Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

  • 1982
  • R
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
64K
YOUR RATING
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Trailer for Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Play trailer2:03
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Artificial IntelligenceCyber ThrillerSupernatural HorrorSuspense MysteryHorrorMysterySci-FiThriller

Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.

  • Director
    • Tommy Lee Wallace
  • Writers
    • Tommy Lee Wallace
    • John Carpenter
    • Nigel Kneale
  • Stars
    • Tom Atkins
    • Stacey Nelkin
    • Dan O'Herlihy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    64K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tommy Lee Wallace
    • Writers
      • Tommy Lee Wallace
      • John Carpenter
      • Nigel Kneale
    • Stars
      • Tom Atkins
      • Stacey Nelkin
      • Dan O'Herlihy
    • 853User reviews
    • 246Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos4

    Halloween III: Season of the Witch: [Collectors Edition Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 2:03
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch: [Collectors Edition Blu-Ray]
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch
    Trailer 0:41
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch
    Trailer 0:41
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch
    Will 'Halloween Ends' End Halloween? Reboots, Sequels, & Easter Eggs Revealed
    Clip 2:59
    Will 'Halloween Ends' End Halloween? Reboots, Sequels, & Easter Eggs Revealed
    How David Gordon Green Made the 'Halloween' He Wanted to See
    Interview 2:04
    How David Gordon Green Made the 'Halloween' He Wanted to See

    Photos221

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 213
    View Poster

    Top cast30

    Edit
    Tom Atkins
    Tom Atkins
    • Daniel Challis
    Stacey Nelkin
    Stacey Nelkin
    • Ellie Grimbridge
    Dan O'Herlihy
    Dan O'Herlihy
    • Conal Cochran
    Michael Currie
    Michael Currie
    • Rafferty
    Ralph Strait
    • Buddy Kupfer
    Jadeen Barbor
    • Betty Kupfer
    Brad Schacter
    Brad Schacter
    • Little Buddy
    • (as Bradley Schachter)
    Garn Stephens
    Garn Stephens
    • Marge
    Nancy Kyes
    Nancy Kyes
    • Linda Challis
    Jonathan Terry
    • Starker
    • (as Jon Terry)
    Al Berry
    Al Berry
    • Harry Grimbridge
    Wendy Wessberg
    • Teddy
    Essex Smith
    • Walter Jones
    Maidie Norman
    Maidie Norman
    • Nurse Agnes
    John MacBride
    • Sheriff
    Loyd Catlett
    Loyd Catlett
    • Charlie
    Paddi Edwards
    Paddi Edwards
    • Secretary
    Norman Merrill
    • Red
    • Director
      • Tommy Lee Wallace
    • Writers
      • Tommy Lee Wallace
      • John Carpenter
      • Nigel Kneale
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews853

    5.264.3K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6Muldwych

    Deeply Flawed, But Fun, Creative and Worthy of Reappraisal

    'Season Of The Witch' is the swiftly-ignored footnote in the 'Halloween' franchise - quickly forgotten evidence that 'Halloween' was meant to be more 'Creepshow' than 'Friday The 13th' in style. In retrospect, bringing back Michael Myers for 'Halloween II' was a possible mistake if the intention was for 'Halloween' to become an anthology series with a different tale in each installment. The sequel's success only cemented expectations in the viewer's minds that homicide in Haddonfield by a mask-covered psychopath was what they would see unfold each time on screen. And so by 1983, audiences clearly weren't prepared for 'Season Of The Witch' and made this fact abundantly clear at the box office, which is a great shame, because deeply-flawed as it is, 'Halloween III' is a lot of fun and does not deserve to be overlooked the way it often is.

    The storyline, centred around a toy factory manufacturing murderous masks designed to bring nationwide doom at 9pm on October 31st, is built up very intriguingly. We have a 'Simon Van Gelder'-like madman trying to warn the world of the impending slaughter, chillingly-ruthless killers in business suits silencing anyone who tries to get the word out, and strikingly memorable death scenes - one of which might be described as 'facial origami', and that's only the first 15 minutes. Soon, our story's heroes are embroiled in the factory's strange machinations, where nothing and no-one is exactly what they seem. The script builds up a tense atmosphere, leading to a truly compelling end that will keep viewers guessing long after.

    Yet 'Season Of The Witch' (a title not to be taken too literally) comes across as an intriguing second draft - full of good ideas, but lacking the kind of logic and key exposition that would have really brought the audience on board. Writer Tommy Lee Wallace's America, for example, seems to occupy one single time zone, in which it's possible to have the nation's children watching their televisions at the appointed hour. Likewise, we are expected to believe that the illegal appropriation of one of the world's largest and heaviest artificial landmarks - a key plot point at the climax - seems to be no more difficult than stealing a mattress from a bedding store and spiriting it away on a car's roof. Dr Challis, the lead character, is an obvious graduate of 'Action Hero Medical College', stitching up wounds one day and tackling the undead like Indiana Jones the next. The film's other two leads are also something of a puzzle, with their identities and ultimate fate never being satisfactorily explored. All of which leaves 'Halloween III' as a series of entertaining sequences that anyone attempting the most basic of critical analysis will be punished instantly with crushing bafflement. The lack of audience enthusiasm cannot be solely attributed to the absence of Michael Myers (who ironically, does enjoy a few seconds of screen time).

    Nonetheless, it would have been interesting if 'Halloween' had become an anthology series of horror, and with 'Halloween III' not short on ideas, it's only a shame more care and attention wasn't put into the effort. All involved clearly failed to understand what they had set in motion with the first two outings, unable to see that any change in direction for the franchise would have to be very well-executed to win the fans over. However, it wasn't and Michael Myers would go on to make a respectable return five years later. For what it offers, I think 'Season Of The Witch' is definitely worth a look - arguably more creative than most of the 'Halloween' sequels, but seriously lacking polish.
    7jp76-1

    Pumpkin-based terror

    Saw this film again recently after watching it as a kid in the 80s. Nobody else seems to like this film but personally i thought it was great. Maybe its because I'm a sucker for nostalgia and 80's B Movie 'shockers' and sci-fi generally, but also because I love Carpenter's work, especially from this period (and even though he didn't direct this he did produce it and it has many of his hallmarks) - The score is excellent and the whole film has the mood of a period of film-making that is forever imprinted upon my psyche. The story is typically ludicrous and fanciful to the extreme, (the theft of parts of Stonehenge and transportation to Western US for example, and the formation of snakes and insects out of thin air, but then we are talking witchcraft here so fair enough...)

    A very bizarrely positioned film in a series that was both preceded and succeeded by psycho-killer Micheal Myers' character, this is in my opinion a little b-movie gem.
    Michael_Elliott

    Very Underrated

    Halloween III (1982)

    *** (out of 4)

    Dr. Daniel Challis (Tom Atkins) has a man show up in his hospital holding a Halloween mask and refusing to let it go. The man is eventually murdered so the doctor teams up with the man's daughter (Stacey Nelkin) to try and determine why. This leads to a Halloween mask factory and its bizarre owner (Dan O'Herlihy) who plans on killing off children using the masks.

    HALLOWEEN III was a critical and commercial flop when it was released and you can go to any internet message board and mention this film and usually a fight will quickly break out. Most people can't stand the film because it doesn't feature Michael Myers. I understand that as I still remember the first time I rented this I couldn't help but keep waiting for Myers to show up and when he never did I felt cheated. That also meant whenever I'd watch a HALLOWEEN movie I'd skip this one because it didn't have Myers.

    Looking back on the film, history is starting to be kind because once you get over the fact that it doesn't have Myers then you'll see that it's an actual good movie. The original idea by John Carpenter was to have a new subject for each movie. Of course that didn't happen with HALLOWEEN II and after this one turned out to be a disaster the series quickly went back to the scary guy. This film here has a lot in common with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS as you've got evil robots, a mad man and killer masks. Oh yeah, you've also got one of the most annoying songs in film history yet can you not sing along each time it comes on?

    Another thing going in the film's favor are the two lead characters. Atkins is just a great blue collar guy and he's a lot of fun here. He has become a cult favorite over the years and it's easy to see why. Nelkin is also extremely good in her role and there's no doubt that the two work quite well together. O'Herlihy is also very good in his laid back approach to the mad scientist. There's also a nice score, some good cinematography and for the most part the story is good.

    I do think the film runs on a bit too long and I think Roger Ebert was correct when he said it would have been better had we known why the guy wanted to kill off all the children. Perhaps another draft of the screenplay would have worked but either way, time has proved that HALLOWEEN III isn't nearly as bad as its early reputation.
    7packfanman

    No Michael - Whew!

    For those of you who turn to 'Halloween' movies to get your Michael Myers on, you probably already know to avoid this movie like the plague. But, here is the truth. John Carpenter never wanted Michael Myers to become a series - he hated writing the second 'Halloween' - thought it was a totally useless concept that Michael turns out to be Laurie's uncle. That's why he blew him up at the end - so he didn't have to do the storyline anymore. Instead, he wanted to use the 'Halloween' title to come out with Halloween-themed movies - a new movie with a new them every year. I guess enough people didn't read that or understand what he wanted to do with it. Too bad. You're missing a decent show.
    pumpkinhead_lance

    An underrated film. Very moody and atmospheric. *** out of 5

    Let's get some things straight...

    The only real reason people seem to hate this film is because Michael Myers was absent.

    For those who don't know, John Carpenter and crew decided since Michael Myers was dead at the end of HalloweeN II, there was no reason to continue on with his story. The decision was to go ahead with the series making each new installment a different story revolving around the Halloween season. Personally, I think this was a wise decision. But after everyone saw it they were screaming 'That wasn't a Halloween movie! Where was Michael?'. Obviously the majority of the audience would rather more Michael Myers rampages than creepy stories set around Halloween time.

    Oh well, this movie gives a taste of where the series could have and should have went, before the disappointing HalloweeN 4.

    Overall, the acting is top notch. Tom Atkins is a great actor. The soundtrack is one of my favorite John Carpenter scores ever. It has themes, but it's more about synthesized mood and pulsating rhythms. The cinematography by the great Dean Cundey is fabulous. And the entire feel of the film is very unsettling. The film literally freaks me out.

    I recommend all of you that diss the film, to check it out once more. Keep an open mind. If this hadn't been a part of the HalloweeN series you would probably like it.

    As for myself, I'm glad that this carries the HalloweeN title. Th rest of the films didn't pick up until HalloweeN H2O which is a very worthy entry.

    More like this

    Halloween II
    6.5
    Halloween II
    Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
    5.8
    Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
    Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
    4.9
    Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
    Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
    5.8
    Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
    Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
    4.7
    Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
    Halloween: Resurrection
    3.9
    Halloween: Resurrection
    Halloween
    7.7
    Halloween
    Halloween Kills
    5.5
    Halloween Kills
    Halloween
    6.5
    Halloween
    Halloween
    6.0
    Halloween
    Halloween II
    4.8
    Halloween II
    Halloween 3
    8.2
    Halloween 3

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie's novelization was published in 1982 by science-fiction writer Dennis Etchison under the pseudonym Jack Martin. Despite the movie's critical failure, the book became a best-seller and was even reissued two years after the movie's release, in 1984.
    • Goofs
      The technicians at the Shamrock factory are still making the deadly computer chips and masks and working on the Blue stone an hour before the Big Giveaway at 9. These chips and the thousands of others in boxes around the factory will never be used as Cohran's goal will have been achieved after 9 pm.
    • Quotes

      Conal Cochran: Enjoy the horror-thon, Doctor, and don't forget to watch the big giveaway afterwards.

      Daniel Challis: Why, Cochran, why?

      Conal Cochran: Do I need a reason? Mr. Kupfer was right, you know. I do love a good joke, and this is the best ever: a joke on the children. But there's a better reason. You don't really know much about Halloween. You thought no further than the strange custom of having your children wear masks and go out begging for candy.

      [pauses]

      Conal Cochran: It was the start of the year in our old Celtic lands, and we'd be waiting in our houses of wattles and clay. The barriers would be down, you see, between the real and the unreal, and the dead might be looking in to sit by our fires of turf.

      [pauses]

      Conal Cochran: Halloween... the festival of Samhain! The last great one took place three thousand years ago, when the hills ran red with the blood of animals and children.

      Daniel Challis: Sacrifices.

      Conal Cochran: It was part of our world... our craft.

      Daniel Challis: Witchcraft.

      Conal Cochran: To us, it was a way of controlling our environment. It's not so different now... it's time again. In the end, we don't decide these things, you know; the planets do. They're in alignment, and it's time again. The world's going to change tonight, Doctor, I'm glad you'll be able to watch it. And... Happy Halloween.

    • Alternate versions
      The UK MIA DVD is completely uncut. The UK version was uncut during its theatrical exhibition. The video release in 1986 was cut by 2 minutes 6 secs before the video was submitted for a certificate and has all the violent scenes cut out. For instance: When Harry Grimbridge is killed, the gruesome killing of him is cut out. We see the fingers poised and the feet and Halloween mask moving, and then immediately it shows the assassin wiping his blood covered gloves on the curtain. When Starker gets decapitated, this scene including the fountain of blood is cut out. When Marge Guttman's face explodes, the gruesome insect scene is cut and it just shows her quivering hands move slowly down her face then it fades out. The drill murder of lab assistant Teddy ends as the drill starts turning and no footage is shown of her kicking legs. The 2000 MIA DVD featured the full uncut version though the 2002 widescreen release from Sanctuary featured a re-edited print which was missing footage of the two face mutilations.
    • Connections
      Featured in Coming Soon (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Do the Boogaloo
      Written by Gerhard Narholz and Jean-Claude Madonne (as Jean Claude Madone)

      Performed by Quango and Sparky

      c/o Sonoton Music Inc

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ24

    • How long is Halloween III: Season of the Witch?Powered by Alexa
    • If Halloween 3 originally was intended to start off a completely different anthology series of movies why is it called Halloween 3 season of the witch instead of just season of the witch?
    • What is 'Halloween III: Season of the Witch' about?
    • Is 'Halloween 3' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 22, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • HalloweenMovies.com
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Halloween III: El imperio de las brujas
    • Filming locations
      • Humboldt Creamery, 281 Loleta Drive, Loleta, California, USA(Silver Shamrock Novelties Factory)
    • Production companies
      • Dino De Laurentiis Company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,400,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,333,259
      • Oct 24, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,400,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.