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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Halloween

EMAIL PRINTCompass International Pictures

9.0 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 10 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 49 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Horror | Suspense/Thriller

Written by: John Carpenter
Debra Hill

Directed by: John Carpenter

Release Date:
Theatrical: October 25, 1978
DVD: August 5, 2003

Running Time: 91 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R

Starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Charles Cyphers, Tony Moran, and Will Sandin

Fifteen years ago, Michael Myers brutally murdered his sister. Now, after escaping from a mental hospital, he's back to relive his grisly crime again, and again...and again. (Anchor Bay Entertainment)

Also On Metacritic

FILM: Halloween Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween H20 Halloween II Halloween: Resurrection

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Halloween is an absolutely merciless thriller...I would compare it to "Psycho."

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

From a shock-and-suspense point-of-view, Halloween is the rival of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." With only a few arguable exceptions (such as "The Exorcist"), there isn't another post-1970 release that comes close to it in terms of scaring the living hell out of a viewer... A modern classic of the most horrific kind.

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100

Empire Chris Hewitt

Turn off the lights. Put on the widescreen version, showcasing Carpenter’s masterful framing and chill-inducing, Michael Myers-concealing use of shadows. Crank up the sound, and be scared witless by horror’s greatest director.

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Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

Carpenter displays an almost perfect understanding of the mechanics of classical suspense; his style draws equally (and intelligently) from both Howard Hawks and Alfred Hitchcock.

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Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

Don't see "Halloween" in an empty theater on a weekday afternoon. See it on a weekend night in a packed house. "Halloween" is a film to be enjoyed with a boisterous crowd; it's an "audience picture," a film designed to get specific reactions from an audience at specific moments. With "Halloween," the most often desired reaction is screaming. It's a beautifully made thriller -- more shocking than bloody -- that will have you screaming with regularity. "Halloween" was directed by John Carpenter, 30, a natural filmmaker and a name worth remembering. [22 Nov 1978]

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

There's nary a drop of blood on screen in this rollicking funhouse of a movie but there is enough sheer cinematic ingenuity on display to coax screams out of the most jaded gorehound.

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Austin Chronicle Mike Emery

Not entirely without some laughable or dated scenes, Halloween remains an original that continues to inspire a genre and probe middle America's fears about what's really lurking in the laundry room after midnight.

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Entertainment Weekly Bruce Fretts

Carpenter's brutally efficient exercise in tension and release.

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The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

This low-budget horror film, sophisticated far beyond its budget, is the work of John Carpenter, an authentic prodigy whose style recalls both Martin Scorsese and the Brian De Palma of "Carrie," but who has a metaphysical, sophomoric sense of humor both of those directors lack.

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Variety Staff (Not Credited)

After a promising opening, Halloween becomes just another maniac-on-the-loose suspenser. However, despite the prosaic plot, director John Carpenter has timed the film's gore so that the 93-minute item is packed with enough thrills.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 49 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Christian S. gave it a10:
An Amazing film, Halloween is one of the best horror movies i have ever seen. Classic story, great performances, top notch scares, if you haven't seen it, you are missing out big time. the best in the series.

Gavin C gave it an8:
Funnily enough, the fact that it wasn't very action-packed seems to be its strength.

Scott N gave it a10:
What more can I say - One of the greatest horror movies of all time and a true example of how to build suspense and terror without lots of gore. A true masterpiece. I only wish I could wipe my memory and go back and watch it again for the first time.

R F gave it a5:
Nothing special about this movie, very dull - all the action is packed into a 20 minute block. The worst thing is it wasn't even scary - very disappointed.

Chad EM gave it a10:
As good as it gets in the horror genre. "Halloween" is the perfect horror movie: atmospheric, well acted, masterfully directed by John Carpenter, and scary as hell. It is, essentially, a bloodless film, yet it is remembered as a brutal, gory slasher movie. Watch it on a late October night with all the lights out and the sound way up, and you'll see why it's the best/scariest horror movie ever.

David N. gave it a10:
The best horror film ever, a masterpiece.

Gina P. gave it a10:
One of my favorites! This film scared the crap outta me first time I saw it, I was probably 10 or 11 at the time. These days I still appreciate it for what it was. A cult classic, first of it's kind, genuine terror and tension filled fun. This movie was atmospheric and errie. The score is really what gets to you, making the hair stand up on the back of your neck. I cannont think of a better tense moment in any horror film than the scene from Halloween when Laurie is struggling to open the front door, calling for help, while Michael walks closer and closer, almost reaching her. If that didn't make you hang on to the edge of your seat the first time you watched it, then nothing will. A definite 10 in my book..always was, always will be!