HalloweenMovies™ | The Official Halloween Website

HALLOWEEN (1978)

Halloween Celebrates its 41st Anniversary

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During this week in 1978, John Carpenter’s classic Halloween released into theaters, and changed the shape of cinema forever. Our sincere thanks from everyone here at HalloweenMovies.com to the fans who’ve taken the journey into the once sleepy town of Haddonfield, and to those who’ve never had the chance to see Carpenter’s seminal classic on the big screen? We’re happy to say you’ll be able to do so now.

For tickets and showtimes, visit Cinelife here, and Happy Halloween! We’re beyond thrilled to celebrate forty-one years together.

To many cinematic nightmares to come.

Halloween – Trailer from CineLife Video Showcase on Vimeo.

The First Ever Officially Licensed Halloween Trading Card Sets Available Now

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Just in time for the spooky season, Fright-Rags has made available for purchase the first ever Officially Licensed Halloween Trading Card Sets, and we’ve gotta’ say, they’re pretty darn cool!

Filled with factoids, trivia, rare photos and more revolving around John Carpenter’s classic 1978 film Halloween (we worked hand in hand with Fright-Rags in order to get it just right), the trading cards are now available in the following three formats:

#1. HALLOWEEN TRADING CARDS – SINGLE WAX PACK (Price: $5)

  • 9 trading cards
  • 1 sticker
  • Autograph and sketch cards and other chase/parallel cards are randomly inserted

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#2. HALLOWEEN TRADING CARDS – SEALED BOX (Price: $120)

Each sealed box of 24 wax packs includes:

  • 2 full base sets
  • 2 full sticker sets
  • 2 full character sets
  • 2 full art parallel sets
  • 2 checklists
  • 1 sketch card, autograph, or printing plate

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#3. HALLOWEEN TRADING CARDS – FACTORY BOX (Price: $35)

Each box of 83 cards includes:

  • 78 full base card set
  • 2 random unique art parallel cards
  • 2 stickers
  • 1 checklist

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Get ‘em here before they sell out, and make sure to follow Fright-Rags on Instagram at @frightrags and on Twitter at @frightrags for news and updates on other current and future Officially Licensed Halloween merchandise.

 

‘REWIND’ to ’83: Michael Myers First Foray into Video Games

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Five years after Michael Myers exploded onto the silver screen in John Carpenter’s seminal 1978 slasher Halloween, the character found himself exploring for the first time an entirely different medium: home video games. But how did he fair in 1983, a year in which the home video game space was dominated by such child friendly releases as Crystal Castles and Dig Dug?

Decades before the online multi-player Dead by Daylight allowed PS4 players to walk in the digital shoes of Haddonfield residents beset by The Boogeyman, Wizard Video Games employee Tim Martin took a stab at the intellectual property by programming the first Halloween game, a cartridge for the early home gaming console Atari 2600. Developed by Martin and Robert Barber, the game was released in October of 1983, and like Wizard’s other genre inspired cart release The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the title unfortunately received a rather tepid response from parents concerned over the title’s violent content.

While by today’s standards considered rather tame, the game’s central conceit (players attempt to rescue children while also attempting to avoid Myers’ slicing blade) didn’t sit quite well with retailers worried over potential parental backlash. This is perhaps rather unsurprising given that the 2600’s most popular games at the time were the fairly pedestrian shooters Combat and Space Invaders, neither of which featured a headless, blood-gushing babysitter as (the result of a Myers attack) or Halloween’s iconic central theme music and poster, all of which weren’t necessarily considered “acceptable” entertainment for children of the early 80’s, regardless of how primitive the gaming technology.

The result? Wizard Video’s Halloween game, which was manufactured in smaller quantities due to such, has become somewhat of a Holy Grail item for collectors, as carts now fetch prices in the in the hundreds of dollars depending on their condition.

Check out some Halloween gameplay from ’83 below, and let us know in the comments below, “What do you want out of a Halloween game release?”

Nancy “Nurse Marion” Stephens Returns in Halloween Kills!

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We’ve been sitting on this news for a while here at HalloweenMovies.com, but today we’re happy to announce that another original cast member from John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween has returned for David Gordon Green’s currently shooting feature Halloween Kills: actress Nancy Stephens!

Stephens, who portrayed ‘Nurse Marion’ in the seminal film (as well as the 1981 follow-ups Halloween II and 1998’s Halloween H20: 20 Years Later) will reprise her role in Green’s sequel to last year’s hit film Halloween (in its new timeline), joining actress Kyle Richards (as ‘Lindsey Wallace’), and series final girl Jamie Lee Curtis as ‘Laurie Strode.’ Joining them are Anthony Michael Hall (in the role of ‘Tommy Doyle’, taking over for Brian Andrews) and Robert Longstreet as ‘Lonnie Elam.’

Set for release by Universal Pictures on October 16th, 2020, Halloween Kills is produced by Trancas International Films, Miramax and Blumhouse Productions, with director Green directing from a script he co-wrote with returning collaborator Danny McBride and series newcomer Scott Teems.

Based on characters created by series originator John Carpenter and Debra Hill, Halloween Kills and its 2021 follow-up Halloween Ends will be produced by Akkad, Jason Blum and Bill Block. Green, McBride, John Carpenter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson and Ryan Freimann will serve as executive producers, with Ryan Turek overseeing both projects for Blumhouse.

Check out a teaser for the films below.

Tickets Now On Sale as Halloween Returns to Theaters This September

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John Carpenter’s horror classic, 1978’s Halloween, returns to select theaters beginning September 27th via CineLife Entertainment and Compass International Pictures, and tickets are now on sale!

To purchase tickets (and for theaters, dates and show times) visit CineLife Entertainment here.

From the press release:

John Carpenter’s Horror Classic Halloween Returns To Select Theaters Nationwide Beginning September 27th

LOS ANGELES, September 10, 2019 – CineLife Entertainment®, the event cinema division of Spotlight Cinema Networks, teams up with Compass International Pictures to bring the seminal 1978 original classic John Carpenter’s Halloween back to select theatres across North America beginning September 27th.

In the film, Michael Myers has spent the last 15 years locked away inside a sanitarium under the care of child psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis after brutally murdering his sister when he was 6-years old. On October 30, 1978, Myers escapes and makes his way back home to Haddonfield, Illinois, turning a night of tricks and treats into something much more sinister for the locals, including Laurie Strode, the star-making role for Jamie Lee Curtis. Watch the trailer here:

John Carpenter’s Halloween premiered in cinemas and on drive-in screens on October 25, 1978, changing the landscape of horror cinema. It stunned audiences worldwide and has since inspired countless films in the genre. In 2006, it was selected by the Library of Congress as one of a select few films to be preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

“I’m thrilled to have the original make its way back into theatres,” says director John Carpenter.

Fans will be treated to view big screen presentations of the restored and remastered digital print, created under the supervision of the world-renowned cinematographer, Dean Cundey. Tickets go on sale September 10th.

“We are excited to bring the most prominent and enduring horror film back to cinema screens giving new and old fans a slasher film treat they’ll never forget,” said Bernadette McCabe, Executive Vice President, CineLife Entertainment.

Halloween – Trailer from CineLife Video Showcase on Vimeo.

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Spotlight Cinema Networks is the only cinema advertising company dedicated to serving the needs of art house and luxury exhibitors for cinema advertising, preshow entertainment, event cinema and digital display distribution. CineLife Entertainment® acquires and distributes event cinema and alternative content titles in the U.S. and international markets. Spotlight Cinema Networks is owned by Wagner-Cuban Companies and Arthouse Marketing Group, and represents the top exhibitors in these genres, including segment leaders Angelika Film Center, Laemmle Theatres, Landmark Theatres, Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, Flix Brewhouse and Silverspot Cinemas.

Trancas International Films, Inc., along with its subsidiary Compass International Pictures, Inc., is a film production and distribution company based in Los Angeles and operating worldwide with a library of classic and revered films, such as John Carpenter’s Halloween, The Message, and Lion of the Desert. Trancas has been involved in the production of every film in the Halloween franchise, including Universal Picture’s 2018 incredibly successful release Halloween directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Lee Curtis. In addition to partnerships with Universal, Trancas has deals with Miramax, Blumhouse, Lionsgate, Anchor Bay, and Dimension Films among others.

Michael Myers Comes Home in Trick Or Treat Studios’ Halloween Legacy Collection

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With only 71 days to go until Halloween, we’re getting into the spirit of the holiday here at Halloweenmovies.com, and so is Trick Or Treat Studios, with some new and exciting Officially Licensed offerings in their Halloween Legacy product line.

From their “Halloween – The Boogeyman Michael Myers Mask” sculpted by the legendary artist Justin Mabry to their injection molded and electro plated “Halloween – Michael Myers Poster Knife Prop” based on the iconic poster art by artist Robert Gleason, we’re gonna’ predict that fans of the 1978 Carpenter classic will be thrilled by TOTS’ latest offerings (because quite frankly, we are!)

Joining the previously mentioned in TOTS’ line-up are eye-catching Michael Myers 925 Sterling Silver collector rings, Halloween wall decorations designed by Marty McEwen (with art in the style of vintage 60’s Halloween décor), young and old Michael Myers Halloween costumes perfect for any costume party (with Laurie Strode and Loomis getups available to boot), Halloween enamel pins, a light-up pumpkin, and a life-sized, 1:1 scale poseable prop of The Shape that’s sure to scare the hell out of the trick or treaters come Halloween night… and probably anyone else who encounters it.

Further, TOTS has delivered for fans of 1988’s Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and 1989’s Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers Justin Mabry-sculpted masks of the Shape stemming from both (and a “The Brute” mask developed by Rudel to boot), as well as adult and children’s Jamie Lloyd clown costumes, and a whole lot more.

Check out a smattering of images below, and for the full line head on over to Trick Or Treat Studios here to check out their Officially Licensed Halloween products, and follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on all of the latest.

John Carpenter’s Halloween Returns to Theaters This Fall!

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This fall, John Carpenter’s classic Halloween, the film that started it all, returns to theaters for a limited run, courtesy of Trancas International Films and Compass International Pictures and partner CineLife Entertainment.

 

Scheduled to run from September 27th to October 31st, the restored and remastered digital print was created under the supervision of the world-renowned cinematographer Dean Cundey, and marks the 41st anniversary of the groundbreaking film. In it, protagonist Michael Myers, who has spent the past fifteen years locked away inside a sanitarium for the childhood murder of his sister escapes, and on October 30th of 1978 makes his way back home to Haddonfield, Illinois, turning a night of tricks and treats into something much more sinister for three young women, including Laurie Strode, the star-making role for lead Jamie Lee Curtis.

Participating theaters and show times will be soon posted at www.CineLifeEntertainment.com

LOCAL BOOGEYMAN Releases Officially Licensed Halloween Tees!

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Owned and operated by clothing designer and horror fanatic James Claeys, Los Angeles’ LOCAL BOOGEYMAN’S House of Horror (located at 2151 West Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park) has been a horrifically cool and decidedly punk rock destination for horror fans since it opened its doors – and now they’re offering Officially Licensed Halloween apparel.

Founded by Claeys, LOCAL BOOGEYMAN has built a solid reputation for itself in the world of high-end tees and horror apparel. Pre-shrunk and made of vintage inspired and distressed material for an impressive fit and feel (I’ll personally attest to this, as my closet contains a half dozen or so), BOOGEYMAN apparel also features some truly unique graphic designs from horror films both young and old. Need some swag from the yet-to-be-released Rob Zombie flick 3 From Hell? Well, they’ve got it, but what’s got us even more excited is their latest release: a trio of tees inspired by John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, Halloween.

Here’s one of them!

BOOGEYMAN apparel sells out lightning fast, as Claeys does limited runs (and at times one-of-a-kind garments), making them somewhat of a collector’s item, so if you want one (and want to check out the other two), don’t delay.

And if you’re in LA, make sure to swing by their store… there’s often  a pop up haunted house inside.

Local Boogeyman’s official site can be found here, and you can ‘like’ them on Facebook here and follow them on Instagram @greatwhitegrizzly.

 

John Carpenter Talks Surviving Hollywood

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Filmmaker and master of horror John Carpenter sat down with Variety’s Jenelle Riley for an interview recently to discuss his career, and touched on such topics as the films which frightened him as a boy (1958’s The Fly and 1951’s The Thing from Another World, among them), growing up in a segregated South, his early years at USC, his approach to scoring film, and Jason Blum’s challenge to him of, “Why don’t you get off your lazy butt and make it good instead of sitting around and complaining?” as it pertained to the Halloween film series, which prompted his return as executive producer and composer in last year’s David Gordon Green-directed box office hit.

It’s a great watch (and if you pay close attention, you’ll even spy in the b-roll a Rick Baker-designed maquette of a Creature from the Black Lagoon suit mock-up, which was intended for a never-made remake of the eponymous 1954 film which Carpenter was once attached to direct for Universal).

Interesting stuff. Check it out below.

“She’s” Purely and Simply Evil?

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Over the years, there’s been some rather interesting visual incarnations of Haddonfield’s favorite boogeyman (KNB’s Myers mask for Halloween H20 being one of them), but Kotobukiya’s Officially Licensed Female Michael Myers Bishouja Statue arguably is the most unusual!

Kotobukiya says of their 1:7 scale feminine twist on The Shape, which joins their Horror Bishouja line-up (they’ve previously released their own riffs on Pinhead, Jason Voorhees, Bride of Chucky and more): “The villainous killer is expertly transformed into the BISHOUJO style by talented illustrator Shunya Yamashita. The simple design of the mechanic’s uniform show off the BISHOUJO’s curves, and the details of her unique base evoke the atmosphere of the film. An exquisitely crafted beauty, this BISHOUJO’s blood-splattered coveralls and cold, disdainful expression are sure to remind you of the classic villain!”

Sanding at 9” tall atop a themed base, the Officially Licensed Female Michael Myers Bishouja Statue is currently available at Sideshow Collectibles for $89.99. Check out the photos below, and you can purchase your own here.