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Halloween (1978)

R 91 min  -  Horror | Thriller  -   25 October 1978 (USA)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 86,971 users   Metascore: 85/100 
Reviews: 1,068 user | 198 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.

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

John Carpenter (screenplay), Debra Hill (screenplay)
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2 wins & 1 nomination See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence ...
Jamie Lee Curtis ...
Nancy Kyes Nancy Kyes ...
Annie Brackett (as Nancy Loomis)
P.J. Soles ...
Charles Cyphers Charles Cyphers ...
Kyle Richards ...
Brian Andrews Brian Andrews ...
John Michael Graham John Michael Graham ...
Nancy Stephens Nancy Stephens ...
Arthur Malet Arthur Malet ...
Mickey Yablans Mickey Yablans ...
Brent Le Page Brent Le Page ...
Adam Hollander Adam Hollander ...
Robert Phalen Robert Phalen ...
Tony Moran ...
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Storyline

The year is 1963, the night; Halloween. Police are called to 43 Lampkin Ln. only to discover that a 17 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 just days before Halloween. No one knows, nor would wish 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 to late for many people. Written by Massive Fan  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Halloween | Night | Michael Myers | Death | Knife  | See more »

Taglines:

Everyone is entitled to one good scare See more »

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's Halloween See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$320,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$60,000,000 (Worldwide) (1978)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | USA: (extended version)

Sound Mix:

Mono (original release)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

As the film was made in spring, the crew had huge difficulty in procuring pumpkins. See more »

Goofs

Errors in geography: Although the story takes place in Illinois, all the cars have California license plates. See more »

Quotes

Tommy Doyle: [screaming hysterically] It's the boogeyman! The boogeyman's outside!
Laurie: Oh Tommy, stop it! You're scaring Lindsey. There's nobody out there, now if you don't stop this I'm going to have to turn the TV off and send you to bed.
Tommy Doyle: Nobody believes me!
Lindsey Wallace: I believe you, Tommy.
See more »

Crazy Credits

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

Connections

Referenced in Prince of Darkness (1987) See more »

Soundtracks

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