John Carpenter's Films - Ranked From Worst To Best

2. Halloween (1978)

Pros: Suspense and tension above gore and violence. Iconic score. Excellent performances from Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis

Cons: Poor sequels. Poor remakes. Lack of bloody violence may be disappointing to some horror fans and modern audiences

Overall: Halloween is a landmark film in the horror genre, inventing or perfecting many techniques that would be borrowed by other filmmakers, particularly in the slasher sub-genre. Shot on a comparatively tiny $300,000 budget and in only 20 days, Carpenter's film made around $70 million at the domestic box-office, establishing itself as one of the most profitable indies ever.

Ostensibly a routine killer-on-the-loose movie (originally titled The Babysitter Murders), Halloween has been praised by critics, some of whom have tried to establish a critique of American youth culture and sexual promiscuity (which Carpenter has dismissed). Importantly, Halloween is really quite frightening, choosing to build suspense with sound, movement and the utilisation of space in the frame.

Carpenter received only $10,000 for his directing services, but the film became his calling card and established him as a director of real promise. Its influence cannot be overstated.