Halloween is a popular American slasher franchise that encompasses thirteen films, alongside novels, comic books, a video game, and various merchandise. The movies predominantly revolve around the character Michael Myers, who, as a child, was institutionalized for the murder of his sister, Judith Myers. Fifteen years later, he escapes and embarks on a murderous spree in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael’s reign of terror unfolds on the Halloween holiday, which serves as the backdrop for all the films in the series.
Throughout the franchise, numerous protagonists attempt to thwart Myers, with the most iconic figures being babysitter Laurie Strode (primarily portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis) and psychiatrist Dr. Samuel Loomis (primarily portrayed by Donald Pleasence). The original Halloween film, released in 1978, was written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, who also served as the film’s director and producer, respectively. Drawing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Bob Clark’s Black Christmas, this film is recognized for sparking a lineage of slasher cinema.