Every Halloween Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

The Halloween franchise had laid dormant for six years - some might say seven, given the nature of the third film - when rights-holder Moustapha Akkad decided to revive it in the hopes of cashing in on the 1980s trend for slasher franchises (although this was already on the decline by 1988). So it was that, as the title might suggest, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers brought back the iconic killer to stalk and stab a new generation of Haddonfield kids.

However, with Jamie Lee Curtis now an established Hollywood leading lady with no desire to return (and an asking price beyond the film's reach in any case), Michael needed a new focus for his sinister purpose.

As such, Halloween 4 tells us that Laurie Strode died in a car crash some years after the events of Halloween II, but not before having a daughter, the affectionately named Jamie (Danielle Harris). Donald Pleasance returns as Loomis, and as ever is on fine form, even if it strains credibility that both he and Michael are meant to have survived the flaming climax of Halloween II largely unscathed.

While it covers pretty standard ground for an 80s slasher, Halloween 4 is well-paced and punchy. It also boasts one of the best final scenes of the series, showing Michael's niece somehow inherit her uncle's unnatural evil. If only the fifth film had been bold enough to follow through on that exciting twist.