Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers poster & wallpaper
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Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur, Michael Pataki ... see more see more... , Beau Starr , Kathleen Kinmont , Sasha Jenson , Gene Ross , Carmen Filpi , Robert Conder , Walt Logan Field , Eric Hart , Dave Jensen , Richard Jewkes , Raymond O'Connor , Jeff Olson , Michael Ruud , DonRe Sampson , George Sullivan , Michael Flynn , Nancy Borgenicht , Stephanie Dees , Richard Stay

This fourth entry in the Halloween franchise focuses on Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris), the niece of ubiquitous masked killer Michael Myers (George P. Wilbur). Jamie tries to lead a normal life, but sh... read more read more...e can't escape the vengeance of her "funny uncle," who once more escapes from the loony bin. The only echo of the original Halloween -- and a faint one at that -- is the casting of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis, who manages to get through his "We must stop him!" scenes as if mouthing the words for the first time. Though as predictable as they come, Halloween 4 is at least well acted, directed, and photographed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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59% liked it

66,124 ratings

Critics

23% liked it

22 critics

R, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Dwight H. Little

Release Date: January 1, 1988

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DVD Release Date: August 25, 1998

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Stats: 2,405 reviews

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Jamie Lee Curtis Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Rachel Carruthers Jamie Lloyd escapes Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Jamie Lloyd Michael Myers Jamie and Rachel Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers danielle harris Sheriff Ben Meeker danielle harris
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Flixster Reviews (2,405)

  • FilmFanatik
    October 3, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Now this is more like it. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers feels much more like a sequel to me than Halloween II does. It's also made much better than that film was, too. Let's take a look at the positives. You have Donald Pleasance returning to his career-defining role, ... read morea great young actress in Danielle Harris, a great cinematographer/writer/director team behind the scenes, and best of all, you have John Carpenter's and Debra Hill's non-involvement. It's great that they started everything but their ideas about what to do with the series weren't very good, and I'm happy that they handed the reins over to Moustapha Akkad. This is a great sequel in a horror franchise where few good films can be found. My only gripes are the almost sex scene (not necessary), the extraneous boyfriend character and Michael himself. He's not as impressive as he is in the original, but I doubt anyone can ever recreate or better that performance. I'm nit-picking here obviously, and I'm also blabbering on, but I really enjoy Part 4 as it is, to me at least, the best sequel of the series.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 17, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    After the absence of Michael Myers in part three, the filmmakers decided to bring him back with a vengeance. In what is the best sequel along with Part 2 and H20, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers is a fine return of our favorite boogeyman. A very chilling film, Halloween ... read more4 delivers terrific jolts that will delight fans that were disappointed in Season of the Witch. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers is definitely a sequel that lives up to the second film in the series. I thought that this film was very well done. The film manages to bring effective scares and delivers what Halloween fans want in a Halloween film. This film is one atmospheric horror film, and in has touches that have made the first one so effectively creepy. A Sequel that's pretty impressive, it offers new scares and screams for Halloween fans. The Return of Michael Myers erases the slate clean of the stain that was Season of the Witch. This is film is downright Creepy and is full of suspense, it will delight Halloween fans that were disappointed with part 3. There are plenty of effective jolts, scares and decent performances to keep the die-hard fans happy. This one of the best sequels of the series and it delivers something scary, effective and thrilling. With the return of Michael, you definitely get a film that brings on what you'd expect from a good Halloween sequel. The Return of Michael Myers is far superior to Season of the Witch. Welcome back, Michael.
  • blkbomb
    September 13, 2011
    blkbomb
    Dr. Samuel Loomis: Ten years ago, he tried to kill Laurie Strode. Now he wants he daughter.

    "HE'S BACK"

    I've always loved Halloween 4. It is probably my favorite sequel to Halloween, even though I think Halloween 2 is a better overall movie. Halloween 4:The Return of Michae... read morel Myers dissolves the bad taste of Halloween 3 and brings Michael Myers back. Not a bad idea after the whol mask fiasco from number 3. This is one of the first horror movies I ever saw and the ending scared the hell out of me as a child. I still love the ending.

    Years after the events that occurred in the first two mvies, Michael Myers escapes once again. Now he is after his niece who has been orphaned after the death of her parents.Just as important as Michael being back, is that Doctor Loomis is back also.

    The acting is very suspect, but I don't think it is to the point where it takes away from the enjoyment of the movie. This is one of those slashers you jst like; not because it is great, but because it exists. There is no way I would have been happy with the series ending at number 3. They don't come back with a shitty sequel either. As far as slashers go, this is easily in the top 10 percent of slashers.

    If you are a fan of the first two, I think more than likely you would like this one too.It is obviously not going to be the masterpiece Halloween was, but it is a fun little slasher that is good enough to warrant a watch. More than you can say for numero tres.
  • BEACHBUNNI
    November 1, 2010
    BEACHBUNNI
    Had to watch this for Halloween night,and it scared the crap out of me~~!!!!!!!
    hated it!!!
  • creepfreak
    August 10, 2010
    creepfreak
    Ah, the sweet vengeful return of Myers. Halloween 4 is my third favorite in the series. It's here we find out Myers is COMPLETELY superhuman. Part 4 returns to it's atmospheric roots, it's the second most atmospheric entry in the series. Like the original, part 4 doesn't rely on ... read moregore for scares, but on it's character Myers and on atmosphere. From here on John Carpenter never got involved. The Return of Michael Myers introduces the young Jamie Lloyd (played by Danielle Harris), Laurie Strode's daughter (which makes her Michael Myers' niece). I remember when I first saw this in the movie theaters, how much I fell in love with Danielle Harris. I was crazy about her for like a year.

    The kills in part 4 are most extreme (not gory but this is when they get more over the top (thumb through the forehead, shotgun through the stomach, crushed head by the hands of Myers, etc.). Again, it's not bloody, just more creative. The chase scenes reminded me of the original too. They were long and intense. I also like how the whole town got involved to stop Myers, it just made for more realism, as well as action. The ending of this movie is a true shocker. Halloween 4 is also one of my favorite Halloween (season) themed horror films ever made. Highly recommend to horror and Myers fans.

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  • TheGame90
    May 6, 2010
    TheGame90
    ...Is this for real? This movie surpassed it's capacity by a long shot. Very great movie. Nice lightning...nice audio (exept for some parts). And by god...unlike batman...the laws of logic applied. It feelt very realistic....I can't believe this movie gets so much crap...it's a g... read morereat story...and the ending was just breathtaking....that kid looked so cool. Really looking forward to Halloween 5. Michael is my new best friend.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 17, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    He carried out the most horrifying mass murder on record.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Brutal and relentless like the previous two, it's always good to see Michael killing. They sort've went the Friday the 13th route and just made Michael unstoppable and almost superhuman in strength. His ability to shove a rifle through a girl's stomach is quite amazing. They kept... read more the style of the first two, which was really nice. It fits in perfectly with the story. Danielle Harris was great even back when she was little and Donald Pleasence was crazy as always.
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    Not great. Michael Myers is not scary at all but good ole Donald Pleasence and a nice twist ending make it watchable. For hard core horror fans/completist only.
  • sononothing
    April 22, 2009
    sononothing
    This is where the Halloween franchise began to spin out of control into oblivion. Michael Meyers is back, even though we saw him practically reduced to ash in Halloween 2. This time he's back to kill his niece Jamie (Danielle Harris) because he's just weird like that. Look out Ha... read moreddonfield.

    Halloween 4 is just a cheap attempt at keeping the franchise alive amongst the Jason and Freddy movies that were making tons of $$$ in this era. Yeah, those weren't very good either. Michael goes around slashing teens and whoever gets in his way. What's hard to understand is how a guy who was burned to death (almost) and lying in a bed for most of the Reagan administration can be strong enough to thrust his thumb into another mans forehead. But hey, if that Voorhees kid can do it.

    And while we're at it, why in the hell does everyone feel the need to transport him so close to Halloween. Hey, let's take him out of maximum security on the night he gets a woody to slash some family. I know that something like this is like picking lint out of a belly button, but it just furthers the case that Halloween 4 was thrown together schlock.

    The only redeeming thing about the film is Donald Pleasence, who returns as Dr. Sam Loomis. Even in this low budget slasher he is still a great actor who gives an uncredible film credibility. He's riveting, but it's still not enough to save this film.

    So as an entry into the unkillable killer genre of the 1980's Halloween 4 is low rent, which like I said isn't saying much considering what we were getting into (think Manhattan). Completists can't even really hop on this film since future films ignore this one. Sadly, this film is a notch above another- the remake.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
August 27, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Fourth entry in the Halloween horror series is a no-frills, workmanlike picture. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

It seems the latest stage in some curious evolutionary pattern; the slasher species keeps proliferating and getting weaker at the same time. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

H4 is very much the cheap knockoff of its prototype, but not half as visceral. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Of all the Halloween sequels, including the irrelevant and unwatchable Halloween III, Halloween 4 stands out as the best of a generally uninspired lot. Full Review

Dustin Putman
October 28, 2008
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

Feels more like an obligatory teen slasher than the previous films...but gets the job done. Full Review

Tim Brayton
August 3, 2008
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

Though it is a slasher movie at all points, it's an atypically intelligent example of the form...a quantum leap better than its two immediate predecessors. Full Review

August 27, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The best of the sequels to Carpenter's seminal slasher movie. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
August 18, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

Although this is just more of the same old same, Halloween 4 is directed with some skill by B-movie specialist Dwight H. Little. Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

The shocks are infinitesimal, the script diabolical. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 10, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One of the best chapters of the series...really novel

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Dr. Loomis: Six bodies! Sheriff that is what I have seen between here and Ridgemont! A filling station in flames! I tell you, Michael Myers is here in this town! He's here to kill that little girl and anybody who gets in his way!
    • Sheriff Meeker: It's over?
    • Dr. Loomis: Yes. Yes it is. Michael Myers is in hell, buried, where he belongs.
    • Rachel Carruthers: I think tonight Brady was ready to make a commitment. But now my future relationship, my engagement, my marriage, my children, your grandchildren, have all been wiped out because I have to baby sit tonight.
    • Richard Carruthers: I want Jamie to be in bed by 9:30.
    • Rachel Carruthers: You're gonna be late. You don't want to blow your promotion.
    • Sheriff Meeker: Let it be, Earl. Let the police handle it.
    • Earl: Like the last time? How many people killed back then? How many kids?
    • Jamie Lloyd: Whoever you are, I've got a big dog with me, and he bites!
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Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Trivia

Halloween 4: The Return of Michae... Trivia

  • Which word will make these Movie names complete? ¬¬The Little Mermaid II - ____ to the Sea (2000) Kids ____ (1996) ____ to Never Land (2002) Halloween 4: The ____ of Michael Myers (1988) Superman ____s (2006)   Answer »
  • In HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS, which character was killed, but not by Michael Myers?  Answer »
  • Guess the horror movie from the tagline: 10 years ago, he changed the face of a day. Tonight, HE'S BACK! Clue: Probably the start of good sequels for this series, but then ruined by 'H5' and 'H6', but revived with 'H20'.  Answer »
  • '10 years ago, he changed the face of (a day). Tonight, HE'S BACK!'   Answer »
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