direct sequel to the original shows Michael Myers continue following his intended victim Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, while Dr. Sam Loomis is still in pursuit of his patient. Film goes through a few twists and turns and leaves enough space for another sequel. Although it may sound silly now, the movie was banned in Germany and Iceland for violence and nudity.

Anyway check out the official trailer below first, just in case you decide to watch the full movie.

Halloween II (1981) - Official Trailer

Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)

An year later, in 1982, directed and written by Tommy Lee Wallace Halloween 3: Season of the Witch was released. Made at a cost of 2.5 million dollars, it grossed $14.5 million in US alone, despite the negative reviews from critics. More over it has to compete with better made films like Poltergeist , Creepshow , and Friday the 13th Part 3 at the box-office. It is the only movie in this franchise where the story isn't centered around Michael Myers.

This movie may be classified as science fiction horror, in which an insane Halloween mask-making company tries to kill millions of American children with something evil hidden in their masks.

Halloween III: Season Of The Witch
Halloween III: Season Of The Witch
Just in case you want to watch it, don't forget to see the official trailer below. Not a highly recommended watch, but be your own judge.
 

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) - Official Trailer

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Perhaps its the seemingly cold reception of the 3rd installment that prompted The Return of Michael Myers. It took 6 more years and 5 million dollars in the making, and the fourth sequel in the Halloween series was released in 1988. Directed by Dwight Little and written by Alan McElroy, this slasher movie grossed $18 million in US box-office.

Here, Michael Myers returns home to Haddonfield to kill his niece Jamie Lloyd, the daughter of Laurie Strode, while Dr. Loomis, once again played by Donald Pleasence, is in hot pursuit.

It is interesting to note that Halloween 4 was nominated for two Saturn Awards, for Best Horror Film and Best Writing in 1990.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers [DVD]
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers [DVD]
Mike Myers is returning to scare you in this slasher flick, which is the fourth installment of the Halloween movie series. "You can't kill the bogeyman!" See the official trailer below to decide whether this is a worthy addition to your DVD collection.
 

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) Trailer

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Michael survives the shootings in the 4th installment and returns for his vengeance in 1989. Made at an estimated budget of 5 million dollars, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers grossed close to $12 million in US alone.

The fifth sequel in the slasher series was directed by Dominique Othenin-Girard and stars Donald Pleasence (once again), as Dr. Sam Loomis and Danielle Harris, who returns to play Jamie Lloyd.

It received mixed reviews from critics and is the least successful Halloween movie to date. So take a peek at the official trailer below before rushing out to buy the DVD.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (DiviMax Edition)
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (DiviMax Edition)
"Michael lives. And this time, they're ready!" is the tag line for this movie. The special bonuses on this DVD include "Inside Halloween 5" feature and "On The Set of Halloween 5" footage.
 

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers Official Trailer

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

It took another 6 years for the next Halloween series movie to come out. The Curse of Michael Myers was released in 1995 at the cost of 5 million dollars and it grossed well over $15 million at the US box-office.

Directed by Joe Chappelle, the plot of this movie involves a mystical symbol called 'Curse of Thorn', which was revealed in the previous installment.

Donald Pleasence portrays the protagonist Dr. Sam Loomis for the last time, in this one.

An interesting fact about this movie is that, an early teaser trailer was released under the title Halloween 666: The Origin of Michael Myers.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers [DVD]
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers [DVD]
This movie is known for its controversial behind-the-scenes history. Supposed to be one of the most scary chapters in the Halloween series. Watch the official trailer below.
 

Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers official trailer

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)

Now, this is the direct sequel to Halloween 2, ignoring all the other installments that happened in between. Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode in this 1998 slasher movie - the seventh and the costliest in the series so far.

It grossed more than $73 million worldwide, but 17 million dollars were spent in the making of the film.

Directed by Steve Miner, Halloween H20 tells the story of Laura living in fear of her murderous brother, twenty years after the events of the original Halloween.

Interestingly, Dr. Loomis was missing in this installment.

H20: Halloween: Twenty Years Later (Dimension Collector's Series)
H20: Halloween: Twenty Years Later (Dimension Collector's Series)
This Collector's Edition is available in widescreen DVD for less than 5 dollars. Watch Michael tracking Laura down after a gap of 20 years to a private school where she has gone under a new name with her son. Chillingly! Trailer below.
 

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) Trailer

Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

The 8th in the series builds on the continuity of the previous one. Released 4 years after the 7th, Halloween: Resurrection , was directed by Rick Rosenthal.

It had a budget of 13 million dollars and grossed around $38 million worldwide.

A highly avoidable movie, according to Rotten Tomatoes and other critics, Resurrection ends with enough space for another sequel.

May be they released the movie too early, that the Halloween crowd decided to give it a miss, the reviews not helping either.

When is this going to end?

Halloween: Resurrection
Halloween: Resurrection
I honestly do not know what to say about this movie. Its your choice if you decide to buy this one at all. The disc bonus features deleted and alternate scenes with director's commentary, Web cam special with commentary, and Photo gallery among others.
 

Halloween: Resurrection (2002) Teaser Trailer

Halloween (2007)

This is the impressive remake of the original Halloween (1978) and my favorite.

The highest grosser (over 80 million dollars worldwide) of the Halloween franchise yet, was written and directed by Rob Zombie and released in 2007. It cost $15 million in the making.

In this movie Malcolm McDowell portrays Dr. Sam Loomis, while Tyler Mane takes the role of adult Michael Myers, and Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Strode.

Be prepared to be very scared if you plan to watch this one.It did scare me. I would like to watch it one more time.

Watch the trailer below if you are planning to get this DVD.

Halloween (Unrated Two-Disc Special Edition)
Halloween (Unrated Two-Disc Special Edition)
In this movie, Zombie tries to go deeper into Michael's psyche, looking for an answer for what drove him to kill people. Highly watchable with more original content and gripping scenes. This is just my opinion.
 

Watch Halloween (2007) official trailer

Halloween II (2009)

This is a direct sequel to the Halloween that was released 2 years ago. Written, produced, and directed by Rob Zombie, costing 15 million dollars in the making, Halloween II was released in 2009 attracting negative reviews. Even then it grossed nearly $40 million worldwide.

The film ia available on DVD and Blu-ray, with a choice of director's cut and theatrical version.

Retaining the star cast of the previous movie, the sequel picks up from where the earlier one ended. As the ending leaves something incomplete, I am afraid we are in for another installment of the franchise in the coming years (apart from the 3D version, which is on the way).


Halloween II (Unrated Director's Cut)
Halloween II (Unrated Director's Cut)
Frankly, I didn't like this one at all. Pick it up only if you must. Perhaps, I will wait for the 3D version to come out next year. Anyway, watch the trailer below to get an idea as to what this film is about.
 

Halloween II (2009) official trailer

Box Office History of Halloween Movie Franchise (Est.)

Movie
Release Date
Budget Estimated (USD)
Revenue Estimated (USD)
Halloween (1978)
October 25, 1978
$325,000
$55 million
Halloween II (1981)
October 30, 1981
$2.5 million
$25 million
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
October 22, 1982
$2.5 million
$15 million
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
October 21, 1988
$5 million
$18 million
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
October 13, 1989
$5 million
$12 million
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
September 29, 1995
$5 million
$15 million
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
August 7, 1998
$17 million
$73 million
Halloween: Resurrection
July 12, 2002
$13 million
$38 million
Halloween (2007)
August 31, 2007
$15 million
$80 million
Halloween II (2009)
August 28, 2009
$15 million
$40 million
Total
 
$80,325,000
$371 million
Halloween II (1981) [DVD]
Halloween II (1981) [DVD]
You can buy this widescreen DVD edition for a very cheap price. So, if you avoided watching it the first time it was released, go ahead and scare yourself now with this grisly sequel to the original Halloween movie.
 

A True Halloween Horror Story

Ok. Now you know about the Ten Halloween Movies That Made You almost 400 Million Dollars Poorer. What an an awful waste of money, considering the present economic turns of the times. I think, this in itself is a perfect horror story for this Halloween. What do you think?

References: Wikipedia and IMDb

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