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Halloween (1978)

 -  Horror  -  25 October 1978 (USA)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 104,418 users   Metascore: 85/100
Reviews: 1,092 user | 236 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister, escapes and stalks a bookish teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets.

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Title: Halloween (1978)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Nancy Kyes ...
Annie Brackett (as Nancy Loomis)
...
...
...
...
John Michael Graham ...
Nancy Stephens ...
...
Mickey Yablans ...
Brent Le Page ...
Adam Hollander ...
Robert Phalen ...
...
Edit

Storyline

The year is 1963, the night: Halloween. Police are called to 43 Lampkin Ln. only to discover that 15 year old Judith Myers has been stabbed to death, by her 6 year-old brother, Michael. After being institutionalized for 15 years, Myers breaks out on the night before Halloween. No one knows, nor wants to find out, what will happen on October 31st 1978 besides Myers' psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis. He knows Michael is coming back to Haddonfield, but by the time the town realizes it, it'll be too late for many people. Written by Massive Fan

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Night HE Came Home! See more »

Genres:

Horror

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 October 1978 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's Halloween  »

Box Office

Budget:

$325,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$47,000,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (extended)

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When they were shooting the scenes for the start of the film (all the ones seen from Michael's point of view) they couldn't get the 6-year old child actor until the last day, so the movie's producer, Debra Hill, volunteered to be Michael for any scenes where his hands come into view. This is why the nails on young Michael's hands look so well manicured and varnished. See more »

Goofs

When The Shape attacks Laurie while she is hiding in the closet, the position of the clothes, as well as the types of clothing hanging in there, change frequently, and in every shot of the closet afterwards. See more »

Quotes

Lynda: [concerning Annie] The only reason she baby sits is to have a place for...
Laurie: [realizing she had forgot something] Shit.
Annie Brackett: I have a place for *that*!
Laurie: I forgot my chemistry book.
Lynda: So who cares? I always forget my chemistry book and my math book, and my English book, and my, let's see, my French book, and... well who needs books anyway, I don't need books, I always forget all my books, I mean, it doesn't really matter if you have your books or not... hey isn't that Devon Graham?
See more »

Crazy Credits

"Michael Myers, 23" is in the credits, yet Dr. Loomis says he's 21. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Life of a Horror Icon: Tony Moran (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

"Don't Fear The Reaper"
Blue Öyster Cult
Courtesy C.B.S. Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

Outstanding
23 February 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Halloween(1978)stars a very young Jamie Lee Curtis, the late Donald Pleasance, and, among others, P.J. Soles(the cap-brat from Carrie). The story centers around the demented/catatonic-schizophrenic Michael Myers and the brutal, cold-blooded murder of his oldest sister in 1963(done by him). Now it is fifteen years later and Michael has escaped the sanitarium and is headed for Haddonfield, Illinois, home of Laurie Strode(Curtis), his sister who was adopted shortly after the 1963 murder. Laurie has no idea about her past and wanders around with her friends, seemingly free of worry, and unaware that her every step is under careful watch from hiding eyes.

In the long run I am at a loss for words. Everything is here. And it's even terrifying...and a slasher movie, what a combination. Slasher movies, to me, usually aren't scary. But Halloween is. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet you are really missing out. It's a rare achievement in film history and is one of the best horror movies ever made. It's a perfect 10/10 all the way!!!


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