Halloweenis one of the most popular horror franchises in existence. It introduced the world to one of the first slasher serial killers, Michael Myers. It established the returning final girl character through Laurie Strode.Halloweenproved that horror franchises would continue to draw in fans for decades, and whileHalloween Endswasn’t a favorite among fans, it showed what no otherHalloweensequel has shown before the definite destruction of Michael Myers.
Update June 14, 2025: It has been a year since Michael Myers story came to a conclusion with the release ofHalloween Ends, and with the news that Miramax is looking to develop a television series and a shared universe based on the franchise, this article has been updated with more ways to continue the series.
Nevertheless, the franchise is also known for its reboots every couple of years, and given its strong fan following, moving forward seems inevitable. Rumors were circulating thatA24 was looking to acquire the rights toHalloweenfranchise, but then Miramax eventually won the rights. Their intention is to bring the franchise to television and launch a shared cinematic universe. series. Here’s how theHalloweenfranchise can continue beyond the “retconning” of the latest trilogy.
Reboot the Jamie Lloyd Storyline
The Jamie Lloyd storyline managed to keep audiences hooked from 1988-1995. Yet, a negative reception resulted in the character being killed inHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.Fans were livid that a fan-favorite was handled in such a disrespectful manner: Danielle Harris being replaced by J.C. Brandy and her gory death sequence early into the film.
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With David Gordon Green’sHalloweentrilogy getting rid of the “Laurie Strode and Michael Myers sibling rivalry” storyline indefinitely, Jamie Lloyd’s storyline could be revisited and given a proper send-off or pave the way for another series ofHalloweensequels. Danielle Harris has proven that she’s still on top of her game through her work in Rob Zombie’sHalloweenfilms, her entertaining podcast alongside fellowHalloweenco-star Scout Taylor-Compton, and her strong fan-following demand for her return to the franchise.
Introduce a New Version of The Shape
Halloween Endsreceived a mixed reception all across the board, with some fans loving the introduction ofCorey Cunningham’s characteras a replacement for Michael Myers and others rejecting the notion of a new shape altogether. Nevertheless,Halloween Endsshows that a new villain can make aHalloween movie flow seamlessly. Rohan Campbell delivered a compelling newHalloweenantagonist, reiterating David Gordon Green’s concept of The Shape extending beyond Michael Myers.
Additionally, Allyson Nelson’s character could easily return asHalloween’snew final girl or even the new killer herself. It would be a spiritual continuation of the Jamie Lloyd storyline as a young girl who appears to be set up as the new killer in theHalloweenfranchise.
Continue the Anthology Concept
Just likeHalloween Ends,Halloween 3: Season of the Witchsuffered one primary backlash from audiences: Michael Myers being absent from the film. Through the years, the film has managed to earn a spot as a cult classic among fans, and it’s even considered top-tierHalloweenmaterial when compared to its later sequels.
The anthology series could be explored in countless ways, and given the horror genre’s array of “scream queens” to play in the franchise’s sandbox. It might be difficult for fans at first to move beyondHalloweenand Michael Myers, but ifCreedcan move out from under the shadow ofRocky, then all it would take is a great script and some commitment to evolveHalloween.
Make a Standalone Film Set Between Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends
Halloween Killsset up several interesting plot points. Sheriff Hawkins' backstory and his involvement in the 1978 massacre were explored, and his relationship with Laurie Strode was introduced. Haddonfield as a whole was further fleshed out, showing a community that is quickly plunged into anarchy during yet another Halloween massacre, and the movie ends with one of its main characters, Karen Nelson, killed by Michael in a scene that parallels his sister Judith’s own demise.
ComeHalloween Ends, many of these subplots were revisited only briefly or disregarded altogether. Laurie and Frank’s relationship never materializes past casual flirtations, Laurie’s road to recovery is mentioned in passing, and Haddonfield is shown to be unforgiving to its own residents without a nuanced shift.
A standalone film could bring closure to many unanswered questions: Frank’s road to recovery after his 2018 attack can be shown, his relationship with Laurie can be developed satisfyingly, and other Haddonfield residents could be addressed, notably Corey Cunningham. How did this man deal with the immediate aftermath of accidentally murdering Jeremy, and how did Haddonfield shift from taking care of its own to becoming a callous and antagonistic community?
Allyson Nelson’s character development could be explored deeper. As a secondary final girl next to Laurie Strode, audiences could see her navigate through the trauma of having lost her friends, boyfriend, and parents in one night and how these losses brought her closer to her estranged grandmother, Laurie. The possibilities are limitless, given the right script and creative team.
Make a Sequel in the Thorn Timeline
The Thorn Curse is perhaps one of the most controversialHalloweensubplots. While some fans praised it for its gruesome kills and one of the most menacing Michael Myers incarnations since the 1978 original, others were dissatisfied with its treatment of Jamie Lloyd. Its poor characterizations through returning characters such as Tommy Doyle, and notably, the dismissal of what makes Michael Myers such a menacing force–there is no explanation for his murderous ways aside from him being the shape of evil.
Due to its poor box office performance,Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myersmarked the end of the originalHalloweentimeline, giving way for the franchise’s first-ever retcon attempt,Halloween: H20. After almost three decades, the Thorn storyline has garnered more appreciation from fans, with many asking for a continuation film to tie up the loose ends fromHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.
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This would be an excellent way to revive the franchise afterHalloween Endsand make better use of the concepts introduced byHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers: Steven Lloyd, the final surviving Myers member next to Michael himself, could be revisited as an adult, Tommy Doyle could return as the series' new hero (only without associating the reboot to the new trilogy), and Michael Myers could be rewritten in a way to satisfy fans demanding more of the series' titular antagonist inHalloween Ends. Regardless of what direction theHalloweenfranchise goes in, there is room for it to continue sweeping box office sales for years to come.
Or Perhaps TV is the Way to Go
Curiously, TV is a virgin territory for Myers. Freddy had a TV series, as well as Jason (indirectly, but it was calledFriday the 13th). Michael was always left behind because of how limited the franchise feels. The idea of bringing Michael Myers to television sparked a bidding war for the rights that saw production companies known for horror, like A24 and Blumhouse (who produced the three previous Halloween movies), vying for the rights. In the end,Miramax won and has plans for not just a series but an interconnected universe of stories, whatever that means in this context.
But in any case, the idea sounds good. TV has been established as a respectable medium for these kinds of follow-ups, and we can only guess some platforms are hungry for the idea of making a show based on such iconic intellectual property. What we don’t see happening is the storyline returning to Haddonfield and exploring the same characters. It’s time to rest. To quote the line from anotherfranchise that’s being squeezed to death: sometimes, dead is better.
Is Michael worth revisiting through a TV show? We can’t see how they can sell the idea without incorporating the only common element in many timelines that have been created and dumped. What we don’t need is a prequel. Carpenter’s film has enough of that to make for an exploration of what made Myers a ruthless killer.
