When the Halloween series first burst into theaters in 1978, it left fans wrought with fear. Michael Myers, the slow and silent antagonist was a force to be reckoned with, and the idea of a semi-supernatural, seemingly unkillable slasher was much more haunting than most monsters and mythical creatures. Although Michael took a lot of punishment and kept getting back up (a trope that isn't very realistic but still prominent in slasher films), there was a sense of "realness" about the whole storyline.
Now, over 30 years later, Michael is back (not counting his slew of sequels) and terrifying a new audience with Halloween Kills. The modern perception of Michael Myers is even more frightening and tense than his retro counterpart but it all started with the 1978 classic. Here's a look at other Slasher films that audiences may enjoy.
Friday The 13th (1980)
Those that enjoyed Michael Myers' silent-yet-imposing brand of Horror will want to check out the Friday the 13th series. Although the two Slashers have a different backstory, and signature look, they're very similar. They both kill without remorse, are frighteningly large, seemingly unstoppable, and have a signature mask that marks their appearance.
The original Friday the 13th is a good starting point as any, giving viewers information on Jason Voorhees' tragic backstory before they dive into the slew of sequels and spinoffs that followed.
Hush (2016)
A modern twist on the silent Slasher motif sees an eerie masked assailant hunting a deaf writer in an isolated home. Although this masked killer is far from the supernaturally strong Michael Myers, he's still incredibly unsettling, preying on a protagonist that isn't able to hear him coming. The fact that the poor writer struggles to know where her attacker is at times makes this film even tenser.
It's a great twist on the traditional formula and one of the better modern Slashers offered to viewers.
Candyman (2021)
Like Michael Myers, Candyman became a name to fear throughout the 90s. The urban legend took root, similar to Bloody Mary, summoning a powerful and terrifying entity when brave (but foolish) people would say his name three times. Much like Beetlejuice, but far less entertaining, Candyman would appear seemingly out of thin air only to meet his summoners with cold indifference and a Slasher's mindset.
The newest iteration of this classic tale is incredibly haunting, featuring an updated storyline and some unnerving visuals.
Fear Street Part One: 1994
R. L. Stine is best known for the insanely popular children's Horror book series, Goosebumps, but it's not the only thing the author has ever penned. Fear Street, another of Stine's creations, is just as unsettling as the creator's previous works. In fact, the slasher-based storyline was so popular with some filmmakers that one of them managed to turn it into a three-film series.
Fear Street Part One: 1994 is a great homage to some of the best Slasher movies ever made, bringing together great acting, moments of Comedy, and a ton of tropes.
Haunt (2019)
Halloween isn't the only Horror film to take place on the spookiest day of the year. There have been a lot of scary movies that have used Halloween as a backdrop but one of the most recent also shares the Slasher overtones of Halloween Kills.
Haunt follows a group of people desperate to find a Haunted House that will truly unsettle them. They eventually settle on one that promises to prey on their innermost fears but soon find out that the "attraction" is far from the fake thrill they hoped it was. Haunt is a sleeper hit and has quickly amassed a cult following. It's definitely one of the better modern Slasher films out there.
Freaky (2020)
Blending genres can be difficult, especially when it comes to Horror. There have been a lot of strange crossovers and "seemingly good ideas" that fell completely flat over the years. It's not all bad, though, and some great Horror films have sprouted from some of the weirdest ideas on paper. Freaky is a good example, taking a look at the Freaky Friday body-swapping mechanic and applying it to a traditional Slasher film.
The end result is a Horror Comedy that fans of the Halloween series should definitely dig.
Trick 'R Treat (2007)
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Although it's not true-blue Slasher at its heart, Trick 'R Treat feels similar to Halloween Kills (and its predecessors). This is partially due to the fact that it takes place on Halloween itself but also thanks to its visual style and 90s-Esque Horror tropes. There are multiple stories here for viewers to enjoy, wrapped up into one over-arching scare. It's cleverly written, features a lot of the ideas that Horror-fans know and love, but still manages to twist the traditional here and there. It may not have the same building tension as Halloween Kills but it's still a blast for those that enjoy films in a similar style.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Those that enjoy the Slasher elements of Halloween but are looking for an antagonist with more vocal pizazz should dive into A Nightmare on Elm Street and all of its applicable sequels. Freddy Krueger is as charismatic and snarky as he is dangerous (thanks to a wonderful portrayal by the incredibly talented Robert Englund). This series is definitely much more supernatural than it is "rooted in reality" but it's an absolute blast for those that want a different type of Slasher film to binge.
Tucker And Dale Vs. Evil (2010)
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is definitely much more Comedic than it is tense, but it still makes for a hilarious Slasher film, turning the traditional tropes on their heads. Tucker and Dale play two "hillbillies" that are wrongfully accused of being serial killers, in the same vein as the foes found in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Wrong Turn. It's best to go in on this one completely blind to what the film is about and just enjoy the ride.