As the veil between the living and the otherworldly gets thinner each fall, John Carpenter’s iconic Halloween makes its anticipated return to theaters. However, this year it’s trading the familiar fright-fest formula for a surprise twist: the original trilogy is getting its moment in the spotlight! Dust off those nostalgic VHS tapes, friends, because from September 4 through 6, AMC will host a ghostly reunion of Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), and that strangely delightful outlier, Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982). In a celestial nod to the changing seasons, this theatrical event is perfectly timed with the release of Halloween: The Game, giving fans a chance to relive the scares all over again. So, whether you’re reuniting with Michael Myers or reveling in the quirky charm of the third installment, it’s sure to be a spooktacular time! Curious about the details? Click here to LEARN MORE.
It has become something of an annual tradition for John Carpenter’s Halloween to return to theatres during spooky season, but this year’s big-screen event is doing something a little different. Instead of bringing back Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween 5 with the first movie, as has been the case in recent years, the original Halloween trilogy is heading back to theaters for three consecutive nights in September.
Our friends at Bloody Disgusting gave us the heads-up that Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), and Halloween III: Season of the Witch will be returning to AMC theatres from September 4 through September 6. The screenings are being presented in conjunction with the upcoming release of Halloween: The Game.
Here is the full schedule:
The return of John Carpenter’s original Halloween to theatres around this time of year is nothing unusual. The movie has become a perennial part of the Halloween season, regularly returning to the big screen for fans who want to experience Michael Myers and Laurie Strode’s first encounter the way it was originally intended to be seen. What makes this particular event more interesting is the chance to see the first three Halloween films together, especially Halloween III: Season of the Witch.
The first film, released in 1978 and directed by John Carpenter, introduced audiences to Michael Myers, Dr. Sam Loomis, Laurie Strode, and the town of Haddonfield. After spending 15 years in Smith’s Grove Sanitarium following the murder of his sister Judith, Myers escapes on Halloween night and returns to Haddonfield. There, he begins stalking Laurie Strode and her friends while Loomis desperately tries to track him down. The film became one of the most influential horror movies ever made and launched one of cinema’s most enduring franchises.
Halloween II followed in 1981, picking up on the same night and continuing the story of Laurie and Michael. While Laurie is taken to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital following the events of the first film, Michael continues his pursuit.
The third night brings the most unusual entry in the lineup: Halloween III: Season of the Witch.
Unlike the first two movies, Halloween III: Season of the Witch has nothing to do with Michael Myers. The film was intended to help turn the Halloween franchise into an anthology series, with each new installment telling a different Halloween-themed story. Season of the Witch instead follows Dr. Daniel Challis as he investigates the Silver Shamrock company and discovers a deadly plot involving Halloween masks.
The movie was not embraced by many fans when it was first released, largely because audiences expecting another Michael Myers movie were surprised to discover that The Shape was nowhere to be found. Over the decades, however, Halloween III has developed a cult following and is now widely appreciated as the franchise’s most unique entry.
That makes this theatrical re-release especially appealing. While the original Halloween regularly returns to theatres, opportunities to see Halloween III: Season of the Witch on the big screen are less common.
The screenings also arrive just ahead of the September 8 release of Halloween: The Game, with all three theatrical presentations being tied to the upcoming game. For longtime Halloween fans, the three-night event offers the opportunity to revisit Carpenter’s classic, continue the story with Halloween II, and then experience the wonderfully strange detour that is Season of the Witch.
Will you be heading to AMC to watch Halloween, Halloween II, and Halloween III: Season of the Witch this September? Which of the three are you most excited to see on the big screen? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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