Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers (1988)

My Top 8 Halloween-Themed Movies

If you’re a fan of Halloween like me (and the season in general), I’ve combined a list of movies guaranteed to give you a taste of the holiday. Some of these choices are scary, while others are bound to get you in the mood with their Halloween atmosphere! In the coming month, these movies and specials are bound to be found somewhere on Dish Network’s channels.1)) Halloween (1978)– the ultimate Halloween movie in my opinion.

The suspense is slow-building and chilling, though in the end, the simplicity of the movie is what makes it work. What’s scarier than a man in a mask without a motive? The sequels created a backstory, but in the original Michael Myers was intended to be nothing more than a psycho killer stalking babysitters. The unknown is always scarier than the exposition.2) Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)- this is one of the better Halloween sequels, and one of the few to get the atmosphere of the holiday right.

This is not a perfect movie, but there are enough elements (the acting from a very young Danielle Harris for one, plus the feel of the holiday) that make it enough for me to enjoy watching every year. ‘Tis the season!3) “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966) – I’ve probably lost count on how many times I’ve seen this. When I was a kid we had it on tape but we still got excited every year when they aired it on TV. Those were back in the days when the networks actually showed holiday specials.

I don’t know why they stopped, but I’m going to guess the availability of the programs on DVD has something to do with it. “Charlie Brown” is one of the few they still show, however.4) “Garfield’s Halloween Adventure “(1989)- easily my favorite of the Halloween fare. I bought this on DVD a couple of years ago (along with Garfield’s other holiday specials) and every year around Halloween I pop it in the DVD player. Considering they no longer show this on TV for some reason, it’s a nice trip down memory lane.5) Hocus Pocus (1993)- most of this movie was filmed and set in Salem, MA – the ultimate Halloween destination – which explains the spot-on atmosphere.

It definitely has a strong feeling of fall/Halloween in New England, which you can only truly appreciate if you’ve grown up around here. It’s a family movie, and I remember going to see this one at the drive-in. ABC Family and Disney air this a lot around this time of year.6) Casper (1995)- another one that captures the feeling of fall in New England just right (I think this is supposed to take place in Maine.) Again, it’s geared towards the younger ones and families, but its still good atmosphere-wise.7) Satan’s Little Helper (2004)- I threw this one in here simply for the sheer camp value.

This low-budget flick came out in 2004. It involves a young boy who is obsessed with a video game called Satan’s Little Helper. While walking down the street he sees a man in a Satanic mask displaying some dead bodies on a lawn (they’re real but the boy thinks they’re fake.) He asks if he can be his helper and he follows the masked man around town on a killing spree, completely oblivious to the fact that these horrible acts are all real. Gather a few of your friends together, get drunk, and have a “Mystery Science Theatre” night with this one.

The acting is terrible, the dialogue is even worse, and it definitely puts this one into the “So bad it’s good” category.8) Trick ‘r Treat (2009) – despite not having seen this one yet (it hits DVD October 6), I still added this to the list because everyone who has seen it already is gushing over the atmosphere in the movie. They say it might possibly be one of the best Halloween movies ever to be released, and that it completely embraces the spirit of the holiday. I have a feeling this movie will be a cult classic (in some ways it already is – it has been delayed since 2007), and I will definitely be adding this to my movie collection.


By: Frank Bilotta

About the Author

Frank helps people learn about Dish Network Satellite TV, and how they can save money every month with popular Dish Network Packages. Dish has advanced, award winning, Dish DVR and Dish HD receivers, there is a lot of good news to share. Frank and his team also help people determine if satellite internet is right for them and, if so, helps explain the offers from WildBlue and Hughesnet

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Halloween 4 : The Return Of Michael Myers (1988)(Original)

HALLOWEEN 4: RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK LP, 1988) 1988 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK LP WITH MUSIC FOR THE HORROR SEQUEL COMPOSED BY ALAN HOWARTH WITH JOHN CARPENTER. FILM STARRED DONALD PLEASANCE, ELLIE CORNELL, DANIELLE HARRIS, MICHAEL PATAKI; DWIGHT H LITTLE DIRECTOR. HORROR COLLECTIBLE!...

Halloween 4 [VHS] $8.25 "You can't kill the bogeyman," the children insist to a terrorized Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in the original Halloween. How right they are. Laurie is gone, but guess who's back in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers? Acting as if the third entry never existed, this installment picks up 10 years after the original, with mad maniac Myers in a coma and moved to a new facility. But wouldn'...

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (Special DiviMax Edition) $4.97 Move over, Freddy and Jason, because Michael Myers is coming back! After spending 10 years in a prison asylum, Michael escapes and heads for the town where his bloody killing spree took place in order to find his niece. Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Michael Pataki star. 88 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround stereo; audio commentary; feat...

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers $11.67 Move over, Freddy and Jason, because Michael Myers is coming back! After spending 10 years in a prison asylum, Michael escapes and heads for the town where his bloody killing spree took place in order to find his niece. Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Michael Pataki star. 88 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; theatrical trailers....

Fangoria Magazine Issue #79: Halloween 4 (December 1988) ...